Audley in South AfricaSouth Africa has a good road network, trafficis generally light, and driving is on the left -all of which make it an ideal self-drivedestination. Many of our travellers choosethis option, and we provide good quality cars with comprehensive sets of maps anddirections. For those who don't want todrive, we work closely with a number ofguides and drivers who can drive you aroundthe country. A fun way to explore is on a railjourney, and we can book seats on both theBlue Train and Rovos Rail. Our specialistshave explored the country every possibleway themselves and can advise on the bestoption to suit you.AccommodationAccommodation in South Africa is varied andthere are endless options. We have travelledextensively throughout the country and havehand-picked a selection of properties fortheir character, hospitality and service. Wetend to avoid the large chain hotels andprefer lodges and guesthouses. These aresmall - normally about five to ten rooms -and are owned and run by people we knowpersonally. We find that this ensures theutmost attention to detail for our travellers,with the added advantage that the ownersthemselves are a wealth of local information.We also work with some of South Africa'sleading hotels, as well as safari propertiesranging from simple tented camps to opulent lodges.Our SouthAfrica BrochureWe have a brochurededicated to South Africa.Please call our specialistson 01993 838 550 foryour copy.The Cape RegionCape Town is a city on everyone's must-see list.As well as being a vibrant hub with greatshopping and restaurants, it is also a good basefor exploration of the region, particularly theCape Peninsula. The nearby Winelands can eitherbe visited from Cape Town, or a few days can bespent based at a vineyard in Franschhoek orStellenbosch. East of Cape Town, Walker andGans Bay are two of the best locations in whichto see whales, in season. The Garden Route isideal for a few days spent exploring the lagoons,wandering along sandy beaches, or walkingthrough forested hills. Towards the end of theGarden Route you encounter the Wild Coast, anunspoilt area of deserted beaches fringed withmangrove jungle - arguably the most beautifularea of South Africa.KwaZulu-NatalThe province of KwaZulu-Natal justifies a trip inits own right. The towering DrakensbergMountains are within easy reach of Durban andare popular with those keen on hiking andphotography. Nearby, the famous battlefields ofIsandlwana and Rorke's Drift are a must forhistory enthusiasts. There are a few lovely, homelylodges complete with expert guides to recounttales on the sites of the battles themselves. Ifbirding and safari are of interest then the regiondoes not disappoint, as it contains the wetlandecosystem of Lake St Lucia, full of aquatic birds,and the surrounding bush is home to the big five.No trip to this area would be complete without afew days' relaxation on some of the dramaticbeaches that stretch north from Durban to theMozambique border.Find out more For suggested itineraries and practicalinformation about travel in South Africa,please see see our website or request our South Africa brochure.www.audleytravel.comInteractive maps and features, furthersuggested itineraries, accommodation,climate information and articles writtenby our specialists.Discuss your plans with our South Africaspecialists 01993 838 550?South Africa27SafariSafari is a huge draw in South Africa. There arefour key areas: the Greater Kruger Park, theEastern Cape, Madikwe and the reserves inKwaZulu-Natal. With the exception of the Kruger,all are malaria-free making them excellent options,particularly for families. The Kruger is the largestof all the parks with fantastic game viewing. Itoffers every type of accommodation from basicself-catering chalets to some of Africa's mostopulent lodges. The Eastern Cape reserves workwell for those exploring the Garden Route asthey are within easy reach. These areas areespecially well suited to families, and offer safariactivities for children. The Madikwe Reservebordering Botswana is a wild reserve with fewlodges; it offers a quieter experience and is suitedto the safari purist. Finally, the reserves inKwaZulu-Natal offer everything from the oldestgame park in Africa to award-winning parks withstunning accommodation and the big five.Zulu girlLeopard in the Kruger National Park

Okavango Delta, a world of glitteringwater. Whispering palm islands are criss-crossed with animal tracks, thesurrounding lagoons carpeted with liliesbeneath which silver fish dart to and fro.Iridescent kingfishers dive, hippos grunt and papyrus rustles in the breeze. Elephantand giraffe feed in the shade of waterberrieswhilst on open grasslands buffalo, tsessebe,zebra and wildebeest are watched by theeyes of lion. Red lechwe fly across emeraldgreen floodplains and in the distance a fish eagle cries. As night falls the clink of the reedfrogs begins. Fruitbats squeak andspirals of wood smoke rise from the glowingembers of a fire. The ink black sky is littered with stars and the shining haze of the milky way. Over a thousand miles from Botswana, rain falls in Central Africa. Big dropsdrip from trees, rush into streams, downgullies and into rivers. Slowly theOkavango River forms, and flows, not to the sea, but into the rippling sands of theKalahari where it disperses in a myriad of waterways and twinkling lagoons,creating a delicate web of life. This is the28Botswana