South Africa
Safari Destination
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Powdery
beaches lapped by two oceans, black-maned lions framed by
red Kalahari dunes, snow-capped mountains and scarlet vineyards –
South Africa is a land of astonishing diversity. From exploring the lush
forests of the Garden Route to encountering the Big
Five in Kruger National Park, South Africa provides an array of
holiday activities to satisfy every taste and budget.
Known
as the Rainbow Nation, due to its remarkable ethnic diversity, South Africa
offers a fascinating melting pot of African, Asian and European cultures.
Whether you catch Cape Town during its Minstrel Carnival, browse
Durban’s colourful Indian markets, learn about Cape Dutch architecture in
the Winelands or experience the thriving art scene of Johannesburg,
South Africa offers a remarkable variety of cultural attractions.
Many
visitors start their journey in Cape Town, the Mother City. Whether you’re keen
to indulge in world-class wines and gourmet cuisine in the Cape Winelands,
climb the iconic Table Mountain, visit Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben
Island or try out one of the countless outdoor adventure sports on offer, Cape
Town is guaranteed to delight.
Explore
the sub-tropical forests, coastal villages and picturesque lakes of the Garden
Route, which skirts the warm Indian Ocean. Round off your coastal meander with
a safari in one of the Eastern Cape’s malaria-free game reserves.
Those
seeking natural beauty are well catered for with numerous Big Five
national parks, mountain and desert reserves. South Africa’s flagship is the
Kruger National Park and the many private concessions surrounding it. These
offer some of the finest accommodation and safari experiences in Africa.
If
outdoor adventuring is your thing, try rock-climbing in the craggy Cederberg,
surfing on the Eastern Cape coast, abseiling off Table Mountain or bungee
jumping from a Garden Route bridge. Or how about a multi-day trek through a
game reserve, a dusty mountain-bike trail in the semi-desert Karoo or a catered
‘slackpacking’ trail along the Eastern Cape coast?
Often
referred to as ‘a world in one country’, we rate South Africa as the number-one
destination in Africa for diversity and for the continent’s best tourism
infrastructure.
1 Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces
Kruger
National Park, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces
Kruger
National Park is one of the world's most famous safari parks. One of the oldest
game reserves in South Africa, the park lies about a 3.5 to 4.5 hour drive from
Johannesburg and offers visitors the chance to see the "Big Five":
lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino, as well as an astounding diversity
of other wildlife. It's also home to bushman rock paintings and archaeological
sites. Visitors can explore Kruger on the large network of sealed roads;
organize a walking safari; or soar over the vast grasslands, gallery forests,
and river systems in a hot air balloon. Accommodation ranges from basic
campsites to comfortable lodges.
2 Cape Town, Western Cape
Cape
Town, Western Cape
One
of the planet's most breathtaking cities, Cape Town is, by population, the
second largest settlement in South Africa. Nature surrounds this multicultural
city, which nuzzles between a rugged range of mountains and the sea. For a
spectacular overview, hike to the peak of flat-topped Table
Mountain, or glide up on the cableway. The hour-long hike up Lion's
Head also provides panoramic city vistas. On Table Mountain's eastern
slopes, the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens lie
within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling along the waterfront boardwalk,
visitors might see whales spouting from the harbor. Penguins waddle along the
golden beaches in False Bay, while south of the city, Cape
Point is home to abundant wildlife and diverse botanical wonders. One
of Cape Town's top attractions is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
Reminiscent of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, visitors come here to
shop, dine, and enjoy the many entertainment venues, including Two
Ocean's Aquarium. Camp's Bay, rimmed by beautiful
boulder-flanked beaches, offers chic shops and cafes. At sunset,
nature lovers stake a spot along spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive in
a dusk ritual known as "sundowners" to watch the sun sink slowly into
the sea.
