South Africa, sometimes called “The Rainbow Nation,” is the largest nation in the African continent and the largest nation in the world by land mass. South Africa is well-known for its varied topography, breathtaking natural beauty, and rich cultural diversity, all of which have contributed to its popularity as a travel destination. Compared to other African nations, traveling to South Africa is unquestionably one of the most rewarding experiences. Let’s explore what this breathtaking country has to offer.

Places To Experience in South Africa

The nation is well-known for its breathtaking landscapes and variety of African wildlife. Let’s look at some famous places to visit, and the adventures you can go on while visiting South Africa.

• Johannesburg

As the largest metropolis and capital of South Africa, Johannesburg is, without a doubt, one `of the most well-known locations in the nation. With numerous museums and galleries throughout the city, including the Apartheid Museum, it is well recognized for its thriving arts and culture scene.

Without a detour at Soweto, a small town renowned for its vibrant culture and political past, a journey to Johannesburg would be incomplete. Numerous anti-apartheid protests took place in the township and the location of some significant South African historical sites. These include the Regina Mundi Church, the Hector Pieterson Museum, and the Mandela House Museum.

• Safaris

One of the top safari locations in the world is South Africa. In particular, South Africa is ideal for observing the “Big Five” (the African buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhinoceros). Kruger National Park is a fantastic safari park where you can view the endangered African wild dog.

Due to its diversity, Addo Elephant National Park is also a wonderful option for safaris. Mountains, savannahs, beaches, and forests all encircle it. The “Big Seven” (which consists of the “Big Five” plus a  white shark and a southern right whale) can be seen there.

• Penguins at Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is located in the quaint Simon Town neighborhood outside Cape Town. You’ve undoubtedly seen pictures of this beach with penguins online a lot. Beautiful penguins like the African penguin are in danger due to habitat loss and inadequate food supplies. Visiting Boulders Beach helps keep the species alive. Additionally, Boulders is the only location in the world where you can observe penguins on a stunning beach up close.

With numerous locations that feel like paradise, South Africa should definitely be on your list of countries to visit. It will amaze you with its diverse culture and unique cuisine and give a deep sense of satisfaction to the traveler soul in you.

Discover The Best of South Africa

From shark diving in Gansbaai and visiting the Zulu kingdom to exploring Cango caves, we bet you will be thrilled after visiting South Africa. Its rich and distinctive ecosystem makes South Africa an ideal destination for everyone. The South Africa Tour Packages vary according to the person’s needs. Also, various custom-made packages are available for those traveling in a group or alone. Contact us today or visit our website to book an adventure of a lifetime!

Anyone who travels and values their time must have TSA PreCheck. When you are part of this program, you enter a much shorter line at security, and you can leave your shoes, belt and jacket on. You can also leave your liquids and laptops in your bag, and you only have to pass through a plain old metal detector, not some huge scanning device. And if you are part of the Global Entry program, which includes TSA PreCheck, then you could save up to an hour of standing in line every time you return from a foreign country.

The biggest downside to Global Entry and TSA PreCheck is the cost. You have to pay a $100 application fee for Global Entry or an $85 application fee for TSA PreCheck. Both are valid for five years, but then you’ll have to pay again to renew them. Thankfully, you can get reimbursed for the expense if you have the right credit card.

Here are several credit cards that offer you up to $100 credit towards either your Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application fee, every four to five years:

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®

A credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is just one of the numerous benefits of this card. You can also expect to receive 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles after spending $5,000 within three months of account opening.  Other benefits include an Admirals Club lounge membership for the primary account holder and all authorized users. You also get 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles after spending $40,00 on eligible purchases on the card in a single year. There’s a $450 annual fee for this card.

Related: CLEAR vs. TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry: Which Is Best for You?

