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Interesting things to do in South Africa

Top of the wish-list on any South Africa holiday will always be The Cape region.

Situated on the south-western tip of Africa, The Cape is the meeting point of the cold Atlantic and the warm Indian Oceans. It is one of South Africa’s premier tourist attractions and is home to the famous Table Mountain, vast wine lands, magnificent beaches, gourmet cuisine and the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.

Known as ‘The Mother City’ and a destination in itself, Cape Town enjoys one of the world’s finest settings and is regularly voted amongst the best cities on the planet. The city’s many attractions include Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for so many years, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the stylish Camp’s Bay beach and Table Mountain, whose summit can be reached either on foot or by aerial cableway.

Further afield visitors can explore Cape Point, soak up the sun from one of the many stunning beaches, go whale-watching, enjoy the rich floral kingdom or simply immerse themselves in the city’s world-class galleries, museums, restaurants & boutiques. The tourist on a South Africa holiday could easily spend two or three weeks in The Cape, but that would mean missing out on so much more….

Close to Cape Town, the wine region is home to some of the world's most popular wines and is South Africa’s only major wine-producing area. The wine estates, commonly elegant Cape Dutch-style buildings and vast vineyards backed by picturesque mountains in stunning settings, are open to the public for tours and tastings, with many also boasting award-winning eateries. A European influence can also be felt due to the arrival of French, Dutch and German settlers during the 18th century. There are 2,000 varieties of wine to sample and 13 wine routes to explore on a South Africa holiday, ranging from the Route 62 wine route, reputed to be the world's longest, to the Stellenbosch wine route, the oldest.

The beautiful French Huguenot village of Franschhoek is full of wine estates, bistros and restaurants, earning it the accolade as the ‘gourmet capital of South Africa', historic Paarl and charming Robertson also play host to a number of wonderful wineries whilst nearby Wellington is famed for its brandies. Although the area can be reached from Cape Town in just an hour and makes for a nice days sightseeing, those in the know book into one of the region’s many spectacular hotels, often located on working wine farms, to spend a few nights relaxing and enjoying the food and wine on offer.

A 200km kilometre stretch of coastline from Mossel Bay in the west to Tsitsikamma in the east, the famed Garden Route is a highlight on many South Africa holidays. Two vastly different geographical areas running parallel together, contrasting yet complimenting. The lush, green Garden Route hugs the coastline on its southerly length, its tropical vegetation and brilliantly coloured fauna and flora are offset sharply by the semi-desert, ostrich farming Klein Karoo and the vast, copper coloured plains of the Central Karoo on the northerly length.

The Garden Route is a bewitching world of indigenous forests, sea villages, freshwater lakes, picturesque settlements, golden beaches and mystical mountains. Tourists flock here to bask on the beach in the summer months, watch the ever-increasing numbers of migrating whales in the winter months, play golf, sail sleek yachts and indulge in fine food and wine.

Towns worth mentioning are Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay - use these as a base to explore the many attractions in and around the area. From the unique interaction with Meerkat’s at sunrise to tasting the famous Knysna Oysters at sunset. A self-drive holiday is the best way to experience the wonders of the Garden Route.

Affectionately referred to as KZN, Kwazulu-Natal is often overlooked as a destination, however, is a "world in one country” in itself! This subtropical province is flanked by the majestic Drakensberg Mountains to the west, lapped by the warm Indian Ocean with unspoilt beaches to the east, with Mozambique to the north.

It’s a unique blend of sophistication, cultural diversity and excitement – in the most breath-taking setting imaginable includes two world heritage sites - the mountainous 'Barrier of Spears' uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, adorned with Stone Age cave paintings, and iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park World Heritage Site. With some of the best Big 5 game reserves, KZN boasts having the oldest proclaimed game reserve in South Africa – the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. The historic Battlefields, the rich Zulu and timeless Indian cultures, warm climate and endless beaches make it an irresistible destination.

Often ignored on a holiday to South Africa, Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and is the country’s economic powerhouse. This cosmopolitan city is also known as Egoli – the place of gold – as it rapidly developed when a large gold reef was discovered in 1886. A wealth of culture and history are found in its museums and galleries including the moving and critically acclaimed Apartheid Museum. More can be learned about this turbulent time in South Africa’s history on a tour of the township of Soweto which includes visits to the Hector Pieterson Museum commemorating the Soweto Uprising of 1976 and Nelson Mandela’s former house.

Close to Johannesburg is the World Heritage Site of the Cradle of Humankind, which has some of the world’s most important archaeological sites, and Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital and home to the red sandstone Union Buildings, a museum in the former home of President Paul Kruger and the imposing Voortrekker Monument.

Situated in the east of South Africa bordering Mozambique, the world-renowned Kruger National Park, along with neighbouring private game reserves, offers arguably the country’s best game viewing and is the prime location for any South Africa safari holiday. There is an immense variety of animal life including the big five, many species of antelope and other game and abundant bird life. There is also a wide choice of accommodation from tented camps to some seriously luxurious safari lodges and, in addition to seeking out the wonderful wildlife on open game vehicles with an expert guide, there is the chance to have some unforgettable experiences such as walking safaris and treetop sleepouts.

Outside the reserves, Mpumalanga province is well known for its scenic beauty and is a rich cultural heartland of the local Ndebele and Swazi cultures. The popular Panorama Route is a scenic meander taking in beautiful views, mountains, waterfalls and the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and the area’s many attractions and activities include hot air balloon trips, walking with elephants, helicopter flights and the pretty gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest which has been reconstructed as a living museum.

The Eastern Cape is a much frequented South Africa holiday destination, particularly for families, as it boasts beautiful beaches, safe, warm bathing seas, excellent surf, spectacular scenery, malaria-free game reserves featuring the Big 5 and a range of outdoor activities. The large western region of the province is the main attraction, and highlights include “the friendly city” of Port Elizabeth, the Algoa Bay beaches, the Addo Elephant National Park and adjacent private game reserves. Inland is Grahamstown, with its 1820 settle architecture, monuments and a hive of activity during the Arts Festival, whilst along the south coast is Tsitsikamma and Baviaanskloof Wilderness area, both a must for naturalists. Of the many seaside resorts, don’t miss Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay or Port Alfred, each with their own charm and attractions.

On the opposite end is the Wild Coast. This strip of river mouths, unspoilt beaches, sheltered coves, small inlets and rocky outcrops is untamed rather than undeveloped. This is a region of rich natural beauty but with basic infrastructure and unfortunately no coastal through roads. Umtata, the former capital of the “independent” state of Transkei is the centre of Xhosa culture and it is in a village near here that Nelson Mandela was born.

Some great ways to explore South Africa's spectacular and diverse scenery are on horseback, by taking a tour through the winelands, offering a different style of wine-tasting, or exploring the Drakensberg Mountains from a vantage point.

If the botanical side of South Africa takes your fancy, experience the Western Cape transformed into a carpet of colour as the wildflowers bloom for a short window in August and September each year.

Holidays in South Africa offer incredible opportunities for animal watching both on safari and in the sea. Assist a specialist conservation unit on safari, to see the work that goes on and join in with crucial exercises such as Rhino darting and notching, or come improbably close to humpback and southern right whale on a marine cruise, and don't miss the chance to see other marine species such as dolphin, seal and sharks as well. South Africa safari holidays are amongst the planet’s finest.

Whichever areas you wish to visit, for a once in a lifetime experience, book your South Africa holidays today to indulge in a combined trip of nature, culture, scenery and adventure. Contact Africa Travel for your dream trip to South Africa and let our experts help create your perfect South Africa holiday.