South Africa is a unique and multifaceted country, rich in culture, diversity and history. From the vibrant cityscapes to the untamed coastlines and sprawling national parks, it promises any visitor an unforgettable experience. An all-in-one destination with each place inviting you to embrace the colourful mosaic and marvel at the natural beauty.
With so much to explore and distances vast, your trip to South Africa would benefit from some planning. To get you started, here are the 10 iconic places worth at least a touchdown for their impressive, popular, and instantly recognisable sights.
1. Cape Town, City of Contrasts – Western Cape
A tapestry of colourful culture, cuisine, modern architecture, and stunning landscapes, Cape, Cape Town serves as the perfect introduction to South Africa. Built around the sprawling Table Bay, Cape Town flaunts gorgeous beaches that offer world-class surfing, oceanfront dining, shopping, and nightlife. But the most iconic features of them all are the massive mountain and carved cliff faces of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Devil’s Peak, providing Cape Town with one of the most famous city backdrops in the world.
Fun fact: The area between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas forms the boundary between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
2. The Garden Route, Nature’s Masterpiece – Western Cape
If you thought South Africa’s landscape couldn’t get any lovelier than Cape Town, you’re wrong. Considered the most naturally beautiful area in the country, the Garden Route is a necessary part of any visit to South Africa. The 300-kilometre stretch of road is something that can only be described as breathtakingly beautiful. The rugged coastal road twists and turns along coastal cliffs and then cuts inland through ancient and indigenous forests toward the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua mountain ranges. Some of the most unmistakable vistas in South Africa are located along this stretch of road, all of which are easily identifiable by the soaring, jagged cliffs and sprawling ocean.
Fun fact: The Garden Route has an established wine route around Plettenberg Bay and Knsyna, where the cool climate wines are establishing an impressive reputation.
Fun fact: There are ten nature reserves alone along the Garden Route.
3. The Karoo, Tranquil Desert – Western, Eastern and Northern Cape
Nestled in the heart of South Africa, the Karoo unfolds as a vast semi-desert landscape, captivating all who venture into its tranquillity. Stretching across the Eastern, Western, and Northern Cape provinces, the Karoo mesmerizes with its expansive plains, rugged mountains, and unique, stark beauty. Its arid terrain, adorned with hardy succulents and scattered shrubs, creates an otherworldly atmosphere that immerses visitors in a sense of serenity. The Karoo, despite its apparent desolation, teems with life, hosting a variety of endemic plant species and wildlife adapted to its challenging conditions. The allure of stargazing under its clear night skies and the profound silence that blankets the region make the Karoo a destination for those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Fast Fact: The Karoo is home to the world-renowned South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), situated near the town of Sutherland. With its high-altitude location and minimal light pollution, it provides an ideal setting for astronomical observations, making it a haven for astronomers and stargazers alike.
4. The Wild Coast, Untamed Beauty – Eastern Cape
For the most unspoiled part of South Africa, venture to the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape. Don’t expect luxury or even comfort; this is a raw and unapologetic side of South Africa for those who want to go off the map for a while. Visit charming coffee huts in Coffee Bay, or surf the unforgiving waves at Gonubie Point or Devil’s Horn. Visit the village of Port St. Johns for deep sea fishing or cliff angling, or meander around the small oceanfront towns of Haga and Morgans Bay. The gorgeous Waterfall Bluff, the only waterfall in the Eastern Cape that empties directly into the sea is a stunning representative of this locale — a must-see.
Fun fact: The Wild Coast is the birthplace of Nelson Mandela.
5. Kruger National Park, Classic Safari – Limpopo and Mpumalanga
The Kruger National Park is located in the northeastern part of South Africa and spans two provinces: Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The park covers a vast area and is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a wide variety of wildlife and ecosystems. As the oldest established wildlife park, dating back to 1898, The Kruger National Park is the place for this. Home to the impressive Big 5, hippos, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and much more. Game viewing can be done by self-drive on the well-marked roads, or from one of the private reserves within the park. The joy you will get when spotting these animals in their natural habitat is indescribable, surreal and humbling. Whether it’s opulent luxury in the bush that you seek, middle-mark game lodges or a camping site from which to take in the peace and quiet, you will find it here.