3 Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape
Kgalagadi
(Kalahari) Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape
A
merger of South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana's Gemsbok
National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is one of the largest
wilderness areas in the world. Established in 2000, it is Africa's first
officially declared transfrontier park and lies in a remote region of South
Africa's Northern Cape. Gnarled camel thorn trees, red sands, golden
grasslands, and deep blue skies provide a bold backdrop for photographs and
game viewing. Among the huge diversity of wildlife, this vast conservation area
is home to the famous black-maned Kalahari lion, stately gemsbok with their
V-shaped horns, the sprawling nests of sociable weavers, meerkats, and many
birds of prey. Other predators such as leopard, cheetah, and hyenas are also
found here. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for some of the minor rugged
roads or for those venturing into Botswana.
4 Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Stellenbosch,
Western Cape
Stellenbosch
is one of the most picturesque towns in South Africa. A mosaic of farms, old
oak trees, and white-washed Cape Dutch dwellings, Stellenbosch is one of the
best preserved towns from the era of the Dutch East India Company. Today, it's
a university town with a vibrant feel and fantastic scenery. Foodies will love
it here. Stellenbosch is home to some of South Africa's best restaurants as
well as many sidewalk cafes. History buffs can take a walk back in time at
the Village Museum, a group of four restored houses and gardens
dating from 1709 to 1850. Rupert Museum displays important
works by South African artists, and the Botanic Gardenat the University
of Stellenbosch is another top tourist attraction. In the surrounding
area, nature buffs can hike and bike on the wilderness trails in the breathtaking Jonkershoek
Nature Reserve.
5 The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
The
Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
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The
spectacular Drakensberg, meaning "Dragon Mountains," is one of the
most popular vacation destinations in South Africa and home to the country's
highest peaks. The region encompasses the World Heritage-listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
Park, a region of jaw-dropping beauty with jagged basalt buttresses and San
rock art, and Royal Natal National Park, home to the
awe-inspiring Amphitheatre, a magnificent cliff face and
source of South Africa's main rivers. The Giant's Castle Game Reservein
the region protects large herds of eland. Dense forests flourish in the
sheltered valleys, and the area is home to more than 800 different species of
flowering plants as well as a rich diversity of wildlife. In the summer, the
mountain landscapes are lush and fertile with gushing waterfalls and crystal-clear
streams. In the winter, snow cloaks the dramatic peaks. Visitors flock here to
hike and bike the scenic mountain trails, fish for trout, rock climb, abseil,
parasail, and raft the waters of the fast-flowing rivers. Hot air balloon rides
are a great way to appreciate the dramatic topography.
6 The Garden Route
Along
the country's southeast coast, the Garden Route runs for about 200 kilometers
through some of South Africa's most breathtaking coastal scenery. The route
stretches along the Indian Ocean from Mossel Bay, in
the Western Cape, to the Storms River, in
the Eastern Cape. This popular driving route passes through rolling green
hills, pretty coastal towns, lagoons, lakes, and coastal cliffs. Highlights of
the route include the charming town of Knysna snuggled between
dense forests and a sparkling lagoon; the beautiful Garden
Route National Park with its gorges, tidal pools, and thick
forests; Oudtshoorn's ostrich farms and Cango Caves;
and the seal colony of the Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg
Bay. Adventures along the way run the gamut, from elephant back rides
and whale watching trips to bungee jumping and tree canopy tours.
7 iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal
iSimangaliso
means "miracle and wonder" in the Zulu language, and it's a fitting
name for this World Heritage Area, home to Africa's largest estuarine system.
Formerly the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso lies on the
northeastern coast of Kwazulu Natal and connects eight interwoven
ecosystems, including coral reefs, croc-filled rivers, lakes, towering coastal
dunes, swamplands, and savanna. Not surprisingly, the area supports an
incredible variety of wildlife. More than 526 species of birds inhabit the
reserve as well as leatherback and loggerhead turtles, leopards, rhino, and
Africa's highest concentration of hippos and crocodiles. This unique wilderness
area offers visitors the chance to combine a classic safari experience with
coastal adventures in the marine reserve such as kayaking, fishing, diving, and
snorkeling.
