Best Things To Do In South Africa

There is no denying that one of the most popular Big 5 safari locations worldwide is South Africa.

You might travel here just to go on a safari and leave believing that South Africa is the greatest nation ever. But wait, there’s much more to this intriguing country that sits at the southernmost point of Africa.

The diverse ethnic and cultural makeup of South Africa has fascinating and surprising effects on both its food and art. Its landscape is breathtaking, ranging from tropical forests and wildlife-filled bushvelds to deserts covered in carpets of wildflowers and shorelines battered by waves. The nation is home to significant cultural traditions, quaint wine towns, and urban metropolises. The battle against apartheid is fought head-on at several significant locations.

Things To Do In South Africa

A South Africa vacation offers everything and more, including golden sand beaches, rich indigenous forests, craggy cliffs running along breathtakingly picturesque coastlines, cities flanked by towering mountains, and a pride of lions lazing in the afternoon heat.

Here, the question is more about what to do first than it is about what to do. Enjoy a heart-pounding safari, an exciting surf session, a relaxing round of golf, and a laid-back wine tasting. To top it all off, get the biggest rush of your life when you jump from the highest bridge bungee in the world. South Africa’s diversity of people, places, customs, and activities will pique your curiosity.

The top ten things to do in South Africa are listed below:

#1. Take a Stroll Among Namaqua’s Wildflowers

In South Africa’s Northern Cape, an isolated area known as Little Namaqualand appears to be a sun-baked wasteland for the majority of the year. But as the winter rains start to fall in July, the landscape comes alive with billions of blossoms for a brief period. Its varied terrain, which includes fertile valleys, towering mountains, and desolate plains, is blanketed in endless carpets of flowers in every color.

#2. Spot the Big 5 and Other Wildlife in South Africa’s Parks

A lion stalks its prey, a leopard has a snack high in a tree, and a group of elephants thunders past as the early morning sun rises over the bushveld. These are the delights of traveling on safari in South Africa, where national parks and wildlife preserves all around the nation offer exceptional opportunities to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant).

#3. Hike or Ride up Cape Town’s Iconic Table Mountain

Table Bay, historic Robben Island, and the entirety of Cape Town’s City Bowl are all spread out beneath you as you gaze out over the city from the summit of Table Mountain, a sandstone and granite natural landmark that rises to a height of 1085 meters (3560 feet).

#4. Learn from South Africa’s Apartheid past in Johannesburg

Through schooling at several locations, South Africa has made attempts to atone for its apartheid past. The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is a depressing but informative place to begin. Exhibits use documents, photos, and films to walk you through the history of apartheid.

#5. Taste Pinotage in the Cape Winelands

About 350 years ago, the Dutch East India Company arrived in South Africa and set up a ship supply station, which of course required wine! After the business teamed up with the French, grapes quickly covered the valley floors in the lush area that is today known as the Cape Winelands. The exquisite Pinotage, a rustic blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsault that distinguishes South Africa’s red wine, is proof that winemaking has improved over time.

#6. Swim with Great White Sharks

You would be mistaken to believe that this is solely a trained and experienced scuba diver’s sport. Although shark-cage diving is undoubtedly an adventure best left to the brave and unafraid, there are no particular requirements to take on this daring sport. From the safety of a metal cage, get up close and personal with South African sharks, including Great Whites. For qualified divers, it is even feasible to scuba dive and “free swim” while snorkeling among different shark species.

#7. Enjoy the Ride and Road Trip Through South Africa

Rough terrain, towering cliffs, expansive ocean views, lush jungles, striking deserts, vibrant cities, and quaint villages may all be found in South Africa. Vast highways connect them all, making South Africa an ideal destination for travelers. Taking advantage of the breathtaking scenery along the way, a road trip in the country is typically more about enjoying the journey than it is about getting anywhere. While South Africa is home to many beautiful natural sites, some very famous roads demand to be explored.

#8. Indulge in the Finer Things with a Wine-Tasting

Imagine winding country roads, log cabins, undulating hills, and lush vineyards. With so much to do in South Africa, it could be easy to neglect something a little more laid-back, like wine tasting. But you ought not to. Going straight to the source is the best way to sample some of the world’s most beautiful wines, which are produced in South Africa.

#9. Prepare to Ride the Best Waves

One of the natives’ favorite activities is surfing South Africa’s steady swell. Excellent surf is available throughout a large portion of the country, particularly on the eastern and southern coasts. Surfers may ride world-class waves every day from Cape Town to Durban.