Mastercard® Gold Card™ and Mastercard® Black Card™

These two cards both offer you a credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, plus many other benefits. The Gold card offers 2% value on airfare and cash back redemptions, while the black card offers 2% for airfare and 1.5% for cash back.  Other benefits include a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and free luxury gifts sent to your home. There’s a $995 annual fee for the Gold Card and a $495 fee for the Black card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum card was one of the first to feature a  credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and it now includes an annual air travel fee credit of up to $200 and a $100 a year Saks Fifth Avenue credit (requires enrollment). You also receive a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, a Delta SkyClub membership and access to the American Express Centurion lounges. There’s a $550 annual fee for this card (see rates & fees).

United℠ Explorer Card

This is by far the least expensive card on this list that offers you a credit of up to $100 towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Other benefits include two United Club lounge passes, and a free checked bag for you and a companion when you purchase your ticket with this card. It has a $95 annual fee, which is waived the first year.

Fun Global Events to Travel for in 2020

Sometimes you want to travel just to sightsee and learn about the world, and sometimes you want to travel for a really cool event. Other times, you want a little bit of both. Whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, here are some of the best events around that world that are happening this year.

2020 Summer Olympics

Every four years, fans around the globe can’t wait for the Summer Olympics. It has been one of the most highly-anticipated sporting events since its founding in 1896, regularly claiming more than 4 billion viewers. This year, the event will be held from July 24 to August 9 in Tokyo, Japan. Additionally, the Tokyo 2020 Nippon Festival will be occurring simultaneously, where it will celebrate Japanese culture. The festival was also designed to bring together people from all over the world to learn about each other and celebrate the Olympics.

Besides watching and celebrating the games, you can’t visit Tokyo without seeing some of the major sights and attractions. In your spare time, visit the Imperial Palace, the Ginza District, the Sensō-ji Temple, and some of the city’s famous museums.

The European Poker Tour

The European Poker Tour is frequently considered to be the best poker tour in the world, partially due to its incredible tour city lineup. This year the tour will kick off in Sochi, Russia from March 20 to 29, head to Monte Carlo from April 23 to May 2, and end in Barcelona from August 12 to 30. 

Sochi, located on the Black Sea coast, has frequently been the site of major global events like the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. But when it comes to poker, Monte Carlo is truly the place to be. Located along the Mediterranean, the area is known for its beauty and many luxuries, including one of the finest casinos in the world, the Monte Carlo Casino. As for Barcelona, you can count on the final stop being a nonstop party thanks to the city’s incredible nightlife — Talk about a great way to end the tour!

Oktoberfest 2020

Fun Fact: Oktoberfest doesn’t actually start in October. Held in Munich every year at the largest fairground in the area, the Theresienwiese, the event kicks off on September 19 and ends on October 4. It attracts more than 6 million visitors from around the world.

But what you can expect from the festival? Horse-drawn carriages, festive decorations, carnival rides, traditional music, and plenty of beer. You’ll also see plenty of traditional Bavarian outfits, and it’s recommended that visitors dress up for the event (that’s part of the fun!). While the festival can get pretty rowdy, there’s also the Oide Wiesn, which is a quieter and cozier section of the festival. In short: There’s something for everyone (as long as they’re beer lovers).

UEFA Euro 2020

Like the Olympics, the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship is held every four years. This year, it will be held in 12 cities across Europe for the first time in the event’s history: London, England; Baku, Azerbaijan; Munich, Germany; Rome, Italy; Saint Petersburg, Russia; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Bilbao, Spain; Bucharest, Romania; Budapest, Hungary; Copenhagen, Denmark; Dublin, Ireland; and Glasgow, Scotland.

The event will be held from June 12 to July 12. The opening game will be held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on June 12, where Turkey and Italy will face off. The final will take place on July 12 at Wembley Stadium in London. If you love European football, this is your chance to celebrate the sport while exploring one (or several) of the many incredible host cities. You’ll also meet many other football lovers, making the trip even more entertaining and exciting.

There are plenty of great events to travel for this year. One of the above will be sure to offer you a great time — and a fun memory you’ll never forget.