Africa

Backed by the rugged and iconic Table Mountain, and surrounded by almost 3000km of gorgeous coastline, nature has bestowed upon Cape Town one of the world’s best-looking locations. It has a cool, urban edge, cosmopolitan bars and restaurants, cutting-edge culture and fashion. Try your tongue at the 11 official languages and discover just how friendly the people are in this Rainbow Nation. It’s the adventure capital of the world, so if you dare, catch a cable car up the majestic Table Mountain, soak up the view…then abseil back down. Go kite-surfing, rock-climbing, wake-boarding, hang-gliding and sky-diving. South Africa is also home to around 40 different species of shark – best viewed from the safety of an underwater cage! It’s also famously known for other forms of wildlife – Go to Aquia Private Game Reserve, take a seat in an open vehicle, and try to spot a giraffe, lion, leopard, zebra, rhino, wildebeest & more. On a more somber note, learn about South Africa’s struggles toward freedom, and visit Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years.

Cape Town – spectacularly nestled between an ocean and a mountain, there is nowhere like this city, the oldest in South Africa. The impressive Table Mountain combined with pretty as a picture beaches will leave you suitably impressed. Cape Town also happens to be one of the most popular backpacker destinations in the world and you will not be left short of hostel choices here. Buy a ticket on the backpacker special ‘Baz Bus’, climb or cable car up Cable Mountain, take a boat ride to historic Robben Island, or catch a Lion’s Head sunset. If surfing is your thing, go to the easily accessible Muizenberg. Sharks are a constant threat in South Africa, though at places like this stretch of coastline, there are ‘shark-spotters’ on duty. Blending in with Cape Town’s beauty is it’s urban side, with hip bars, designer shops, and art galleries and a world class culinary scene.

Johannesburg – Find the sun shining all year round here, days are warm and winters short, with sunsets that will take your breath away. ‘Jburg’, or ‘Jozi’ as it’s known, is the only city in the world not built near a natural body of water, though has the world’s biggest man-made forest with around 10 million trees. It has an edge, it’s tough, beautiful, full of contradictions and obsessed with the new. Joburg is the shopping capital of Africa, whether you fancy local flea markets or glossy shopping malls.  If culture is your thing, there is a huge array of museums, galleries and even Broadway shows. Go on an eye-opening, guided walking tour of the city, a balloon safari, or an amusement park located on an old gold mine.

Durban – The city had a major makeover leading up to the 2010 World Cup, with a sleek new stadium and a revamped waterfront. The renewal of the waterfront area and the sweeping away of the old sleaze has given municipal authorities new confidence and ambition – there are plans to extend the waterfront promenade right down the south coast. Durban’s downtown area – a buzzing, gritty grid comprising grandiose colonial buildings and fascinating art deco architecture – throbs to a distinctly African beat (but loses its shimmer when the sun goes down). The beachfront remains a daytime locus for beach-lovers. Home to the largest concentration of people of Indian descent outside of India, Durban also boasts an unmistakably Asian feel, with the marketplaces and streets of the Indian area replete with the sights, sounds and scents of the subcontinent.

Kruger National Park is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse game reserves in Africa, initially set up to conserve the overwhelming amount of wildlife within. Witness the Big Five (lion, leopard, black rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo) within this sub-tropical savannah safely with a guide, or if you dare, explore on your own. You will find an abundance of things to do and see and the Park offers all sorts of accommodation to suit all budgets.

To begin your adventure – you will need a visa for your Working.Holiday. Either do it yourself or get one of our expert partners to help you through the process.

To give back on your adventure – why not consider a volunteering role with one of the many partners. Our packages are all inclusive and provide you with peace of mind.