THE 11 BEST THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH AFRICA (Updated 2024)

Best things to do in South Africa. Beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, world-class wines, breathtaking wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and dynamic cities are just a few of South Africa’s many natural wonders. Having visited the nation twice, I always come away wanting more. This location has a truly unique quality.

With a land area of more than 2,800 kilometers (1,700 miles) and a population of more than 59 million, you might spend months exploring this region and not see everything. Heck, it takes several days to drive from one end of the country to the other.

Here is my list of the top things to do in South Africa to help you plan your vacation, save money, and have fun—even though there are many things to see and do in the nation!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH AFRICA

1. Go on a safari

It seems sense that the majority of visitors to South Africa want to go on safari. You should stay at least a few nights in one of the several national parks because it offers some of the best wildlife drives in the world. It is unlike anything else.

The most well-known safari location is Kruger National Park, home to the “Big Five” (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, and Cape buffalo) as well as an abundance of magnificent species.

A few years ago, I visited Kruger, and it was everything and more than I had anticipated. Even though you can drive yourself through the park, I advise hiring a guide because they will be far more adept at identifying animals and will also provide you with a wealth of information about the park, the animals, and their ecosystem. It’s worth the money to hire an experienced guide because this is one of those “once in a lifetime” opportunities.

Although the most well-known safari site is Kruger, South Africa offers a plethora of other possibilities. Here are a few that I suggest:

Known for its rhino herds, Hluhluwe and iMfolozi National Park is situated in the east of the nation and is home to the Big 5.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Known for its black-maned lions, this park is located on Botswana’s northern border.

Addo Elephant National Park is a fantastic option for self-drive safaris and is located close to Port Elizabeth on the south coast. It also boasts the Big 5.

If you’re pressed for time, you may visit Pilanesburg National Park & Game Reserve, home of the Big 5, in a single day from Johannesburg.

In South Africa, safaris are available in almost every price range and budget. There are many different ways to stay, from luxurious resorts and guesthouses to affordable campsites.

Although a multi-day game drive is recommended, you may schedule a game drive from Cape Town that includes hotel pickup and drop-off if you’re pressed for time (or money).

2. Visit Cape Town

The most visited place in South Africa is Cape Town. It’s a bustling, multiethnic city with lots of wildlife, hiking trails close by, beautiful weather, and exciting bars. The city’s coastline is teeming with activities in addition to its breathtaking beaches. Make sure to visit Robben Island, the site of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, trek Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, and unwind at Muizenberg Beach while you’re here.

3. Go Surfing

World-class surfing is available on the South African coasts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. The most well-known surfing spot in South Africa is Jeffrey’s Bay, which is located close to Port Elizabeth on the country’s south coast and has both large waves and several breaks. In addition, there are some excellent surfing spots close to Cape Town, including Long Beach and Dungeons in Hout Bay, which are further south on the Western Cape.

With consistent waves and warm Indian Ocean water, Durban is an excellent place to learn to surf if you’re a novice. For a two to three-hour class, each person should budget about 500 ZAR.

4. Learn About Apartheid

A vacation to South Africa would be incomplete without learning about the horrors of apartheid, a system of racial segregation that ruled the nation from the 1940s until the 1990s. The Johannesburg Apartheid Museum, which opened its doors in 2001, does a fantastic job of illuminating the history and legacy of apartheid. It costs 150 ZAR to enter.

Visit the Constitutional Court when you’re in Johannesburg. You can explore some of the prison remains and discover more about the numerous political prisoners who were wrongfully imprisoned here. It is located on the site of a former political prison. Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum are open for guided visits.

Don’t forget to check out Cape Town’s District Six Museum. It serves as a memorial for the locals who were compelled to leave in the 1970s so that white people might settle there. It’s enlightening as well as sobering. 45 ZAR gets you in, or 60 ZAR gets you a guided tour.

5. Visit Robben Island

The gate and tower of South Africa’s Robben Island, the jail where Nelson Mandela was held
If you want to learn more about apartheid, you should schedule a visit to Robben Island. Situated about 6 km (4 miles) offshore from Cape Town, Robben Island served as a maximum-security detention facility until 1996. Numerous political prisoners were detained on Robben Island during the apartheid era. Nelson Mandela is one of them; he was imprisoned on Robben Island for eighteen years. One of the most significant cultural sites in the nation, the penitentiary is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Numerous inmates were made to work long hours in the limestone quarry, and living conditions inside the prison were appalling. They were also forced to sleep without beds on the stone floors of their cells.

Former inmates who are now tour guides provide insight into life in this area during apartheid. In addition to seeing Mandela’s cell, you may take a bus tour of the island to view the prisoner’s cemetery and the quarry, where Mandela and other inmates were made to work against their will.

Beginning at nine in the morning, ferries run three times a day (a fourth ferry runs during the summer). The ferry ride is included in the admission price, which is 320 ZAR for adults and 200 ZAR for those under 18. It should take you at least four hours to complete the trip.

