VACATION DETAILS

There are some 150,000 domesticated ostriches in the world, and 120,000 of them live around Oudtshoorn, South Africa, a dusty town on the edge of the Little Karoo plain 210 mi/340 km east of Cape Town.

They wander the stony farms, scratching a minimal diet from the harsh desert scrub. Be sure to visit a farm (at some, you can even ride an ostrich), then head to the C.P. Nel Museum to learn about the history of the trade, which flourished in the days when ostrich feathers were a popular accessory. Plumes, once de rigueur for ladies' evening wear, are still sent all over the world.

There's also a nice suspension bridge over the Grobbelaar River. Be sure to go 20 mi/30 km north from Oudtshoorn to take a tour of the spectacular Cango Caves. Although somewhat overrun with tourists, the caverns are acclaimed as the most beautiful calcite in the world (and we won't dispute that). While in the area, also visit the Cango Crocodile Ranch and Cheetahland.

Knysna nestles on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the ‘Garden Route’ of South Africa. It is surrounded by a natural paradise of lush indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches, making it a natural wonderland. A moderate climate and a fine selection of accommodation, restaurants and enjoyable activities make Knysna the perfect holiday destination.

Excursions

Swaziland's Ezulwini Valley, dubbed the Place of Heaven, stretches for 19 mi/30 km between the towns of Mbabane and Manzini. The Ezulwini Valley is a showcase of Swaziland's astonishing natural beauty, and it's the country's main tourist hub and entertainment center. In addition to the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, this lush valley is home to hot mineral springs and the Mantenga Nature Reserve and Cultural Village. Modern comforts include golfing, tennis, nightlife, gambling and horseback riding at the valley's resorts.

Johannesburg's contrasts are some of the most extreme in the world; poverty-stricken and overcrowded Alexandra is surrounded by some of the richest suburbs in South Africa, and downtown hundreds of homeless struggle to survive around the Stock Exchange. The contrast between suburb and township is mirrored nationwide, but is more extreme here because of the intense wealth of many of the suburbs, and the sheer size of the townships and their satellite squatter camps. Yet the city as a whole continues to suck in people and skills from all over the country, making it the financial, commercial and cultural powerhouse of South Africa.

Cape Town is southern Africa's most beautiful, most romantic and most-visited city. Few urban centers anywhere can match its setting along the Cape Peninsula spine, which slides like the mighty tail of the continent into the Atlantic Ocean. By far the most striking - and famous - of its sights is Table Mountain, frequently mantled by clouds, and rearing up from the middle of the city to provide a constantly changing vista to the suburbs below. Table Mountain is the city's solid core which divides the city into distinct zones with public gardens, wilderness, forests, hiking routes, vineyards and desirable residential areas trailing down it's lower slopes.

Excursions