If you are going to be visiting our country, you are in the pound seats, because with strong currencies, the world is your oyster. Over the coming months, we will be suggesting South African options for visitors.

And, for South Africans, travelling and holidaying around our own country is always a great option. Besides, right now, much of the world is a somewhat chilly place.

Here, we have sunshine, and the best beaches in the world. Game and nature reserves to die for, doll. We also have some of the friendliest people around - and that alone is a mega plus. Yes, we do have high crime statistics, but crime exists everywhere in the world. Take precautions wherever you go, as you should wherever you travel.

Here are a few South African travel suggestions just to get you thinking.

# Addo Elephant National Park is surely one of the most joyous places in the world, let alone Africa. Sometime last century, a long time ago, my husband and I visited Addo on honeymoon. There were just 17 elephants in an enclosure being fed oranges. It was, of course, the start of the park. Having spent a lot of time in Kruger and Moremi and Chobe, we vowed never again. But in latter years we've visited Addo so many times and each time it's a joy. It's a true wilderness with plenty of game including, natch, elephants that come so close you can see each individual hair on their skin. What a privilege. Accommodation is varied and ranges from affordable National Park variations to lodges just outside the park.

# Baviaanskloof Nature and Eco Reserve is one of those secret places, of which we have many. It's just not terribly well known. Situated in the rugged mountain and valley area of the Eastern Cape, it is a Heritage Site and has some of our country's extra-ordinary scenery. It's part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which means your eyes and noses will feast on bushes and plants, proteas, ancient cycads and so much more. Animal life is varied and don't be surprised to eyeball an eland or orange-blazed Cape zebra. Watch out for the baboons. They resemble us but they are not humans and should be respected for the wild and wonderful creatures they are. Do not attempt to feed them. It's a crime because it turns some baboons into aggressive food-seekers and the end of the story is that they have to be put down through no fault of their own. Accommodation ranges from camping to bush camps and lodges.

# Cape Town is regarded worldwide as one of the finest cities to visit. The Mother City really has it all. A mixture of people, interesting architecture, varied cuisine, the sea, the mountains and the winelands. It also has some of the best live music in the country. Wind will make kite surfers sizzle and the long waves of Muizenberg are brilliant for surfing.

And yes, we have sharks. Lloyd Skinner of Zimbabwe's death last week off Fish Hoek was a terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to his partner and family. That said, think how many people get killed on the roads and also, when swimming on any of our beaches, look out for flags. A black flag (that was up) denotes murky water. Cape Town's Atlantic beaches - Clifton, Camps Bay etc - are legendary. But be warned, the water is freezing. A visit to Boulders (not to the official boardwalk on beach one, but the actual cove of beach four), is essential. There you can sit and swim among the penguins. A beautiful experience. Cape Town offers every single kind of accommodation from five-star hostels, to B&B and camping.

# Die Hel is one of our best-kept secrets. Even most locals don't know where it is. Well, it's a green and small valley (about 600m wide and 20km long) in the heart of the Swartberg Mountains - they, in turn, are about two to three hours from Oudsthoorn or Prince Albert (and then you have to climb that superb Swartberg Pass and go down it again).

The road into Die Hel is narrow, sheer and difficult, and at the bottom you'll find a few B&Bs, a store or two and some farmstead camping. Cut off from the world, Die Hel was home to the Khoisan long before any whites arrived. Its inaccessibility protected those who lived there. Before the hairpin road was built, a sheer footpath brought the odd person into Die Hel. Cape Conservation is helping protect the flora and fauna of this unique microcosm. For a comprehensive article on the valley, Google Die Hel and read Sam Reinders. I promise, you'll be hooked.

# East London is a kind of stepchild in the tourism stakes. A port city built on the Buffalo River, it's a friendly, interesting town with several attractions for the intrepid tourist. Best of all is the East London Museum, an outstanding natural history museum that houses the only dodo egg in the world - yes, once dodos did roam our land. Here you will also find an exhibit of the elusive coelacanth - the fish that walked on land.

Beaches are long and white and Nahoon Reef is famous for its surfing. Dunes are impressive, and for something different, try a little sand-boarding on Bonza Bay's sand mountains.

# Franschhoek is one of the prettiest towns in the Western Cape. Settled by French Huguenot refugees in 1689, the French influence (so many centuries later) still seems around. It's a food and wine town with fine restaurants on the main drag. It also has a remarkable chocolaterie with perhaps the finest selection of home-made and imported chocolates in the country. The chocolate makers are Belgian-trained and their creations are inspiring. The town's vigneron tradition dates back to the 17th century and you'll find outstanding Cape Dutch farmhouses in the area.

# Game reserves are what we are known for, and with good reason. Our national parks, such as the Kruger, or private reserves such as Kwando or Singita - there are literally hundreds today - are a privilege to visit.

Our country is known for its excellent game management and visitors to most reserves will see lion, elephant, giraffe, warthogs and virtually every African mammal. Prices are variable (some so variable that you might think you are being asked to buy the reserve). That said, whether you are camping at Kruger or staying in a schmaltzy five-star reserve, it'll be the experience of a lifetime.

# Hermanus on legendary Walker Bay is an attractive town in the Western Cape, but it's during the whale season that it come into its own. Although it claims to be the whale capital of the world, whales can actually be seen all along our coastline.

Southern rights can be spotted between June and November and May and June, when you'll also occasionally see humpback whales. You might catch them, too, on their return journey between November and January. Actually, the entire Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coastline offers great whale spotting. Bryde's whales can be spotted all year round and occasionally we'll glimpse orcas, too. Minke whales are often seen in Algoa Bay waters, while sperm and beaked whales are close to Port St Johns. Like elephants, whales are mystical mammals and we are so damn lucky to have them in proliferation around our lengthy coastline.

Source: IOL Travel - www.ioltravel.co.za

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