The Rainbow Nation

South Africa is a nation of diversity, with 50.59-million people and a variety of cultures, languages, and religious beliefs. Some 62% of the population is urbanized.

The 11 official languages are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho saLeboa, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Some 79.8% of South Africans are Christian, 15% have no religion, and 1.4% are undecided. Islam is the religion of 1.5% of South Africans, Hinduism that of 1.2%, African traditional belief 0.3%, Judaism 0.2% and other beliefs 0.6%.

South Africa is the powerhouse of Africa with the most advanced, broad-based economy on the continent; a thriving democracy; and infrastructure to match any first world country.

It has an abundance of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and the 26th largest GDP in the world.

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The Famous "Big Five"

Originally used only by hunters, the term 'Big Five' refers to five of Africa's greatest wild animals - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

As during the bygone hunting era the term "Big Five" still conjure up the romance and excitement of Africa's exotic destinations and experiences.

Imagine watching the sun set over the horizon whilst you capture the moment of a pride of lions stalking their prey.

Watching a buffalo strolling to a water hole with strength and size that makes it more likely to kill a human than any other mammal.

The rhino, which is almost extinct, with its extraordinary horns and bad temper. And the leopard with its beauty and remarkable speed and skill to hunt.

Many travellers regard a visit to South Africa as incomplete without having spotted, and perhaps photographed, the Big Five.

The Big Five - legends of the wilderness which have become synonymous with Africa.

Brainteaser

Birds of Eden Bird Sanctuary

The world’s largest single span aviary, just a few kilometres east of Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route, where birds are free to fly free provides an incredible experience for those who visit, and a wonderful way of life for over 2000 previously caged birds.

The completely unique venture of Birds of Eden is an enormous two hectare dome spanning a gorge filled with verdant, indigenous forest. Within it are some 100 species of incredible African birds, a few of them endangered that provide anyone entering the dome with a literal experience of paradise. There are 1.2 kilometres of wooden walkway to lead you through the beautiful place (unlike Monkey Valley, you don’t need a guide to take you through the refuge), over a river and behind a waterfall (part of the sanctuary’s mysterious ruin). Birds of Eden’s dome emulates thunder storms, complete with renditions of claps of thunder and short cloudbursts from the irrigation system in the dome structure.

The same group of people who created Monkeyland, the popular primate sanctuary that is just next door to Birds of Eden making a two-in-one day trip effortless, were behind the incredible project that provides a safe haven not only for birds and miniature monkeys, but for rehabilitated pet birds too.

But the overwhelming experience of being in the wild with hundreds of birds as they swoop, fly and call around you is what Birds of Eden is essentially about.

The park has seven dams, the largest of which has a floating bridge with seating at which you can order light meals; a 200-seater amphitheatre and a breath-taking canopy walk.

 Glorious Food for U