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What makes South Africa a great travel destination?
- South Africa is rich in history, culture, and wildlife, offering a variety of unforgettable activities.
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What are some must-visit attractions in South Africa?
- Travelers can explore the Franschhoek wineries, which offer exceptional wine-tasting experiences.
- Families can enjoy amusement parks that provide entertainment for all ages.
- Safari tours allow visitors to witness Africa’s astounding wildlife up close.
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What is the Cradle of Humankind?
- The Cradle of Humankind is home to the world’s largest collection of human ancestor fossils, making it a fascinating site for history and archaeology enthusiasts.
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Where can visitors experience South Africa’s wildlife?
- Kgalagadi and Kruger National Parks offer breathtaking safari experiences.
- Guests can see incredible wildlife, including elephants, lions, and wildebeests, in their natural habitat.
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1. Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park gives tourists the quintessential safari experience. Adventurers can feast their eyes on the astounding beauty of Africa’s wildlife in this enormous park, containing of 2 million hectares of land. Visitors view a full range of indigenous wildlife in this peaceful paradise, including the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros elephant, and Cape buffalo). As home to close to 500 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, nearly 150 species of mammals, a multitude of archaeological sites, and a resplendent diversity of trees and flowers, this wildlife experience ranks as one of the best in Africa. Accommodations include a campsite, bungalows, and private game lodges.
643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, South Africa, Phone: +27-01-24-28-91-11
2. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is the world’s first botanical garden with the ethos of preserving the country’s unique flora. Based at the eastern foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden includes a botanical institute and a large conservatory exhibiting plants from a number of regions. The outdoor area showcases plants native to the Cape region. Trails throughout the grounds give residents and tourists alike a place to explore gardens and mountain slopes. One of the paths climbs up to Skeleton Gorge ravine, a popular route to the summit of Table Mountain.
Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa, Phone: +27-02-17-99-87-83
3. Addo Elephant National Park
Situated 45 miles (72 km) by road from Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park gives guests a chance to see African animals in action. Expert guides take tourists through the grounds housing over 600 elephants and large mammals such as cape buffalos, zebras, hartebeests, lions, and warthogs. Exploring the park, visitors may stumble upon elephants drinking by the watering holes or spot a number of antelope species. Available activities include hiking, game drives, 4x4 trails, horseback riding, and marine eco tours. The park gives a number of different options for accommodations, including secluded rest camps and luxury lodges.
R335 Paterson Road, Addo, South Africa, Phone: +27-04-22-33-86-00
4. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
A visit to South Africa would not be complete without a chance to view the country’s stunning scenery and impressive variety of wildlife, and the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve makes the perfect place to do just that. The grounds contain a 20-mile-long (33 km) gorge filled with an abundance of breathtaking waterfalls and panoramic views of the third largest canyon in the world. Visitors can stay overnight in private lodges or guesthouses and enjoy a full array of activities like fly fishing, hiking, kloofing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, biking, and taking guided tours and boat trips at Blyde Dam.
R536, Graskop, Mpumalanga, South Africa, Phone: +27-01-37-59-53-00
5. Boulder’s Beach
As the home to thousands of endangered African penguins, Boulder’s Beach lets guests get up close and personal to these fascinating animals. During a visit, the annoying squawk of birds makes it easily apparent why this species has received the nickname of the “jackass penguin”. Boulder’s Beach is open to the public, and visitors only have to pay an entrance fee. There they can observe the birds roaming and swimming freely throughout the sheltered beach comprised of inlets reaching between ancient granite boulders. The large boulders block the water from the wind and large waves, making it an ideal location for kids to go swimming.
Kleintuin Road, Simon’s Town, Cape Town, South Africa, Phone: +27-02-17-86-23-29
6. African Bird of Prey Sanctuary
The African Bird of Prey Sanctuary is situated on over 60 hectares of scenic valley and provides a safe haven to the greatest variety of indigenous raptors in southern Africa. In this birdwatchers’ paradise, visitors get a glimpse of beautiful birds of prey in a well-maintained, scenic environment. Residents of the sanctuary include show birds, eagles, owls, vultures, falcons, kestrels, hawks, kites, buzzards, and secretary birds. During this interesting outing, aerial displays give an impressive look at different birds in flight. Guests may also get the chance to witness the release of rehabilitated birds.
Lion Park Road, Pietermaritberg, South Africa, Phone: +27-03-17-85-43-82
7. The Big Hole
Reputedly the largest hole excavated by hand, the Big Hole is an open-pit and underground mine in Kimberley, South Africa. The enormous hole started the world’s largest diamond rush in the late 1800s, attracting thousands from around the world to its mines. Today, it has grown to depths of about 700 feet (215 meters), with 40% of the hole filled with turquoise-colored water. Thrill-seekers can take a stroll down the open-air steel platform that juts over the Big Hole down into the chasm. A high security vault contains real diamonds with stones of all shapes, colors, and sizes.
