Some of the Best Place to visit in South Africa

How about diving with the great white sharks or enjoying an off-roading safari? If the idea excited you, then you should plan a trip to some of the popular places to visit in South Africa. The country is a potpourri of exotic wildlife, exquisite cuisines, amazing culture, numerous attractions, great gaping gorges, golden savannah, pristine beaches and what not? There are innumerable surprises at every turn. Upon returning you will be loaded with lots of memories and stories to be shared!

So, here’s a list of some of the best places to visit in South Africa from where you can begin your journey of incredible experiences!

Cape Town

With so many attractions to explore, it is no doubt as to why Cape Town is most breathtaking and popular place to visit in South Africa. Salubrious weather, a spectacular geographical location and above all the natural wonders like beaches, valleys and hills tastefully adorn the port city.

Location: Southwest coast of South Africa

Attractions of Cape Town

• Lion’s Head
• Table Mountain
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
• Cape Point
• False Bay
• Alfred Waterfront
• Two Ocean’s Aquarium

Things to do in Cape Town

• Enjoy sweeping views of the city from a mountain’s flat top
• Spend some time at the Boulders Beach
• Plan picnic at Cape of Good Hope
• Explore Robben Island
• Visit Signal Hill

Best time to visit Cape Town: late January to September

[ Plan a trip to South Africa with this package ]

The Winelands

The Cape Winelands beguiles with breathtaking views. Treat your eyes to the lush greenery and delight-in a voyage of indulgence.  An array of small hamlets, historic towns and Cape Dutch farmsteads lure avid wine lovers. A gastronomical experience at some of the best restaurants in the country is also on the list.

Location: north-east of Cape Town

Attractions of the Cape Winelands

• Franschhoek
• Stellenbosch
• Paarl
• Wellington
• Huguenot Monument

Things to do at the Cape Winelands

• Wine tours including wine tasting
• Rent a car and explore world-famous vineyards
• Visit Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
• Take a tour to La Motte
• Mountaineering at Hex River Mountains

Best time to visit the Cape Winelands: November to April

Garden Route

A myriad of fascinating coastal towns make the Garden Route one of the best trails in South Africa. The sight presented by a plethora of lakes and lagoons along the coast renders you speechless. A drive on this 200km route allows you to soak-in the beauty of coastal cliffs, lakes, towns and rolling green hills.

Location: south-eastern coast of South Africa

Attractions of the Garden Route

• Knysna Town
• Nature’s Valley.
• Plettenberg Bay
• Oudtshoorn’s ostrich farms
• Big Tree in Tsitsikamma

Things to on the Garden Route

• Explore Garden Route National Park
• Visit Cango Caves
• Bungee jumping
• Ride at elephant’s back
• Go for whale watching trips
• Watch the blooming Fynbos flowers

Best time to visit the Garden Route: September to October

Johannesburg

Fondly known with various names like Jo’burg, Egoli or Jozi, Johannesburg is the largest city in the country. The experience offered by the top-tourist attraction in South Africa is as unique and distinctive as the city itself. Satiate your adrenaline rush, visit the city for business, seek for a cultural encounter or simply relax for a while, the city welcomes you for any of the reason.

Location: Gauteng province

Attractions of Johannesburg

• Gold Reef City
• The Apartheid Museum
• Newtown Cultural Precinct
• Nelson Mandela Square
• Cradle of Humankind, UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Soweto towns

Things to do in Johannesburg

• Enjoy at Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary
• Visit the Satyagraha House
• Delight-in at the SAB World of Beer
• Spend time at Freedom Park
• Cherish panoramic views from Carlton Centre

Best time to visit Johannesburg: March to May and September to November

[  Here is the best customized package for exploring this city ]

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of Asia’s largest game reserve. The park steals the limelight for housing the very popular Big 5 wild animals: Leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos and buffalos. Visitors from far and near visit the park in large numbers and thus making it one of the best places to visit in South Africa.  Self-catering and self-driving excursions add to the fun quotient.

