South Africa More About
Tourist Information
At the Southern tip of Africa lies South Africa, known locally as Mzansi. It is an incredibly diverse landscape, left relatively wild to flourish. From the humid forests, to arid deserts and vast savannahs – explorers and nature lovers will find themselves in paradise.
This diversity is mirrored by the population that call the Rainbow Nation home, making for a rich and interesting experience. From authentic traditional Xhosa farmland on the Wild Coast to Cape Town, an incredibly beautiful cosmopolitan hub, you are in for an exciting adventure.
The Kruger National Park
This game reserve is the largest of its kind in South Africa. Its lush savannah teams with life that has lived under protection since the 1920s. If a Big Five safari is what you are after, there is no better place.
South African Resorts in the Kruger National Park offer a variety of safari options. From traditional, colonial-style safari lodges to modern and luxurious bush-camps, visitors are spoilt for choice. Wake up to the sound of the savannah and, if you are lucky, an elephant drinking out of your swimming pool.
Cape Town
Jammed neatly between Table mountain and the ocean, Cape Town has secured its place as Africa’s top-rated tourist destination. And with such surreal natural beauty everywhere you look, it is no wonder why.
Cape Town city centre is built on a small corridor between the Atlantic ocean and towering Table Mountain, meaning you are never more from than 15 minutes away from a beach or hiking trail. Furthermore, the way the mountain crashes steeply into the cold Atlantic water below is truly incredible.
The city centre is a hub for modern African culture, with creatives and businesses from all over the world coming together to create a unique mix of traditional culture and globalised connectivity. What’s more, everything takes place in the shadow of Table Mountain, the city’s most iconic attraction.
Cape Town’s unique location makes daily escapes into nature completely possible. Climb Lion’s Head after a day of sightseeing, or go wine tasting after a morning on Camps Bay beach. The city is known to have some of the best South African luxury beach resorts.
Table Mountain
Synonymous with Cape Town, this great rock formation is an ever-present feature. The mountain spreads itself around the city giving every photograph a picture-perfect backdrop. Furthermore, towering above all else it acts as a rudimentary GPS, guiding the lost back home.
There is no doubt that, even from a distance, Table Mountain is an incredibly beautiful sight. However, a trip up the 1km tall summit is required in order to truly appreciate its spectacle. Standing with the gods, you can see everything up there, from the relatively diminutive Lions Head down, past Atlantis dunes.
Those wanting to summit Table Mountain have the option of taking the Cable Car. With 360° views and a revolving floor, this direct route to the top provides quite the spectacle. We advise you pre-book your cable car tickets beforehand to avoid crazy queues, especially in Summer. These are valid for seven days to account for the possibility of poor weather conditions.
On the other hand, the mountain is covered by a vast, well-kept network of hiking trails, each showcasing the Cape’s natural beauty from a unique angle. Once at the top, you could take a cooling dip in one of the mountain\’s five dams or a snack break at one of the many famous view spots.
Although hiking is no doubt the tougher option, it will prove a more memorable and rewarding experience. You may also want to consider hiking up the mountain but taking the cable car back down. This will allow you the freedom of exploring the summit without having to conserve energy for your descent.
Robben Island
Probably South Africa’s most famous historical attraction, Robben Island is a rich, but complex South African symbol. On the one hand, it is a reminder of the oppressive apartheid regime. On the other hand, the way Madiba (Nelson Mandela) forgave the people who kept him locked up on the island for 27 years serves as inspiration for every South African.
The island can be seen from Cape Town, barely peeking above the cold Atlantic Ocean. Although a few crazy locals swim to the island, you are better off making this 7.5 km journey by boat. Tours leave from the V&A Waterfront and include a historically rich, guided tour. Visitors are shown around the old prison and even given the opportunity to stand in Madiba’s old cell.
V&A Waterfront
Cape Town is the cosmopolitan capital of Africa, and nowhere is this more evident than here, in the city’s premier shopping mall. Many of the world’s most prestigious brands, from Gucci to Fabiani, stand alongside local projects such as Nic Harry, ultimately showcasing Cape Town’s global culture.
Besides shopping, the V&A Waterfront is a fully operational international port. This gives you the opportunity to end a hard day’s shopping with a Waterfront Boat Trip. Exit the harbour and set sail along the coast towards Camps Bay Beach to watch the sunset.
Be sure to bring your camera, as for me this is Cape Town’s most flattering angle. The way the mountain rises so dramatically from the ocean conveys a feeling of age-old power, especially with dusk’s soft, fading glow.
Cape Peninsula
This thin stretch of coast sticks out at Cape Point, Cape Town’s most Southern point, almost as if it is pointing at the Antarctic. The mountainous terrain dives dramatically towards the ocean, thunderous waves crashing against sheer cliffs.
This sublimely beautiful attraction is best explored through a tour along the peninsula’s world-famous coastal roads. The 120 km journey starts in Green Point and follows the Atlantic Coast all the way to the tip of Cape Point, before heading back along the False Bay Coastal Road to Muizenberg.
Besides absolutely exquisite natural sights, the journey also takes you past many attractions and through many small, quirky coastal towns. Jump in the ocean at Boulders Beach (the penguin beach) or stop for lunch in Kalk Bay on your way back from Cape Point.
