Sights of South Africa: Top 25

Top 25 attractions in Jaipur, India - beautiful architecture and vibrant culture

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The Republic of South Africa is one of the richest countries on the African continent, a country of contrasts combining primitiveness and modernity. Guides in South Africa present to the guests of the country all the most interesting and beautiful things in this country — stunning beaches, magnificent mountains, deposits of precious stones and metals, wildlife monuments and other unique attractions of South Africa. Millions of tourists know what to see in South Africa, coming here for new experiences, where they are warmly welcomed by locals and modern hotels in South Africa open their doors. Each of the 9 provinces of the republic has a unique landscape, the best sights, nature, interesting places and its own ethnic composition, which attracts a huge number of tourists, educational excursions to South Africa are conducted.

What to see in South Africa first of all

Of course, a trip to South Africa, like any other trip, should be well planned so that it is known in advance, say, what to see in South Africa in 1 day. For this purpose, we recommend reading the rating of the main attractions of the country, worthy of attention. Where to go to South Africa first?

1. Johannesburg

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One of the districts of the city of Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the largest settlement in South Africa, where about 4 million people live today. The ethnic composition of the city’s population is diverse, but nevertheless, 73% of the population is black. It is the richest city, providing about a third of the gross product of the republic. Johannesburg owes such achievements mainly to the richest gold deposits located in the surrounding areas. Today, Johannesburg is the business center of South Africa and is divided into a well-maintained north, a center with a lot of attractions, and an unsafe, extreme south.

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2. The Apartheid Museum

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The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg Francisco Anzola

At one time, racial discrimination was a serious political problem in South Africa. The Apartheid Museum is a landmark of South Africa, testifying to these sad milestones in the country’s history up to the 1990s. Today there are 22 halls inside the museum, of which the most unpleasantly impressive is the hall of Political Execution, filled with many gallows loops, testifying to the difficult fate of the anti-apartheid fighters. Other halls feature photos and temporary exhibitions. Externally, the museum building resembles a prison, making a strong contrast against the background of the Gold Reef City theme park located nearby.

Official website: http://www.apartheidmuseum.org

3. Cape Town

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Panorama of Cape Town

Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa, with a population of about 3.5 million. It is located right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, where wildlife peacefully coexists with ultramodern shopping malls and Dutch mansions. The oldest building in the city, as in the whole of South Africa, is the Fortress of Good Hope — it was around it that the city began to be built. In 1936, a museum was organized in the fortress, which is in demand among tourists today. In addition to the museum, it is worth visiting the South African National Gallery, which exhibits works by French and Dutch masters.

Official website: https://www.capetown.gov.za

4. Victoria and Alfred Embankment

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Victoria and Alfred Embankment from a bird’s eye view

Today, this embankment is one of the most popular attractions of South Africa in Cape Town. The old port was restored and landscaped in the early 1990s, and since then a whole tourist complex has been organized on this territory. Today, the embankment is a lively place with an abundance of restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues. Various performances are organized right along the embankment, live music and African drums are playing. And ancient historical buildings side by side with the most modern shopping and entertainment centers and other structures, externally designed in the same “antique” style.

Official website: https://www.waterfront.co.za

5. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

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A small section of the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

It turns out that one of the largest botanical gardens in the world is located in South Africa — this is Kirstenbosch, and we can safely say that this attraction is definitely worth seeing in South Africa. A rich world of extraordinary flora and fauna is located at the foot of Table Mountain. The history of the botanical garden began in the 15th century, when the first conquerors of these lands decided to settle here. After that, the lands survived many owners, when in the 19th century they were acquired by Cecil Rhodes, who became the founder of the botanical garden. Today, there are about 7 thousand species of plants alone, as well as a well-developed infrastructure, there are cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops.

Official website: https://www.sanbi.org

Check out the wonderful views of South Africa in this fascinating video!

