“South Africa is the most beautiful place on earth. Admittedly, I am biased but when you combine the natural beauty, and the fact that the region is a haven for Africa’s most splendid wildlife, then I think we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land.” – Nelson Mandela
While South Africa may be at the bottom of the world map, it’s at the very TOP of the Telegraph’s list of best countries – Claiming the prestigious and highly coveted top title and number 1 spot as ‘The Greatest Country in the World’!
It’s time to celebrate! South Africa, our wonderful ‘Rainbow Nation’, has officially been voted ‘The Greatest Country in the World’ by nearly 30,000 experienced travellers who voted for their favourite destinations, airlines, and travel companies across the globe (among other categories) in this year’s Telegraph Travel Awards!
Outranking top international heavy-hitters and world-renowned travel destinations, South Africa is at the very top of its game, and making sure the whole world knows it too! This definitely takes being ‘PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN’ to a whole new level and we couldn’t be happier!
Often described as ‘the world in one country’, there is no denying that South Africa is one of those glorious countries that just ‘HAVE-IT-ALL’ – A total enigma, and we just can’t get enough – and clearly neither can the rest of the world! Breathtaking, bold, vibrant, exhilarating, colorful, captivating, and brimming with diverse cultures, languages, religions, and ethnicities, South Africa is a country unlike any other. There truly is nothing quite like it!
Not to mention its vast, varied, and beyond astonishing array of spectacular destinations – From the most beautiful beaches and coastlines in the world, majestic mountains (including the globally acclaimed Table Mountain – one of the ‘7 Natural Wonders of the World’) and magnificent mountainscapes, the captivating Cape Winelands, vibrant cities, sensational secret spots, spectacular hidden gems, and of course the unspoiled, untouched, and untamed African bushveld – it’s safe to say South Africa has it ALL!
It’s no surprise that the beautiful, vibrant, lively, gloriously diverse, and wildly exciting country of South Africa has captured the hearts of tourists, travellers, globe-trotters, and wanderlust wonderers from around the world. Not to mention sky-rocketed their sense of curiosity too! Let’s be honest, how could it not!
SOUTH AFRICA IS NOT ONLY GREAT, IT’S DIVERSE!
Regarded as one of the most diverse countries in the world – it is the ‘Rainbow Nation’ after all – South Africa has no shortage of stunning destinations, landscapes, and regions to visit, discover, and explore – Each one as beautiful, unique, and exciting as the next.
From the nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled African wilderness of the renowned Kruger National Park (South Africa’s Flagship National Park), the astounding tropical bushland and coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, the star-studded skies of the arid Karoo desert, the vast Green Kalahari of the Northern Cape, the abundant coastal fynbos, lush rolling landscapes, awe-inspiring mountain ranges, and captivating coastlines of the Cape Peninsula, the world-famous champagne-coloured savannah teeming with incredible wildlife and birdlife species, and South Africa’s vast and wonderful Wineland regions, to majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, pristine National Parks, game reserves, conservation areas, and private safari loges, breathtaking beaches (in fact, South Africa, or Cape Town if we’re being more specific, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world), as well as an endless variety of stunning secret spots, sweep-you-off-your-feet hidden gems, exclusive off-the-beaten-path escapes, and wildly thrilling adventure-filled spots scattered all around, discovering, exploring, and experiencing South Africa’s amazing variety of remarkable, diverse, and one-of-a-kind landscapes, wilderness regions, and endless array of destinations is truly unparalleled and should undoubtedly be right at the top of EVERYONE’S travel bucket-list.
South Africa even has its own version of the Garden of Eden, known as the Garden Route. Emerald mountains wing lush green forests and winding roads, with the tanzanite Indian Ocean on either side – It’s the ultimate self-drive destination!
With so much to offer, the only problem you’ll have when travelling to South Africa is ensuring you have enough time to explore and experience it all! For your sake, we certainly hope you do!
Hold on, we’ve got some more good, no, GREAT, news coming your way!
Not only was South Africa crowned ‘The Greatest Country in the World’ in this year’s Telegraph Travel Awards, but three other African countries also cracked the top ten – how incredible is that? Here they are:
- Maldives – 3rd place in the Telegraph Travel Awards.
- Kenya – 7th place in the Telegraph Travel Awards.
- Botswana – 10th place in the Telegraph Travel Awards.
All we can say is that the rest of the world & global travel destinations better watch their backs – Because Africa is not only here (and here to STAY), but more determined than ever to win over the hearts, minds, souls, and thrill-seeking sense of intrigue, excitement, and adventure of travellers from all corners of the globe! It’s safe to say Africa is on a mission to completely take over the Telegraph Travel Awards & dominate their highly anticipated list by claiming as many top spots as possible!
Just in case Africa and its beautiful, diverse, and vast array of countries haven’t made it onto your travel bucket-list yet – Here is a bit of insight (a small taste of Africa if you will) into what you can expect and why you should travel to Africa and not waste another single second!
AFRICA AWAITS!
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa,” – John Hemingway
From watching herds of elephants striding across open plains, leopards lazily lounging on treetop hideaways, majestic lions basking in the glorious mid-day African sun, and massive herds of wildebeest and antelope running across the vast and wonderful savannah, to giraffes feasting on the lush tree-top greenery, hippos popping in and out of the water, and rhinos grazing in the distance, there are few things in this wide and wonderful world that are more magnificent, memorable, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring than witnessing Africa’s remarkable and diverse wildlife roaming free in their natural habitat and the place they call home – AFRICA!
However, there is so much more to Africa than its astounding wildlife. You’ll discover unsurpassed natural wonders and vast and contrasting landscapes – searing deserts, immense freshwater wetlands, dramatic coastlines, soaring mountain peaks, thunderous waterfalls, endless stretches of open savannah plains, lush tropical rainforests, and so much more – Africa is unlike any continent you’ve ever experienced before. Or are likely to experience again. At least in our lifetime.
Africa’s Glorious Wildlife
Declared one of the top safari destinations in the world, Africa offers some of the most astonishing safari, wildlife, and travel opportunities and adventures on the planet. With more luxury, privacy, world-class wildlife sightings, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences than anywhere else on earth, you’re bound to fall head-over-heels in love with not only the sheer unmatched natural beauty of Africa in its purest form, but the wild, vivid, and untamed African bushveld and everything it has to offer. Africa is undoubtedly a destination that should be at the top of every traveler’s bucket-list. Even better, it is one continent that welcomes you no matter who you are or where you’re from – Africa resembles ALL of us – in Africa it is referred to as the spirit of Ubuntu.
Africa’s greatest gift lies in its spirit of Ubuntu, a philosophy that celebrates our shared humanity and interconnectedness. Through its people, landscapes, and wildlife, Africa has a way of touching your soul, reminding you of the beauty and wonder of our world. By experiencing Africa, you’ll carry the spirit of Ubuntu with you wherever you go, across every destination you travel to and explore.
Africa, with its unparalleled beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality, is a continent that will capture your heart and leave an indelible mark on your soul. From the captivating diversity of its landscapes to the awe-inspiring wildlife encounters, every moment spent in Africa is an invitation to fall deeply in love.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, ignite your sense of adventure, open your heart, and let Africa work its magic on you. Your love affair with this extraordinary continent awaits!
