There's a special magic in admiring Africa’s unique wildlife up close, and South Africa offers remarkable sightings on both land and at sea.

Most visitors, quite rightly, start with the so-called ‘Big 5’ and a traditional safari trip offers a bucket-list opportunity to marvel at lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo in their natural habitat. Across national parks and private reserves, South Africa’s areas under conservation deliver world-class wilderness sightings, led safely by guides boasting years of experience in the bush.

Although you won’t soon forget the spine-tingling experience of gazing into the eyes of Africa’s apex predators from an open-top safari vehicle, you’ll also cherish the quieter moments. Fresh coffee sipped in the pre-dawn cool. Sundowner drinks served to a soundtrack of grunting hippo. Off-the-grid serenity in the luxury lodges, and sunsets as only Africa can offer.

Equal to the sighting opportunities in these reserves are expert safari guides who will share their deep knowledge and passion for conservation. At the end of your day, overnight accommodation will keep you safe and comfortable but thrillingly close to the action as you’re lulled to sleep by the whooping call of a distant hyena.

Perhaps surprisingly, South Africa's wildlife experiences aren’t limited to dry land. With thousands of kilometres of coastline, there are almost endless opportunities for close encounters with marine life.

Whale sightings are common along the Cape coastline – the best months are August to October to see these majestic creatures gliding through the ocean. Cape Town's famous land-based African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach is a firm favourite with visitors, and with Exodus you'll marvel at how these endangered birds are as majestic in the water as they are awkward on land.

Abundant produce, a rich farming heritage, inspired chefs, and forward-thinking winemakers working in world-class terroir make South Africa something of a pilgrimage for anyone who loves good food and fine wine. And the dramatic views that come as standard at many of the country's top restaurants and wineries certainly don't hurt, either.

On the food front, local delicacies and Indigenous inspiration abound. They may appear peculiar at first, but they've converted many a traveller.

Be sure to try South African specialities like biltong; beef that is seasoned and air-dried; or bobotie, a Cape Malay dish of spiced mince baked with a rich milk and egg custard.

In KwaZulu-Natal don’t miss the famous ‘bunny chow’; a mutton curry served in a hollowed-out half loaf of bread. And of course, there is always the quintessential South African ‘braai’, what locals call a barbecue. 

But a new generation of chefs is also rethinking tradition, combining local ingredients and global know-how to create world-class culinary destinations that have built a firm local following.

Others have won global awards, transforming their often-humble eateries into destinations that draw in travellers from across the world.

South Africa is a country built for the outdoors, and it's a poorly kept secret that some of the world's best rock climbers, trail runners, and mountain bikers have set up summer bases in the country, taking advantage of its 3,000 hours of sunshine per year as much as its diverse, often unrivalled, terrain.

But you don't have to be a pro athlete to appreciate why South Africa has become a hub of adventure and activity. Since Exodus first launched a half-century ago, they have focused on discovering – and sharing – the active attractions of countries across the world. In South Africa, this comes to life with two custom-built journeys that offer the best cycling and walking in destinations that'll scratch your adventurous itch.

If you're after a slower pace, then travelling through South Africa on foot lends itself perfectly to taking in the enigmatic scenery and sun-splashed views, while meeting its perennially friendly people. And a walking holiday in South Africa isn't only about scenic mountain trails, of which there are hundreds of kilometres.

It also takes you towards wildlife-rich regions on foot, where you will experience thrilling close-up encounters with African wildlife. After the adrenaline rush of a walking safari you’ll travel to a hand-picked selection of South Africa's most iconic hiking trails, traversing trails as diverse as the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and the historic Anglo-Zulu battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal. But no South African walking tour can overlook the Drakensberg mountains. A World Heritage Site known locally as uKhahlamba – the ‘barrier of spears’ – these imposing peaks, the highest in southern Africa, are an epicentre for active pursuits. During your days in the ‘Berg you'll trek past giant waterfalls along tight aerial paths and arrive at the most humbling of panoramic views.

In 15 days, you’ll be bagging peaks and reaching viewpoints many people have yet to hear about, yet despite the remarkable places you'll see and discover on foot it's a moderately active trip that includes rest days, and plenty of time for independent exploring. 

Whether it’s adventure or gastronomy that draws you to South Africa, the backdrop to any journey is the passing parade of beautiful landscapes, a never-ending array of remarkable scenery that will often stop you in your tracks to pause and marvel at the views. By the end of an Exodus Adventure Travels journey, you may find yourself wondering how all you've experienced may exist within a single country? The Exodus team has 50 years of trip-planning experience to thank for that.

Many of the country's most memorable views are found along its southern coastline, a road trip that ranks among the most dramatic on the planet. The Cape Town & Garden Route Trip from Exodus Adventure Travels taps into this by journeying west from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town.

Along the way, you'll encounter unspoilt and undiscovered beaches bordered by dense forests of endemic trees. Further inland, you’ll explore often-overlooked nature reserves home to Indigenous wildlife, while in Hermanus between August and November you'll spot Southern Right whales migrating offshore. This is, after all, dubbed the Whale Coast, and hailed as one of the world's best locations for land-based viewing.