#10. Score an Ace in a Game of Golf by the Ocean

Some of the best golf courses in the world can be found in South Africa. Although a great safari is the main reason for many tourists to visit the nation, many others arrive to enjoy a leisurely stroke of the African sky in addition to the exhilaration of seeing a wild animal.

Tourist Things To Do In South Africa

The Republic of South Africa, also known as South Africa, is an excellent destination for a first-time safari traveler. The stunning African landscape, which includes vast gorges, golden grassland, and eerily gorgeous deserts, is one of the main draws of the nation. An added plus is the abundance of basic amenities.

#1. Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo Provinces

One of the greatest wildlife reserves in Africa and one of South Africa’s oldest is Kruger National Park. If you’re interested in wildlife, you should include a visit to this well-known park in your schedule for South Africa.

#2. Cape Town, Western Cape

South Africa’s Cape Town is among the most beautiful cities on earth. This cosmopolitan city, nestled between a rough range of mountains and the sea, is surrounded by nature.

Seeing Table Mountain, the flat-topped peak dominating the city, is one of the best things to do in Cape Town. Take a cableway ride up or climb to the summit for a breathtaking panorama. There are expansive city views to be had from the hour-long trek up Lion’s Head.

#3. The Garden Path

The Garden Route, which stretches for over 200 kilometers along South Africa’s southeast coast, passes through some of the most stunning coastal landscapes in the world. From Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape, the path runs beside the Indian Ocean.

#4. Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape

By combining the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park—one of the largest wilderness areas in the world—was born.

#5. Stellenbosch, Western Cape

One of South Africa’s most attractive towns is Stellenbosch. Scattered with fields, ancient oak trees, and white-washed Cape Dutch homes, this village is among the best-preserved examples of a Dutch East India Company settlement.

#6. The Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal

Known as the “Dragon Mountains,” the magnificent Drakensberg is a well-liked tourist attraction in KwaZulu-Natal and a popular getaway for South Africans. The tallest peaks in the nation are also found there.

#7. National Park of Pilanesberg

Do you wish to see Africa’s Big 5 but are pressed for time? Pilanesberg National Park, located around 2.5 hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria, is home to a diverse range of birds and other wildlife. It’s conveniently located near these big cities and is a wonderful place to spend a day or several days. It boasts a larger concentration of game because it is significantly smaller than the vast Kruger National Park.

#8. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga

One of the most popular stops on the route between Johannesburg and Kruger National Park is the stunning Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, also known as Motlatse River Canyon. The park is home to a wide variety of animals and vegetation, including the second-largest canyon in Africa. Rich subtropical flora, cascading waterfalls, glistening rivers, and lichen-covered rock formations combine to create a remarkable tapestry of color and texture.

#9. Robben Island, Western Cape

World-Heritage-listed Robben Island in Table Bay serves as a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed during apartheid. Here, Nelson Mandela and other social outcasts and political dissidents were held captive for eighteen years.

#10. Wild Coast, Eastern Cape

From East London to Chintsa in the Eastern Cape, there is some of the most breathtaking coastline in South Africa. The area is referred to as the “Wild Coast” and features an enthralling combination of subtropical trees, gold sand, steep cliffs, and a blue ocean.

Best Things To Do In South Africa Cape Town

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 best things to do in South Africa to help you plan your vacation, save money, and have fun—even though there are countless things to see and do there!

#1. Go on a Safari

It seems logical 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 they offer some of the best wildlife drives in the world. It really is like anything else.

#2. Go to 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.

#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.

#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.

#5. See the Island of Robben

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.

#6. Take a Mountain Hike in the Drakensberg

The country’s tallest mountain range, the Drakensberg region near the east coast, features deep valleys, sandstone cliffs, and rocky, green peaks.

#7. Go Whale-Viewing

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.

#8. Discover the Street Art of Maboneng

The Maboneng Precinct, which includes hotels, art galleries, a variety of restaurants, independent stores, and the creative hub Arts on Main, is located in downtown Johannesburg and was designed to promote tourism in the city center.

#9. 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.)

#10. Visit the District Six Museum

The District Six Museum tells the narrative of the people who lived in District Six, a formerly diverse region of Cape Town that was declared a “whites-only” area during the apartheid era, making it one of the most well-known examples of forced relocation. Many people of color are still engaged in the reparation struggle today. There are collections of letters and photos in the museum; it is strongly advised to take a guided tour led by a previous inhabitant.