South Circular Road, Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa, Phone: +27-05-38-39-46-00
8. Bourkes Potholes
Situated within the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, the Bourkes Potholes display a remarkable geological phenomenon formed by water erosion. Although the entrance fee is a bit high, a visit gives amazing views of extraordinary rock formations and waterfalls. Rapid water formed unusual swirls of holes, carving potholes into the river bedrock over thousands of years. A trail takes hikers through a 0.4-mile (700 m) walk to the potholes, where they can explore winding pathways and footbridges overlooking the landscape. Those interested in visiting should bear in mind that the attraction can get overcrowded, with high temperatures during peak season and public holidays.
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Moremela, Mpumalanga, South Africa, Phone: +27-01-37-69-89-26
9. Cango Caves
Located 18 miles (29 km) from Oudtshoorn at the head of the Congo Valley, the Cango Caves stand out as one of South Africa’s most popular tourist caves. It consists of over 2.5 miles (4 km) of an extensive system of tunnels and chambers with limestone formations. Well-informed guides take guests on an underground adventure exploring large caves, narrow passages, and dripstone caverns. During the tour, travelers marvel at cave paintings and artifacts dating back to the Middle and Later Stone Ages. Visitors hoping to avoid long waits should plan ahead and book in advance, especially during holiday periods.
Cango Valleie Road, Oudtshoorn, South Africa, Phone: +27-04-42-72-74-10
Attraction Spotlight: uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World in Durban, South Africa, is Africa’s top rated Marine Park. The park offers daytime attractions such as a Sea World aquarium, a Wet ‘N Wild water theme park, beach area, as well as a day time shopping and dining and night time entertainment area in the Village Walk.
Attractions at the park include Chimp and Zee, a rope climbing adventure with activities scaled from introductory to thrilling. The ropes course is home to Africa’s longest continuous belay system. Guests climb through 18 different ropes course elements, including two zip lines. A child friendly course is located close to the ground.
The park’s Sea World area is Africa’s largest aquarium. In addition to the exhibits, Sea Animals Encounter Island includes an opportunity to swim up close to several ocean creatures. The Meet a Dolphin Experience allows guests to feed and touch the dolphins, while the Snorkel Lagoon lets guests swim among the sea life of a protected lagoon. Ray Feed lets visitors walk up to waist deep in a pool of friendly spotted eagle rays, while Fish Feed is a child friendly activity that lets kids feed the fish. For those looking for more adventure, the Ocean Walk lets visitors walk on the ocean floor, wearing special astronaut-like helmets to allow for breathing, while the XPanda Shark Dive puts guests in the water in a shark tank, while sharks swim slowly by. Special Back of the House Tours allow visitors to see behind the scenes of Africa’s largest Marine Water Park.
The park’s Wet ‘N Wild theme park offers water slide attractions. A kid’s slide is designed for guests ages 6 and under, and a lazy river tube float allows for slow twists and turns. More adventurous rides include the Dizzy Duzi, a whitewater adventure on inner tubes, and tube slides such as the Jika Jika and the Multi Lane Racer. Body slides include the Mamba Tunnel Slide, the enclosed slide rides such as the Squid and the Cuda, and the park’s fastest and newest slide, the Body Tornado.
Located at the ocean’s edge, UShaka Marine World also offers a variety of beach activities. Guests may rent kayaks, or take a kayak lesson or guided kayak tour. Stand Up Paddle boards and surf lessons are available, and packages for children’s birthday parties take place on the beach.
Dangerous Creatures is a reptile exhibit featuring friendly animals such as Freddy the Iguana, as well as venomous snakes and lizards. The Kids Corner offers a child friendly playground area and is frequently visited by the park’s mascots. The park’s Village Walk is the largest open-air shopping mall in South Africa and offers a variety of retail shops and restaurants.
History: The uShaka Marine Park first opened its doors in April of 2004. Designed by the American firm of Creative Kingdom Incorporated, the park was the first phase in the development of Durban Point, a multi-billion dollar waterfront development that includes the theme park, residential and commercial areas. In 2005, the 40-acre park won an Outstanding Achievement award from the Themed Entertainment Association for the park’s creative design. The park’s 4.6 million gallons of aquarium exhibits make it the largest aquarium in Africa. Close to 1 million visitors enjoy the exhibits each year.
Ongoing Programs and Education: Ongoing shows and entertainment at the park includes the Dolphin Shows and Seal Shows at uShaka’s Sea World. Two daily Dolphin Show presentations let guests view the park’s 10 dolphins, including Gambit, who has performed at the aquarium since 1976, and is believed to be the world’s largest bottlenose dolphin in captivity.
Events at the park are both entertaining and educational. Educational events include the release of recently rehabilitated animals. The park’s rehabilitation center recently released several Sting Ray pups born at the aquarium, and a rehabilitated grouper. Five week educational programs on marine ecology offer an in-depth study of ocean life. Entertainment events include themed holiday parties at the Village Walk, and adults-only poolside parties at Wet ‘N Wild, which feature DJ’s and live entertainment. The annual Mr. and Ms. uShaka event is a popular beauty pageant held at the park each October. Promotional events are ongoing and include discounted admission days for grandparents and children.
Several venues throughout the park are available for private corporate events, weddings and parties. Packages for children’s birthday parties are available at Kid’s World, Wet ‘N Wild or the Sea World area.
1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban, 4001, South Africa, Phone: +27-03-13-28-80-00
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