FROM KAPSTADT TO MAURITIUS

At the foot of the imposing Table Mountain lies Cape Town, a lively metropolis and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The charming blend of Victorian villas on Long Street and modern skyscrapers in the financial district are what give the city its unique character. The popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with its boutiques, cafes and excellent restaurants will make visitors’ hearts soar. A cable-car ride to the plateau of Table Mountain promises to be an exciting experience and offers a magnificent view over the city and peninsula. This stretches as far as the Cape of Good Hope, where idyllic beach resorts meet unspoilt nature, making Cape Town an even more unforgettable destination.

White sand and settled weather – Mossel Bay is the perfect place for a long walk along the surf. This South African harbour town, also known as Mosselbaai, was discovered by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 when he landed here to take on fresh water. The Dias Museum Complex stands as a reminder to this historic discovery and lets visitors immerse themselves in the past. The name Mossel Bay comes from Dutch traders who noticed the large number of mussels in the bay. Its fascinating history and natural beauty make Mossel Bay a charming destination on the Garden Route.

Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, offers visitors an inviting atmosphere with its many days of sunshine and long beaches. The coastal resort in the south-east of South Africa was given its new name in 2021, after the isiXhosa name for the Baakens River that flows through the town. Humewood and Summerstrand are particularly popular areas for long walks or watching the sailors and windsurfers. The town is characterised by the brick-red bell tower of the Settlers’ Memorial Campanile, commemorating the first settlers in 1820.

The lively city of Durban stretches out along the east coast of South Africa. Now the second biggest city in the country, long before the British arrived in 1823 Durban was shaped by its native culture, as shown by the rock carvings in the Drakensberg mountains. It has since grown into an economic hub with the biggest port in the country, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a wide range of leisure activities. Long sandy beaches attract the surfers and the beach front is a great place for sunbathing. Some of the cultural highlights on offer include the Botanic Gardens, the Old Fort and the Juma Masjid Mosque. Durban brings history together with modern life and South African spirit.

Richards Bay – where adventure begins and nature awakens with full force. From here, trails lead to some of South Africa’s most impressive wildlife reserves: in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, tropical vegetation, vast lagoons and dense forests merge into a colourful mosaic of nature. Within the park are the St Lucia Wetlands, Africa’s largest protected wetland, where hippos glide through the water and crocodiles lie motionless on the banks. Just a few kilometres further on is the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s oldest game reserves, famous for its successful rhino conservation work and home to the big five. A place that gets under your skin.

The region around Port d’Ehoala in south-east Madagascar is one of the most diverse in the country. Nestled between the sea and Pic Saint Louis, you can see an impressive combination of lush natural scenery and cultural heritage here. Tropical rainforests and dry desert landscapes lie close to one another in the Andohahela National Park, which is home to lemurs, birds and exotic plants. Historic remnants like the former Bastion Camp Flacourt stand as witnesses to the region’s long colonial past. A visit to local markets for crafts and seafood round off the experience in Port d’Ehoala and give authentic insights into the traditional way of life here.

The island of Reunion is shaped by an impressive chain of volcanoes, the highest of which, Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise, stretch high up into the blue sky. The diverse landscape is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Thanks to its fascinating biodiversity on land and underwater and the natural beauty of its scenery, the island has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. A visit to Reunion will be rounded off with a tasting of Creole cuisine, with its impressive variety and intense flavours.