The Best Places to Visit in South Africa
Surrounded by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, South Africa is one of the most incredibly beautiful destinations in the world, with some of the most breathing scenery, bustling cities, magnificent beaches, rugged mountains and plenty of national parks and game reserves for a classic safari experience.
If you are planning a trip to Africa, South Africa is one of the countries which should not miss on your bucket list. In this blog, we list the best places to visit in South Africa.
- Cape Town
With many stunning places to visit in South Africa, it can be hard to know where to stay from. However, Cape Town is a fantastic point on your South Africa tour.
Crowned Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town is the city in South Africa, steeped in history and full of beautiful building from its colonial past, the city’s horizon is dominated by the iconic Table Mountain rising up in the background, whilst in the foreground are the crisp waters of the cape and the laid-back bustle of the city’s waterfront skirted by sandy beaches and picturesque suburbs.
Cape Town is surrounded by all mountains and green hills that have an immensely calming effect, helping this to be one of the most relaxing big city that you are likely to visit.
Out the gilts and magic of Cape Town itself, there are many attractions that can visited on a day trip. Visit the Robben Island, explore some of the beautiful restaurants and shops in the city, take the cable car up Table Mountain, visit the wine lands and the cape of Good Hope.
- Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is an iconic national park and an incredible destination of Big Five Safari. Encompassing four million hectares in the northeastern corner of South Africa, Kruger National Park is one of the biggest, oldest and most renowned wildlife reserves on earth. It is ranked among the most beautiful places in South Africa, with enormous expanses of wilderness, waterfalls, forests and plains.
If you are interested in ticking off seeing the Big Five – leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo on your bucket list, then Kruger National Park is the best place to visit.
On a Kruger Safari, encounter the fascinating wildlife of the park in an open-vehicle drives and guided nature walks.
- Johannesburg
Branded as the new capital of cool, Johannesburg is South Africa’s Big Apple, one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub. Also known as Joburg or Jozi, Johannesburg is a place to go to mix big city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounter and visits to historical sites.
Located in the country’s interior, they are many attractions worth visiting in Johannesburg including museums, markets, street art and historical sites. While on a tour in Johannesburg, some of the spots you cannot miss visiting include Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum and the Soweto Township, where bot Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu once lived.
Johannesburg is situated no far from the Limpopo Province, a region known for its dramatic scenery, agricultural production and wide variety of outdoor adventures.
Architecture of downtown of Johannesburg, South Africa
- Sabi Sands
Located right next to Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands is one of the best private game reserve in Africa, only open to travelers staying at one of the lodges within the reserve. Sabi Sands is regarded as Africa’s premier game reserve, world renowned for the abundance of game particularly the elusive leopard and is the best place to see all of the Big Five in South Africa.
Sabi Sands is listed among the best places in Africa to get up close and personal with most of Africa’s famous predators. This private reserve covering an area of over 60,000 hectares shares an unfenced boundary with the vast Kruger National Park, allowing animals to roam free, thus an authentic game-rich experience.
For travelers interested in an ultimate Africa Safari with a combination of modern luxury and incredible wildlife sightings, Sabi Sands is the best place to visit in South Africa as well as Africa at large.
- The Kalahari
Commonly known as the Kalahari Desert, this vast plains is actually a semi-arid and savannah covering 930,000 km² spreading over the most of Botswana, the east of Namibia and the north of South Africa.
Despite its harsh landscape, Kalahari is semi-arid savannah supporting a range of animal and plant life, including the rarest of the Big Five – the critically endangered black rhino.
On the South African section of Kalahari, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is one of the best places to visit. Tswalu Kalahari is the largest private game reserve in the country stretching over 100,000 hectares of the green Kalahari grasslands and home to 80 mammal species and 340 bird species. For the best experience, stay at the intimate Motse Camp or Tarkuni Private House for an incredible experience.
- The Whale Coast
Situated almost immediately south-east from the outskirts of Cape Town and following the Atlantic shoreline along the Western Camp, the Whale Coast is a protection collection of beautiful bays with crescents of pristine white beaches, wild surf, tranquil mountains that dramatically descend into the Atlantic, sleep valleys, charming coves bustling with wildlife, nature reserves, and pleasant villages brimming with local heritage.
Some of the world’s premier destinations for viewing nurseries of southern right whales, as well as other marine life are located on this coast, such as Hermanus, Overburg and Walker Bay, and there are also the shivers of great white sharks that gather off Gansbaai.
The Whale Coast is known for its abundant marine life, including southern right whales and humpback whales, dolphins and sharks. Some of the best things to do on your tour in South Africa are whale watching and shark diving done in the Whale Coast.
The Grootbos Private Nature Reserve occupies a privileged position on the headlands above Walker Bay, known for its commitment to existing in harmony with the environment and its decades – long dedication to conservation.
- Madikwe
If you are traveling with kids, Madikwe is one of the best places to visit on a family safari/trip to South Africa. Located near the Kalahari in the northwestern part of the country, this game reserve is remote, massive and malaria-free making it an ideal destination for younger family members.
At 75,000 hectares, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth largest game reserve hosting a wide variety of wildlife including a large population of elephant, 300 species of bird and over 60 different mammal species including rhino, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, lion and African wild dog.
Madikwe Game Reserve has some of the best lodges for families in South Africa, including Morukuru Family. While on a South Africa Safari in Madikwe, explore the different habitats of the reserve exhilarating game drives that take you deep into the bush. As the sun goes down, enjoy spectacular stargazing with an expert guide to explain the constellation.
- Durban
Set on the country’s eastern coast, Durban is another great sea side cities in South Africa, a modern, cosmopolitan city and capital of the KwaZulu Natal region. The city is defined by an eclectic mix of cultural influences and surrounded by some of the most beautiful sites in the country.
Durban enjoys some of the country’s most impressive cultural diversity and history thanks mostly to the ethnic influences of the Zulus and its migrant Indian population. From taking a rickshaw ride down the golden mile waterfront, to visiting some of the best breweries in South Africa, the impressive uShaka Marine World, craft markets, fine restaurants, beautiful beaches as well as great surfing and diving spots.
Durban itself is worth a visit, also you can take a trip to Phinda Private Game Reserve known for its varied habitats and trailblazing approach to land management and conservation.
- The Winelands
The Western Cape has most of top wine regions in South Africa known as the Winelands, situated just outside of Cape Town. This area blooms with beautiful vineyards, lush valleys and historic towns, many of them visibly influenced by Dutch and French Settlers.
The verdant, rolling hills of South Africa’s wine country is home to fantastic wine and some of Africa’s best restaurants. It is also one of the historic areas of South Africa, where many of the original Dutch settlers first made their homes.
The Winelands region is also a culinary hotspot, so food and wine lovers certainly shouldn’t miss trying some.