6. Hike the Drakensberg Mountains

The country’s tallest mountain range, the Drakensberg region near the east coast, features deep valleys, sandstone cliffs, and rocky, green peaks. Numerous routes offer everything from easy strolls to challenging climbs, as well as numerous choices for day hikes and multi-day excursions. Among the well-liked routes are the following ones:

A lovely and easy two-hour hike in the Cathedral Peak region is Rainbow Gorge.
Ploughman’s Kop is a half-day hike that features a tough climb but lovely rock ponds to swim in to cool off.

Hike with Chain Ladders: A strenuous one-day trek with ladders fastened to the rock wall.
Cathedral Peak: This trip, which is best done in the company of a guide, can be completed in two days, with a night spent camped out in between hikes.
Giant’s Cup Trail: This relatively easy hike (60 km/37 mi) usually takes five days to complete.

7. See African Penguins

Numerous African penguins call Boulders Penguin Colony, which is a short drive from Cape Town and a part of Table Mountain National Park, home. (Interesting fact: because of the noises they produce, which resemble donkey squealing, they are sometimes known as jackass penguins.)

Regrettably, because of human activities like pollution, oil spills, and habitat degradation, they are an endangered species. Because of this, it is forbidden for you to stroll along the beach where the penguins breed, however, you are still able to see them from the adjacent observation platforms. You may also get up close and personal with the penguins by walking on the elevated boardwalk, which begins near the Boulders Visitor Center. Just remember that the beach is their home, not yours and that they are wild animals. Make careful not to approach them, and refrain from trying to pet or feed them. Despite their cuteness, they are still wild animals.

8. Take a Road Trip

South Africa is a fantastic place to take a road vacation. The most well-known route is the Garden Route, which passes through mountain ranges, woods, and seaside cliffs. The Garden Route, which stretches 200 kilometers (125 miles) along the south-central coast from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east, is dotted with beaches, lakes, and lagoons.

The highest bridge in Africa, Bloukrans Bridge, is a great place to stop bungee jumping if you’re feeling daring. You should budget about USD 195 (1,400 ZAR) for each person.

Plettenberg Bay’s stunning beaches overlooking the Indian Ocean make a worthwhile stop on the Garden Route.

Other well-liked road trip routes in South Africa include the Wild Coast route, which offers breathtaking views of the country’s coastline, and the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga, which circles the Blyde River Canyon. One possible option is to plan a road trip itinerary that visits multiple national parks, as there are numerous ones across the nation where you can drive yourself and see the local species.

9. Go Wine Tasting

The climate of South Africa is ideal for producing grapes, and the nation produces excellent red, white, and sparkling wines. There are hundreds of wineries to be found (and sampled, of course), and the wine industry here stretches back to the 17th century.

Not far from Cape Town, in the Cape Winelands region, Stellenbosch boasts more than 150 wineries in a compact area, while Franschhoek, a little farther out, is home to some of the top restaurants in South Africa in addition to around 50 vineyards. You can spend a night or two at a winery (many offer guest rooms) or take a wine tour that visits several different vineyards.

For a half-day tour of the area and its wineries, if you don’t have a car and wish to take a tour, budget at least 700 ZAR per person. Numerous hostels provide trips to the area on their own or in collaboration with native tour guides, who can also transport you. Make sure to compare prices to get the best offer!

10. Explore the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Wandering Matt trekking at South Africa’s Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
The third largest canyon in the world, Blyde River Canyon is a popular stopover en route to or from Kruger National Park. Compared to the Grand Canyon, it is verdant, with incredibly steep rocks. This UNESCO-listed reserve is home to a wide variety of naturally occurring rock formations and other features, such as God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and Pinnacle Rock. The Echo Caves are home to some prehistoric rock art as well.

In addition to white-water rafting, abseiling, and mountain biking, there are numerous hiking trails.

11. Go Whale Watching

During a whale-watching excursion in South Africa, a big whale approaches a small boat.
Whale watching is often regarded as being among the greatest in the world when it comes to South Africa. You have a great possibility of seeing orcas, Bryde’s whales, and Southern right whales if you travel between June and November.

Several of the greatest whale-watching businesses in the nation have their base in the town of Hermanus, which is situated 120 kilometers (74 miles) southeast of Cape Town.

For a tour, budget about 1,500 ZAR. Since there is a limited window, make sure to reserve in early as excursions sell out quickly.

12. Go Scuba Diving

Go to Cape Town if you enjoy diving or would like to learn more. The combination of warm and cold ocean currents makes for world-class diving here. There are many reefs, kelp forests, and rocky beaches in this area. Numerous wrecks can also be found on both sides of the peninsula.

Visit Port Elizabeth, which is midway between Cape Town and Durban, for additional wrecks. Explore several fascinating wrecks here, such as the Doddington, which sank in the eighteenth century, and the Haerlem, a dismantled navy ship. It’s also a fantastic place to go shark diving.

Sodwana Bay, which shares a border with Mozambique, is another excellent place to witness robust coral reefs and an abundance of fish and marine life.

Dives on a single tank begin at approximately 1,000 ZAR (equipment included). Courses for PADI certification run about 5,500 ZAR.

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