South Africa before you die

We continue our countdown of the ultimate South Africa bucket list, with curries to "water your mouth", dinner under the stars and an alcohol-fuelled history of Cape Town.

15. Volunteer with endangered animals
African wildlife is one of the magnetic forces that draws travellers to South Africa; there's a wealth of animals here that are found on no other continent. Sadly, some of the species are endangered so to really connect with the country and make a difference, you can't beat volunteer work. Working with animals is such a privilege that many people are willing to do it for free. Being able to regale future generations with your work to save endangered animals is a sure-fire bucket list tick.

The World Wildlife Fund has classed black rhinos as critically endangered, wild dogs as endangered and the African elephant as vulnerable. You can work with all these species through voluntourism operator Aviva in a program that sees guests monitoring the location of species as well as observing their behavior, the pack dynamic of wild dogs in particular. Volunteers also set up camera traps and help identify specific animals.

14. Eat dinner under the stars
South Africa has some incredible star-gazing opportunities, and none better than when you are in the remote wilderness, far removed from the influence of electricity. At Bushman's Kloof Reserve restaurant, called Embers, the light comes from an open campfire as well as flame lanterns. Poised on the edge of a sandstone cliff in the Western Cape, the view looks into a plain cloaked by mountains. Embers is al fresco, which means the only thing between you and the stars is the food, which includes traditional South African boerewors and lamb. A similar experience lies to the northeast, at Jock's Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park. Here diners eat outside, accompanied by their game guides, warmed by a campfire, ringed by trees and crowned with stars.

13. Safari from on high
The Cradle of Humankind has to be one of the most stirring names for a location ever conceived. Fortunately, it is entirely justified, for this is the place where the oldest human fossils, dating back 3.5 million years, have been found. If that doesn't give you goose bumps, a ride over the site in a hot air balloon at sunrise will. Bill Harrop's balloon safaris offers a bird's eye view over the origins of humanity as well as the Harbeespoort Dam and Magaliesberg mountain range; a vision that will well and truly wake you up at 5am. After that early start, you'll be served breakfast with champagne. The Cradle of Humankind is one of South Africa's eight World Heritage sites – another tick to add to your bucket list.

12. Colourful Cape Town
In 1652, Cape Town was the half way point between Europe and India. The fusion of culture that developed here was just the start of how South Africa came to be known as the rainbow nation. For a physical manifestation of this rainbow, make your way to the Bo-Kaap district in Cape Town. Houses are painted lemon, tangerine, fuchsia, grape, turquoise, avocado, rose and lime. And there is a colourful account of how these houses came to be so bright. Centuries ago, slaves were paid with money and a jug of liquor. Upon imbibing their income, they returned to houses that all looked the same. "Some would be so drunk, they couldn't tell which door was their own and that's one of the reasons these colourful homes came about," Roots Africa guide Owen Jinka says.

Also known as the Malay Quarter, today many residents are descendants of the slaves who were brought over from what was then the East Indies. While there is no conservation scheme in place, the locals who live here maintain the bright properties out of pride. Seeing a resident close the door of his cerulean home, I consider how odd it must be to find a flock of photographers out the front of your house. "The theory among neighbours is, if you go bright, I go brighter," Jinka says.

11. Eat in multicultural Durban
In Durban, Zulus wearing elaborate headdresses walk beside Indians in embroidered saris and Afrikaaners dressed in khaki. As South Africa's largest port city, it has welcomed migrants throughout history and has a dynamic population to show for it. The one thing they all have in common is a smile. "Durbanites know you're a tourist if you're frowning. The best way to fit in is to smile," Wisdom Travel and Tours owner Thoko Jili says.
On a Durban city tour, the thing that has her and the tour driver most excited is the prospect of lunch. Bunny Chow lunch. Going beyond mouth-watering, Thoko says that these curries will "water your mouth". An Indian curry par excellence, it comes served in shell of soft hot dog-like bread with a side of tongue-calming carrot and extra hot chilli. It's the dish of Durban and it's delicious.

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