SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was the first head of state to be hosted by King Charles III when he was welcomed at Buckingham Palace last November. A return visit, then, is surely on the cards. Historically, the two countries have a long friendship; the late Queen, for example, is said to have been on first-name terms with Nelson Mandela. In fact, the young Princess Elizabeth celebrated her
21st birthday in South Africa, while on tour with her father, King George VI. The now King and Queen Consort last visited in 2011, with Charles returning alone in 2013 to attend Mandela’s funeral.
The Rainbow Nation encompasses a vast range of experiences, from world-class game viewing in the national parks to wild, rugged coastline pounded by both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Cape Town is arguably South Africa’s most beautiful city, a cultural melting pot with ravishingly good looks, a thriving culinary scene and the historic Victoria & Alfred waterfront, named after Queen Victoria and her son. Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, is a sobering sight and a fascinating visit.
You can go from here by road through the Cape Winelands and along the Garden Route, 190 miles of wild, wooded coastline dotted with pretty towns such as Knysna, famed for its oysters, when in season. No trip to South Africa is complete without visiting one of the game reserves, where you can look out for the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo.
GET THERE Travelbag (travelbag.co.uk) offers a five-night escorted tour to the Winelands and along the Garden Route from £1,399pp, including flights. For more information, visit southafrica.net.