Discover South Africa

The "Mother City" sits spectacularly between the Atlantic and the striking Table Mountain, which can be climbed by cable car or on foot for a breathtaking view over the city. Colorful neighborhoods like Bo-Kaap, the lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the nearby Robben Island shape the city's diverse character.

One of Africa's largest and most famous wildlife reserves is home to the "Big Five" — lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino — across a vast, well-developed savanna landscape. Self-drive safaris and guided game drives make Kruger National Park one of the most accessible safari destinations in the world.

The dramatic cliff landscape at the Cape of Good Hope marks the southwesternmost point of Africa and impresses with wild nature and penguin colonies at Boulders Beach. The nearby wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer first-class wine tastings against a picturesque mountain backdrop.

The famous coastal road between Mossel Bay and Storms River ranks among the world's most beautiful road trip routes, with lush forests, lagoons and fine sandy beaches. Adventure activities like bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge and hikes in Tsitsikamma National Park round out the route perfectly.

Direct flights from Zurich to Johannesburg are offered by Swiss among others, with a flight time of about 11 hours, continuing from there with a domestic flight to Cape Town. Swiss nationals do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days.

South Africa has eleven official languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa. English is understood and spoken consistently throughout the country as the lingua franca in tourism.

The South African rand (ZAR) is the official currency. Credit cards are widely accepted in Cape Town and tourist regions, though cash is still recommended for markets and small purchases.

Yes, South Africa ranks among the more affordable destinations worldwide. Self-drive road trips along the Garden Route, local restaurants and mid-range accommodations are significantly cheaper than in Switzerland, while luxury safari lodges vary greatly in price.