8 Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga
Beautiful
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (also called Motlatse River Canyon) is a
favorite stop on the drive between Johannesburg and Kruger National Park.
The park is home to Africa's second largest canyon as well as a rich diversity
of wildlife and plants. Lush subtropical foliage, waterfalls, glistening
rivers, and lichen-covered rock formations create a striking canvas of color
and texture. Game viewing can be particularly rewarding with all the common
species of South African primates and many hippos and crocodiles. The best way
to explore this spectacular park is via the scenic driving routes or by hiking the
extensive trails. Panoramic viewpoints include Three Rondavels and
the aptly named God's Window. Boat trips and whitewater rafting are
also available on the rivers.
9 Cage Dive with Great White Sharks
Climb
into a thick iron cage, plunge into the ocean, and come face-to-face with a
great white shark. Believe it or not, this is one of South Africa's top
attractions - for thrill seekers. The sport has become so popular that new tour
operators keep sprouting up every year. The best time to try the dive is April
through October, but great whites swim these waters throughout the year thanks
to healthy populations of seals and fish. Cape Town tour operators organize
shark cage dives to areas such as Simon's Town, Seal Island, Dyer
Island, Mossel Bay, and Gansbaai, the
self-proclaimed "Great White Shark Capital of the World." Trips can
also be arranged out of Durban and Rocky Bay.
Since divers are enclosed in the custom-designed cages, no diving certification
is required. For a little less excitement, it's also possible to watch the
action from the boat.
10 Robben Island, Western Cape
In
Table Bay, World-Heritage-listed Robben Island is a haunting reminder of the
horrors of apartheid. Nelson Mandela spent 18 years imprisoned in a tiny cell
here along with other political dissidents and social misfits. Perhaps the best
part about this experience is that ex-prisoners are usually the guides, sharing
poignant first-hand accounts of the atrocities they endured. Tours to the
island begin with multimedia exhibits in the museum at the Nelson
Mandela Gateway at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Sightseers
then board boats to Robben Island, often braving rough swells on the
30-45-minute ride. Be sure to book early as the tours can fill up fast.
11 Durban's Golden Mile, KwaZulu-Natal
Durban's
sweeping waterfront promenade, the Golden Mile, is a legendary tourist magnet
and a great starting point for a tour of the city. Long blond beaches lure
swimmers, surfers, and anglers, while the bustling promenade feels like Miami
Beachwith its high-rise hotels, shops, restaurants, and flashy entertainment
complexes. Visitors can stroll along here or rent a bike or Segway. Besides the
beach scene, top attractions along this stretch include uShaka Marine
World, a wonderland of sea-themed attractions; Moses Mabhida
Stadium; and Mini Town, a tiny replica of Durban with a
miniature rail network, airport, and harbor scene.
12 Johannesburg and Pretoria, Gauteng
Johannesburg,
also known as Jo'burg, is the largest city in South Africa by population and a
gateway for many travelers on safari. Named the "City of Gold" for
its rich deposits of the precious metal, it's also the economic engine and
vibrant heart of the country. Top historical attractions include the Apartheid
Museum, a poignant look at the oppression of apartheid to the birth of
democracy; Constitution Hill; and Gold Reef
City, which traces the region's history through mining-themed
attractions. If Johannesburg is the heart of South Africa, the shanty towns
of Soweto, are its soul. An abbreviation for "southwestern
townships," Soweto birthed the freedom movement, which created South
Africa's new democratic constitution. Guided tours of the townships often
include a visit to the Mandela House, now a national monument.
Close in distance, but a world away in feel, Pretoria is the
administrative capital of the country. It's a city of parks and gardens, and
home to the Voortrekker Monument and Heritage Site and the
highly-lauded Freedom Park.