Embark on Adventure: TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa beckons the daring spirit, offering a playground for thrill-seekers. From exhilarating off-roading safaris to heart-pounding shark dives, the country brims with excitement. Beyond doubt, this land is a realm of diversity, boasting captivating flora and fauna, along with breathtaking landscapes – from its enchanting coastline and heavenly vineyards to its awe-inspiring mountains. Get ready to explore the very best that South Africa has to offer.
While apartheid’s era in southern Africa has ended, the continent as a whole is still struggling economically, and racial inequalities in wealth persist. Museums, excursions to Robben Island, and visits to rural settlements all provide insight into South Africa’s complex past and present.
Get out of the city, rent some wheels, and take a road trip along the Garden Route to see the beautiful scenery. Hermanus is a great place to visit since you can see southern right whales straight from the beach. Explore the wild side of life in Kruger National Park, home to free-roaming lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and buffalo, and take a leap of faith to the peak of Table Mountain for breathtaking panoramas. It’s difficult to think of any vacation spot that has as many options. The top tourist destinations in South Africa are detailed below.
10. Blyde River Canyon
The Blyde River Canyon is one of the deepest natural canyons on Earth, and it is also the biggest green canyon in the world. The canyon is littered with spectacular attractions, such as waterfalls and distinctive geology, and is located along a great tourist route known as the Panorama Route.
At the confluence of the Blyde and Treue rivers, you may see Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a series of enormous potholes formed by the whirlpool action of the water.
The Blyde River Canyon is a famous tourist destination due to its beautiful landscape, which includes verdant valleys, stunning mountain vistas (including the Three Rondavels), and breathtaking overlooks (including the fittingly named God’s Window). Hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and Samango monkeys are just some of the animals you could see on your travels. You might also see a Cape vulture, an African fish eagle, or a Knysna lourie. A lot of different species of birds may be seen here, making it a prime location for birdwatching in Mpumalanga.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Winelands
South Africa’s Cape Winelands are a must-visit for any wine lover. One of the most beautiful wine-growing locations in the world is just 45 minutes from Cape Town, and it has rolling vineyards and breathtaking mountain vistas.
Although you can’t go wrong with either Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, they are two of the most common choices. Picnics with a bottle of estate wine and a plate of cheese and biltong (South Africa’s famed dried pork) are perfect in this region, as are alfresco meals surrounded by vineyards. Visit Montagu for its hot springs after a day of fantastic wine tasting, or pedal to Tulbagh for your vino aperitifs.
8. Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park is one of the biggest national parks in South Africa and perhaps one of the greatest places to see these gentle giants. However, it began as a modest elephant sanctuary founded to preserve only 11 reddish-colored Addo elephants in the 1930s. The park’s popularity and size have led to its division into five distinct areas, each with its own set of features and amenities.
Most of the protected area is located in the Colchester district. The park is home to several elephants, zebras, and antelopes, all of which may be seen on thrilling self-drives or camp-run game drives. Only four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed on the Kabouga stretch, while the Darlington area is home to a dam that attracts tremendous wildlife. If you’d rather walk, the Zuurberg and Woody Cape areas both offer excellent paths to follow.
One of the highlights is the opportunity to see all seven of South Africa’s “Big Seven” (the Big Five, plus southern right whales and great white sharks along the coast). Visitors to the safari won’t be let down.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AFRICA: Hermanus
Located in the Western Cape, the once-quiet town of Hermanus has become a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to whale-watching hotspots. During the annual birthing season, southern right whales go to this area in Walker Bay. Even while whale watching from the boats is all the rage, the cliffs provide just as spectacular, if not more so, views.
In particular, during the Hermanus Whale Festival in September, tourists may take advantage of a cliff-side path that is 10 kilometres (6 miles) long and equipped with built-in telescopes and seats to see these gregarious creatures.
Hermanus has picturesque small beaches and the luxurious Hemel en Aarde Wine Valley, which is surrounded by beautiful mountains and the azure ocean of the Atlantic Ocean. The very name alludes to the celestial and terrestrial. You may do waterfall trekking, lagoon fishing, or ocean fishing, and beach horseback riding. Hermanus is a one-stop shop.
6. Durban
Durban City Skyline in South Africa. Image source: Timothy Hodgkinson/Shutterstock.com
Durban, South Africa’s biggest port city, may be overshadowed by Cape Town and Joburg, but it still has enough to offer, especially in the colder months of the year. Mid-20s F in the months of June and July mean that winter is completely absent.
Durban has a beautiful coastline, and the warm waves of the Indian Ocean lapping against the city’s famed sandy beaches are a perfect way to enjoy the pleasant climate. The East Coast of South Africa is a great place to go surfing or snorkelling.
Down on Earth, the city of Durbs (as it is fondly known) serves up some of the best curries in the world. Interestingly, it has the biggest Indian population outside of India. It is not only acceptable, but considered a rite of passage to tuck into a classic rabbit chow (curry served in a half loaf of bread).
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AFRICA: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (meaning “Great Thirst”) is a vast desert wilderness spanning the border between South Africa and neighbouring Botswana. Animals like the lion, cheetah, and leopard pursue herds of plains game like the wildebeest, springbok (South Africa’s national animal), and gemsbok (its original namesake) through the Kalahari’s salt pans, bushveld, and rust-red dunes. The chances of seeing wild animals are excellent as there is nothing but uninhabited nature around.
When the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana were merged in 1999, they made up what is now known as the Kgalagadi. Parts of the Kgalagadi are so large that they can only be reached with a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and even then, it’s an adventure.