Location: northeastern South Africa

Attractions of the Kruger National Park

• The Klaserie Private Nature Reserve
• Djuma Game Reserve
• Phabeni Gate
• Elephant Hall
• Masorini Archaeological Site

Things to do in Kruger National Park

• Enjoy luxury lodgings at Sabi Sabi
• Visit Timbavati Game Reserve
• Camping at Mopani Rest Camp
• Plan a picnic at Mlondozi Picnic Site

Best time to visit Kruger National Park: between April and September

Also Read:

20 Incredible Experiences of the Sights and Sounds of South Africa

Durban beachfront

There could be nothing better than the Durban beachfront to start the city tour. Vast beachfront fascinates surfers, swimmers and anglers from worldwide. Warm waters of the Indian Ocean, long stretches of golden sand, sub-tropical sunshine – the beachfront has it all and even more. The beachfront is definitely every surfer’s paradise.

Location: KwaZulu-Natal

Attractions of the Durban beachfront

• Amphitheatre Flea Market
• Dairy Beach
• I Heart Market
• Fitzsimons Snake Park
• Peer off the Pier
• uShaka Marine World

Things to do at the Durban beachfront

• Addington Centenary Museum
• Fine Dining at Cruise the Durban Harbour
• Surfing at Bay of Plenty Beach
• Ride Durban’s Ricksha bus

Best time to visit the Durban beachfront: June – August

Robben Island

Get ready for an emotional pilgrimage tour to Robben Island. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Island is famed for incarcerating many prominent personalities like Nelson Mandela. He stayed here for 18 long years in a tiny cell. One of the interesting parts about the trip to this historic destination in South Africa is that the ex-prisoners are the guides here who share first-hand experiences they had endured.

Location: Western Cape

Attractions in Robben Island

• Robert Sobukwe House
• Kramat
• Table Mountain
• Nelson Mandela Gateway

Things to do at Robben Island

• Explore the Robben Island Museum
• Visit prison
• Spot Robben Island Lighthouse

Best time to visit Robben Island: January – May

Soweto

Some of the liveliest theatres of South Africa are available at Soweto. The full-form of Soweto is ‘South Western Township’. Freedom Movement which led to the new democratic constitution of South Africa originated from here. The Soweto Wine Festival celebrated in September, brings avid lovers of Wine from all over the world.

Location: Gauteng

Attractions of Soweto

• Mandela House
• Gold Reef City
• Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
• Walter Sisulu Square
• Oppenheimer Tower

Things to do in Soweto

• Visit Apartheid Museum
• Pay homage at Regina Mundi Catholic Church
• Explore Hector Pieterson Museum
• Enjoy at Thokoza Park
• Excursion at Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

Best time to visit Soweto: April – September

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Hold your breath, as you are about to witness the most beautiful canyon. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is world’s third largest canyon and perhaps South Africa’s top tourist attraction. Awe-inspiring waterfalls efficiently complement the lush foliage. The park is also a home to exotic wildlife. The route to this parks offers exciting hiking and driving opportunities on the scenic trails.

Location: Mpumalanga

Attractions at Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

• The Mpumalanga Nature Reserve
• Kruger National Park
• God’s Window
• Three Rondavels
• Berlin Falls
• Lisbon Falls
• Wonder View

Things to do at Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

• Biking
• Hiking
• Abseiling
• Fishing
• White-water rafting
• Boat trips
• Game viewing

Best time to visit Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve: June to end of August

Wild Coast

Wild Coast is the birthplace of the very popular Nelson Mandela and cast a spell with its emerald green hills, superb coastline, isolated beaches, and much more. Being one of the popular destinations of South Africa, the place presents an untamed wilderness. Offering blissful experiences, the place is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

Location: Eastern Cape

Attractions of Wild Coast

• Butterworth
• Bisho
• Gonubie
• Kei Mouth
• Glengarriff
• Mazeppa Bay

Things to do at Wild Coast

• Learn about the life of Nelson Mandela
• Explore the traditions and customs of the local Xhosa people,
• Saty for few days at Cintsa
• Visit Coffee Bay

Best time to visit the Wild Coast: April to May and end of August to mid – October

Stellenbosch

It is impossible to skip Stellenbosch from the list of must-visit places in South Africa. Nestled amidst white-washed edifices and numerous farms, the town is famed for housing some of the best sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Many wine lovers could be seen here as the city is popular for its wine. Umpteen oak trees have given the town its name as Eikestad meaning the ‘City of Oaks’.

