15 Best Places to Visit in South Africa is an exclusive journal for destinations worth exploring, each one of them offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Enjoy wildlife safaris, whale-watching, ostrich farms, penguins, wine-tasting, historical tours, cultural experiences, scenic coastal sea-sides and so much more.
1) Robben Island
Declared as a World Heritage Site, Robben Island is the perfect destination for history and nature enthusiasts . This historical island is where Nelson Mandela was arrested during the apartheid regime. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Center and holds great significance towards anti-apartheid activities. With an ex-prisoner guide, you’ll get an insight into Nelson Mandela’s fight for freedom, tour his prison cell and the Robben Island Museum.
2) Kruger National Park
The national park is a prominent destination for Wildlife Safaris, due to its high biodiversity. It is home to the Big Five (Lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes) as well as other animal species like giraffes, zebras, hippos, elands, cheetahs, wild dogs, kudus, various bird species and so much more. Explore all these species either on a day or night game drive and on an immersive nature walk. Other unique experiences include astronomy lectures and cultural visits to archaeological sites like Thulamela Ruins.
3) Hermanus
Located in the Western Cape Province, Hermanus is a seaside town southeast of Cape Town. The town is an ultimate destination for whale watching, especially the southern right whales. Beaches like the Voëlklip Beach and the Grotto Beach, overlooking Walker Bay are great relaxation points while spending time at Hermanus. Visit the Old Harbor Museum and explore the fishermen’s village, old harbor and the Whale House Museum. The latter has displays of a suspended whale skeleton.
4) Table mountains
The prominent landmark has a flat-top and overlooks Cape Town. The Table Mountain National Park is accessible to travelers through the state-of-the-art cable car which only takes 6 minutes to reach the summit of the mountains. However, hiking to the top is another great activity to do. As a major landmark and one of the New 7 wonders of the World, the mountains will give you great panoramic views of city, the Indian Ocean and a wealthy natural environment.
5) Garden Route
Garden Route is a scenic coastal area with a great variety of activities. The Knysna Heads Viewpoint will give you incredible views over the Knysna River and the Indian Ocean. The Route rewards you with a great experience at the Tsitsikamma National Park. The park has a unique blend of indigenous forests and the beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. With a wide choice of activities, enjoy swimming, hiking, crossing a suspension bridge and so much more. In addition, you can stop over at the Bloukrans Bridge to view the world’s highest commercial bungee jump bridge which is 216 meters above the Bloukrans River.
6) Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park is the perfect destination for a Big Five Safari (Lions, Leopards, rhinoceros, African buffaloes and elephants). With over 600 elephants, the park is also home to cheetahs, red hartebeest, elands, Kudus, zebras and wild dogs as well as various bird species.
7) Mossel Bay
Located in South Africa’s Western Cape Province on the Garden Route, this sea-side town is a great destination for sight-seeing and scenic coastal views. The Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse provides incredible bay views. Hike the Saint Blaize Hiking trail for a great experience. Discover maritime history at Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex uncovering tales of early exploration in South Africa, dating back to the 15th Century.
8) Franschhoek
Franschhoek is the perfect destination for unforgettable wine-tasting experiences at the wine tram. Located in the Cape Winelands, the town contains Centuries-old vineyards and Dutch architectural designs. Besides wine, the town is home to the Huguenot Memorial Museum and monument which honor the area’s French settlers, who arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries. Other great areas to visit include the Franschhoek Motor Museum and the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. The town has a distinct French flair due to the earlier settlements of the French.
9) iSimangaliso Wetland Park
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is South Africa’s first UNESCO World heritage site inscribed in 1999. It features a rich mosaic of wetlands, dunes, estuaries, coral reefs and diverse wildlife. Some of the wildlife you’ll encounter include hippos, sea turtles, crocodiles, rhinos and various bird species. iSimangaliso is a Zulu word for “the land of wonder” depicting its natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy a great variety of activities such as game drives, snorkeling, bird watching, hiking, boat cruises and cultural encounters.
10) Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is one of the seven most magnificent botanical gardens in the world. It is situated on the eastern slopes of the Table mountains in Cape Town. The garden features the Kirstenbosch Tree Canopy walkway, commonly referred to as Boomslang, an Afrikaans word that means “tree snake.” The 130 meter walkway gives travelers a great view of the botanical garden, surrounding ocean and the trees in Arboretum’s Enchanted forest within the garden. The area can be accessed by wheelchair users and is cost-friendly.
11) Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Nature Reserve
The nature reserve is the oldest proclaimed reserve in South Africa. It is situated in the Kwazulu-Natal province and provides incredible views of wildlife. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is a habitat to Africa’s Big Five, most especially the rhino species(white and black rhinos). Other common sightings include the Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeests, Hyenas, wild dogs and cheetahs.
12) Betty’s Bay
13) Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas is the southern most tip of Africa, the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. At this point, you’ll be able to view the Red and White lighthouse, “The Tip of Africa” sign as well as shipwreck sites. The Lighthouse is the third lighthouse that was built in South Africa and the second-oldest still operating after Green Point. It is about 171 years old and located within Agulhas National Park. This destination is a great way of spending your day while on your way to the scenic Garden route.
14) Blyde River Canyon
The Blyde River Canyon is the world’s third-largest canyon, after the Grand Canyon and the Fish River Canyon. It is located in Mpumalanga. It is about 26km long and dominated by subtropical vegetation hence making it a “green canyon.” The canyon is your ultimate destination for scenic nature views as it features the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
15) Oudtshoorn
Take a tour of an ostrich farm at Oudtshoorn and enjoy unique experiences such as the Ostrich neck massages. Oudtshoorn rewards travelers with great views of the bordering Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains, Cango caves and the CP Nel Museum. The scenic ROUTE 62 that leads to Oudtshoorn winds through the Klein Karoo to the coastal Garden Route.