For anyone who has an adventurous spirit hiding away in the depths of their being, just the mention of the word Safari will bring it rushing to the surface, conjuring up thoughts, images and desires which cause the rush of adrenaline to course through the veins. The average persons' concept of Safari, is that of wild and rugged bush, 4 x 4 all terrain vehicles, tented camps and ferocious wild animals. All that is well and good, however, it puts a very limited box around the concept, which in actual fact is so much more unbounded, so vast, as to defy an adequate definition. The very basic meaning is from the Arabic word, safara, which simply means to travel, adopted into the Swahili word for a journey.

A Safari [a journey] then need only be limited by ones lack of imagination. You can make of it just whatever you will, be it into the wilds of Africa, India, South America; or into the vastness of the prairies of North America; the rugged majesty of the Himalayas; or, or, or... the possibilities are endless.

I will devote the rest of this brief article to try and entice you, the reader, to make your next, [or your first] Safari to the many and varied wonders of this land which is my home, South Africa.

You'll begin your Safari in the 'city of gold', Johannesburg. With gold being so much in the news these days, with its rising price, you can take a tour down a gold mine, travel more than a kilometer into the depths of the earth and see where it comes from, the stuff that has started wars, split nations apart, built cities and delighted the hearts of millions of women throughout the course of history.

From Johannesburg, climb aboard the famed Blue Train and travel down to the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Town. This unique train is a combination of the luxury of the world's leading hotels, along with the aged charm of train travel. It rivals many 5 star hotels in terms of elegance grace, comfort and style. The suites all feature en-suite baths or showers, air conditioning and are equipped with telephones and television monitors with video channels, allowing guests to view short documentaries of the area through which they are traveling. The cuisine is enough to satisfy the taste buds of any connoisseur of fine food. You will have the opportunity to view some of South Africa's spectacular landscapes and visit interesting tourist attractions along the way.

You arrive in Cape Town. There you can take a cable car trip up the famous Table Mountain, or a ferry trip out to Robben Island, the old prison that held Nelson Mandela for so many years.

A trip to Cape Town is incomplete without visiting the famed Cape Winelands. So, once you have had your fill of the many pleasures to be found in the city, then hire a car and start a trip along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world. Route 62 links Cape Town to Port Elizabeth on the east coast, traveling through many famous wine estates in Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Worcester, Robertson and the Klein Karoo wine routes. Route 62 offers the traveler a kaleidoscope of experiences, such as visits to wineries with the wine tasting opportunities, to game reserves, tribal art viewing, cultural tours, hiking trails, canoeing expeditions, horse riding, fishing and so much more.

From Port Elizabeth, fly to Durban, the capital of the 'Kingdom of the Zulu'. Relax on the beautiful beaches, before taking some of the many tours that are offered from Durban. These include: 1 day or 3 day tours to the northern game reserves of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi and the World Heritage site of the St. Lucia Wetlands; tour Shakaland and experience the A - Z of traditional Zulu life; tour the rolling green hills of the Natal Midlands, visiting the many local art and craft shops to be found there.

By now, you're probably ready to make your way back home, but if you still have a bit more time, then I suggest a visit to the majestic grandeur of the Drakensberg Mountains. Relax in the pure and crisp mountain air, enjoy fly-fishing for the delightfully tasty rainbow trout or just wander along the many hiking trails. A perfect ending to a Safari with a difference. Oh and don't forget to bring your cameras and camcorders. It will be an experience that you will want to relive time and again.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to African Safaris