The country got a lot of publicity by hosting the 2010 World Cup, but it didn't take much to highlight the wonders South Africa has to offer. It's got everything: beaches, desert, savannah, big cities, mountains. And you can do it all in terms of activities and discoveries. What's more, the seasons are reversed with those of the old continent: when it's cold in Europe, it's warm here. And as surprising (but logical) as it may seem, when it's noon in Paris, it's noon in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela's homeland will dazzle you with the beauty of its landscape. Beware, however, of the distance between the sites, which can mean long journeys by car, bus, train or even plane. A minimum of two weeks is usually required to visit the Rainbow Nation. It is advisable to arrive in Cape Town and depart from Johannesburg or vice versa.