South Africa is a trendy tourist destination, with approximately 210 000 tourists arriving per year. The diverse and picture-perfect culture, the game reserves, and other natural spectacles are among the main attractions. South Africa is currently the third most bio-diverse country in the world, and you’ll see why. Here are the top 10 attractions to visit in South Africa
Sun City Resort
Locally famous as Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure, Sun City Resort is your gateway to luxury and has a casino and resort about two hours drive from Johannesburg. The gigantic complex has four hotels, two golf courses, casinos, a cultural village, and a famous crocodile sanctuary.
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Wild Coast
The Wild Coast is South Africa’s most remote stretch of shoreline, which stretches from the Eastern Cape to Port Edward in the north and the southern border of KwaZulu-Natal. This place can boast about having one of the world’s most gorgeous coastal scenic views. It provides breathtaking views of the coastline, cliffs, bays, beaches, hills, valleys, etc.
This is absolute heaven for hikers and horse-riding enthusiasts. It is most famous for serving as the heartland for the Xhosa people. It holds ancient forests that are filled with a variety of exotic trees, birds, and animals. Bird watchers are in for a treat as they are exposed to over 320 different species of birds. The Wild Coast is also perfect for hiking with its 4×4 trails. There exist various tales about the shipwrecks that have taken place at The Wild Coast, which you could probably spot when you indulge in water activities such as snorkeling, sea diving, etc.
Blyde River
The Blyde River will give you a fantastic view of the mountains, and the God’s Window and Wonder View will enable you to gaze at the magnitude of the scenery. Many attractions, such as The Pinnacle’ Rising out of the Deep and the ‘Three Rondavels,’ will leave you speechless. The ‘Three Rondavels’ also provide a good view of the Swadini Dam, which marks the end of this reserve.
At the meeting point of Blyde River and Treur River exists something known as the ‘Bourke’s Luck Potholes’ that has taken a cylindrical-like shape with encircling water. This is an absolute treat for lovers of Mother Nature, geology enthusiasts, and biologists who will find heaven within here—claiming to have one of the most extensive man-made forestry plantations in the world. It also encompasses various plant species supporting multiple types of fauna. If you pay close attention, you can spot rare animals such as the grey reedbuck, oribi, and other rodents and reptiles.
Robben Island
Robben Island is an isolated piece of land located in Table Bay, approximately 6km west of Bloubergstrand and at an elevation of 30m above sea level. In older times, this island was used as a prison where people were banished and exiled from their places for approximately 400 years. You can tour prison cells where Nelson Mandela, Dutch and British soldiers, African and Muslim leaders, women, etc., were imprisoned and faced brutal and inhumane treatment.
The place was also used as a military base during the Second World War and as a hospital to cure various war-related and other diseases. You will also see some limestone quarries where the prisoners were treated as slaves and forced to do manual labor. This place also holds many animals such as the springbok, fallow deer, bontebok, the endangered African Oystercatchers, almost extinct Cape Jackass Penguins, etc.
Durban Beachfront
Often compared to Miami Beach, Durban’s beaches are constantly throbbing with energy and activity throughout the day. Known for its famous beach culture, these beaches are lively, extremely clean, and safe despite the constant crowd. Popularly called the Golden Mile, they are vast stretches of soft, golden sands reflecting the subtropical sunshine along its beaches spread across the South and North Coast.
A fantastic view can be obtained from surrounding buildings and infrastructure, adding to the area’s popularity. It receives the most number of tourists during the winter season. The various attractions around the beach are the promenade, Ushaka Marine World, Snake Park, Bay of Plenty, Entertainment World, Battery Beach, North Beach, etc. Apart from these, there exists, Amusement arcades, flea markets, restaurants, fast food joints, etc.
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is the biggest game reserve and most popular tourist spot in South Africa. This park contains many mammals, including the Big Five (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros). Forest, plains, and hills are familiar sights within the park, which is also ideal for bird spotting.
The park has an excellent infrastructure and numerous facilities like places to stay within the park in convenient tents or luxurious lodges. Being one of the biggest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, it is said to be stretched over an expanse of approximately 20,720 square kilometers. Allowing you to camp out under the stars, this park is a must-visit when one is touring South Africa.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg in South Africa is undoubtedly the second largest city in Africa, with over 3 million people lovingly calling the place Joburg or Jozi. It enables visitors to discover the city for various purposes, such as searching for a cultural experience, an adrenaline rush, or simply the need to relax and unwind.
This place consists of contrasting offerings such as high-end retail shops for the upmarket northern suburbs, a flea market, and other local markets famous for their souvenirs and traditional African Art. People also seek the retirement villages situated here, which are perfect owing to the suitable climatic, cultural, and economic conditions.
Other attractions that you can find are the Apartheid Museum, The Cradle of Humankind. The Sterkfontein fossil site, Mandela Museum, and The Museum Africa contain various exhibits of rock art. Johannesburg also provides ground for international business, art, music, culture, and sports events. Especially sports enthusiasts can choose their pick from various sports with great golf, rugby, football, and cricket stadiums.
Garden Route
At the foot of South Africa lies a breathtaking 150-mile band between the Indian Ocean and the inland mountains. It is a paradise filled with sand, flora, fauna, and exotic animals like elephants, whales, dolphins, seals, etc. This famous, scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa stretches from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape.
Popularly called “The Activity Route” or “The Adrenaline Route,” it has a variety of exciting and enjoyable activities from hiking to mountain biking or bungee jumping to skydiving, you name tithe typical Mediterranean climate where there are moderately hot summers and mild to chilly winters is because it is wedged between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains. The Various bays along the Garden Route act as nurseries for the endangered species of the Southern Right Whale.
Wine lands
The abundantly fertile wine lands are amidst mountains, villages, aesthetically pleasing monuments, bountiful orchards, and lush green scenery. The place boasts exquisite winemakers responsible for the fine selections of Sherries, brandies, white wines, etc.
There exist wine-tasting tours designed for various tourists to breathe in the area’s complete essence. Apart from multiple buildings created by Dutch architects, The Wine Lands, situated east of Cape Town, provides some brilliant photo ops. Numerous hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfast motels provide a very comfortable stay.
Cape Town & Peninsula
Wedged between the magnanimous ocean and the stooping mountain lies Cape Town which is the oldest city in South Africa with a cultural heritage dating for more than 300 years. Almost the entire Cape Town is an attraction by itself, including Table Mountain, which can be accessed through a cable car or by walking up the scattered trails.
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront offers tourists a unique and unforgettable shopping experience along the harbor. Day and night, this place is flocked by tourists for its shops, restaurants, and a variety of entertainment for those who flock through it daily. Visitors can have a look further offshore, and visitors can take a boat ride to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and several other political prisoners fought against the apartheid government, the old prison complex, as well as the local museum.
Spoilt with choice by having access to adventurous activities such as mountain biking, sea kayaking, paragliding from the “Lion’s head,” etc. Live music, art shows, museums, plays, opera, ballet, and symphony concerts across the year only add to the city’s essence. What makes this place unique is its community-based cycle workshop, weaving center, and tourist train that links Cape Town and Simon’s Town.