Emerging as the country of adventure and excitement, South Africa has changed the idea of an ideal holiday. Action-packed city centres, astonishing views and a vibrant culture all await you once you leave the ship. Even if the thrills aren’t for you, some various beaches and resorts are more than likely to tickle your fancy. So here are some of the reasons that you should choose South Africa as your next cruising destination.

Cape Town

Overlooked by the awe-inspiring tabletop mountain, Cape Town has gained a reputation for thrill-seekers and a relaxing retreat, making it the perfect city for every type of cruiser. Fill your days relaxing peacefully at golden sand-filled beaches or take a short seven-mile ferry journey to the historical Robben Island, known for its mid-1960’s prison’s, remnants of WW2 and distinct ships that have run aground here. Back on the mainland, a wealth of world-class restaurants can be found in the city centre delving into authentic and nuanced dishes, pair this with a secret getaway to an original wine estate for a romantic day in the capital.

Release the Adventure

There is no doubting that Africa has its wild-side, and this is no more prominent than in South Africa. Escaping from the cities could be the best way to explore the rugged landscapes and find your hidden gems. But if you want to stick to the already forged-path, safaris are a great option with the local’s offering daily excursions. If you would prefer to stay near the coast, there are opportunities of whale watching tours in the Western Cape which is known for its southern right, humpback and Bryde’s whales.

If the wildlife doesn’t amaze you enough, walking trails might be more your thing. National parks take up around 3% of South Africa, so finding your unique trail shouldn’t be difficult. Thrill-seeking sports are a must, with everything from Bungie-jumping to abseiling, and even relaxing journey’s in cable cars, South Africa has it all.

It’s not every day you can head down to the beach and expect to see penguins waddling around the beach, and when I mean penguins I don’t mean just one or two. There are 3,000 colonies of penguins that live in Boulders Beach in Cape Town. Nearby there is also a bird rehabilitation centre, where you can get up and close with a behind the scenes private tour.

Food

Over the years South African cuisine has taken a lot of influence from countries in Europe and Asia, making their dishes to be desired. Most notably they have a variety of tasty meat, opting out of the typical beef and pork and using local delicacies like ostrich and springbok. South Africa is also known for its BBQ meats including biltong which has a similar taste to beef jerky. Luckily for us Brits, South Africa is big on beer production with their biggest tourist attraction being in Johannesburg for the SAB World of Beer tour.

These are just a few of the things that South Africa has to offer, if you would like to know more, contact us or call us on 0800 121 8250.