Location: Western Cape

Attractions in Stellenbosch

• Rupert Museum
• Village Museum
• Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
• Botanic Garden
• Giraffe House
• Waterford Wine Estate
• Toy & Miniature Museum

Things to do at Stellenbosch

• Mountain biking
• Hiking
• Winery tours
• Attend Wine and food festivals
• Dolphin watching
• Visit Absolut Art Gallery
• Explore Stellenbosch Museum

Best time to visit Stellenbosch: November – April

The Drakensberg

Several hiking trails are ready to enthrall you at the Drakensberg. Scenic cliffs, gushing waterfalls and lush forests are the essential charms of the 200km long Great Escarpment. With country’s breathtaking landscapes, 48 animal species, 290 species of birds, unusual plant varieties, the Drakensberg is rightly positioned on the list of best places to visit in South Africa. Country’s highest peaks are also found here, so you can rest assure of a heart-throbbing experience.

Location: Kwa-Zulu Natal

Attractions in the Drakensberg

• Royal Natal National Park
• uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, World Heritage Site
• Giant’s Castle Game Reserve
• Amphitheatre
• The Kramberg Valley trail
• The Kamberg Rock Art
• Ledges Cave Hike

Things to do in the Drakensberg

• Abseiling
• Rock climbing
• River Rafting
• Helicopter ride
• Parasail
• Hot air balloon rides
• Horse-riding

Best time to visit the Drakensberg: Late-October to Early-March

Cango Caves

Hidden in the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves are best options for some fun and frolic. Unveil the mysteries associated with these 20 million years old caves. A vast network of chambers and tunnels go for a length of over 4km but only a part of this is open to the public. The names of these formations are as intriguing as these natural wonders. Excursion to these caverns will clear your doubt as to why these are South Africa’s oldest top-tourist attractions.

Location: 30 km north of Oudtshoorn

Attractions in the Cango Caves

• Artifacts
• Cave paintings
• Towering stalagmite formations
• Cleopatra’s Needle
• Van Zyl’s hall

Things to do in the Cango Caves

• Partake in Standard Tour
• Enjoy Adventure Tour
• Marvel at Safari Ostrich Show Farm

Best time to visit Cango Caves: Throughout the year

KwaZulu-Natal

Also cited as the ‘Garden province’, KwaZulu-Natal boasts of a long shoreline beside the Indian Ocean and is amongst the best places to visit in South Africa. With two UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely, the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the area is simply eclectic. Don’t forget to carry a body lotion along with you as you’re going to enjoy a good body tan here. Also, don’t forget to pay a visit to the traditional Zululand and meet people who are very much proud of their culture.

Location: southeast of the country

Attractions of KwaZulu-Natal

• iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
• KwaZulu-Natal Museum
• Tatham Art Gallery

Things to do in KwaZulu-Natal

• Snorkeling
• Birding trails
• Guided walking
• Marvel at Campbell Collections
• Enjoy at uShaka Marine World

Best time to visit KwaZulu-Natal: can be visited all year round

Valley of a Thousand Hills

Complete your trip to South Africa by visiting the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The valley is nothing less than a majestic creation of nature. Watch the perfect color play of the azure-sky and emerald green foliage. The quaint gorge forms an idyllic background for unforgettable memories. The confluence of the Msunduzi and the Umgeni River is an added plus in the unrivaled natural beauty of the area.

Location: KwaZulu Natal

Attractions of Valley of a Thousand Hills

• Cultural villages
• Museums
• Bothas Hill
• Assagay
• Cato Ridge
• Camperdown
• Drummond
• Crestholme
• Shongweni Farmer’s market
• Umgeni Steam Railway Train

Things to do at Valley of a Thousand Hills

• Photography
• Battlefield tours
• Enjoy song and dance performance
• Savor traditional food
• Hiking
• Walking
• Cycling
• Running
• Abseiling
• Mountaineering

Best time to visit Valley of a Thousand Hills: can be visited all year round

So, plan exciting South Africa tours to explore its amazing attractions.

Diksha Khiatani

A writer by day and a tsundoku at night. Emerging from an Engineering background, Diksha is a travel freak and anxious to explore different cultures and religions. Inclined towards the off-beat places, she wishes to uncover the secrets on her Scooty (if possible). She always grabs some time to take a quick nap, listen to music, skating and eat a brownie.