Insider Tips

Where are South Africa's best views? How can you put yourself in the footsteps of the locals? Armed with these vitals, you'll be better positioned to experience the real South Africa, so take some advice from those in the know.

Top 5 Must-Sees

• Garden Route
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Richtersveld National Park
• Table Mountain National Park
• uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Vineyards

The vino from South Africa's Western Cape is so good that a whole region is named after it - the Cape Winelands. The chenin, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and shiraz produced here compete with the world's finest.

The best way to enjoy a tipple is for someone else to be skipper. Grab a ride with Stellenbosch's Easy Rider Wine Tours (021-886 4651; www.jump.to/stumble; 12 Market St).

Townships

If you want a snapshot of South African life, festivities, culture, history and warmth, then a township tour is mandatory. The most famous township is Soweto; take a glimpse with Imbizo Tours (011-838 2667) and spend an evening living it up with the locals in a shebeen (local bar).

Alternatively, Queer Johannesburg Tours (011-717 1963; anthonym@library.wits.ac.za) will teach you a thing or two about gay South Africans' struggle against apartheid.

Cultural Must-Sees

South Africa is one big cultural experience, with some unmissable 'must do' items. Once the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years, Robben Island (00 27 21 413 4200; www.robben-island.org.za) is now a living museum. Tours are led by ex-prisoners; although sobering, they celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

The groundbreaking, mixed-community Lynedoch Eco-Village (www.sustainabilityinstitute.net) near Stellenbosch should also be on your list.

Scenery

South Africa's landscape is mind-blowing and your camera will create magic from the vistas. Few views are more African than that from Olifants rest camp in Kruger National Park. From this elevated vantage point you get panoramic views of the river and every animal that uses its water. Giraffes poke their heads through trees, buffalo congregate in herds, and at dusk predators slink into view.

Food

No trip is complete without experiencing the local cuisine, and South Africa bubbles with flavours and freshness. An abundance of coastline and rivers provides a rich spread of seafood, so you can dine on smoked trout in the Cape Winelands, shellfish in Cape Town and the local catch everywhere in between. Of course, all this food is best washed down with a nice cold beer. Castle is the national nectar of the gods.