Where to Go in South Africa

An energetic traveler's dream, South Africa is an adventurous, scenic, and exciting place for a holiday. It's not the type of country that makes you want to kick your feet up and relax. There's way too much to do!The number of South Africa tours that command the traveler's attention and energy are nearly endless — and we mean this in a good way! Many of them require dedicating a few days to complete, which means getting out, getting active, and exploring every corner of the country. Safaris and wine may be the first two things to come to mind when you picture your South African holiday, however the country has much more to offer than just wild animals and countryside vineyards. Read on to discover our top picks for the 6 best South Africa tours!

A trip to South Africa is perfect for anyone who enjoys glorious sunshine, has a knack for adventure, and wishes to explore diverse cultures. The country has so much to offer — from big five safaris, scenic road trips, rewarding multi-day hikes and treks, to whale watching and magnificent golfing opportunities. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that it has been listed as one of the top 10 holiday destinations for 2018. For those who are already planning a trip to the country and wondering where to go in South Africa, here is a guide to some of the South African holiday destinations (in no particular order) that you should not miss.

Despite a tragedy-filled past, South Africa is constantly and successfully headed towards a triumphant future. It's ace card to success is undoubtedly its abundant natural diversity and rich wildlife. Tourists from all over the world flock to this country to be one with nature; and many mostly find it in the many South African national parks. South Africa houses 21 national parks, together covering 4,000,000 hectares or over 3% of the country’s total area.The South African national parks offer easy encounters with the big five: the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros during incredible wildlife safaris, while allowing the convenience of glamping (fancy camping that is) and luxury hotels in the midst of the wilderness. Here is our list of the best national parks for your trip to South Africa (in no particular order), each distinct in its own right.

South Africa is a country blessed with vast natural landscapes, amazing wildlife and wide-open spaces. It’s a land which blends fascinating culture, history, and people with a backdrop of adventure, exhilaration, and wilderness escape, making it the perfect place for the road trip of a lifetime. We’ve listed 6 of the best road trips in South Africa to help kick start your adventure. From long distance drives across vast expanses of territory, to shorter, but no less rewarding trips designed to showcase the best of what this fascinating country has to offer. A road trip has to be on your list of things to do in South Africa.

There’s a 300-kilometer stretch of coastal road on the south west tip of South Africa regarded as the most beautiful region in the country. Known as The Garden Route, the road trip gets its name from the Garden Route National Park that it covers, and the diverse vegetation and wildlife, and abundance of lagoons, lakes, mountains, forests, and beaches along its winding roads. Home to almost a dozen nature and marine reserves, a road trip on the Garden Route offers plenty of opportunities for activities along the way, from hiking to eco and whale watching tours, to exploring caves and deserted sandy beaches. The route meanders between the Indian Ocean and the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua mountain ranges, creating contrasting, yet equally stunning views on either side. The lush greenery of the indigenous forests meets the jagged cliffs and the sprawling coastal vistas, producing the type of panoramic views only found in magazines.

The Namaqualand Flower Route is a stretch of road that connects the towns, cities, national parks and reserves that claims South Africa’s most impressive wildflower displays. The best place to see the acres of colorful springtime blooms is in and around the Namaqualand region on the northwest coast of the country.The wildflowers in this area are nothing short of amazing. During the rest of the year, the landscape is mostly a dry and dusty desert. However, come springtime and the area is completely transformed with flowering life boasting more color than seems possible for one place. Prepare to be blown away by the brightly-painted landscape rolling across acres of barren land. Even if you’re not a flora-enthusiast, it’s difficult not to be impressed with such a sight.

As can be correctly inferred from the name, the Panorama Route in South Africa is an especially picturesque stretch of road located in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. It is one of the best road trips in South Africa. Although most commonly tacked onto the main activity of safaris in Kruger National Park, a self-driving Panorama Route tour, including the immense Blyde River Canyon, can make for a rewarding one-day excursion in its own right. For those with more time, there are enough lesser-visited sites and curious historic towns to make it worthwhile lingering in the area for up to three or four days.

