Destination South Africa, Africa

South Africa - Basic Facts

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland); and it surrounds the enclaved country of Lesotho. South Africa is the largest country in Southern Africa and the 25th-largest country in the world by land area and, with over 57 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Bantu ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages, nine of which have official status. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European, Asian (Indian), and multiracial (Coloured) ancestry.

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More About South Africa

Located on the southernmost tip of Africa, South Africa is one of the largest countries on the continent and the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town have become popular tourist destinations for travelers from around the world. However, there are many other places in South Africa to visit than just the two biggest cities. The capital city of Cape Town may sit next to the furthermost reaches of the world, but it continues to be a leading example of art, culture, and fashion. Wine lovers and foodies can take their time visiting idyllic destinations like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, where the bold and exotic vintages are produced or take a Big 5 safari experience in the Kruger National Park in the Greater Kruger Area.

Experience the fast-paced energy of Johannesburg and then move on to the beaches, bushveld, and historic battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal. Or simply top off a relaxing seaside holiday on the gorgeous Garden Route with a malaria-free safari in the Eastern Cape. Whether you like it mellow or wild, a South African safari holiday guarantees you the ideal African experience you’ve always wanted. South Africa presents the perfect destination for a ‘combination holiday’ where you get to experience Africa’s Big 5 (lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) on a safari in the Kruger National Park, marvel at the grandeur of mighty Table Mountain in Cape Town, work on your tan on a tranquil beach getaway along the gorgeous Garden Route and indulge your inner foodie at the award-winning wineries and restaurants of the Cape Winelands! Here is our pick of the most popular destinations in South Africa;

Kruger National Park (Limpopo / Mpumalanga)

The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve on the continent and one the main tourist attractions in South Africa. Kruger National Park is the best-known places to visit in South Africa. If you want the best wildlife safari experience in South Africa, then Kruger NP is definitely the place to be. It covers an area of 19,485 km2 (7,523 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west. The park boasts more species of mammals than any other African game reserve which includes the Big Five, cheetahs, giraffes and more. Unlike most other safari parks, Kruger is a self-drive destination with an excellent infrastructure and many places to stay inside the park, from tented camps to luxury lodges.

Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, Near Durban

Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, formerly Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve, is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. It consists of 960 km² (96,000 ha) of hilly topography 280 kilometres (170 mi) north of Durban in central KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts.[2] The park is the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal where each of the big five game animals can be found. This park is not as well known as Kruger and the other National Parks mentioned above, but it’s just as beautiful and offers amazing wildlife viewing. Africa’s Big 5 live here and, of course, many other animals.

Pilanesberg National Park, Near Johannesburg

Among Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible. Just over 2 hours drive from Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park is probably one of the easiest and best-accessible places for a wildlife safari in South Africa. Situated in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, this vast area promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria free environment. A wide variety of accommodation is available to suit your needs. You can visit Pilanesberg National Park as a day trip from Johannesburg, but if you have some time to spare, stay a few days.

Addo Elephant National Park, Port Elizabeth close to Garden Route

Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is one of the country's 20 national parks. It currently ranks third in size after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Addo Elephant National Park is one of the very best places to do that. South Africa’s third-largest National Park is located in the southern part of the country, close to Port Elizabeth and just a few hours drive from the Garden Route. This park is home to over 600 elephants and they are all around. Many other African animals live here as well and if you are really lucky, you may even get to spot The Big 5.

Namaqua National Park & Namaqualand

Namaqualand and Namaqua National Park, close to the Namibian border, are so far from all the other tourist attractions in South Africa that you’ll hardly ever see it mentioned as one of the best places to visit in the country. It’s actually more of a hidden gem of South Africa. Come spring and the dusty valleys are transformed into a magical wildflower wonderland. The whole area is covered in colorful flower carpet, attracting local visitors and international tourists alike. For more information regarding South African Wildlife Safari, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.

Cape Town & Table Mountain

If there is one place you absolutely have to see in South Africa, it’s Cape Town. It was the oldest European establishment in South Africa (1652) and is therefore often referred to as the Mother City. Together with Cape Peninsula, Cape Town is one of the most impressive regions of South Africa. The absolute highlights of Cape Peninsula include Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point and the stunning 12 Apostles coastline from Camps Bay to Hout Bay and further south along the Chapman’s Peak Drive. Do not forget to make an excursion to the Table Montains - reaching the pinnacle of the Table Mountain is an thrilling experience that offers phenomenal, birds-eye views overlooking the city of Cape Town, Robben Island to the north, and the Atlantic seaboard to the west and south.

