South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost sovereign state in Africa. It is bounded on the south by 2,798 kilometers of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, on the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and on the east by Mozambique and Swaziland, and surrounding the kingdom of Lesotho. South Africa is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area, and with close to 53 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere.
26 Top Rated Tourist Attractions in South Africa
1. Amphitheatre, Drakensberg
The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa. Along the north of Drakensberg, a precious place for the climbers known as Amphitheatre, the highest mountain range in Africa stands with some spectacular cliffs. Here you will find some of the roughest, boldest and hardest cliffs in the world standing higher than 11,000 feet. It is only fitting that Drakensberg is also known as the Dragons Mountain. The breathtaking views from the cliffs overlooking the ridge and from the nearby Tugela River will surely leave a mark on your memories.
2. Blyde River Canyon
The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is the world’s third largest canyon and one of the most beautiful. As you look down on scenic waterfalls and abundant vegetation, the view from the aptly named God’s Window is biblical. Near to the Kruger National Park, the Mpumalanga Nature Reserve covers almost 29 000 hectares and offers activities ranging from hiking, biking, fishing and abseiling, to white-water rafting, boat trips and much more. Make a day of it or stay in a private lodge or guesthouse.
3. Robben Island
Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for many things, but mostly for the prison where South Africa`s political prisoners were held during the Apartheid era. At various points in history, the island was also a leper colony, a mental hospital and a defense training base. Robben Island, a small island with an area of 5 square kilometers, is 9 kilometers from the shores of Cape Town. Here lies the prison that held the greatest leader in South Africa, Nelson Mandela for 18 years. For 300 years this island was used to isolate political prisoners. This is a place of great historic significance and great inspirations for Africans. With a wonderful subtropical climate, Robben Island also paints some marvelous views of the Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean.
4. Cape Winelands
Cape Wineland as the name suggest is the finest source of wines in South Africa. Developed by the European colonies in 1685, the region is one of the finest tourist attractions in Africa and a UNESCO world heritage site. Miles upon miles of well-kept grapevine farms, snowy mountain peaks, valleys full of green trees, rocky cliffs, rivers and waterfalls, this place has almost everything. Across the regions of Paarl, Worcester, Stellenbosch and Wellington, the Winelands is a magnificent place filled with delightful restaurants, coffee shop, lovely places to and many cultural attractions.
5. Sani Pass
This is the only route over the Drakensberg escarpment into the Kingdom of Lesotho. Opened to traffic in 1955, and originally serving as a pack animal trail. Sani Pass offers exhilarating path twists as it turns upwards through rocky cliffs that peak at 2873 metres above sea level, thus earning its title of ‘Roof of Africa’. Besides driving up (by 4×4), you can also mountain bike it, quad bike motorcycle it or, if you are feeling particularly fit, tackle it by foot! When you reach the Kingdom, you will be greeted by the Basotho tribe as well as The Highest Pub in Africa!
6. The Garden Route
The Garden Route stretches from Mossel Bay (Western Cape) to the Storms River (Eastern Cape). It is a marvelous route to walk through. First you will probably want to take a peek at the ten nature reserves, then the marine reserves. You can experience the pleasure of seeing over 300 different bird species, coral reefs, dolphins, seals, and many other magnificent creatures. Along the Garden Route there are a couple of bays where whales come to calve from July to December. The best bay to go to is Plettenberg Bay, which is a whale hotspot.
7. Boulders Beach
7. Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach, near Simon’s Town in False Bay, is famed for its resident penguin colony and clean, white sand beach. It is home to at least 3000 African penguins, the Foxy Beach boardwalk being an excellent viewpoint. Your kids will enjoy getting up close and personal with the penguins (taking care not to disturb them unduly as they may bite). The park is also home to other birds and small mammals, while dolphins and whales swim off shore.