Seal Island
Seal Island is a small rocky outcrop, 40 minutes off the Simonstown coast by boat. It is a hotspot for Cape fur seals and their arch nemeses, great white sharks. Tourists flock to these waters in search of the ocean’s most infamous predator.
With over 75 000 seals living on the island, great whites are aplenty. They are especially active hunters during seal breeding season (November – December), a time when witnessing a natural great white kill is a realistic possibility.
Cape Winelands
South Africa is world-renowned for its wine production. The country’s wine culture has been nurtured since 1659 when Jan van Riebeeck (the founder of Cape Town) bottled the country’s first wine. Since then, the country has produced world-renowned wines, many of which won international awards each year.
The country’s wine regions are concentrated in the Western Cape Province, with much of the province littered with wine regions. The most famous South African wine routes are the Constantia Wine Route, as well as the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch routes. While Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are known for producing the country’s premier wines, the Constantia Wine Route is centrally located in Cape Town and home to the country’s oldest wine farms.
Garden Route
This stretch of south-eastern coastline is most famous for its lush and ecologically diverse coastline. Wildlife flourishes amongst the lagoons, rivers and lakes, feeding off the area’s green vegetation.
Besides epic natural beauty, this stretch of coast is also home to a plethora of golf courses. From Fancourt to Pezula, golfers can expect lush greens around almost every corner.
Knysna
Protected by a lagoon, our favourite spot in the Garden Route is a piece of paradise. The only entrance to the lagoon is immense, with two ‘heads’ flanking this narrow and treacherous channel.
To witness this immense natural phenomenon from all angles, you will need to make a few stops around the Eastern head. Head to The Viewpoint, before strolling around Coney Glen Beach, and finally stopping for a bite at our favourite restaurant in Knysna – East Head Cafe.
Now that you have had time to take in Knysna’s breathtaking geography, it is time to head out onto the lagoon. There is a number of Knysna boat tours available, from catamaran tours to great floating restaurants such as the John Benn and Paddle Cruiser.
Oudtshoorn
This small town is no more than an hour inland from the Garden Route, just on the other side of the Swartberg Mountains. However, the areas look nothing alike. As you crest the Swartberg mountains and enter the Klein Karoo, The Garden Route’s lush greenery is replaced by an orange semi-arid landscape.
The open landscape stretches as far as the eye can see, with succulents, ostriches and friendly farmers flourishing happily. Visitors are always made to feel welcome and are spoilt with a number of interesting attractions including the Cango Caves, Ostrich Farm, and Wildlife Ranch.
Durban, Kwazulu Natal
This coastal, subtropical town is a beach city. With warm water and a deliciously inviting coastline, the Kwazulu Natal province is home to some of the best beach resorts in South Africa. While surfers will feel at home at Durban’s Golden Mile, scuba divers flock to the Aliwal Shoal, one of the world’s best diving spots.
This stretch of coastline is especially popular during the Sardine Run, the world’s biggest marine migration. It attracts game fish, sharks and whales, which in turn attract fishermen and marine adventurers from all corners of the globe.
Further inland lies the great Drakensberg Mountain Range. This exquisite mountainous landscape stretches over 200 km (125 miles) wide and rises just under 3.5 km (2.2 miles) at its peak. Besides unforgettable view spots and rock formations, the area treats visitors with crisp mountain water flowing through rock pools and down waterfalls.
Besides being the epicentre of South Africa’s Indian influence, the province is home to the local Zulu tribe, known as some of the greatest African warriors. These exotic cultural influences make for an exotic and inspiring adventure.
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth (PE), nicknamed ‘The Friendly City’ is best known for its white beaches and surrounding wilderness. However, the surrounding area is also famous as the best South African safari area.
The Addo Elephant Park, Pumba Game Reserve and Schotia Game Reserve are world-renowned as premier safari destinations that provide visitors with the opportunity of viewing the Big Five. On the other hand, the Tsitsikamma National Park is both a national park and marine reserve, most famous for its immense natural and the Big Tree – an 800-year-old Yellowwood.
Johannesburg, Gauteng
This city is the country’s capital and can, without a doubt, be labelled the beating heart of South Africa. Although the city is best known as a business centre, it has developed into a culturally rich, modern African city.
Up and coming urban areas, such as Maboneng, are some of the best areas to stay in Johannesburg. They showcase the city’s culture at its best. Art galleries, coffee shops and vibrant businesses line the street, while Johannesburg locals light the place up with their signature energy.
Many visitors pass through a Johannesburg airport, never taking the time to explore this lively city. We implore you to spend just one day soaking in what Johannesburg has to offer.
Kruger National Park
This game reserve is the largest of its kind in South Africa. Its lush savannah teams with life that has lived under protection since the 1920s. If a Big Five safari is what you are after, there is no better place.
South African Resorts in the Kruger National Park offer a variety of safari options. From traditional, colonial-style safari lodges to modern and luxurious bush-camps, visitors are spoilt for choice. Wake up to the sound of the savannah and, if you are lucky, an elephant drinking out of your swimming pool.
In Summary
From luxury safari camps in the Kruger National Park to beachfront hotels in Cape Town, South Africa has something for all travellers. Unless you have a few months to spare, you are going to have to choose one or two areas to explore.
Although many travellers head straight from the Kruger National Park to Cape Town’s beaches and winelands, there are a multitude of other options. Be adventurous and explore cities along the East coast such as Port Elizabeth and Durban, or spend a week hiking in the Drakensberg.
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