Top 10 Places to Visit in South Africa

Key Takeaways:

• Table Mountain offers the best panoramic views; hike early to beat crowds.
• Kruger National Park guarantees Big Five sightings on guided safaris.
• Cape Winelands delivers world-class wines just 45 minutes from Cape Town.

Essential Insights Before You Go

Over a decade of exploring South Africa, I’ve learned that timing matters: visit May to September for dry weather ideal for safaris and hikes.

Budget around R200-R500 daily for entries and meals. Book safaris via GetYourGuide and stays on Booking.com for deals. Always carry insect repellent and sunblock.

1. Table Mountain National Park: Summit of South African Splendor

When I first ascended Table Mountain via the cableway on a crisp Cape Town morning, the 360-degree vista stretching from Robben Island to False Bay left me breathless.

This flat-topped icon rises 1,086 meters and draws over 4 million visitors yearly for its fynbos flora and dassie sightings. I recommend the Platteklip Gorge hike, a grueling 2-hour ascent that rewards with solitude away from the crowds.

Pro tip from my visit: Pair with a sunset picnic at Signal Hill nearby. Stay at nearby hotels via Hotels.com.

2. Kruger National Park: Big Five Safari Paradise

Spotting a leopard lounging in a marula tree during a dawn game drive in Kruger redefined wildlife for me. Spanning 19,485 km² across Limpopo and Mpumalanga, this park hosts 1.5 million visitors annually and boasts the highest Big Five density in Africa.

I spent three nights at Skukuza rest camp, where self-drive safaris revealed lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards in their natural habitat.

Guided tours via GetYourGuide; luxury lodges on Agoda.

3. Cape Winelands: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek Vineyards

Sipping Chenin Blanc at Spier Wine Farm while watching cheetahs roam a cheetah outreach enclosure was pure magic.

The Winelands, 50km from Cape Town, produce 80% of South Africa’s wines across 100+ estates. My favorite: a wine-paired bobotie lunch at Delaire Graff, overlooking vine-covered hills.

Day tours: TripAdvisor; stays via Expedia.

4. V&A Waterfront: Cape Town’s Vibrant Harbor Hub

The buzz of street performers and sea views from the Two Oceans Aquarium hooked me instantly. This 123-hectare precinct welcomes 24 million visitors yearly with shopping, dining, and the Zeitz MOCAA art museum.

I caught a sunset cruise spotting seals from the harbor.

5. Garden Route: Wilderness to Tsitsikamma Adventure

Ziplining through the Tsitsikamma canopy and kayaking in Knysna Lagoon defined my Garden Route road trip.

This 300km coastal stretch features bungee jumping at Bloukrans (216m world record) and ostrich farms. I hiked Otter Trail for untouched beaches.

6. Robben Island: History’s Haunting Echoes

Standing in Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell sent chills down my spine. This UNESCO site hosted Mandela for 18 years; ferries run from V&A. Ex-prisoner guides share raw stories.

7. Blyde River Canyon: World’s Third Largest Chasm

God’s Window viewpoint framed misty cliffs that stole my breath. This 26km canyon in Mpumalanga teems with 1,000+ plant species. Drive the Panorama Route for Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

8. Drakensberg Mountains: UNESCO Hiking Haven

Summiting Champagne Castle at dawn, the San rock art below mesmerized me. This 243,000ha range offers Tugela Falls (947m highest worldwide). Tugela hikes demand fitness.

Entry is R300; book via SANParks.

9. Addo Elephant National Park: Elephant Sanctuary

700 elephants roamed thick bush as my 4×4 bounced along. Eastern Cape’s malaria-free park adds lions and whales offshore. Night drives spotlight aardvarks.

10. Cape Point: Africa’s Southwestern Tip

Baboons dashed across the road en route to the old lighthouse at Cape Point. Part of Table Mountain Park, funicular rides overlook where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. Chacma troops add thrill.

Frequently Asked Questions About South Africa Tourism