6. The Kalahari Desert

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Reddish sand dunes in the Kalahari Desert

There is something to visit in South Africa and among the sultry deserts. The Kalahari is located in the depression of the same name with an area of about 600 square kilometers, which, in addition to South Africa, covers the territories of the states of Botswana and Namibia. The Kalahari has a particularly hot arid climate with a maximum average daily temperature of +40 °C. The presence of iron oxides in the Kalahari sands gives the desert landscapes incredibly beautiful pink, brown, red, brown and orange shades. The Okavango River flows through the desert, in the delta of which most of the desert fauna lives – giraffes, gazelles, zebras, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, as well as many rodents and birds.

7. Kruger National Park

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Elephant in Kruger National Park

Kruger Park is one of the key attractions of South Africa, as it is one of the largest nature reserves in the world. The vastness of its territories defies description – about 20 thousand square kilometers located in the northeastern part of South Africa. The park is crossed by many roads that are attractive for tourism – from here you can observe representatives of various flora and fauna. Among the large animals are leopards, lions, hippos, elephants, buffaloes and antelopes. Everyone can choose different ways to explore the world of the park – in a rented SUV, with overnight stops at campsites, as well as a lot of other options.

Official website: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/

8. Tsitshikamma Marine National Park

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Suspension bridge over the mouth of the Storm River in Tsitshikamma National Park

There is a lot to see in South Africa and among other national parks – for example, Tsitshikamma is unique in that it is the first marine national park on the mainland. It is an 80-kilometer strip of beautiful coastline with stormy rivers, ravines, bays, waterfalls, relict forests and a variety of animals. It is also the largest tourism center, where excellent opportunities for diving, rafting on stormy rivers, rock climbing, rope descents over gorges, hiking tours and other outdoor activities are created.

Official website: https://www.tsitsikamma.info

9. Pilanesberg National Park

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Landscape in Pilanesberg National Park

About 2 hours drive from Johannesburg, right in the crater of a former volcano, there is another natural attraction of South Africa – the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. The uniqueness of this park is that more than 1 million years ago there was an active volcano here, today it is reminded of the rings of hills radiating from the crater. Today, several dozen large mammals, more than three hundred species of birds and more than 60 species of amphibians have found their home on the site of the former natural element. Today, the park has many picnic areas, as well as observation decks and hiking trails.

Official website: https://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za

10. Dragon Mountains

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The natural beauty of the Dragon Mountains

The Dragon Mountains are the highest mountain range in South Africa, which has become a favorite hiking destination among lovers of mountain beauty. It is not surprising, because this place can be called one of the most beautiful places on the whole earth: a mountain range consisting entirely of basalt stretches for a distance of about a thousand kilometers. The western and eastern slopes of the mountain range have different climates: if drought prevails in the west, then a large amount of precipitation falls over the eastern slopes. Every year, more than 2 million tourists visit these regions, equipping themselves with tents or staying in hotels provided for recreation.

11. Table Mountain

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Table Mountain and Cape Town Harbor

The recognizable landmark of South Africa and the hallmark of the republic is Table Mountain. It towers over Cape Town, is its symbol and is depicted on the flag of the city. The height of the mountain is 1,087 km, and its top is a gentle plateau surrounded by rocks, which is often shrouded in fog. Table Mountain National Park, on the territory of which the mountain itself is located, was recently recognized as one of the 7 new wonders of the world. Tourists flock here to admire the extraordinary local landscapes.

12. Lions Head Rock

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Stunning views of Cape Town from the top of Lions Head Cliff

Translated from English, the name of the Lions Head rock literally sounds like “lion’s head”. The fact is that, together with the nearby Signal Hill hill, the rock forms a figure somewhat resembling the figure of a lion. This small rock rises 670 meters above the sea, and an excellent view opens from the observation deck organized on its top. That is why the rock has become a favorite place for visitors who want to take photos against the backdrop of the panoramas of Cape Town and the excellent African sunset, as well as for paragliders flying from here.

