A holiday in South Africa offers the proverbial world in one small country. You may think it's obvious that visitor numbers are up every year, especially with Cape Town being one of the world's most popular destinations, but it's not that straightforward.

South Africa has to fight hard for its share - a global, undiscerning media, stereotypical attitues and our own president looting the country - are a bit challenging.

But you know what ? It makes no difference to SA as a holiday destination.

There are overwhelmingly positive stories coming out of the continent, ignored by the world media at large, for a variety of reasons we won't get into. Africa is bigger than the US. You can holiday in Rwanda, most parts of the DRC and even Zimbabwe (although I'd give Libya and Somalia a miss).

You will find 'flat whites' and lattes as good as it gets in Kigali, and probably unmatched experiences elsewhere on the continent, usually not of the developed world (public transport is not for the uninitiated!) But that's why most people come here. For something different.

I've travelled extensively. Chile and Estonia are on my bucket list, but when it comes to choosing a destination for a holiday, you won't find much better value than South Africa. Welcoming people, and you will struggle to find a more beautiful place than CapeTown and the Cape province.

I am a specialist tourist guide. I am also an environmental photojournalist, travel writer and current affairs TV producer of a couple decades experience.

I can create such trips for you, top-end or farm-stays and Photographic Safaris, relating the real stories of South and southern Africa along the way.