14 Things to do in Garden Route National Park

Jagged cliffs running along stunningly scenic coastlines, cities framed by sky-high mountains, lush indigenous forests, golden sand beaches and prides of lions basking in the afternoon sun — a South Africa tour offers all that and more. When here, it’s not really a question of what to do, but more of a question of what to do first. Relax with a game of golf and a laid-back wine tasting, indulge in a thrilling surf session, experience a heart-pumping safari and top it off with the biggest adrenaline rush of your life as you jump from the highest bridge bungee in the world. The diversity of landscapes, people, culture and activities in South Africa will leave you asking for more. Here are a list of top 13 things to do in South Africa:

Located on the east coast of South Africa, looking over Indian Ocean in KwaZulu-Natal province, Durban is the country’s third largest city and Africa’s busiest port. With its subtropical climate, long sandy beaches and a huge variety of attractions that range from the sedate to the positively exhilarating, Durban has long been a draw to domestic holidaymakers and international visitors alike. The city has more than enough on offer to keep anyone occupied for a week or more, so here are some recommendations for the top 12 things to do in Durban.

Many would say the most fascinating city to visit on a South Africa tour is, without a doubt, Cape Town. Some of the most naturally beautiful places on the planet exist here, along with some of the most iconic landmarks and most notable history. Table Mountain, Robben Island, and the Cape Peninsula are just a few of Cape Town’s attractions. If you are wondering what other activities the city has to offer, read on for our top thirteen picks of things to do in Cape Town.

South Africa is a beautiful country with stunning natural surroundings, a deep and twisted history, and some mouth-watering traditional foods that cannot be missed. So, while you are busy seeing, doing, and experiencing everything South Africa has to offer, don’t forget to eat! There’s a wide variety of dishes to choose from and South African cuisine is more than just the braai (South African BBQ). Traditional South African food is as complex as it is delicious. So, how will you know what to eat in exploring South Africa? Follow our guide on what to eat, how to eat, and even how to say it — you’ll be feasting like a local in no time!

Selected as one of the top 12 whale watching locations in the world by WWF, and with a location easily accessible from Cape Town, Hermanus is a prime destination for those hoping for a close encounter with some of the largest animals on our planet. Hermanus is a small town on the coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa, but during whale season, it becomes the whale-spotting capital of the country. Visitors from all over the world descend to this attractive former fishing village to see the famous Southern right whales that come here every year to mate and calve. For anyone interested in seeing these graceful giants in their natural habitat, whale watching in Hermanus makes for an unmissable trip.

Wine tasting on a South Africa tour is a must-do activity and Stellenbosch is at the heart of it. Also called Eikestad (meaning city of oaks), Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and home to the oldest wine route in the country. Whilst there are numerous established estates in the region, there are also many wineries which opened in recent decades, bringing fresh blood to a centuries old industry and helping to make Stellenbosch a diverse and interesting region for tourists. Stellenbosch wineries go to great lengths to provide visitors with unique and enriching experiences. With 170 wineries in Stellenbosch, each one special in its own way, it’s hard to decide which farms to include on a Stellenbosch tour. It was tough, but we’ve managed to put together a list of the five most culturally significant and interesting Stellenbosch wine farms. Read on to find out which ones we recommend the most.

Cape Town is rated as one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and comes as a natural choice for most travelers on a trip to South Africa. Situated on the southwest coast of the country, it is a haven of exquisite natural beauty and offers a lot of things to do. Nestled between Table Mountain and the Cape Harbour, the city offers stunning views from almost any vantage point. Some of the top attractions in the area include the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Signal Hill and Chapman’s Peak, to name but a few. Visitors who travel to Cape Town are spoiled for choice with activities ranging from sightseeing to shopping, hiking, surfing, nearby safaris and wine-tasting. Wine tasting in Cape Town includes visits to centuries-old wineries, rich with folklore and historic artifacts, as well as tastefully modern establishments catering to a young, yet discerning, international crowd. Here are our top seven establishments to visit for wine tasting in Cape Town.

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.

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.

Kruger National Park is the jewel in the crown of South Africa’s national parks and no trip to South Africa is complete without a visit. Not only is it one of the oldest reserves on the continent but it is also one of the best organized and best managed to make it one of the top tours in South Africa. The range of species that exist in the park is astounding and any trip to Kruger offers a real chance to see lions, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and many more. Kruger’s population of elephants is flourishing and Kruger is also home to around a quarter of the world’s population of wild rhinos. For these reasons, it is no wonder that Kruger is also one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa. Here is a guide to the best times to visit.

Kruger National Park is world-famous for its great concentration of wildlife and the opportunity to observe some of Africa’s most iconic big animals, specifically the big five, in their natural habitat. Undoubtedly, no trip to South Africa can be complete without a visit to the park. Since, spending just a day in Kruger cannot be enough, there is a broad range of accommodations available within the park for all budgets. It can be tough choosing where to stay, so this guide to Kruger National Park accommodations will explain the different choices to help you choose the perfect base for your safari adventure.

For many, the chance to go on safari and spot large wild animals, especially the Big Five, in the African wilderness is the opportunity to realise a lifelong dream and is an experience that few will ever forget. Yet there are many factors to consider before choosing the perfect safari that corresponds most closely with your expectations. One of the most important questions many don’t consider is of national parks vs game reserves. Both kinds have specific advantages and disadvantages that can lead you to the best safari experience. Here are some of the things you need to think about before making this important decision.