If you like penguins, you should go to Simon’s Town, which is about an hour from Cape Town. The Boulders Penguin Colony can be found on three beautiful beaches. The charismatic black-and-white endangered African penguin colony numbers around 2,000 individuals.
The birds can be found lounging on the sand and surrounding granite boulders, as well as swimming in the bay. The water is very clear and calm here, and because the boulders protect it from winds and currents, it is also a good swimming spot if you can brave the icy water temperatures.
To visit the penguins on the beach, you must pay a conservation fee to the Table Mountain National Marine Protected Area, which helps to preserve their habitat. The best places to see penguins are from a boardwalk at Foxy Beach.
After you’ve had your fill of penguins, make your way to Simon’s Town for lunch. The town also serves as the location of South Africa’s largest naval base.
Boulders Beach is the most popular recreational area, but the penguins are best seen from Foxy Beach, where newly constructed boardwalks bring visitors within a few metres of the birds. It is also a popular swimming beach, though visitors are limited to beaches near the penguin colony.…
Visit Sabi Sands Game Reserve, which is adjacent to Kruger National Park, for one of South Africa’s most luxurious safari experiences.
The private reserve is home to a number of high-end lodges, including Singita Sabi Sand. On 45 acres of land, the five-star lodge offers three types of sleeping experiences and is known for its frequent leopard sightings. Singita Sabi Sand’s lodging options include Singita Boulders Lodge, Singita Ebony Lodge, and Singita Castleton.
One advantage of staying in a private reserve rather than a national park is that game drives can get closer to the animals because they are not restricted to designated roads. The animals can roam freely between Kruger and Sabi Sands, and the lodges all employ expert guides and trackers to take guests into the heart of the action, whether it’s watching a pride of lions on the hunt or getting up close and personal with a rhino.
The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceroses. These animals are referred to collectively as the “Big Five.” The cheetah, hippopotamus, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, hyena, and Cape wild dog are also found in this reserve. The reserve and the Kruger National Park share thousands of plant species and all animal species. It is home to 45 different fish species, 500 different bird species, 145 different animal species, and 110 different reptile species.…
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (also known as Motlatse River Canyon) is a popular stop on the way from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park. The park contains Africa’s second largest canyon, as well as a diverse range of wildlife and plants. Lush subtropical foliage, waterfalls, glistening rivers, and lichen-covered rock formations create a colourful and textural canvas.
With all of the common South African primates and many hippos and crocodiles, game viewing can be especially rewarding.
The scenic driving routes or hiking the extensive trails are the best ways to explore this spectacular park. Three Rondavels and the aptly named God’s Window are two panoramic viewpoints.
The rivers also offer boat trips and whitewater rafting.
The Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock, and God’s Window are among the natural wonders found in the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, which is situated against the Greater Drakensberg escarpment. Many visitors to this region enjoy combining the Panorama Route with exceptional game viewing in the Kruger National Park to create a spectacular itinerary in Mpumalanga.
All of these extraordinary geological features are easily accessible via tarred roads from the picturesque village of Graskop. There is plenty of lodging available throughout the area. Several hiking trails wind through the reserve, catering to people of all ages and fitness levels.…
iSimangaliso means “miracle and wonder” in Zulu, and it’s an apt name for this World Heritage Site, which is home to Africa’s largest estuarine system. iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, is located on the northeastern coast of Kwazulu Natal and connects eight interconnected ecosystems, including coral reefs, croc-infested rivers, lakes, towering coastal dunes, swamplands, and savanna.
Not surprisingly, the area is home to a diverse range of wildlife. The reserve is home to over 526 bird species, as well as leatherback and loggerhead turtles, leopards, rhinos, and Africa’s highest concentration of hippos and crocodiles.
This one-of-a-kind wilderness area allows you to combine a traditional safari experience with coastal adventures in the marine reserve, such as kayaking, fishing, diving, and snorkelling.
The park was designated a World Heritage Site due to the rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and natural beauty found in such a small area.
Large outcroppings of underwater reefs are home to vibrantly coloured fish and corals. Sodwana Bay is home to some of the world’s most spectacular coral diversity. Color-changing octopuses and squid lurk on the reefs, ready to ambush unsuspecting prey. Occasionally, huge whale sharks can be seen gliding through the water with their mouths agape, scooping up tiny plankton.…
Do you have limited time but want to see Africa’s Big 5? Pilanesberg National Park, about 2.5 hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, is home to abundant wildlife and a stunning diversity of birds. It is easily accessible from these major cities and makes for an excellent day trip or multi-day stay. It is much smaller than the massive Kruger National Park, but it has a higher concentration of game as a result.
Pilanesberg is located in a transition zone between the parched Kalahari Desert and the rain-soaked lowveld, so it is home to a diverse range of animals. Aside from the Big 5 (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and buffalo), you may see African wild dogs, herds of zebra, the magnificent sable and roan antelope, giraffes, and over 350 bird species.
The Pilanesberg National Park is located in South Africa’s North West Province, north of Rustenburg. The park is surrounded by the Sun City entertainment complex. The North West Parks and Tourism Board currently manages it.
The area is defined by alternating ridges and valleys forming concentric rings, a geological formation that rises abruptly in the form of hills 300-600 metres (980-1,970 ft) above the surrounding plains.