13. Kimberlite pipe “Big hole”

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Kimberlite pipe “Big hole” filled with water

The town of Kimberley in South Africa is known for a kimberlite pipe called the “Big Hole”, which is a depleted diamond deposit. This gemstone mining site is recognized as the world’s largest manually developed quarry – for about 40 years, about 50 thousand workers worked at the mine, extracting earth from the quarry with simple shovels, picks and crowbars. Over the years, about 22 tons of earth and about 2.7 tons of precious stone have been extracted, which in terms of 14.5 million carats.

14. Blyde River Canyon

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The canyon of the Blyde River is covered with lush subtropical vegetation

The Blyde River Canyon, which is part of the Dragon Mountains, is a unique nature reserve. It was formed as a result of the carving of a deep gorge by the waters of the Blyde River in the rock. The depth of the gorge reaches 1.4 km, and the length is about 25 km. Unlike other canyons, the Blyde River has a rich vegetation and wildlife. A remarkable place in the canyon is the Three Sisters mountain range, consisting of three round-shaped twin rocks. Another interesting place is the observation deck “Window of God”, which offers a beautiful panorama of the mountains of the Kruger National Park.

15. The Cradle of Humanity

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The building of the information center “Cradle of Humanity” flowcomm

The Cradle of Humanity is an archaeological site consisting of limestone caves with a total area of almost 500 square kilometers. In total, there are about 3 dozen caves here, each of which is of great historical value – it is assumed that the first African tribes originated here. So, during the excavations in the caves, the remains of human ancestors – Australopithecines, dating back 2 million years BC, as well as fragments of various tools used by ancient man, were found.

Official website: https://www.gauteng.net

16. The Road of Gardens (Garden Route)

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Oceanfront view from the Gardens Road

Garden Route National Park is a popular attraction in South Africa among wildlife enthusiasts. The 200 km long Road of Gardens leads along the most picturesque South African coast and is distinguished by the beauty and diversity of local landscapes: along the way there are mountain peaks, azure beaches, quiet coves, dense forests, and mountain rivers. Garden Route offers a huge range of opportunities for relaxing in the bosom of nature – for example, here you can go fishing, diving or mountaineering.

17. Cape of Good Hope

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The beach and observation deck at the Cape of Good Hope

The Cape of Good Hope is the famous southern tip of the African continent, which has its own unique history. To open the way to India across the ocean, starting from the 15th century, navigators sailed many times, repeatedly crashed and failed, but continued their search. The cause of the wrecks was the natural element — the waters of two oceans, the Indian and Atlantic, collide precisely at the place of the southernmost tip of the continent, forming frequent storms. The weather on the cape is inhospitable, strong winds are constantly blowing here, but nevertheless, streams of tourists invariably rush here to see the legendary place with their own eyes.

18. Kango Caves

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Tourists in the “Organ Hall” formed by stalactites

The Kango caves are several grottoes with a total length of about 4 km. The age of the caves, which is about 20 million years old, is especially striking. There are many very narrow passages and difficult sections, which are very difficult to overcome. Inside, visitors can see a real magical land — a complex of halls decorated with natural limestone formations. Coupled with the good lighting, it all looks truly fabulous. Some halls are striking in their size: the height of some reaches 30 meters, the length is 100 meters, and the largest stalagmite has a length of 9.5 meters.

Official website: https://www.cango-caves.co.za

19. Franschhoek Wine Farms

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Franschhoek Grape plantations and wineries

It is worth noting that South Africa ranks 3rd in the world in terms of wine supplies to the world market. And one of the best local wines is produced on the farms of the village of Franschhoek. This place is in great demand among wine connoisseurs — grapes grow here in sandy soils, and ideal natural conditions allow it to acquire an unsurpassed taste. Up to 8 thousand tons of wonderful wine are delivered annually from the farms of Franschhoek. There are a number of wineries operating here, which have their own centuries-old traditions of wine production, dating back to the 17th century.