8. Durban Beaches
Durban’s beaches provide a vibrant atmosphere that pulses with energy. Boasting balmy weather year round and sporting a genuine beach culture, Durban beaches are lively areas that are remarkably clean and safe, and many of the beaches offer varietal entertainments throughout the day. Also known as the “Golden mile” the coastline of Durban is full of golden sandy beaches with a wonderfully sunny atmosphere. The warm and surf water, breezy wind and a very neat and safe environment of the beaches attract a lot of tourists all year long. Filled with quality restaurants, outlets and cafes these beaches make sure you spend a quality time. The beaches of Durban are a heaven for watersports as they are jam packed with skaters, surfers, kite surfers and body boarders all year long.
9. The Big Hole
The Big Hole was mined to about 800 metres and, in its time, yielded 2.7 tons of diamonds. The mine closed in 1914 and is now an enormous water filled crater. The first recorded South African diamond, the Eureka, is on display in the very informative museum. You can try your luck by sifting through some diamond bearing gravel and also experience a diamond mining operation. Refreshments are available at the bar and admission to the museum is free.
10. Augrabies Falls
The formidable and thunderous flow of Augrabies Falls courses down the Orange River when it is in full flood. The 55 000 hectares on both sides provide plenty to explore for hikers and nature and animal lovers. The eerie looking kokerboom (quiver trees) have made their home here, together with many succulents, birds, zebras, springbok, gemspok, giraffes and various reptiles. Take a walk to the summit of Moon Rock to see one of the park’s best views. A great day out for everyone.
11. Namaqualand Wild Flower Route
Namaqualand is famous for its burst of colour every spring (July to October), when almost 4000 species of flowers bloom into life and when the semi-desert plains of Namaqualand are transformed into a sea of colour. You can spend a day or three here, driving, hiking or cycling. The Goegap Nature Reserve provides both picnic areas and overnight facilities. For botany lovers it shouldn’t be missed!
12. Table Mountain
Table Mountain situated within a national park, reaching the pinnacle of the Table Mountain is an thrilling experience that offers phenomenal, birds-eye views overlooking the city of Cape Town, Robben Island to the north, and the Atlantic seaboard to the west and south. Peaking at 1,086 meters (3,563 ft), reaching the top is simple via an ingenuous cableway, and each Rotair car features revolving floors allowing passengers to enjoy 360-degree views during the trek to the top.
13. Kruger National Park
Lying across an area of 20,000 square kilometers in the northeastern South Africa is one of the best wildlife experiences attainable in the world, Kruger National Park. It is the largest game reserve Africa has to offer. With many charming camps and lodges inside the reserve, Kruger provides some top notch accommodations and is undoubtedly deserving of the top spot on this list of top tourist attractions in South Africa. Drive into the vast wilderness of Africa at your own will and see the Big Five, cheetahs, giraffes and many other wild animals and experience true Africa like nowhere else.
14. Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve
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Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest one of them. Located in the region of KwaZulu-Natal across an area of 960 square kilometers, this reserve is famous for its exclusive conservation efforts. An awesome place for the visitors to see the“big five” game animals include Lions, Elephants, leopards, buffalos and rhinoceroses of Africa. One can enjoy the vast African landscapes filled with native plants and animals by driving, walking or even from a boat by the Hluhluwe dam.
15. Addo Elephant Park
The Addo Elephant National Park is home to more than 550 elephants, various lions, black rhinos, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, zebras and a plentiful variety of antelopes. It is the third largest park in South Africa and also concentrates on preserving a wide variety of flora. There is also a main camp for tourists featuring a swimming pool, restaurant, floodlit water hole and different types of accommodation.
16. World of Birds
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World of Birds is the largest bird park in Africa and a must-see for bird lovers. Situated in beautiful Hout Bay, it houses over 400 species, totalling 3000 birds – including parrots, turacos and flamingos – and small animals, comprising various species of monkey, such as tamarins, marmosets and baboons. World of Birds is home to a breeding centre for threatened species and a rehabilitation centre for injured birds. Your kids will love the Monkey Jungle, with its delightful squirrel monkey residents.