Fun fact: The Kruger National Park covers 19,485 square kilometres.
6. Panorama Route, Natural Wonder – Mpumalanga
The Panorama Route is primarily located in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. This scenic route takes travellers through the breathtaking landscapes of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, showcasing iconic landmarks such as God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The 26km route is dotted with several natural landmarks; God’s Window, a scenic vista overlooking canyons, rock formations, and waterfalls, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a fascinating, naturally-created section of rock creating plunge pools or “potholes” in the Treur River gorge. The historic towns nearby, established during the gold rush in the 1800s, are other not-to-miss attractions for their serious historical and cultural significance in South Africa.
Fun fact: The Blyde River Canyon is one of the deepest (762 meters) and greenest in the world.
7. Johannesburg, Place of Gold – Gauteng
South Africa’s largest and wealthiest city can be best described as eclectic. This melting pot of a metropolis is home to different neighbourhoods, each with outstanding restaurants, excellent shopping, nightlife and more art, architecture and history than you can shake a stick at. An all-inclusive city with many nature reserves and parks within its city limits, it is undoubtedly an iconic place in South Africa. From the trendy neighbourhoods of Braamfontein and Maboneng to Constitution Hill, where Nelson Mandala and many other freedom fighters served some of their sentences, to the Apartheid Museum that revisits the most turbulent, terrible and defining time in South Africa’s history, Johannesburg is a stunning juxtaposition of the past and the present, the old and the new.
Fun fact: Johannesburg is the largest city in the world that’s not located on a coast, lake, or river.
8. Soweto, Feel the Pulse – Gauteng.
South Africa’s oldest and largest township with a turbulent past lies within Johannesburg city limits and was formed in the 1930s when the South African Apartheid government started segregating blacks and whites. In the 70s, Soweto became the largest black city in the country with a population of 1.3 million. Soweto also gained recognition for the violent clashes that happened during the Apartheid struggles of the 70s and 80s. However difficult it can be to witness the poverty in this country, there’s a very iconic urban South African scene with incredible attractions, beacons of history and entrepreneurial spirits leading Soweto into an exciting new era.
Fun fact: The name Soweto is an acronym coming from the words South Western Township, the original name used to designate the area.
9. Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg, Reaching for the Clouds – KwaZulu Natal
The Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg mountain range stretches the entire length of KwaZulu Natal’s western boundary and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. An area known for hiking trails, bird watching, game viewing, horse trails and some of South Africa’s oldest rock art. There are 4×4 trails, quad bikes to be hired, horse riding and even trout fishing and white water rafting on the Tugela River. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise. Important to point out the Royal Natal National Park, Cathedral Peak, Champagne Castle and Monk’s Cowl. Karkloof Canopy Tour offer a unique eco-wilderness adventure that involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor. Sounds a little scary, but being in those trees with the birds and whispers of the wind is truly special.
Fun fact: The mountain range stretches the entire length of KwaZulu Natal’s western boundary.
10. Hermanus, whale watching done well – Western Cape
Hermanus has officially been declared the whale-watching capital of the world. Between 60 and 100 Southern Right whales visit Walker Bay from Antarctica every year between July and December to breed and raise their babies. Visitors flock here for the opportunity to spot them in Walker Bay. And you don’t necessarily have to be on a boat to appreciate the magnificent giants — you can see them from the land too. The whales often come within 10 meters of the shore in Hermanus and the cliff tops are the most popular places to whale-watch from. Hermanus ensures a front-row seat to the magnificent marine spectacle.
Fun fact: Hermanus has a dedicated ‘whale crier’ who alerts visitors to whale sightings in Walker Bay.
11. Namaqualand, A Floral Spectacle – Northern Cape
In the Northern Cape, Namaqualand transforms into a floral wonderland during spring. Blanketed with vibrant…
