As a country with breathtaking landscapes, rich history, as well as other numerous cultures, South Africa has a rich with a broad range of experiences to offer to any type of an adventurer. South Africa offers it all; whether it is wildlife experiences, exquisite beaches, magnificent mountains or a rich urban environment. The most interesting places to visit in South Africa are from the cosmopolitan streets of the cape town to the great wilderness of the Kruger national park, which offers memorable adventures and rich cultural experiences. This article brings on board our list of the top 10 best places to visit in South Africa, which also offer a different experience in terms of visiting this great country.
1. Cape Town: A Natural Beauty, Cultural Diversity City.
Cape Town is by all means one of the most ideal destinations in South Africa. Cape Town is located between the rocky Table Mountain and the glittering Atlantic Ocean with dramatic landscapes, the colorful cultural environment, and the rich history. It is a fusion of cultures and the visit to the city provides the visitors with the insights into the colonial photage, modern experience, and African culture.
The Table mountain which is a great icon can see some of the best panoramic views of Cape Town and the ride of the cable cars to the top is something that one must have at least once when they visit Cape Town. There are also the historical sites of the city, including Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was kept prisoner, as well as the color Bo-Kaap neighborhood with its well-maintained cobbled streets and houses painted in vivid colors. There are also the local Cape Winelands which will give you an idea of the wine production that is of a world standard in South Africa.
2. Kruger National Park: the best wildlife destiny in Africa.
Kruger National Park is one of the top tourism sites in South Africa to the wildlife enthusiast. It is one of the largest and most renowned game parks in Africa and it occupies an area of almost 20,000 square kilometers. Kruger is in the northeast of the country where one has best chances of viewing the big five lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes and rhinoceros in their natural habitats.
The park also has a variety of ecosystems such as savannas, forests and wetlands that harbor abundance of wildlife and birds species. Visitors are also able to enjoy exciting game drives with experienced rangers, walking safaris where they get to walk in the bush. Kruger is also well furnished with various accommodation facilities such as luxurious lodges to other cheaper campsites and so any kind of tourists can afford to visit Kruger.
3. The Garden route: scenic Coastal drive.
One of the most scenic routes in the world is the Garden Route that is based on the southern coast of the South Africa. This scenic road to landscapes is a must-have experience to the nature enthusiast and certainly one of the best South African destinations. The Garden Route is characterized by tropical forests, scenic cliffs, and clean beaches and quaint coastal villages.
The main attractions on the way are such beautiful towns as Knysna, located between the obvious forests and the sea and such a national park as Tsitsikamma, which is known by the impressive landscapes and great hiking routes. The same route harbours Addo Elephant Park which visitors can see huge herds of elephants in their natural wilderness. The Garden Route is a destination that an outdoor person must explore due to its variety of adventure such as bungee jumping, whale watching among others.
4. Durban: Beach City of South Africa.
Durban is a colorful city in the eastern coast of South Africa, blessed with beautiful beaches, warm sub tropical weather, and rich heritage of Indian ocean. Being one of the most popular tourism sites in South Africa, Durban is a lively blend of a therapeutic, adventurous, and a cultural attraction.
The city is also known to have its Golden Mile and this is a section of beachfront that is lined with palm trees, hotels and restaurants. In Durban, a warm Indian ocean means that there is a perfect destination in water sports, which are surfing, swimming, and kiteboarding. The food culture has a significant impact on Durban, and it is quite diverse and reflects the cultural diversity. You should not miss an opportunity to visit busy markets of the city, such as the Victoria Street Market, or you can go to the uShaka Marine World to have a day out with your family.
5. Drakensberg Mountains: The Grandiose Mountains and Hiking Paths.
The Drakensberg area is a favorite tourist destination in South Africa among all lovers of mountains. The Drakensberg Mountains also referred to as the Dragon mountains are a world heritage site and provide some of the most scenic sites in the country. This mountain range is also situated in a number of provinces offering a beautiful scenery to outdoor tasks.
It is a paradise of hikers and climbers and the region has a great number of trails that can be of various difficulty. Another of the most well-known sites is the Amphitheatre, which is a huge cliff face that offers spectacular views and rewarding walks. One more thing that the visitors can explore is the San rock paintings which are seen on most of the caves in the area and this gives one a glimpse of the old cultural heritage in the country. You want to hike the dramatic mountains or just unwind in the peace of the mountains, the Drakensberg can be remembered.
