It is not only the landscape which provides the kind of variety others can only dream of, the people are as varied and colourful as the land they call home. There are no fewer than 11 official languages, countless different cultures, religions, traditions and peoples, whether their main tongue be Afrikaans, English, Xhosa or Zulu or anything in between - small wonder that South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation.

There are rich experiences at every turn. The infamous battlefields must be near the top of the list, the scene of countless wars between the British, Zulus and the Boers. The battles are names familiar from the history books. The British defeat at Isandlwana, followed by a famous victory at Rorke's Drift. Blood River, the Battle of Majuba and the Siege of Ladysmith as British, Voortrekker and Zulu warriors clashed, rifles and artillery against spears and shields.

But this fascinating area is not only about the guns and bloodshed, the battlefields are deep in the home territory of the proud Zulu people, KwaZulu-Natal, so there are opportunities to explore their rich culture, too.

There are countless small Zulu villages at the side of tiny single-lane roads, many little more than a cluster of huts, some of them in the traditional beehive design, used for communal cooking and tribal gatherings.

There are no fewer than two World Heritage Sites in this area, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the uKhahlasmba-Drakensberg Park with the range of mountains, which marks the westerly boundary of the Zulu territory.

Durban must be on the list of places to visit, too. A port city, it's also famous for its fabulous beaches, including the "Golden Mile" which runs right by the city centre, where Zulu women selling jewellery, beadwork, baskets and other goods set up their stalls right along the promenade. There are rickshaw drivers touting for business, amusement parks on the beach and even a cable car giving its passengers a bird's eye view of all the action.

There are markets selling everything from exotic spices and foodstuffs to jewellery and clothing. There is one devoted entirely to herbal medicines.

Your real challenge will be fitting it all in.

SA - The all rounder
by Bev Anders

We had an unforgettable trip infact it was the trip of a life time. We managed to get everything in, Safaried in tented camp at the Kruger, 36degs in the shade so early mornings at the waterholes were a must if you wanted to catch sight of anything, we managed to see all of the Big Five along with a great deal of bird life. Next up was a bit of Gambling out at SunCity wow we could have spent a week there in the valley of the waves but only managed a night before we flew off to the Cape to soak up the rays on Blouberg beach while watching the kite surfing. Did a bit of wine tasting at Spiers and my son even got to stroke a cheetha at the enclousre how awsome!! Off we went to Hout Bay where you can take a glass bottom boat out to seal Island for R50 "less than a fiver" and then nab a quick bite to eat at the local chippy yum yum.we also caught the locals feeding the seals the fish gut from the catch of the day. The weather stayed perfect throught our travels which helped make it a perfect summer holiday. 2 weeks went by ever so fast but i'll be back XXX You gotta get there !!!
Victoria falls
by Lynne Calcutt

If you want to spend a few special days in pure unadultered luxury visit the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia overlooking the falls. It is truly magical. The setting is beautiful, the food exquisite, the service magnificent. To sit on the deck in the evening having a drink before dinner watching the sunset and the mist rising from the falls with monkeys playing around the tables is almost like being in another world and to wake up to see Zebras and impalas wandering past your door is unbelievable. An unforgettable experience !
An ongoing love affair with South Africa
by Margaret Burns

My parents left Scotland in 1982 to fulfill their dream of retiring to SA. I can understand why... I have been going there for the last 25 years and it definitely is a world within a country. From the troubled apartheid times to the present day rainbow nation, I have never felt anything but safe, whether it being in a hired car with my children, exploring Africa's best kept secret, the Kalahari,or strolling along the beach in Hermanus, on the South of False Bay. Everybody goes out of their way to make you welcome,as long as you heed the advice from a government official in Cape Town " when in Africa, do as the Africans do". Enjoy your day! as they say.
Beautiful People
by Max Toyne

Where in the world can you get so many people with so many different languages and cultures in a country the size of South Africa. The Zulus live next door to the Xhosa (people who click when they talk)and have done so since time began. Yes, the Zulus are more military than the other natives of South Africa ( ask the 19th century British Army ) I visited Zululand and found it most stunning. I went to Rourks Drift and also learned about Shaka Zulu famous king of the Zulus, known as the Napoleon of Africa, as he concoured a large amount of it .He also introduced th Assagi ( stabbing spear)as he said using the normal spear which was thrown at the enemy was throwing your weapons away and then used against you.
People
by Chris Lomax

The beauty of the country is described elsewhere but don't over-look the inner beauty of the black african population.

We experienced such kindness with constant smiles and joy. It is a permanent memory of remarkable people that over-shadows the amazing natural scenery.