At 850 kilometers, Route 62 in South Africa is considered to be the longest wine route in the world. It is the historic inland route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, connecting the east and west coasts of the country. Route 62 passes through the Cape Winelands and the Klein Karoo and is said to be the shorter, more scenic alternative to the N2 highway, and less-commercial than the famous Garden Route.A window to the real South African countryside, Route 62 allows travellers to anticipate adventure, dramatic landscapes, and friendly towns. A postcard perfect journey altogether, Route 62 is one of the road trips in South Africa that should be on your bucket-list if you have a knack for the uncommon.

Visiting South Africa is an overall enriching travel experience, made more so by the country's fascinating history. Along with intriguing wildlife safaris, sun-kissed beaches, and breath-taking views, South Africa has a rich story to tell - of oppression, racism, and the apartheid, and how the country overcame it all to embrace diversity of its people and their culture.One of the most notable historic site in South Africa, hands-down is Robben Island. Situated in Table Bay, Cape Town, the island is not a scene of palm trees and sandy beaches. Used as a apartheid-era prison, its attraction lies in the horrific history it holds. Late Nelson Mandela, the former South African president spent 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment here with many other political prisoners. Now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Robben Island tour is one of the must-do activities when on a trip to South Africa.

Stare your own mortality in the eye when getting up close and personal with one of nature’s most majestic creatures, the great white shark. Great white sharks are by far one of the most elegant marine creatures on the planet and can be found in just a handful of the Earth’s most temperate shores. Gansbaai, located in South Africa’s Western Cape, has one of the densest great white shark populations in the world, making it one of the best places to go cage diving with sharks. This has to be on your list of things to do in South Africa.Gansbaai, meaning bay of geese, is a fishing village situated some 2-hour drive east of Cape Town. While the town’s economy is primarily dependant on fishery, Gansbaai has recently become a tourist hotspot due to the emergence of shark cage diving in South Africa as one of the most popular tourist activities in the country. The islands around Gansbaai, namely Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, are home to abundant marine life. The channel between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock is aptly named “Shark Alley”, as it is teeming with marine wildlife and is, therefore, a rich feeding ground for great white sharks. If you are heading to South Africa for some adventure, add this to your list.

Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and scenic mountain passes in the whole of Africa, the Sani Pass lies between South Africa and its small landlocked neighbour, Lesotho. As the only road that crosses the summit of the Drakensberg mountain, the pass attracts adventurous travellers from across the world who wish to traverse the breathtaking natural scenery this precarious mountain has to offer. Whilst the route itself is short, it packs a big punch with its unforgettable views and the kudos of having conquered the highest and most iconic pass that a trip to South Africa has to offer — a must for any adventurous bucket list!

Franschhoek tops the list as one of South Africa’s most attractive holiday destinations. Situated amidst the Franschhoek mountains in an area of unparalleled natural wilderness, this spot is home to fifty-two of the finest wine farms in the Southern Hemisphere. The small area, some 7 km in radius, is blessed with a diverse climate and soil conditions, allowing a wide variety of grapes to grow.First introduced to viniculture in the seventeenth-century when French religious refugees settled in the area, Franschhoek is today known for being the epicenter of scenic wine routes, world-class wineries and mouth-watering cuisine. For anyone planning a tour of South Africa, a visit to this wine valley is a must! Here’s a taste of the best of Franschhoek wine farms and what to expect when there.

The Rainbow Nation of South Africa is as diverse geographically as it is culturally. While it is true that the country’s national parks stand out as the top tourist draw, there are many destinations that deserve a visit. In this article we have compiled what we believe are the top 10 places to visit in South Africa. The list contains both obvious (Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Robben Island, etc.) as well as not-so-obvious destinations to give you a well-rounded holiday experience, including wildlife encounters, adventure activities, cultural tours, and beach lounging.So if you are planning a trip to South Africa, these are the places that you should make it a point to visit.