17. Cango Caves
If you enjoy going underground, a visit to the Cango Caves in the Swartberg Mountains, 30 kilometres north of Oudtshoorn, is the way to go. The 20 million year old caves consist of a progression of hidden chambers, cut deeply into the solid limestone rock layer. Have fun exploring some of the stalagmite formations on either the standard or adventure (for the fitter members of your party) subterranean tours! The Interpretive Centre will explain more about the caves history, and there is also a curio shop selling African collectables.
18. Bloukrans Bridge
Bloukrans Bridge is an arched road bridge and the highest in the African continent. Standing 708 feet above the floor of the gorge, it is part of one of only three highways in the world to have a bridge exceeding 500 feet. Take a bungee jump or ride the Flying Fox cable slide across the gorge. For those who prefer keeping their feet on the ground, a gentle walk along the catwalk to the top of the arch is probably a better option.
19. Ostrich Farm Oudtshoorn
Oudsthoorn is the capital of the ostrich industry; a visit to the farm will clarify all about how the birds are bred and the various ways in which ostrich products are marketed and fashioned. For example, ostrich skin is used for handbags and shoes, and eggshells for decorative purposes. Ostrich meat is also popular, as it lean and full of protein. Your kids can sit on one of the wide eyed birds and also hold an ostrich egg, which would make an awfully big omelette!
20. Gold Reef City
This large amusement park, located around an old Johannesburg gold mine and themed on the famous Gold Rush of the 19th Century, consists of a museum exhibiting many gold mining techniques, including the chance to see how real gold is poured into casts by staff wearing period costumes. There is also a casino and, best of all for the kids, an exciting theme park with thrilling attractions, including roller coasters, water slides and the raging river rapids thrill ride! A perfect family day out.
21. Franschhoek Motor Museum
Franschhoek Motor Museum is definitely the place for you! It houses a fantastic collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and fascinating memorabilia, ranging from an 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a high performance 2003 Enzo Ferrari supercar. The museum is home to a range of antique, veteran, vintage, post-vintage, post-45 and post-60 automobiles housed in four de-humidified halls and presented in chronological order, portraying the evolution of the motor car.
22. The Union Buildings
The Union Buildings in Pretoria form the official seat of the South African Government and are a National Heritage Site. The Buildings are an iconic South African landmark, having born witness to its democratic change as well as its challenging past. In fact, this is where, in 1994, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as South Africa’s first black president. Though the buildings themselves are not open to the public, the attractively landscaped gardens that surround the building are popular for picnics, with a new statue of Mandela to oversee it all.
23. uShaka Marine World
An exciting marine theme park in Durban, comprising Sea World, the uShaka Village Walk shopping centre and the Wet’n’Wild Water Park, uShaka provides the ideal location for a family day out in Durban. From watching a black mamba or a hairy tarantula through special spy holes in the Walk’s Dangerous Creature exhibit to the friendlier seal, dolphin and penguin shows, and the exhilarating slides, tube rides, the adventure river ride for older teens and the kiddies slides for younger members, there is plenty of fun to be had here for the whole family.
24. Gansbaai
It doesn`t matter if you are an adventurous type or not if you want to visit Gansbaai. The beauty of nature will be all around you -- in and out of the water. For example, you can watch the whales from the Cliffs of De Kelders, enjoy the white sands of Pearly Beach or take a walk in the ancient milkwood forests. If you are looking for a thrill, you can dive with the great White Sharks.
26. Sun City Resort
25. Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is one the most visited tourist attractions in the entire African continent. Here, the tourists can get a majestic view of the busy city blending together with Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Filled with restaurants, pubs, shops, theaters and many other entertainment venues, it is very famous for its accommodation quality. Attracting more than 23 million visitors a year Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is a paradise for the backpackers and the tourists visiting South Africa. This is a great place to blend in with the vibrant culture of South Africa.26. Sun City Resort
Sun City is a luxurious resort and casino in the North West province of South Africa near the city of Rustenburg. Within a two hour drive from Johannesburg this place has many recreational facilities and offers a top notch leisure experience. It has hosted some world famous concerts and other performances over the recent years. The resort area contains four hotels, an awesome Water world, two Casinos, two championship golf courses, a cultural village and an animal farm that houses about 7000 crocodiles.
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