Villas in South Africa

With surroundings ranging from wildlife, forests, mountains and pristine beaches, there is no doubt that South Africa is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the world that you should experience once in your life. In the country, you can find luxurious villas near the ocean and even within the nature reserves where you will have the opportunity to observe animals such as giraffes, rhinos and zebras up close. You can enjoy the tropical climate while relaxing in a dream villa, wake up to beautiful ocean or savannah views and venture out on South Africa's most amazing rivers, seas and safaris.

From villas with high thatched roofs to villas with a more minimalist style, South Africa has a wide variety of spectacular places to stay. Don't be fooled by the traditional thatched roofs… all villas have luxurious, modern interiors with sliding glass doors that light up the living room, fully equipped open-plan kitchens, air conditioning and spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. Moreover, outside the villa, you will find outdoor showers, Jacuzzis, terraces with sun loungers for sunbathing and infinity pools that seem to stretch to the horizon.

With a coastline that stretches for over 1,860 miles, it's inevitable that South Africa has some of the most incredible water activities on the continent. The diving is diverse and ranges from the Atlantic coast to the shores of the Indian Ocean. Try diving in Cape Town or Sodwana Bay. Both are the best places to see coral reefs and discover African marine life! You can relax in the warm, crystal clear waters and enjoy the colourful spectacle of reef fish. Or if you're more adventurous, why not try diving with sharks? You can experience a close encounter with the sea's most feared predator off the coast of Cape Town, with or without a cage... But if you prefer to stay above the water, the water bikes at Simon's Town Jetty in Cape Town make it easy and eco-friendly to ride through the sea. And for surfing, Jeffrey's Bay, south of Port Elizabeth, is the most famous surfing spot on the African continent.

A great activity for families with children is to venture out on safari drives! South Africa is home to some of the best safaris in the world and has hundreds of stunning national parks to explore. Kruger National Park is perhaps the most popular with families as it offers self-drive opportunities and boasts tons of wildlife encompassing all of the children's favourite animals. Although Kruger is the most famous destination, Muizenberg Beach is also a favourite with families for its soft sands and rock pools to explore. And for a unique experience, Boulders Beach is one of the few places where children can get up close to African penguins.

Known as Cape Town's number one tourist attraction, climbing Table Mountain is a totally fascinating experience not to be missed when visiting South Africa. The mountain towers 1,089 metres above Cape Town and boasts a variety of wildlife at the top, as well as a restaurant with jaw-dropping views. Take a few minutes ride on the cable car or climb the mountain in a group, relax with a special dinner at the Café and gaze out over the impassive ocean from the edge of the summit.

Take a tour of the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, pass through the system of chambers connected by tunnels and see marvellous rock formations such as the 150,000 year old Cleopatra's Needle. Inside the caves you can take two types of tours, the Heritage Tour which lasts one hour, and the Adventure Tour which lasts one and a half hours. If you are looking for something simple, the Heritage Tour will take you through the larger chambers with stalagmites all around. The Adventure Tour, on the other hand, involves climbing steep stairs and crawling through very narrow passages that are 30 centimetres high like the Devil's Chimney.

Whether it's the great rivers of South Africa or the waves of the Cape, the country offers an experience for all levels. If you're a beginner, the waters off the beaches are one of the best options for an easy kayaking trip. If you're more experienced and adrenaline-seeking, the whitewater rivers promise the most fun of all! Visit the Umzimkulu, Mkomazi and Umgeni rivers in KwaZulu-Natal, paddle the calm waters of Cape Town, try the Blyde River or kayak past hippos and crocodiles in the St Lucia Estuary.

Get incredible bird's eye views of South Africa with a zip line tour! Located near Tsitsikamma National Park, Canopy Tours offers a fun experience where you'll pass through beautiful waterfalls, trees, gorges and valleys. With eight slides to complete, glide down steel cables from platform to platform, enjoy the scenery and overcome your fear of heights with professional guides.

Head to the town of Hermanus, on the Overberg, in September and celebrate the whale watching festival. The town is considered the best place in the country to see whales. Between June and November southern right whales migrate from Antarctica to the South African coast to enjoy warmer waters. So if you're holidaying in the country's Western Cape during these months, you stand a good chance of spotting one!

The V&A Waterfront is South Africa's most visited destination, and how could it not be? The waterfront has museums, restaurants, shopping, bars and tourist attractions, as well as aquariums and playgrounds for the kids to have fun. Much of its charm lies in the beautiful scenery with views of the mountains and sea, mixed with world-class shops and restaurants. During your visit to the port, stroll through the more than 500 shops, sample African and international cuisine in more than 80 restaurants, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium and discover the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art.

Located on Durban's Golden Mile and spanning over 15 hectares, uShaka Marine World is Africa's largest marine theme park and a very famous destination for tourists. The park features some of the most bizarre marine animals from around the world and incorporates fresh and salt water as well as natural materials to create an ocean-like environment. It also houses an impressive aquatic vessel and the fifth largest aquarium in the world! Watch the sharks swim in the sunken ship, see the dolphins at SeaWorld and enjoy a beachside cocktail at Wahooz at the end of the day.