August is Women’s Month in South Africa. What better time to start thinking of a girls’ trip or a solo getaway in and around South Africa?

The Upper Karoo Route from Victoria West to Calvinia via Carnarvon offers the beautiful landscape of Northern Cape (strewn with daisies in spring), rare wildlife and a thriving, hospitable culture.

The Tsitsikamma Woodcutters’ Journey on the Garden Route in Western Cape takes you through pristine indigenous forests in one of South Africa’s most beautiful national parks.

Northern Cape is a vast arid province bisected by the Orange River – a superb wedding destination, whether among lush vineyard greenery, spring wildflowers, or the stark dry beauty of the Kalahari.

The elegance of the Cape Winelands, the grandeur of the mountains, scenic views on lonely beaches, or surrounded by bushveld wildlife – plan a wedding in South Africa, and you’re spoilt for choice.

Northern Cape is South Africa’s driest province, where the arid Karoo merges with the true desert of the Kalahari – but it offers wildlife aplenty, a mighty life-giving river and spectacular scenery.

The Wild Flower Route through Northern Cape province is a wonderland in spring, featuring legendary Namaqualand daisies and thousands more species, and again in autumn when the amaryllis bloom.

The elegance of the Cape Winelands, the grandeur of the mountains, scenic views on lonely beaches, or surrounded by bushveld wildlife – plan a wedding in South Africa, and you’re spoilt for choice.

Western Cape is South Africa’s premier province for fun in the sun: Cape Town is surrounded by world-class wine routes, stunning scenery and unique West Coast and Garden Route flora and fauna.

Witsand Beach in Western Cape province offers pristine white Blue Flag beaches, superb land-based whale watching, a wide variety of water sports and magnificent plants, birds and animals to view.

Arniston, Western Cape, originally called Waenhuiskrans, received an informal name change after a tragic shipwreck in 1815 – under either name, it’s an idyllic resort village on the Agulhas coast.

Hike the Hunter-Gatherer Trail in Western Cape along the Garden Route to experience the landscape as humans did for tens of thousands of years, and you’ll know you’re in the Cradle of Human Culture.

The Freedom Trail is an exhilarating mountain-bike route from East Coast to West Coast in South Africa that runs through some of the most spectacular natural beauty the country has to offer.

Northern Cape’s Diamond Coast – from Port Nolloth to Alexander Bay – is perfect for romantic getaways featuring shipwrecks, glorious scenery and spring flowers… and sparkly gems!

If your idea of an ultimate getaway involves exploring a destination rich with history — complete with refreshing outdoors that promise total relaxation — then South Africa is the place for you. Home to global icon, late former President Nelson Mandela whose humanitarian efforts continue to be celebrated annually on 18 July, South Africa is the ultimate place to experience humanity in its truest sense.

South Africa has a rich history of art, music and culture and is home to a burgeoning youth culture that is redefining the country’s social landscape. Celebrated on the 16th of June each year, Youth Day honours the anniversary of the 1976 Soweto youth uprising and recognises the role played by the youth in the liberation of the country.

The Valley of a Thousand Hills between Durban and Pietermaritzburg is the gateway to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, rich in history, culture, scenic beauty, outdoor adventures and tourist attractions.

The Upper Karoo Route from Victoria West to Calvinia via Carnarvon offers the beautiful landscape of Northern Cape (strewn with daisies in spring), rare wildlife and a thriving, hospitable culture.

As ‘voluntourism’ continues to be a trend, volunteer teaching options around South Africa are an excellent way to pass on literacy, numeracy and other skills to disadvantaged children and adults.

Visitors to South Africa should make sure they try Xhosa cuisine, whether in its Eastern Cape heartland or anywhere else that offers umngqusho, amasi, ikhowa and other delicacies.

Cultural villages and museums in South Africa are great places to learn more about Xhosa traditions and how these express the culture and beliefs of this ancient Eastern Cape people.