Known for its gorgeous weather, amazing beaches, vast wildlife, delicious wine and food, South Africa is a country that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Whether you’re a foodie, an outdoors person, someone who craves thrill and adventures or someone looking for luxurious relaxation, this country has it all.
And while we highly recommend exploring every nook and cranny of this beautiful country, it may seem an impossible feat in a single visit. And so to ease your travel, we’ve listed the top 5 places you NEED to visit in South Africa.
Johannesburg
The financial capital of the country, also known as the ‘City of Gold’, Johannesburg is a must-visit city – part of every South Africa tour. Home to some of the finest restaurants and the best hotels, Johannesburg is the place to be if you want to live in the lap of Luxury.
The major attractions here are the Apartheid Museum – a detailed portrayal of the apartheid story through photos, artefacts, newspaper clippings, chilling personal accounts, and film footage and Gold Reef City which houses various theme parks, exhibits and the Crown Mines, one of the richest gold-mines in the world. There’s also a Lion Safari Park, Nelson Mandela’s house and the Cradle of Humankind to visit in this place rich with African culture and history.
Mabula
Located just two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Johannesburg is Mabula situated in the Limpopo Province. It has a diverse landscape ranging from grassland plains to rocky outcrops which creates an ideal habitat for all the wild creatures that contribute to a magical wildlife experience you’ll never forget.
This is the prime reason why Mabula is famous across the country for its Wildlife Safaris and Game Drives. Revel in the variety of animal, bird and plant life this area is well known for.
Cango Valley
This beautiful natural valley lies in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
In the heart of the Cango Valley, you’ll find the finest dripstone caves, with their massive halls and towering limestone formations in a variety of colours. These caves are South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction and the first to be protected by environmental legislation.
60 – 90 minute tours are offered to guests, each providing a unique look at mesmerising structures.
George
Blessed with abundant wildlife and scenic beaches, George is one of the best places to visit in South Africa.
The Outeniqua Transport Museum is one of the cool places in Africa that shouldn’t be missed. It is heaven for locomotive enthusiasts as it houses one of the best vintage vehicle collections. There’s also the Montagu Pass, Victoria Bay and Wilderness Beach.
Cape Town
South Africa’s second-largest city ranks among the most beautiful in the world. Packed with beautiful white sand beaches, harbours and scenic mountains, this city isn’t one to pass by. Due to its strategic location, Cape Town has been a melting pot of cultures for various decades. It is dotted with Mosques, Kramats, Churches, Synagogues and Temples, while its architecture is inspired by Dutch and Malay engineering.
The menus offer an exquisite selection of Malay, Dutch, French, Portuguese and African delicacies. One can also find African Penguins here on Boulders Beach. North of Cape Town, one can also visit Robben Island and learn about its unique history.
While safaris and water sports may be the go-to things to do in South Africa, we hope this list made you aware of many more South African tourist attractions. So the next time you plan your South African vacation, pick from carefully curated Aertrip holiday packages or just let Aertrip be of assistance for flight tickets, hotel reservations, visas, and travel insurance to help you make the most of your visit to the rainbow nation.