Located in the extreme southern part of the African continent, South Africa makes a unique tourist destination. Home to one of the most diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and world renowned cities, these are some great reasons to visit South Africa. Any visitor will be amazed by what the country has to offer. Welcome to beautiful South Africa where we can honestly say that you can have it all. Here are our top reasons to visit South Africa.
South Africa is home to an abundant variety of wildlife: nearly 300 species of mammals and 850 species of birds. There is excellent game viewing all over the country in the various national parks. Going on a safari and spotting the famous big five animals (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos) is high on top of many people’s bucket lists. Kruger National Park is the largest game park in the country. The park is very easy to visit and will provide for one of the best safari experiences in South Africa and Africa as a whole. Another very popular park that most tourists will include on a trip to South Africa is the Addo Elephant Park located close to the beautiful Garden Route.
Adventure Capital of the World
South Africa is a great destination for adventure lovers. There isn’t much that cannot be done in the country when it comes to any adrenaline-indulged activity. Your adventures can include bungee jumping, paragliding, kite surfing, rafting, mountain biking, skydiving, deep sea fishing, surfing, scuba diving, even skiing….and so much more. With the great outdoor scenery and the beautiful climate, there never needs to be a humdrum moment in South Africa.
At 216 meters, the Bloukrans bungee jump is recognized as the highest commercial jump in the world. The Cape Argus Cycling Tour is the world’s largest individually timed cycling race in the world, and the Comrades Marathon is the world’s oldest ultra marathon race.
Capetown has arguably the best urban beaches in the world, from fashionable Camps Bay (close to the city centre) to Boulder Beach with its comical colony of endangered African penguins which waddle about. All the way along South Africa’s Garden Route and KwaZulu-Natal’s Indian Ocean coastline you’ll find long stretches of pristine, soft sand lapped by waves that become warmer and warmer the further north you go. There are even tropical coral reefs and excellent diving and snorkelling spots to discover when visiting South Africa.
Did you know that Durban, Ballito, and the beaches of the KwaZulu-Natal coast average over 300 days of sunshine a year? Even the December to March rainy season over the Kruger is actually quite sunny; rainfall generally consists of short lived thundershowers in the late afternoons, leaving the air washed clean of dust and making for bright, crisp photographs.
South Africa is blessed with a generally temperate climate, meaning sensational summers and mild winters. Enjoying great weather is vital for a memorable vacation and for many travellers (especially from the Northern hemisphere) this is one of the top reasons to visit South Africa.
One of the best places to visit in South Africa are the winelands in the Western Cape. Even though South Africa is considered as one of the “new world” wine countries, its wine history dates back 350 some years; the first grapes were pressed in 1659. Today, South Africa is the world’s 9th largest wine producer. The famous Route 62 is said to be the world’s longest wine route, with seemingly countless wine farms, vineyards, and even brandy cellars.
If you are looking for fantastic culinary delights at unbeatable value for the money, look no further than South Africa. South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, which of course has an influence on the food scene. The variety of flavors, ingredients, and ways of cooking are extraordinary. One can have a spicy Indian curry, a hearty stew made in a cast iron pot over an open fire, an outdoor braal (barbecue), a sweet Malay curry, sushi, pap en vleis (maize porridge and meat), and much much more. Everyday can be a new eating adventure.
Cape Town is considered to be one of the most international cities in the world, a cosmopolitan melting pot of people, culture, and food. It’s a vibrant city with lots of atmosphere and things to do for any visitor. Cape Town is one of the most visited cities in Africa. Who wouldn’t like to look at one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Table Mountain? So Cape Town is definitely one of the cities to visit in South Africa as well as a very good reason to visit South Africa in general.
South Africa is also one of the world’s best destinations for whale watching. Whether you view from a boat or the coastal shores, every year multiple whale species migrate from the cold waters of the Antarctic area to warmer climates en route via South African waters. You can basically see whales all along the coast. The most popular area for whale watching is Hermanus where whales are regularly spotted swimming in the bay and can be seen from the shore.
South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation, meaning a nation that joins a great variety of cultures and languages all living together as one. South Africa has a rich history which dates back to some of the earliest human settlements, from the first inhabitants, the San, to Bantu speaking tribes, to the more recent European integration in the country.
For a taste of more recent history, visit the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields. Excellent guides bring to life the world of 1875, when bravery, victory, and defeat played out in the bloody battles between British soldiers, Boer commandos, and Zulu warriors. South Africa’s remarkable modern history is perhaps best illustrated in a visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his incarceration alongside other political prisoners.
Your kids will love it! Beautiful South Africa has plenty of child-friendly accommodations and loads of great options for a family holiday. Cape Town and the Garden Route are particularly popular for a beach break. Plan a family safari in Pilanesberg, Madikwe, or one of the Eastern Cape reserves. For loud unrestrained whoops of joy try the “thrill a minute” Sun City, a holiday resort that even has a sandy “beach” and “ocean” built in the middle of the bush, less than a 2 hour drive from Johannesburg.
Another great reason to visit South Africa is the great value you will get. Any type of budget will be suitable for visitors to South Africa. There is something for every wallet, from very luxurious to highly affordable. South Africa can be affordable to visit for lots of travellers: from luxury indulgence in a private game resort to a budget safari in Kruger National Park, from highly priced activities to free hikes in the mountains, from luxury 5-star hotels to a dormitory bed in a backpacker hostel….South Africa has it all.
South Africa welcomes a steady flow of international airlines at international airports. Also, once in South Africa, a visitor will find a network of national highway roads crisscrossing big sky landscapes, winding through farmlands, nipping along coastlines and over magnificent mountain passes. In addition, Wi-Fi is widely accessible, the mobile phone network is excellent, ATMs are readily available, and, if you are driving, you will never be far from a full-service petrol (gas) station.
As the founder of Driftwood Travel, I have a love and passion for South Africa. I grew up there and want to share my first hand knowledge with you. Please contact me for tailor made itineraries and magical moments. Thanks to my affiliation with the Largay Travel Team and Virtuoso, I have access to exclusive offers, amenities, and promotions. So whatever you want your trip to include we’ll create something completely unique for you and only you! If you dream of doing it, Driftwood Travel will make it happen.