South Africa is one of the most developed countries on the continent and one of the most popular tourist destinations. Among the many attractions, I’ll introduce 15 wonderful locations!
Its full name is the Republic of South Africa. An interesting fact is that it has three capitals: Pretoria, the administrative capital, Bloemfontein, the judicial capital, and Cape Town, the legislative capital. It is bordered by Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, Namibia to the north-west, Mozambique and Swaziland to the north-east, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Indian Ocean to the east.
Table of Contents
Best places in South Africa
Cape Town
South Africa’s second-largest city is located near the Cape of Good Hope on the Atlantic Ocean coast. It was founded by the Dutch in 1652.
It’s often called the most beautiful city in the world due to its extraordinary geographical features and environment, which is why it’s the country’s main tourist center.
Its most beautiful part is the 1086-meter-high Table Mountain, the symbol of the city. The mountain got its name from its flat top, which offers a breathtaking view of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean. You can reach it by cable car or hiking trails.
Its largest cultural event is the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. This is Africa’s largest jazz festival, attracting world-famous musicians.
Cape Town attractions, weather
Kruger National Park
One of South Africa’s largest national parks, known for its impressive wildlife and diverse ecosystem.
The park’s main attraction is the presence of the Big Five animals: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. These animals are the most sought-after among safari-goers. In addition to these, nearly 150 mammal species and 500 bird species live in the park.
Johannesburg
The largest and most populous city in the Republic of South Africa. It’s Africa’s only officially recognized global city.
During apartheid, Johannesburg played an important role in the fight against racial discrimination. Soweto, one of the city’s suburbs, became a symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle. This is also showcased in a museum.
The region’s development was brought about by the gold rush at the end of the 19th century. A theme park and museum, Gold Reef City, also evokes this era with mine tours and an amusement park.
The city’s cultural life is also significant. Its center is Newtown, where numerous theaters, museums, and concert halls are located, such as the Market Theatre and the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. The city is home to Africa’s largest art gallery, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which showcases numerous South African and international artworks.
Boulders Beach
This beach is located near Cape Town. It got its name from the large granite rocks lining the shore.
The beach became famous for its penguin colony. The colony, established in 1982, now has more than 2,000 individuals. These penguins nest in the coastal bushes and between rocks, and we can observe them from a boardwalk without disturbing them.
Due to the rocks, the beach is usually quiet and free from large waves, making it perfect for swimming. Additionally, the crystal-clear water and rich marine life make it popular among snorkeling enthusiasts.
Stellenbosch
One of South Africa’s oldest towns, famous for its historical heritage and world-renowned winemaking. The settlement was founded in 1679 by Simon van der Stel, the governor of the Cape Colony. The town is also named after him.
We can see many well-preserved Dutch colonial-style buildings. In the town center, there are numerous whitewashed, thatched-roof houses and historical buildings. Its famous street is Dorp Street, which is one of the oldest and most beautiful streets in the country.
Stellenbosch is the center of winemaking and one of the world’s most famous wine regions. There are more than 200 wineries and cellars in the region producing high-quality red and white wines. This makes it a popular tourist destination, with many wine tasting tours to choose from.
Drakensberg Mountains
Meaning Dragon Mountain, it’s South Africa’s highest and one of its most spectacular mountain ranges. The range stretches for about 1000 kilometers along the border of KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.
The area contains more than 600 rock art sites that are thousands of years old and depict the ancient culture and lifestyle of the San (Bushmen) people. These are also part of UNESCO World Heritage.
Its largest nature reserve is the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, with rich biodiversity. Another important park is the Royal Natal National Park. Its most beautiful part is the Amphi Theatre, a huge rock wall that is one of the largest formations of its kind in the world.
Robben Island
The island is located about 7 kilometers north of Cape Town in Table Bay. It is part of UNESCO World Heritage.
In the mid to late 20th century, Robben Island was best known for imprisoning political prisoners, especially anti-apartheid activists. The most famous inmate was Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years here out of his 27-year prison sentence.
One of the most important sights is Nelson Mandela’s small cell, where he spent many years. Visitors can get insight into the living conditions and daily lives of the prisoners.
Hermanus
It’s located on the shores of Walker Bay, about 120 kilometers east of Cape Town.
It’s one of the best places in the world for whale watching from land. The southern right whale visits the shores every year from June to December to mate and give birth. The whales often swim very close to the shore, providing excellent observation opportunities.
The most beautiful part of the town is the over 10 km long Cliff Path. It offers a wonderful view of the ocean and the whales.
Durban
South Africa’s third-largest city, located in KwaZulu-Natal province on the Indian Ocean coast.
The area around the city is the center of Zulu culture. It has numerous historical monuments and museums that showcase the city’s past and cultural heritage. These include the Durban Historical Museum and the KwaMuhle Museum.
Its famous beachfront promenade is the Golden Mile, lined with long sandy beaches, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
It has a significant Indian community that arrived in the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This has had a major impact on the cuisine and religious life. A good example of the former is bunny chow, which is a curry served inside a hollowed-out loaf of bread.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
A vast conservation area that spans the border of South Africa and Botswana, functioning as a joint national park of the two countries.
The park was established in 2000 by merging the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and the Gemsbok National Park. It was Africa’s first official transfrontier park. Most of it is located in the Kalahari Desert, covering nearly 3.6 million hectares.
Its rich wildlife includes species characteristic of the Kalahari ecological region. Common visitors include black-maned lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. Herbivores include wildebeest, kudu, impala, and numerous smaller antelope species.
It can be visited through safari tours. Additionally, we can learn about the traditions and lifestyle of the Bushman communities living here.
Gqeberha
Until February 2021, officially known as Port Elizabeth, it’s one of South Africa’s most significant port cities. The new name comes from the indigenous Xhosa language.
Notable buildings include the bell tower built in 1923, the city hall, the Donkin Reserve park, and Fort Frederic. Other attractions include St George Park, the King George VI Art Gallery museum, the sea research building at Humewood, and the new Boardwalk waterfront complex.
Cango Caves
This wonderful limestone cave system is located in the Western Cape province, near the town of Oudtshoorn.
The cave system is over 4 kilometers long, although the sections accessible to visitors are shorter. It has several large chambers and halls, the most popular of which are Van Zyl’s Hall, the Rainbow Chamber, and the Bridal Chamber.
We can see very special stalactite formations, which are made even more beautiful by the lighting.
Blyde River Canyon
One of South Africa’s most beautiful natural formations, known as the world’s third-largest canyon.
Located in the northern part of the Drakensberg Mountains, the canyon is about 26 kilometers long and can be up to 800 meters deep in places. There are several hiking trails in the area, varying in difficulty and length.
Several locations are worth highlighting. One of its most famous sights is the Three Rondavels. These three distinctive, round rock formations resemble traditional African houses, called rondavels. Its most beautiful viewpoint is God’s Window, from where you can see as far as Mozambique on a clear day.
Garden Route
One of South Africa’s most beautiful and popular tourist routes, leading through scenic landscapes along the country’s southern coast for nearly 300 km.
The region has a mild, oceanic climate that provides pleasant weather all year round. This makes it an excellent location for hiking and various water sports.
Knysna
One of the most beautiful cities in the Garden Route region and one of its most popular tourist destinations.
The city’s main attraction is the beautiful Knysna Lagoon, bordered by the Indian Ocean and the rocky strait called Knysna Heads. The lagoon is an ideal place for sailing, kayaking, and other water sports.
Knysna is famous for its oysters. They even hold a special event, the Knysna Oyster Festival, which is the city’s biggest event.
