A visit to South Africa is incredible no matter what time of year you travel. It is a welcoming and friendly destination. South Africans are known for their warmth, hospitality and authenticity.
When you arrive here, you are welcomed as a friend and not as a traveller. This is a comforting feeling throughout your journey.
The geography of South Africa is ever-changing with picturesque coastlines, beautiful beaches, and majestic mountains. Travel in any direction, and you will see a country shift and change before your eyes. It is situated at the southernmost tip of the African continent and borders two oceans — the cold waters of the Atlantic to the west and the warm waters of the Indian to the right. Imagine standing at the point where the two oceans meet.
South Africa is a world-class destination with something to captivate the attention of any type of traveller. It is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries on Earth. This brings many experiences for visitors to enjoy including wildlife safari, active adventures, gourmet food and wine, bustling city life, cultural diversity, and much more.
South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation.” It is made up of multicultural inhabitants who are influenced by an eclectic mix of African, Asian and European cultures. It boasts a history that dates back to mankind. Explore the place where the human story started at the Cradle of Humankind, or see ancient Africa preserved on rock faces in caves and historical sites. Walk the battlefields where Shaka Zulu once fought, or follow the inspiring footsteps of Nelson Mandela all the way to his humbling prison cell on Robben Island.
The story of South Africa is told in many historical sites and museums around the country, and it is expressed today in rich cultural traditions, food, music and vibrant urban culture.
A safari journey is unlike anything else you will experience. When you hear the powerful roar of a lion in the distance and the ground tremble as elephants cross in front of you, you will never forget this moment in time. During the early hushed hours at sunrise, you will witness the wild come to life at a watering hole and, at sunset, your eyes will be drawn to the bright eyes of a leopard in a tree. Picture your day ending by an open fire pit at a luxury safari lodge where a million stars above you speckle the sky. You will never want to leave this unrushed and untouched feeling of being in the bush.
The views along the 2,700 kilometres-long coastline are stunning with rugged cliffs, untouched ecosystems, beautiful forests, and secret beaches. Here, you will find a world of adventure and natural wonder. There are numerous hiking trails and some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world. You may want to try shark cage diving for a unique experience or swim with the African penguins at Boulders Beach.
If you like the fast pace of bustling city life, you will want to spend time in iconic cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban. These are destinations in their own right with much to offer including trendy weekend markets, unique boutiques, historic sites and enjoying world-class food and wine experiences. Did you know that the longest wine route in the world is located in South Africa?
There are interesting world-class accommodations in South Africa as well. Imagine staying in a room at a luxury hotel in Johannesburg, where Nelson Mandela wrote a number of his books or spending time at a premium hotel towering above the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, which has been built within a historic grain silo complex that is a celebration of art, style, architecture and design. The list of things to do is endless and so are the places where you can stay.
Many believe this to be the birthplace of humanity. Archeologists discovered the nearly three million year old remains of a female skeleton who is considered the first hard evidence of the connection between humans and apes. There are artifacts and fossils that date back to the Stone Age.
Soweto is the largest township in South Africa and the heart of the struggles against apartheid. Make sure to visit Vilakazi Street, the only place in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners lived on the same street — Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Visit Nelson Mandela House, as well as the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum.
This is likely one of the most photographed areas of Cape Town with its brightly painted houses and quaint cobbled streets. Bo-Kaap is packed full of history and culture.
Table Mountain has been voted one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It is a vision of startling beauty, and a haven for a rich variety of animals and plant life. This legendary flat-topped mountain offers incredible panoramic views of the entire city of Cape Town. Since it presides over the city’s history, you can imagine the stories that are etched into its form.
Often referred to as the southern tip of Africa, but reality is the southernmost point is Cape Agulhas. However, you will not want to miss a visit here as you can experience everything from spectacular views of the ocean with serene beaches to historic landmarks. Explore this natural reserve filled with its rich diversity of animals and plants. The drive here is beautiful.
A walk through this museum will give you personal insight into the country’s turbulent past. You will experience a time when someone’s entire life was based on the colour of his or her skin. The museum illustrates triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
There are 13 wine routes in South Africa and three of them begin outside of Cape Town. Enjoy driving through picturesque mountains and vineyards while viewing beautiful historic Cape Dutch architecture. You may want to spend more than a day so you can enjoy the many activities that are offered.
Drive along the pristine coastline from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape beaches of Port Elizabeth and you will see many beaches, lagoons and coastal forests. Stop in Hermanus where you can spot Southern Right whales from the shore.
Enjoy spectacular views of pure nature as you travel through the Panoramic Route. Blyde Canyon Park is breathtaking with a gorge that spans 30 kilometre beginning at Bourke’s Luck Potholes and ending near the Three Rondavels. God’s Window is situated high on the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment overlooking a lush indigenous forest clad ravine.
Drakensberg is a World Heritage site and also home to what may be the world’s most extensive collection of historic San Rock Art Paintings. Discovering the caves, eroded rock face, and overhangs makes for a breathtaking activity. You can also enjoy scenic hiking and biking trails along with birdwatching and wildlife.
