South Africa is a country of contrasting landscapes, with a variety that is guaranteed to satisfy every traveler. The country can only be described as vast, with plenty to see & do. Here are 10 of the best places in South Africa that should make your trip itinerary.
There are hundreds of incredible experiences and adventures to go on in South Africa, but for your first trip, you’re not going to want to miss these places.
Kruger National Park
Home to the big 5, as well as many more diverse animal & fauna species. The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa.
Where is it?
Located in the North-Eastern part of the country, bordering Mozambique. The Kruger National Park is approximately 1800kms from Cape Town.
Namaqualand
Between August & October every year, this semi-desert area turns from dry and arid, to a beautiful flowing valley of flowers.
The extremely high biodiversity of the fauna means that 1000’s of the estimated 3500 flora species can only be found in this area.
It also happens to have the highest concentration of succulent plants of all the arid regions in the world.
Where is it?
Located in the Northern Cape, approximately 550kms north of Cape Town.
Table Mountain
Known for its extraordinarily flat top. You can hike up through gorges or take the cable car and experience a breath-taking view over the city of Cape Town.
We recommend hiking up through Skeleton Gorge, click here for more information on this route.
Where is it?
Located in the Western Cape, in the South-Western part of the country. When in Cape Town, it’s quite hard to miss. 😉
Robben Island
South African & UNESCO World Heritage Site. The former prison island was used for isolation of political prisoners, such as former SA Presidents, Nelson Mandela & Jacob Zuma.
Where is it?
Located off the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town. The Island is most easily accessed by ferry from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Sun City
The Las Vegas of Africa. Home to a luxury resort & casino, bringing luxury & gambling into the wilderness of Africa.
Where is it?
Located 150kms west of the capital Pretoria. The resort is approximately 1500kms from Cape Town.
The Garden Route
Named after the diverse vegetation found along this beautiful coastal route on the Western & Eastern Cape. The route is 300kms long, starting at Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, and ending at Storms River in the Eastern Cape.
Some of the locations you shouldn’t miss on the route:
- Knysna
- Bloukrans Bridge
- Nature’s Valley at the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains
- George
Where is it?
Starting at Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, and ending at Storms River in the Eastern Cape.
Mossel Bay is approximately 400km’s from Cape Town.
Cango Caves
These incredible caves are well worth a trip. A standard tour is about an hour and the adventure tour is about an hour and a half. That’s an hour and a half of climbing through narrow passages and even crawling.
Where is it?
Located in the Western Cape, just north of the Garden Route. The Caves are approximately 450kms from Cape Town.
The Drakensberg
Meaning, Mountain of the Dragons.
Ok, this one is in partnership with Lesotho. 😉
The mountain range spreads into Lesotho’s Mountains, which are there known as the Maloti Mountains. The highest mountain in the range has an elevation of 3482m, and the entire range stretches over 1000kms in length.
With numerous rock art created by the San, showing that Table Mountain is not the only interesting mountain in South Africa you should be visiting.
Where is it?
Located in the Eastern part of the country, on the border of Lesotho. Approximately 1500kms from Cape Town.
Cape Agulhas
The most southern point of Africa, and one of the points that mark the joining of the Atlantic & Indian Oceans.
(The other is Cape Point, which is also worth a stop.)
Where is it?
Located approximately 220kms from Cape Town, in the Western Cape. Cape Agulhas is the southern-most point on your map of Africa.
Boulders Beach
Meet the African penguins… Yes, you read that correctly!
Only found along the southern African Coastline (In Namibia & South Africa), you can find the Cape Penguin.
They’re on the verge of extinction, and under the protection of the Cape Nature Conservation. This beach is one of the few areas you can come up close with these animals, in the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area.
Where is it?
Located in Simon’s Town, about 40kms from Cape Town’s Centre.