6. Cape Winelands: Taste the South African Best Wines.
It is a fact that South Africa produces some of the finest wines and the production of wine is concentrated in Cape Winelands. Cape Breton which is placed just out of Cape town, boasts of some of the magnificent vineyards in the world, which are situated against the backdrop of rolling hills and scenic towns.
The Cape winelands major towns are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, and these towns are a perfect place to visit by the wine lovers. Tourists are able to take wine-tasting tours, visit historic wine estates, and allow themselves to enjoy gourmet meals accompanied with quality wines. In specific case of Franschhoek, it is known that it possesses French background, and one can taste the fine dining of the area, and shop in its lovely streets and visit its galleries and cafes. To lovers of wines, the Cape Winelands has definitely been rated as one of the best tourist places in South Africa.
7. The Panorama Road: Lowveld Views and Waterfalls.
The Panorama Route is yet another place to visit in South Africa, which has captivated a great view, dashing cliffs, and falling waterfalls. Here is a scenic sightseeing excursion through the Lowveld, a country of forest’s lush, riverous, and rugged redoubtable landscapes, and of some of the most admirable panoramas in the country.
The tourist spotlights of the Panorama Route are the Blyde River Canyon and the third largest canyon in the world and the Three Rondavels, the mountain peaks that look like the traditional African huts. Other interesting reefs are the Lisbon and Berlin falls where the visitors are able to see the spectacular falls and the Gods window where they get to see the vast Lowveld. The Panorama Route is ideal when the history seeker wants to see the greatest of nature South Africa can offer.
8. A Sightseeing in Addo Teenant Park.
Addo Elephant Park is a great sightseeing place within South Africa to wildlife enthusiasts and people who love nature. Addo is one of the nearest places in the world where one can view the majestic animals in the wild because of it is home to more than 600 elephants located on its territory near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Beside being a habitat of the big five, the park, covering over 1,600 square kilometers, has numerous bird species, antelope and even predators.
There are self-drive safari paths that allow visitors to explore the park or they can go on the guided game drive to get to learn more information about the elephants and other animals. The park is also well furnished with accommodations which include the simple camping sites and the expensive lodges so it could be available to all kinds of tourists. Addo Elephant Park is a place to not miss when one wants to get to see the South African wildlife in a pristine and natural setting.
9. Robben Island: A Metropolis of Liberation.
One of the most favorite places to visit in South Africa among persons who follow the country history and struggle to get freedom is Robben Island which is an island off the coast of Cape town. The site is also known as the place of incarceration of Nelson Mandela where he spent 18 years after apartheid, and this alone makes the site a tourist attraction in the UNESCO heritage list.
Tourists are also allowed to conduct a guided tour around the island, which is guided by the former political prisoners, in order to understand the background of the island and its importance in the struggle by South Africans to gain equality. It will take the visitors to the maximum-security prison, the previous cell of Mandela, and other various monuments that honors the contribution of the island to the political history in the country. Robben Island is a strong and touching experience that helps the visitors to relate to the past struggles and achievements in the country.
10. The Karoo: A Thorny Wild Desert.
The Karoo can be described as one of the most unusual and fascinating regions in South Africa that can leave a memorable impression on people, who admire spacious terrains and deserts. The Karoo stretches over most of the interior of the country and is a semi-desert area that has some of the most interesting wildlife and geological structures in the country.
The Karoo also offers visitors to visit the quaint towns of Graaff-Reinet and Oudtshoorn, which are characterized by traditional architecture and the Cango Caves which make up a complex of limestone caves that contain stunning formations. There are also wildlife reserves in the Karoo where one can find rare species, including springbok, kudu, and ostriches. The Karoo is among the most untapped locations to visit in South Africa by people who desire a more off-road tourism experience due to its expansive, virgin sceneries and serene beauty.
Conclusion
Cape Town, with its aspect of cosmopolitan allure, or the Drakensberg, with its rough and rocky landscape, provide just but a handful of the many potential destinations that can be found in South Africa that are ideal to any traveler. These attractions are the top destinations in South Africa because the country reflects its stunning natural beauty, strong culture, and history. South Africa can offer an unforgettable adventure to any kind of the traveler whether they want to explore the world-famous national parks, taste its great wine, or to experience the diversity of the cities and landscapes. And that is why, you should grab your bags and go on a trip to find out the magics of this great country.
