7 places to visit in South Africa
When someone says “South Africa,” what do you think of? Maybe safaris, deserts, cities, or beaches? If so, you’d love South Africa! It’s a place with a lot to offer, and if you’re looking for a fun vacation, this is the spot for you. South Africa is known as “The World in One Country” because of its diversity. You can see wildlife, deserts, and museums. Cape Town and Durban are cities with lots of different cultures and foods. South Africa has good weather, usually sunny but sometimes cold in June and July. It’s also a good value, depending on the exchange rate. Want to know the top 15 places to visit in South Africa? Keep reading!
Top 7 Holiday Destinations in South Africa
1. Cape Town
If you’re going to South Africa, you should visit Cape Town because it’s a popular city with a mix of traditional and modern cultures. While there, don’t forget to go to False Bay, where you can experience nature, see beautiful mountains and turquoise-colored seas, and visit places like the Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (which is a protected site). If you want to see endangered African penguins, go to Boulder’s Beach Penguin colony. You can also check out Bo Kaap, a neighborhood with colorfully painted houses, just a 10-minute walk from the city center. There are also malls like Canal Walk and Victoria Wharf Shopping Center and many cool restaurants with exciting nightlife. Other interesting places to visit in Cape Town are Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, and Lion’s Head.
2. Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the best places to visit in South Africa. It is one of the oldest in South Africa and one of the biggest, covering over 2,000,000 hectares of area. It offers a wildlife safari experience at Kruger National Park is one of its kinds which you will not forget anytime soon.
Kruger is home to hundreds of species of animals. The main attraction among them is the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, Cape buffalo and rhino. The park provides both day and night safaris. You can also arrange for personalised safaris or day tours. You should stay here for at least 3-4 days to experience all the game drives available here.
3. The Garden Route
The Golden Route is a really pretty place in South Africa. It stretches 200 km from Mossel Bay to Storms River and has some of the prettiest views in the world. If you want to enjoy it properly, you should plan to spend a day or two there. Knysna is a beautiful town to visit, and there’s lots to see around it. You can also visit ostrich farms, Congo Caves, Plettenberg Bay, and the Great Route National Park. The Knysna Reserve Park is especially good if you want to see elephants. And if you like shopping, the Garden Route Mall is a great place to visit.
4. Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is a pretty and quiet town that you should visit if you want to relax. It’s the second oldest town in South Africa and has a lot of history. You can learn about this by going to the Village Museum or Stellenyrk Museum.
The town has beautiful streets lined with oak trees and Cape Dutch houses that will make you happy. One of the best things to do is to go wine tasting at the many wine estates. There are also many nice places to eat, drink and see art.
5. Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is South Africa’s tallest mountain, stretching about 200 km from Lesotho to the KwaZulu Natal province. It has beautiful natural features like waterfalls, caves, and mountain streams. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is known for its rock art, and Giant’s Castle Game Reserve boasts almost 800 species of flowering plants. The mountain trails are popular for activities like hiking, biking, rock climbing, parasailing, and river rafting during the summer.
6. ISimangaliso Wetland Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, is situated on the northern coast of KwaZulu natal province. In Zulu, “iSimangaliso” means “miracle and wonder.” It is the best place to witness nature’s wonders with over 526 species of birds and other animals. This wetland park is a paradise for water-loving animals like hippos, crocodiles and turtles. You can also find rhinos, zebras, baboons and buffalos.
7. Pilanesberg National Park
Pilanesberg National Park is an easily accessible national park from a significant city like Johannesburg. It is just 2.5 hours of drive away from Johannesburg. If you want a quick safari, you can try this place.
The expansive grasslands and the artificial lake Mankwe Dam have made this region perfect for wildlife inhabitation. Apart from the big five, this national park has zebras, African wild dogs, antelopes, giraffes and hundreds of species of birds