Best Places to Visit in South Africa

Published June 12, 2019 · Updated October 19, 2023

South Africa boasts about a variety of sightseeing destinations that will keep you excited for every single moment you spend in this fabulous country. The ambiance of South Africa is extremely pleasant and it features several natural jewels including grasslands, mountains and beaches. With every day spent here; you will get acquainted with the diverse culture of local societies and regional tribes. Here we have listed one of the best places to visit in South Africa in this exhaustive travel guide:

Top Tourist Attractions of South Africa

Hermanus
Kruger National Park
Hout Bay
Muizenberg
Oudtshoorn
Sabi Sabi
Addo Elephant National Park
Garden Route
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Port Elizabeth
Mossel Bay
Bloemfontein
The Drakensberg

Why you must-visit these travel destinations?

Hermanus:

This marvelous coastal town in South Africa offers you spectacular views of whales when they migrate from Antarctica to North during the spring season. Here you will enjoy one of the best whales watching experience from the cliff path, boat or even helicopter. Besides, here you will also get an opportunity to spot awe-inspiring white sharks which are difficult to find anywhere else in the world. No wonder it one of the most sought after tourist attractions in South Africa that you must add in your itinerary.

Kruger National Park:

It is considered as one of the major natural reserves in entire South Africa tourism. It is spread over a gigantic area of more than 7,500 miles that features lots of grassy plains, tropical forests and mountains. Here you can spot specialty of Africa which is leopards, rhinos, buffalos, lions and the very famous African elephants. Moreover, you will also come across several unique species of plants, birds and animals in this stunning park.

Hout Bay:

It is one of the highly secluded and unique places to visit in South Africa which is located in Cape Town. Here you can spot several natural wonders including sandy beaches, misty mountains and crystal clear water. If you want to find out an ultimate peace of mind then this is a place to be. Tourists from different parts of the world come to Hout Bay in search of peace of mind and they get what they expect from this heavenly place in South Africa.

Muizenberg:

It is another wonderful coastal town located in Cape Town and recognized for its white sandy beaches. The waves here are extremely ideal for surfing purpose and this is the reason why it is so crowded with adventure lovers during weekends. Just next to the beach, you can discover vibrant color traditional beach houses that offer a perfect site for photography.

Oudtshoorn:

Situated in the western region of South Africa, it is highly popular for its rich territory of Ostrich Farms. In the vicinity, you can also spot CP Nell Museum that features several exhibits pertaining to the Ostrich feather industry. Moreover, Cango Caves is another highlight you can come across where you can plan a small tour to get acquainted with the history of Africa. Since many years, Oudtshoorn has been serving an important role in South Africa places to visit.

Sabi Sabi:

If you are planning to get a memorable safari experience through dense jungles of South Africa then Sabi Sabi is a place to be. The people of this region are extremely dedicated and they welcome guests with open hands. During your safari, you can spot lions, elephants, and some more animal species. Moreover, here you can also try tasting some delicious food during the safari breaks. Without any doubt, it is listed amongst the nice places to visit in South Africa that you can visit anytime during the year.

Addo Elephant National Park:

It is one of the largest parks in the country that makes it an integral part of the best places to visit in South Africa. It is located in the Eastern zone of the country which is very popular for its dense population of elephants. Here you will spot special species of elephants which has got a brown color of skin. Apart from elephants, you can also discover several other wildlife species including warthogs, antelopes and ostriches. In recent years, animals such as hyenas and lions are also added in the collection of park thereby making it a must-visit destination in South Africa tourism.

Garden Route:

It is one of the most breathtaking South Africa vacation spots that will add total excitement to your holiday. It is spread over an amazing stretch from Western to Eastern Cape. Along the coast, you will spot several lagoons and vegetation which is difficult to spot anywhere else in entire Africa. Some of the key highlights of Garden Route include Nature’s Valley and Plettenberg Bay that you must add in your upcoming South Africa trip.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park:

South Africa is known for several natural tourist attractions and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is another addition to the list. This incredible park was created after merging Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Blessed with such an immense area, the park features several unique sightseeing destinations which attract tourists in huge number. Here you will spot red sands and amazing grassland that offers perfect settings to capture some unique snaps in your camera.

Port Elizabeth:

If you want to cover a diverse range of South Africa tourist attractions then a visit to Port Elizabeth is a must. It is one of the famous South Africa visit places that boast several incredible beaches. Come to Donkin Heritage Trail where you will get an opportunity to see fabulous Victorian architecture. It is one of the ideal destinations if you are coming to South Africa for a vacation with the entire family. Your kids will love the company of whale and seabirds which are considered as key highlights here.

Mossel Bay:

If you are searching for highly beautiful places to visit in South Africa then it is worth adding Mossel Bay to your journey. It is a real paradise for adventure seekers as you will get an opportunity to enjoy several water sports activities here. For peace lovers, there is plenty to discover in the amazing surroundings of nature. In the vicinity, you will spot several blossoming flowers that offer tourists an opportunity to try some nature photography.

Bloemfontein:

It is one of the most sought after South Africa vacation spots that is recognized for its famous rose festival. Every year, thousands of foreign tourists come to Bloemfontein to discover its unique offerings. It is blessed with several historical landmarks and natural reserves which is a vital part of South Africa tourism. Some of the key highlights of Bloemfontein include Oliewenhuis Art Museum, Anglo-Boer War Museum, The National Museum and National Women’s Monument. If you want to visit one of the most creative destinations of Sahara then come to Naval Hill Planetarium which is first of its kind.

The Drakensberg:

It is also recognized as a Dragon Mountains and listed in one of the top places to visit in South Africa all the time. It boasts about the highest peak of the country from where you can experience some of the most spectacular views of South Africa. Royal Natal National Park is considered as a key highlight of The Drakensberg that features species of amazing flora and fauna. It is an ideal vacation destination in South Africa that will offer you an opportunity to get extremely close to nature.

What’s next waiting for you?

Even if you have already visited above mentioned best places to visit in South Africa, you are far from exploring everything in this incredible country. It is worth planning an extended tour to South Africa and get pampered by its amazing offerings. If you are looking for a long vacation for South Africa then check out our other travel guides on popular tourist cities in South Africa.

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