Fun Things To Do In South Africa

Fortunately for all of you adventurous young people out there, we have put together an exciting list of the top ten fun things for young adults to do in Cape Town. This list includes hotspots and activities that will satisfy all of your needs while highlighting the distinct charm and spirit of this captivating city.

Fun things to do in South Africa include the following:

#1. Go to Soweto’s Locrate Market

The Locrate Market, a self-described lifestyle market that aims to “break all markets,” has unique designer clothing, live music, poetry readings, bike tours, craft beer, and food trucks dubbed “mother truckers.”

#2. Reflect at the Nelson Mandela Center of Memory

The Nelson Mandela Foundation, a nonprofit that Madiba founded in 1999, is home to the Center of Memory. Take a look at the current show, which highlights photos taken during the emergency.

#3. Sip a Beverage at the Rooftop Bar in the Living Room.

When there are no events, entrance is free. Tickets for events held at The Living Room are required and vary in price. The Living Room is a rooftop garden consisting of movable vertical plantings. The smoothies are quite tasty and they are highly recommended.

#4. Slam Dunk with Bounce

Get your heart pumping on 50 interconnected trampolines, perform amazing flips, slam dunks, and vicious kicks, or challenge your friends to a trampoline dodgeball match. Junior jumping is one of the best things to do in Johannesburg; kids under six can only jump in specific zones, and everyone is kept safe with grip socks.

#5. Go to the Transportation Museum in James Hall.

Children will be enthralled with steam trains, penny farthings, and ox carts for many hours. Visit the James Hall Museum of Transport in Johannesburg to witness these fascinating cars.

#6. Make Purchases at Oriental Plaza

One of the “must” things to do in Johannesburg is this. Oriental Plaza, which was established in the middle of the 1970s, is a fantastic way to celebrate the various cultures present in Johannesburg. This indoor bazaar is where you’ll find the best deals.

#7. Ride a Paddle Boat on Zoo Lake

Bring some seeds and enjoy a delightful afternoon at Zoo Lake, giving food to the ducks and geese. You may rent a rowboat here that can accommodate up to six people, and you’ll have a blast paddling about!

#8. Kitchener’s Comedy Night

Downtown Johannesburg’s Kitchener’s at the Milner Hotel is a downtown institution. South Africa’s second-oldest tavern is nearly a century old. Come watch upcoming comics perform live at Kitchener’s comedy night.

#9. Eureka at Science Bono Discovery Centre

The Science Bono Discovery Centre, a multiple award-winning travel and education venue, will captivate your children’s imagination and spark a passion for science that will last a lifetime. Located in Newtown, Johannesburg, at the intersection of President and Miriam Makeba streets, it is housed in a converted power station.

#10. Neighbourgoods Market

There are plenty of reasons to return to this storied Saturday market. The Neighbourgoods Market is well-known for its selection of cuisine that is obtained locally, live music acts like Majozi, and an extremely lively ambiance. On Saturdays, it’s the place to go for mimosas and brunch.

What Is South Africa Well Known For?

With its diverse topography, stunning natural beauty, and rich cultural diversity, South Africa is the southernmost country on the African continent. These attributes have made the country a popular travel destination since the official end of apartheid (Afrikaans for “apartness,” or racial segregation) in 1994.

What Is the Most Important Activity in South Africa?

South Africa places a great deal of focus on agriculture. Even if there are often insufficient resources for land and water, it generates a sizable amount of exports and makes a substantial economic contribution to the country, particularly as an employer.

How cheap is South Africa?

Without rent, an individual’s anticipated monthly expenses come to 550.1 dollars (10,303.6 rupees). The average cost of living in South Africa is 54.6% less than that of the United States. The average rent in South Africa is 76.1% less than that in the US.

Is South Africa a Rich or Poor Country?

With a GNI per capita of $6,530, South Africa is the fourth richest nation in Africa. With a GNI per capita of $6,440, Gabon ranks fifth among Africa’s richest nations, while Botswana is in sixth place with $6,430.

How Much Money Should I Take to South Africa?

You can only bring a certain amount of money into South Africa. Up to 25,000 rands in cash in South African Rand per person; combinations of foreign currency payments up to $10,000 USD (or equivalent)

Summary

Despite being a year-round destination, many tourists choose to visit South Africa in the months with the most pleasant, warm, and conducive weather. Generally speaking, December through March is the ideal time of year to travel to South Africa during the summer. Due to the inverse weather pattern in South Africa, Indians can arrange a great sun getaway from the chilly, foggy, misty, and dirty winters back home.