Coral reefs, shark dives, crisp mountain ranges, white-water rafting, and the sparkling golden beaches are just some of South Africa’s many attractions. Steeped in history and culture, you can learn about South Africa’s turbulent history while traveling around its vast lands and exploring its lively destinations.
Let’s take a look at the destinations you must visit on your next trip to South Africa:
1/ Cape Town
Cape Town is known for its cultural diversity which most of the times is the trip highlight for many. The city is filled with mind-blowing scenery, from the breath-taking white-sand beaches of the Cape Peninsula to the cliffs of the famous Table Mountain, they have it all. The restaurants have a huge variety of delicious food with some world-class wine. Cape Town is also home to important cultural sites like the Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
2/ The Cape Winelands
Situated in close proximity to Cape Town, the Cape Winelands features some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa. It is a spectacular region full of green mountains and fertile valleys. Visit this area for its astounding scenic beauty and its culture. Personally, I would recommend taking the wine-tasting tours and dining at the amazing restaurants in particular, as they represent the Western Cape’s finest local produce.
3/ Hermanus, Western Cape
The beautiful seaside town of Hermanus is popularly known as the whale-watching capital of South Africa. You can book a tour with one of Hermanus’ whale-watching boats or just enjoy the whales’ antics for free from the lookout points along the Cliff Path. The Whale-watching season lasts from July to November.
4/ Knysna, Western Cape
South Africa is famous for its plethora of captivating coastal towns, and Knysna is the most beautiful of them all. It is located between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, the place is known for its seafood restaurants, providing the guests with oysters that are freshly harvested from the town’s enchanting lagoon. You can take a hike or just spend your day on the golden beaches of Leisure Isle. Here, you can also witness the world’s largest terrestrial animal at the Knysna Elephant Park.
5/ Robben Island
Robben Island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is a historical place which is famous for the Maximum-Security Prison where South Africa’s political prisoners were held during the Apartheid. You can even get a view of Nelson Mandela’s cell. The island has the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the army, and navy bunks along with the Lime Quarry. So go and visit Robben Island to relive that era.
6/ Krugersdorp
Just 50 kilometres from Johannesburg, Krugersdorp is a mining city consisting of various limestone caves where many scientists have discovered fossils that date back to the birth of humankind. Apart from that, you can go visit the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, Maropeng Game Reserve, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens and Sterkfontein Caves.
7/ Hogsback Forests
Taking a high spot in the misty Amathole Mountains, Hogsback is the quaint town that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write Lord of the Rings. The landscape is lush and green with hiking trails that take you on a journey through the forest to hidden waterfalls and streams. The best part is the breath-taking view that you would get from the cliffs.
8/ The Transkei
Declared as the black homeland under apartheid, the region of Transkei was once considered separate from South Africa. Now this wild, unspoiled area of astounding natural beauty starts from Great Kei River to the Umtamvuna River in the Eastern Cape. With its lovely beaches and pounding surf, Transkei is considered haven for fishermen, hikers, and surfers.
9/ Kruger National Park
Apart from being the world’s most famous safari park, Kruger National Park is also one of the oldest game reserves in South Africa. The park is about 4-5-hour drive from Johannesburg where the visitors get to see the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino. It is home to Bushman rock paintings and archaeological sites and consists of basic campsites or comfortable lodges where you can stay as well.
10/ Stellenbosch
The most picturesque towns of South Africa, Stellenbosch is a medley of farms, old oak trees, and Cape Dutch dwellings. The town’s oak-shaded lanes are lined with cafes, boutiques and art galleries for you to visit at your leisure. The history bingers have a lot to experience at the Village Museum, a group of four restored houses from 1709 to 1850.
11/ Prince Edward Islands
Prince Edward and Marion Islands are marine conserved areas in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean, 1900 km south-east of Cape Town. Having the World’s largest biodiversity hotspot with albatrosses, penguins, killer whales and Patagonian toothfish stocks, this place is worth visiting to witness the breeding ground for the sea beauties.
The amazing destinations capture awe-inspiring nature, haunting history, and a blend of cultures may even make you move to South-Africa and settle there. Such is the luring attraction of exotic foreign lands. It is for this reason that many people go abroad to study, and afterward, even settle there. Learn more about Post-Study Immigration Visa to find out the immigration policies and regulation of different countries and make the whole brain-draining process simpler.
That being said, keep wanderlusting and happy exploring!