Accommodation is available in a variety of price ranges. Permanent safari tents, self-catering units, bed and breakfasts, and luxury guest lodges are all options.
Most importantly, this park is malaria-free, making it an excellent choice for family safaris.
AND if you need a great place to stay while there, check out booking.com! …
South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa, is an excellent first-time safari destination. The African scenery is one of the country’s main draws: golden savannah, great gaping gorges, and hauntingly beautiful deserts, as well as an awe-inspiring cast of African creatures – and, as a bonus, all the creature comforts.
Before I say more, I want to take a minute and make a quick shout-out to my friends over at Apollo Construction Company Inc for a great travel recommendation!
Some of the most popular things to do in South Africa include exploring coral reefs and dragon-backed mountain ranges, white-water rafting, and relaxing on golden beaches lapped by legendary surf breaks.
Traveling around this vast land and touring the vibrant cities, you can learn about the nation’s turbulent history – in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world; in Durban, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines; in Johannesburg’s poignant museums and galleries; and in Soweto, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, who helped birth democracy here.
Discover the best places to visit in this diverse country with our list of South Africa’s top tourist attractions.
1. Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s best game reserves and one of South Africa’s oldest. If you enjoy wildlife, this well-known park should be on your South African itinerary.
The park is about a 3.5- to 4.5-hour drive from Johannesburg and provides visitors with the opportunity to see the “Big Five”: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino, as well as an amazing variety of other wildlife. There are also San (bushman) rock paintings and archaeological sites here.
Explore Kruger National Park on the extensive network of sealed roads, go on a walking safari, or take a hot air balloon ride over the vast grasslands, gallery forests, and river systems.
One of the best things about Kruger National Park is that there is accommodation to suit all budgets: you can stay in basic campsites, book a thatched bungalow, or unwind in a luxury lodge.
2. Cape Town, Western Cape
Cape Town, South Africa, is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. This multicultural city is surrounded by nature, nestled between a rugged range of mountains and the sea.
Table Mountain, the flat-topped peak presiding over the city, is one of the top things to do in Cape Town. Hike to the summit or take the cableway up for a spectacular view. The hour-long hike up Lion’s Head also offers panoramic views of the city.
The magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The coast of Cape Town is also rich in natural wonders. You might see whales spouting from the harbour while strolling along the waterfront boardwalk. Penguins waddle along the golden beaches of False Bay, and Cape Point, south of the city, is rich in wildlife and botanical beauty.
Cape Town is also well-known for its stunning boulder-fringed beaches. Camp’s Bay is a popular spot, with many chic shops and cafés nearby.
Residents of Cape Town adore their coast so much that at sunset, they stake out a spot along the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive to toast the sunset in a dusk ritual known as “sundowners.” Celebrating nature’s beauty in this way is one of the unique things to do in South Africa, and you may come across it on your travels throughout the country.
3. The Garden Route
The Garden Route runs for about 200 kilometres along South Africa’s southeast coast, passing through some of the country’s most breathtaking coastal scenery. The route runs from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape, along the Indian Ocean.
This well-traveled route winds through rolling green hills, picturesque coastal towns, lagoons, lakes, and coastal cliffs. The Garden Route’s highlights include the charming town of Knysna, nestled between dense forests and a sparkling lagoon; the stunning Garden Route National Park, with its gorges, tidal pools, and thick forests; Oudtshoorn’s ostrich farms and Cango Caves; and the Robberg Nature Reserve’s seal colony in Plettenberg Bay.
The adventures along the way range from elephant encounters and whale watching excursions to bungee jumping and tree canopy tours.
4. Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s most beautiful towns. It’s one of the best preserved Dutch East India Company towns, a mosaic of farms, old oak trees, and white-washed Cape Dutch dwellings.
It is now a university town with a vibrant atmosphere and beautiful scenery. Foodies will enjoy themselves here. Stellenbosch has some of the best restaurants in South Africa, as well as many sidewalk cafés.
The Stellenbosch Village Museum, a collection of four restored houses and gardens dating from 1709 to 1850, is a must-see for history buffs. The Rupert Museum houses important works by South African artists, and a stroll through the Botanic Garden at the University of Stellenbosch is also a must-do.
Nature lovers can hike and bike on the wilderness trails of the breathtaking Jonkershoek Nature Reserve in the surrounding area.
5. The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
The spectacular Drakensberg, which translates as “Dragon Mountains,” is one of the top places to visit in KwaZulu-Natal and a popular South African vacation destination. It also has the highest peaks in the country.
The region includes the World Heritage-listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, which has jaw-dropping beauty with jagged basalt buttresses and San rock art, as well as Royal Natal National Park, which has the awe-inspiring Amphitheatre, a magnificent cliff face and the source of South Africa’s main rivers.
In the area, the Giant’s Castle Game Reserve protects large herds of eland. Dense forests thrive in the valleys, and the area is home to over 800 different species of flowering plants, as well as a diverse range of wildlife.
The mountain landscapes are lush and fertile in the summer, with gushing waterfalls and crystal-clear streams. Snow covers the dramatic peaks in the winter.
Hiking and biking the scenic mountain trails, fishing for trout, rock climbing, abseiling, parasailing, and rafting the waters of the fast-flowing rivers draw visitors here. Hot air balloon rides are an excellent way to take in the scenery.