Top 5 Places to Visit on South Africa Holidays
South Africa is one of the incredible destinations on the African continent with a lot of explore, from the Big 5 to whales, Winelands and a whole lot more.
Choosing the best place to visit in South Africa is a bit tricky as each region is so different, offering diverse range of experiences, places to interest, and premier South Africa Vacation spots. In this blog we list and detail the top 5 places to visit on South Africa Holidays.
- Johannesburg
Known as the “City of Gold,” Johannesburg is a vibrant capital of South Africa with rich cultural heritage and diverse population. The city is an intoxicating mix of history and modernity.
Johannesburg is a hub of experiences, with bustling markets, world-class museums and lively nightlife. You can learn about the country’s tumultuous past at the Apartheid Museum or sample one of the high – end restaurants serving delicious cuisine from around the globe.
Johannesburg is a relatively new city, founded in 1886 when gold was discovered here. The settlement was named after two officials of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), Christian Johannes Joubert and Johannes Rissik, who both worked in land surveying and mapping. The two men combined their names adding “burg”, the archaic Afrikaans word for “fortified city”. Also, the city is known by its Zulu name, eGoli, meaning “city of gold” or colloquially, as Joburg or Jozi.
When prospectors first discovered gold, Johannesburg began as a tented shanty town, since then it has come a long wat. Now the city is the richest in South Africa with higher salaries than anywhere else in the country.
With over 10 million trees, Johannesburg is an extremely green city and home to the largest man-made forest in the world. One of the trees the city is famous for is the jacaranda. When it flowers in October and November, there is a carpet of purple flowers over swathes of the city, Jacaranda is a non-native species from South America. It uses far too much water to be sustainable in Johannesburg, this tree dies off naturally and they can’t be replaced.
Experiences/Things to Do in Johannesburg – There are several experiences to do in Johannesburg including
- Dinning in the sky
- Tour the Lindfield House Museum
- Visit the Apartheid Museum
- Explore Constitution Hills
- Walk around the Mining District
- Listen to Live Music at Melville
- Explore Johannesburg’s Art Galleries among others.
- Cape Town
Located on the southwestern tip of South Africa, Cape Town also known as the Mother City is a city of stunning beauty and rich cultural heritage. The city is famous for its diverse landscapes, from the iconic Table Mountain to its pristine beaches and lush vineyards.
Cape Town has a unique mix of chic urbanity and natural wonders, the city is a melting pot of cultures which are reflected in its vibrant art scene, world-class cuisine and friendly locals. There are some much to explore in Cape Town including historic landmarks like Robben Island, the vibrant neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap or simply relax on the white sands of Camps Bay Beach.
Cape Town is a dreamy outdoor city blessed with white sandy bays, warm weather and an active population. The city has lots of activities to offer including
- Visit the Signal Hill
- Day trip to Boulders Beach
- Climb the Table Mountain
- Visit V&A Waterfront
- Shark Cage Diving Experience
- Chapman’s Peek Tour
- Quad Bike Dune Adventure
- Sandboarding Adventure
- Micro-light flight over Cape Sky
- Kruger National Park
The iconic Kruger National Park is one of the popular safari destinations in the world and a paradise for wildlife lovers. Spanning over 19,000 square kilometers, Kruger is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, home to diverse flora and fauna including the iconic Africa Big Five including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceros.
While on a South Africa Safari in Kruger National Park, embark on thrilling safaris to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat and enjoy bush walks, bird watching and cultural experiences.
Kruger National Park is an ideal destination for African safari because of its excellent infrastructure, good travel network, professional guides and superb service. If you need creature comforts like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and exclusive – use vehicles or private plunge pools. Kruger’s accommodation offers plenty to choose from.
- The Drakensberg Mountains
This stunning natural wonder will surely captivate you with its awe-inspiring beauty, these majestic peaks reach heights of over 3,000 meters and are known for their dramatic cliffs, lush forests and cascading waterfalls. The Drakensberg Mountains are the highest mountain range in South Africa, famous for the rock formation known as the “Amphitheatre”, this is a great walking and exploring area of stunning natural beauty. The mountains were named by the Dutch Voortrekkers due to their resemblance to a dragon’s back, whereas the Zulus named uKhahlamba, meaning “barrier of spears”. The mountains stretch 1000 kilometers, but the best known area is in KwaZulu – Natal and borders Lesotho.
The Drakensberg Mountains are also home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life including indigenous species that are found nowhere else on earth.
The uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park is also found within the mountains and is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000. It is home to 48 species of mammal and over 200 species of birds, including the bald vulture and bearded ibis.
For outdoor lovers, the region offers plenty of activities such as
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Bird watching
- Horse ridin
- Mountain biking
- Fishing
- Exploring the nearby battlefields of the Anglo – Zulu and Anglo – Boers wars
- Visit the famous Drakensberg Boys Choir
- Admire some of the numerous painting made on rock faces and in caves by the San Bushmen hundreds of years ago
- Tsitsikamma National Park
Tucked between the mountains and sea, Tsitsikamma National Park is a beautiful coastal reserve located along the Garden Routh in South Africa. It is a pristine natural wonderland renowned for its dramatic landscapes of dense forests, rugged cliffs and sparkling ocean views.
Tsitsikamma National Park is a multi-dimensional destination with dramatic coastal scenery, reefs, rivers, lush forests and delicate fynbos. A hiking and water paradise, this region forms the top section of the magnificent Garden Route National Park. The park is renowned for its dramatic landscapes of dense forests, rugged cliffs and sparkling ocean views.
You can explore a network of hiking trails that meander through indigenous forests, cross suspension bridges over rivers and listen to the thunder of majestic waterfalls. Also, the park boasts colorful marine life, making it a popular spot for snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking.