Staying at one of the park’s campgrounds and taking advantage of the free game drives and bush walks is a popular choice among tourists. However, if you’d rather go at your own pace, you may find several paths along the Nossob and Auob riverbeds in South Africa.
Some of the original groups, such as the Mier Community and the Khoe-speaking Khomani Community, still exist today and take their names from the Kgalagadi tribes that formerly inhabited this area of the desert.
4. Garden Route
Aerial Shot of Knysna in the Garden Route, South Africa. Image source: Dominique de La Croix/Shutterstock.com
The Garden Route is a stretch of road in South Africa that passes through a variety of scenic landscapes, including coastal settlements, wildlife reserves, woodlands, lagoons, and beaches framed by the white sand and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The majority of foreign tourists to South Africa follow the popular tourist route from Mossel Bay to St. Francis.
The Garden Route is so rich in attractions that you’ll need at least five days to explore all there is to see. Visit the sleepy fishing community of Wilderness and its peaceful beach, bungee jump from the world’s highest commercial bridge bungee in Storms River, and get up close and personal with African elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park.
Robberg Nature Reserve, which overlooks the ocean and is located near Plettenberg Bay, is a great place to go trekking or animal viewing. Just a short drive away is Birds of Eden, home to one of the biggest free-flying aviaries of tropical birds, and Monkeyland, where you can stroll through the jungle among squirrel monkeys and capuchins.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AFRICA: Drakensberg
The Tugela River in Royal Natal National Park. Image source: Mark Dumbleton/Shutterstock.com
South Africa’s Drakensberg mountain range is located in the KwaZulu-Natal region. The Drakensberg literally translates to “Mountains of the Dragon,” but locals usually refer to it as “The Berg.” When you take in the grandeur and power of these mountains, it’s easy to appreciate the significance of their dramatic name. Waterfalls and hiking paths may be found in both the northern and southern parts of this section of the Great Escarpment.
Hikers are drawn to the Northern Drakensberg by the region’s pleasant year-round temperatures. Almost no snow ever falls on this side. Hike to the amphitheatre in a day or two, then check out the Royal Natal National Park, which is home to Tugela Falls, the world’s second-highest waterfall.
Adventurers should visit the Southern Drakensberg. Join a tough hiking or mountain climbing adventure, or take the hair-raising drive over Sani Pass to landlocked Lesotho through Africa’s highest bar.
2. Kruger National Park
Safari in Mkhuze Falls, South Africa. Image source: TUX85/Shutterstock.com
The Kruger National Park is a paradise for those who want to see exotic animals up close. Kruger National Park, situated in the country’s northeast, has a vast area home to a wide variety of habitats for animals of all shapes and sizes.
The park’s origins may be traced back to 1898, although it wasn’t made available to the public until the 1920s. In the years afterwards, Kruger National Park has become a must-visit for everyone wishing to see one of the Big Five animals. A trip to the restored Iron Age remains of Masorini town and observing hippos and crocodiles from the Crocodile River viewpoint are two highlights.
Kruger is a great game reserve to explore by self-drive, and park-run game drives are provided frequently. Keep a watch out for lions, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards as you go along the Sabie and Crocodile rivers. Don’t forget your binoculars; Kruger is also a birdwatcher’s delight.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Town
Aerial view of Cape Town, South Africa. Image source: Deyan Denchev/Shutterstock.com
Any trip to South Africa should include a stop in Mother City, known for its stunning scenery and kind welcome. Even though it’s merely the country’s second-largest metropolis, it’s one of the most well-known cities in the world. Cape Town, South Africa, is a beautiful city with a warm Mediterranean climate and a stunning location on the southwestern point of Western Cape Province. Cape Town, a city in South Africa, is surrounded by mountains and overlooks the notorious Robben Island. It is rich in history, culture, and the great outdoors.
Enjoy lunch at the botanical gardens after wandering the colorful alleys of the Bo Kaap (a Cape Malay neighborhood). Or combine the two on an open-air bus tour of the city that includes wine sampling.
The South African Houses of Parliament have a prominent location in Cape Town, the country’s political hub. Free daily tours provide visitors an up-close view of both the current National Legislature and the infamous old assembly utilized under Apartheid. Take a journey out to the rugged and rocky Cape Peninsula and visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve if you have some free time.
What is the prettiest destination in South Africa?
Determining the prettiest destination is subjective, but many consider Cape Town to be one of the prettiest cities in South Africa. With its stunning coastal setting, iconic Table Mountain, and vibrant waterfront, Cape Town offers a picturesque and captivating landscape.
What is the greatest place in South Africa?
The notion of the greatest place is subjective, but the Drakensberg Mountains are often regarded as one of South Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Their dramatic peaks, breathtaking vistas, and opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities contribute to their appeal.
What is the most popular place in Africa for tourists?
Egypt’s Giza Pyramids, particularly the Great Pyramid of Giza, are among the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. These ancient structures, steeped in history and mystery, attract millions of visitors each year.
What is the best way to see South Africa?
Exploring South Africa can be done in various ways, but a combination of self-drive trips and guided tours offer a comprehensive experience. Renting a car allows you to explore at your own pace, discover hidden gems and interact with locals. Guided tours, especially for activities like wildlife safaris, provide expert insights and enhance your understanding of the country’s diverse culture and natural beauty. Additionally, using domestic flights to cover larger distances efficiently can help you make the most of your time in South Africa.
