The Southern African region is a vast culturally and geographically diverse area with some of the most awesome natural attractions on the planet. Apart from an armada of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa and the neighbouring states, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Victoria Falls, is a regional highlight.

Don’t miss out on these and other treasures by simply not being sufficiently informed. Browse our concise listing of World Heritage Sites, National Parks, tourism routes, road and area interactive maps and African cities and towns for all the relevant tour & travel information and a local perspective of the area.

From hominid fossil sites where the ‘missing link’, or Australopithecus sediba, was recently discovered to the notorious Robben Island, a cultural World Heritage Site where statesman, Nelson Mandela was incarcerated to the natural beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom - South Africa boasts no fewer than eight World Heritage Sites.

If that’s not enough to inspire immediate travel plans, then perhaps one of the 20 or more National Parks will.

Brimming with wild life, carefully conserved for future generations, and offering rugged and challenging hiking and mountain bike tours and trails, 4X4 excursions and even game viewing on horseback, South Africa’s national parks are guaranteed to rejuvenate the soul. Africa’s exotic animals and birds can be easily spotted and are photogenic to boot. Plan your itinerary around these natural wonderlands and stay for a night or two. You won’t be sorry!

South Africa, in particular, is well geared for international and domestic travellers and has a number of dedicated tourism routes. Discover the fabled Garden Route, follow in the footsteps of big game hunters, long dead, on the Ivory Trail or do as all others do and follow the Cape Wine Route from beginning to end!

To expedite the African journey of discovery, ensure you know exactly where you’re going and what else is hot by sourcing, scanning and downloading maps of the area. With vast distances between settlements and loads of lonely stretches, you don’t want to get caught out without petrol, accommodation or, heaven forbid, food and tipple!

Become familiar with the villages, towns and cities you’ll travel through or settle in, even if only momentarily, by swotting up on all the travel information. Understand the culture, hone in on the local attractions and discover what makes the inhabitants tick!