South Africa is an incredible place, full of so many amazing places to explore and things to see and do. The food is wonderful, the views are breathtaking and the culture is rich. We absolutely loved South Africa’s Winelands (for obvious reasons!) and meeting new friends (both human and animals) in Chintsa, but since we’re planning my next trip to this wonderful and diverse country, we’ve put together this list of four more places that you absolutely cannot miss if you’re visiting South Africa, especially for the first time.
Kruger National Park
Kruger is one of the best places in Africa for safaris and conservation, boasting almost 20,000 sq km of land, which is home to over 500 different species of bird, nearly 150 species of mammals and more than 330 different types of trees. It’s also home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo) and seeing these rare animals in their natural habitat is one of the most wonderful experiences.
Durban
Durban is the second-largest city in South Africa, behind the concrete jungle of Johannesburg. As it is on the East coast, with beautiful beaches and a subtropical climate, however, it is a much better place to visit. Durban is a wonderful mixing pot of multicultural experiences, and you will find places of worship for Christians, Hindus and Muslims side-by-side.
The Drakensberg
The name Drakensberg means “Dragon Mountains” and it’s easy to see why! The mountain range boasts some of the country’s highest peaks and is popular with those who love to fish, hike, abseil, climb and raft. If you want something a little more chilled, you could enjoy a hot air balloon across the views, and be sure to visit the Amphitheatre at the Royal Natal National Park for some breathtaking sights.
Cape Town
I had to include Cape Town! It’s one of the most stunning landscapes, with incredible mountains, beautiful water, and plenty of greenery. Be sure to visit Boulders Beach to see the penguins, take a helicopter ride to see the breathtaking view from above, and enjoy a stroll around the award-winning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
One place you must visit while in Cape Town is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, which is South Africa’s answer to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. This is a fantastic place to eat, drink and shop, with beautiful views. There really are so many things to see and do in Cape Town that you could never be bored.
I could go on and on with places to visit in South Africa, each one different and offering something new and exciting, but I have to stop at four. I’ve tried to choose a diverse mix of places, some that are very tourist-dense, and others that are a little more secluded.
Whether you want to try new food, see the Big Five or go on a hike with incredible views, there’s somewhere perfect for you. If you think there’s somewhere I missed on this list that is an absolute must-visit in South Africa, be sure to put it in the comments.
