13 Dec The Treasures Of South Africa
Spending 29 years of our lives living in beautiful South Africa (before leaving on our RTW travels) we have to say that it’s a country filled with treasures (and we’re not just talking about the ample gold and diamonds that initially gained South Africa popularity). It is, however, often overlooked when it comes to travel amongst other African countries, as one has to travel so much further if you are coming from the States or Europe. It’s tough to sum up the whole of South Africa in a single blog post, as it has so much to offer, and is a rich melting pot of cultures, but spending the last two years of lockdown here, we thought it would be a great idea to round up some of the best things to see in what is known as ‘The Cradle of Humankind’ and ‘The Rainbow Nation’.
The Drakensberg & Tugela Falls
As a youngster, my family and I went to the “Berg” almost every year. Just about a five hour drive from Johannesburg, The Drakensberg (meaning “Dragon’s Mountains” due to the sharp and almost mythical structure of the peaks), offers the avid hiker and nature-lover so much. It also boasts the world’s highest waterfall, the Tugela Falls. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, make sure to hike up to the falls and see them from above! It’s definitely worth the trek.
The Wild Coast & Coffee Bay
The Wild Coast has some of the most pristine ocean biodiversity in the world. Situated along the South Eastern part of the country, it has many places to explore including Coffee Bay – a haven for backpackers and home to the unique Hole-In-The-Wall island. The area is also home to some of the oldest rock art in Africa, so make sure to take a walk along the beach and check out the ancient carvings.
Cango Caves
The Cango Caves are a series of limestone caves located in the Western Cape, and they’re home to some of the most beautiful rock formations you’ll ever see. The tour lasts about 60 minutes, but is well worth it if you like walking through underground caverns formed thousands of years ago!
Boulders Beach
Cape Town, as I’m sure you know already, is a place not to be missed if you visit South Africa. We love it so much, we’ve written a whole post about it. One of the MUST-see spots though, is Boulders Beach, where hundreds of African Penguins can be found. Situated in Simons Town, you can access a boardwalk to see their nesting holes, as well as a beach with crystal-clear waters, and white sand where you might just bump into a paddling penguin.
Panorama Route & Blyde River Canyon
Situated in Mpumalanga, this is the largest green canyon in the world, and has some incredible panoramic views of the Blyde River below. One of the reasons it’s so popular – other than the stunning views, of course – is that it is so easily accessible by foot. The area around the canyon is littered with waterfalls and other stunning views as well, so it’s well worth the drive from Johannesburg…and if you are in the area, you might as well carry on to the Kruger National Park.
The Kruger National Park
With over 2 million hectares of wild untouched nature reserve, the Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Arguably the most popular tourist destination in South Africa, it can be daunting to visit, but if you plan to go during the less-popular rainy season (February-March) you will enjoy more of what the park has to offer Most of the tourists only visit the southern region, but one can be rewarded by venturing up north to the quieter parts of the park, like the Pafuri region. There is so much to discuss when it comes to the Kruger Park so we will have to release a comprehensive post on it soon.
The Waterberg & Welgevonden Game Reserve
Not far from Johannesburg are the Waterberg mountains of the Limpopo province. Aptly named the Waterberg, this stunning region has an abundance of water sources which form part of a vital biodiversity for many animals and rare birds. If you don’t have time to visit the Kruger National Park, and you still want to see the Big Five, Welgevonden Game Reserve is a great option – especially if you want to spoil yourself and stay at one of the luxury lodges situated inside the park.
Namaqualand
Every year during September and October, the Namaqualand region in the Northern Cape of South Africa explodes with millions of flowers. Plan to visit the town of Nieuwoudtville and, of course, the Namaqua National Park, for the best flower sightings. The dry region also has the largest Quiver Tree forest in Southern Africa. These unique aloe trees are slow growing and beautiful to photograph, so make sure to check them out as well.
The Cederberg
Just a few hours north of Cape Town, the Cederberg region is a hiker’s and rock-‘climbers sanctuary. Dotted with fascinating twisted and unusual rock formations, it’s an amazing spot for photographers. There are so many great locations to see in the Cederberg, but one not to miss is the Wolfberg Arch.
Valley Of Desolation
Situated in the Camdeboo National Park, the Vally Of Desolation is an unbelievable viewpoint with sharp rock formations, hundred metre drops, and a view as far as the eye can see. Make sure to head up for sunset, but just make it down in time before the park gates close. The charming town of Graaff-Reinet is also a short drive away, and is home to one of the most picturesque churches in the country.
Franschhoek & Stellenbosch
A lot of you may have tasted some of South Africa’s wine, and if you liked it, you won’t want to skip the wine regions of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. There are as many wine farms to visit as there are minutes in the day, so come thirsty. Some of our favourites are Spier, Holden Manz, and Babylonstoren.
Bo-Kaap
Undoubtably the most colourful part of the country. Bo-Kaap’s houses are an icon of the Cape Malay culture. The area is home to the largest collection of pre-1850 houses in the country, and is the oldest surviving residential neighbourhood in South Africa. The streets are undulating and some of the roads are cobbled, so remember to wear comfortable sneakers and possibly denim shorts when visiting in Summer.
We could go on and on with our suggestions of what to do in South Africa, but we’ll stop there for now. If you think we missed some must-see spots, drop them in the comments below.
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