20. Robben Island

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View of Robben Island and Cape Town from the mountain

Robben Island is located 12 km from Cape Town, which is an open-air prison museum. For 400 years, this island has been a place of imprisonment — since the 17th century, madmen and leprosy patients, political and social outcasts of society were exiled here, and in the 20th century, the famous fighter for the rights of blacks, Nelson Mandela, spent 18 years in prison here. Today, the prison is a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is now a museum on the territory of the former prison, where the conditions of the prisoners’ stay are clearly demonstrated.

Sights of South Africa: what else to visit in South Africa

Every attraction in South Africa is worthy of attention, and even after traveling to the main interesting places that form the first impression of the country, there is always something to see in South Africa besides this. To do this, we offer a review based on positive reviews from tourists and including recommendations on other equally interesting attractions.

21. The resort town of Sun City

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The fabulous city of the Sun among the rainforests

What to visit in South Africa for a comfortable stay and entertainment? In the north-eastern part of the republic, in the very center of the dormant volcano, there is today an entertainment tourist complex with all the possibilities for a good rest. Its territory is 150 square meters.The km is occupied by comfortable hotels, tropical gardens with a rich collection of flora and fauna, an artificial lagoon, as well as various casinos and restaurants. The recreational opportunities here are incredibly diverse — from gambling and SPA treatments, to active water skiing, golf and windsurfing.

22. Augrabis Waterfall

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The streams of the Augrabis waterfall, directed into a rocky gorge

Augrabis can rightfully be called one of the wonders of nature: from high cliffs, the strongest water flow at a speed of about 1000 cubic meters per second plunges into the abyss. It is not so easy to admire the waterfall with your own eyes: This place is surrounded by the sands of the Kalahari Desert. The Orange River, originating among the Dragon Mountains, merges with the Vaal River along the way, first splits into many streams, the main of which falls into a narrow stone gap and falls down on the granite foot. The magnificent sight is complemented by a rainbow sparkling in the water spray with the appearance of the sun.

23. Tugela Waterfall

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The flowing narrow ribbon of Tugela Waterfall from the cliff of the Dragon Mountains

Surprisingly, on the hottest and driest African continent, there is something to see in South Africa among the waterfalls — for example, one of the world’s highest waterfalls Tugela, located in the Natal National Park. This waterfall is cascading, and its waters, falling down, pass through five ledges. There are two ways to get to the waterfall. The extreme path to the top leads from a nearby parking lot and at the last segment ends with high suspended stairs, while another path about 8 km long leads through the forest of the national park and a suspension bridge.

Official website: https://www.nature-reserve.co.za

24. Boulders Beach

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Boulders Beach – the famous penguin Beach

Boulders Beach, which has become home to thousands of penguins that have been living here for about 30 years, is located on the territory of Table Mountain National Park. I must say, penguins get along peacefully with numerous tourists who just come here to look at these charming inhabitants of the beach. In addition to penguins, Boulders is famous for its magnificent natural landscapes and views of the sea. Another notable feature is the huge stone boulders that protect the beach from strong winds and sea waves.

25. Golden Mile Beach

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Golden Mile Beach – the coastline in Durban

One of the popular attractions of South Africa in the Durban area is the Golden Mile Beach, which is a wide edge of golden sands near the sea coast, where you can enjoy the mild subtropical sun and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. On the northern tip of the beach there is a casino “Sunny Beach” for all fans of gambling. It so happens that during the holiday season, various bright events are constantly held on the beach.

Dense subtropical forests, warm coasts, savannas, sultry deserts and snow caps of high mountains — the friendly state of South Africa is ready to share all these riches. Hospitable residents of all skin colors and faiths inhabit the republic, and it is not for nothing that the protea flower has become the symbol of South Africa, whose name comes from the name of a deity capable of taking the form of thousands of living beings. Read also about the best sights of Tunisia and get inspired for your further journey through Africa!

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