Get out of Europe for this year’s holiday and explore the wine and wildlife of South Africa

People often think of an African holiday as a ‘once in a lifetime experience’ and don’t realise that it can actually be just as good value, and significantly more exotic, than heading for Europe.  Particularly this year, when British holiday makers are not getting much for their money when it comes to spending in the Eurozone, this is the time to have a look at what else is on offer for your holiday rentals and hotel accommodation.

South Africa, although a long-ish flight (10 hours), is very easy to get to.  There are lots of direct flights from the UK, and depending on what time of year you go, you can fly for as little as £300 per person.  There is also no jetlag to contend with, so you won’t find yourself spending half your holiday getting over the time change.  Accommodation choices abound here – from hotels and B&B’s to self catering holiday rentals in the form of houses on wine estates, beach huts, city apartments, game lodges and all points in between.

South Africa is a big country, so depending on how much time you’ve got, you’ll need to decide what you’re after.  To experience some of everything, you’ll need to be there for quite some time, although internal travel is easy, and car hire and internal budget flights are an option.  If you’ve got a couple of weeks, you could spend a week in one of the holiday rentals on offer in the western Cape, then head to the east of the country for a week of game viewing.  Our winter is South Africa’s summer, although the north and eastern provinces can have good weather the whole year round.

South Africa is one of just 17 countries to the world which are considered to be ‘megadiverse’.  It contains more than 10% of all the earth’s known plant species, and has endless national parks, lots of which are home to the ‘Big 5′, the five mammals which people flock to South Africa to see.  There are holiday rentals all around the edges of the national parks, giving you easy access to the dawn and dusk wildlife viewing, and offering you an experience of bush living.

Colonial Cape Town is the antithesis of bush lifestyle – it’s a world famous city and teems with things to do and see, from fabulous restaurants to fascinating museums, exquisite views and easy day trips to the likes of Table Mountain, Robben island and the Cape of Good Hope.    Hotels and holiday rentals in Cape Town offer you the chance to live right in the midst of this fascinating city.  Not far from Cape Town are the Cape Winelands, where if you stay for a few days in somewhere like Stellenbosch, you can taste wine to your heart’s content while enjoying views across the stunning landscapes.

With something for everyone, from adrenalin activities, to beautiful beaches, city living and bush walking, it’s well worth the trip, especially if you want to try somewhere other than Europe this year.

About the Author

Olly Symonds is the joint founder of One Off Places, a holiday property rentals website specifically geared towards individual and one-off style properties. Launched in 2007 it offers users the chance to search for exactly what they want on their holiday, whether it’s a secluded farmhouse, a penthouse apartment or a luxury villa. See www.oneoffplaces.co.uk for details.

Wild Life in South Africa

A member of the Restionaceae family – A Cape floral Kingdom endemic family Photo Mugs ROG-13042 A member of the Restionaceae family – A Cape floral Kingdom endemic family South Africa Elegia capensis Bob Gibbons Please note that pritns are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details web ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 ….

A Namaqualand mesemb Photo Mugs ROG-13037 A Namaqualand mesemb South Africa Cheiridopsis denticulata Bob Gibbons Please note that pritns are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details web ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 ….

A rare iris-relative, wine cup – on renosterveld Photo Mugs ROG-13030 A rare iris-relative, wine cup – on renosterveld West Cape, South Africa Babiana rubrocyanea endemic Bob Gibbons Please note that pritns are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details web ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 ….

Animals Are Beautiful People $14.98 Documentary on the lives of the desert and oasis animals of Africa, compiled over a four-year time span, showing their family lives, food, and subjection to the whims of nature.Genre: Feature Film FamilyRating: GRelease Date: 7-JUN-2005Media Type: DVD…

National Geographic Video: Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas [VHS] $2.15 Although we romanticize lions as mighty kings of the jungle, their reign is in fact a tenuous one. It is challenged daily in southern Africa by vicious packs of hyenas that compete for prey. Between the two species exists an ancient feud, and it unfolds in Eternal Enemies with all the drama of the warring Capulets and Montagues. Watch as lions bring down a zebra, only to be attacked themselves by …

Exploring The Cape of South Africa [VHS] $3.47 …

Wanderers of the Deep [VHS] This documentary on whales shares the secrets of the ocean’s giants, offering a close-up look at some of the most captivating and intelligent animals of the deep….

Whistling Rat (parotomys Brantsii), Kalahari, South Africa – 24W x 16H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Black Rhinoceros (diceros Bicornis), South Africa – 36W x 24H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $51.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Cape Mountain Zebras, Mountain Zebra National Park, South Africa – 72W x 48H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $107.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…