Your TOP 10 South African Firsts

FFIRST... SA WINE TASTING

Discover why South African wines are world famous with a trip to the green-and-gold Winelands, a half-hour drive from Cape Town. Start with Stellenbosch, which has a young, studently vibe. You can find great value for money, with quality bottles costing as little as £3.

Top tip: Also try award-winning wineries in Franschhoek and Paarl. Read more

FFIRST... CAGE DIVE WITH SHARKS

Forget Jaws; see real great whites in action by going cage diving in Gansbaai, a 2.5hr drive from Cape Town. ‘Shark Alley’ offers unrivalled cage diving and breaching. Don’t fancy hopping in a cage? Watch from the deck, or head to see the marine Big Five. 

Top tip: A City Pass will get you a free shark cage diving experience. Admire African penguins at Betty’s Bay, en-route to Gansbaai. Learn more

FFIRST... KRUGER SAFARI

Isn’t it time you saw South Africa’s Big Five? (Lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and Cape buffalo.) Admire these majestic creatures in Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa. 

Top tip: To get the biggest bang for your buck, embark on a self-drive tour. Learn more

FFIRST... BLOUKRANS BUNGY JUMP

Thrill-seekers: the Bloukrans Bungy is the world’s highest commercial natural bungy jump. Soar 216m above Bloukrans River, in South Africa’s Garden Route, with help from Face Adrenaline. 

Top tip: Size up the bridge and calm pre-jump jitters with a soft drink at the onsite café first.! 🌁⛺️ Read more

FFIRST... CHAPMAN’S PEAK DRIVE

Affectionately nicknamed ‘Chappies’, the Chapman’s Peak Drive on the Atlantic Coast is possibly the world’s most beautiful coastal road trip. The 9km route starts at Hout Bay, scales Chapman’s Peak and dips back down to Noordhoek, with astonishing views throughout.

Top tip: Buy a Day Pass from the Hout Bay side and get the first 3km for free (daylight hours only).

FFIRST... SHISA NYAMA (BBQ)

Going to a shisa nyama is the ultimate township experience. Meaning ‘burn meat’, shisa nyama starts with wood fire and coals, and it involves cooking meat on a braai (barbecue to you and me). Expect music, dancing, beer and good times. 

Top tip: Enjoy shisa tnyama near Cape Town; try Nomzamo Butchery in Langa. Learn more

FFIRST... WILDLIFE RANGER EXPERIENCE

Budding Attenboroughs can combine wildlife encounters and conservation clout by volunteering at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Home to the Big Five, it also has a Wildlife and Conservation Department.

Top tip: Get inspired by watching the Channel4 programme, ‘Work on the Wild Side’.

FFIRST... JO’BURG STREET ART TOUR

Johannesburg, aka Jo’burg, is home to some of South Africa’s most eye-popping street art. Get the inside scoop on a street-art tour with a local expert, ticking off Newtown’s graffiti gallery and hipster Maboneng.

Top tip: Flying into Johannesburg is often better value than Cape Town. Learn more

TTRAVEL DEALS

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