Top attractions in South Africa

From watching the most savage of beasts to sampling the subtle bouquet of a shiraz wine, the experiences available in South Africa are as vast as the country’s never-ending landscape. Here are our top recommendations of things to see in South Africa.

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Here is our selection of hand-picked top attractions and things to do in South Africa.

1. Cape Town

The Mother City is simply the most rewarding and enjoyable city in sub-Saharan Africa, with a spectacular setting matched by its lively nightlife, restaurant scene and great shopping. 

2. Cradle of Humankind

This Unesco World Heritage Site west of Johannesburg hosts the inspiring Maropeng Visitors Centre and Sterkfontein Caves, where a near-complete 3.5 million-year-old skeleton is the oldest hominid fossil in the region. Read more about the Cradle of Humankind...

Sun City in South Africa. Photo: Shutterstock

3. Sun City/Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The over-the-top Sun City complex borders the altogether more authentic Pilanesberg, home to the Big Five and unusually well-suited to budget DIY visits.

4. uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

This composite park protects southern Africa’s largest and tallest mountain range. Read more about uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Green valley in the Drakensberg. Photo: Shutterstock

5. Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route

The escarpment rising to the west of the Kruger Park is studded with beautiful waterfalls and beauty spots. Read more about Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route...

6. Table Mountain National Park

Highlights of Table Mountain National Park include the rotating cableway to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Point Lighthouse, and the penguins of Boulders.

Whale watching in SA. Photo: Shutterstock

7. Hermanus

This characterful small town east of Cape Town offers the world’s finest land-based whale watching, particularly over August to October. Read more about Hermanus...

8. Cape Winelands

Explore historic Stellenbosch and wine estates such as Vergelegen or Boschendal to enjoy the intoxicating combination of fine food, first-class wine and superb mountain scenery. Read more about the Cape Winelands...

A girl is standing on the suspension bridge in Storms River Mouth. Photo: Shutterstock

9. Storms River Mouth

Crossed by suspension bridge, this is the scenic highlight of the lovely Garden Route National Park. Read more about Storms River Mouth...

10. Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park hosts some of the world’s highest concentrations of lions, elephants, zebra, giraffe, leopards and rhinos.

Giraffes in Kruger National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

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