City or Johannesburg

The largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg’s history goes back to the 19th century. It’s hard to believe that this bustling city started as a gold-mining settlement. If you want to learn about South Africa’s long part to democracy, then don’t miss Soweto township that was once home to Nelson Mandela and also Desmond Tutu. Must-see in Johannesburg is the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, a former prison complex. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and tens of thousands of others were imprisoned here at some point in South Africa’s turbulent history.

Durban City - KwaZulu Natal

Durban is considered one of the cities that you should see in South Africa. Just in case you wonder, Duban is a whole other story, one city you have to see. Nevertheless, if you are traveling in this area, you shouldn’t miss Durban. One of the best things to do here is go to the beach and stroll the Golden Mile, visit UShaka Marine World or Durban Botanic Gardens. Durban is also a good base for a day trip to the earlier mentioned Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park and Isimangaliso Wetland Park, and also to the Drakensberg mountains. Durban beaches are lively areas that are remarkably clean and safe, and many of the beaches offer varietal entertainments throughout the day. Also known as the Golden Mile, there are expansive stretches of soft, golden sands and subtropical sunshine along Durban’s South and North Coast beaches.

Victoria and Alfred (V & A) Waterfront

As one of Cape Town’s largest tourist attractions and most visited destinations, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront invokes images of the earliest days of the harbor. Situated within an entertainment mecca filled with restaurants, specialty shops, pubs, and theaters, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Beyond amusements, there are also some attractions including the infamous Clock Tower, Chavonnes Battery, the South African Maritime Museum and the coastal Seal Landing where Cape Fur Seals reside.

Sun City near Johannesburg

Known regionally as Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure, Sun City Resort is a luxury casino and resort, situated about two hours’ drive from Johannesburg. The complex contains four hotels, two championship golf courses, two casinos, an atmospheric South African cultural village and more than 7000 crocodiles within a sanctuary. The adjacent Pilanesberg Game Reserve is one of the most popular public Game Reserve in South Africa. For more information regarding travel, hotel bookings and car hire in South African Cities, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist attractions and is generally thought to stretch from Mossel Bay to St Francis along the Indian ocean and also includes parts of the inland. The Garden Route is arguably one of the most scenic routes in the world. A trove of indigenous canopied forests, mountains, rivers, tranquil lakes and golden beaches grace this extensive South Africa region. One of the Garden Route’s best known travel destinations, Knysna is situated between lush forests and the shores of a peaceful lagoon. Extensive opportunities for outdoor adventure are easily accessible in Knysna, as well as plenty of leisurely strolling paths filled with authentic dining and shopping venues. Visiting the heads – two cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon – is a must, and each one offers spectacular views of the adjacent colorful cliffs and the brilliant lagoon where seasonal whale watching is top-notch.

South Africa has become world-famous for its wines and the best region to see the wineries and taste some wines is a beautiful area between Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek. It’s just a short drive from Cape Town and is therefore really easy to visit, even if you only have limited time in South Africa. The fertile valleys of the Cape Winelands are surrounded by majestic mountains, sleepy villages, brilliant monuments, fruitful orchards and some of the lushest scenery in South Africa. Visitors can follow the Wine Routes of the Cape to visit the vineyards of the country’s finest winemakers, whose sherries, ports, brandies and intriguing whites and reds are world famous for their delicate flavors and savory palatability.

Blyde River Canyon is the second largest canyon in Africa, after the Fish River Canyon, although it is much greener due to its lush subtropical foliage. Walking treks through the rich diversity of flora and fauna filled canyon offer views of magnificent escarpments, waterfalls and ancient geological phenomenon. Visitors have the opportunity to encounter all five of South Africa’s primates here, as well as hippos and crocodiles near the wetlands of Swadini Dam. Due to its proximity to several main entrances of Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and the whole Panorama Route make a very popular day trip in the area.

Hermanus town boasts the best land-based whale watching opportunities in the world. Located 120 kilometers southeast of Cape Town, the seaside town of Hermanus has earned itself a reputation as the whale-watching capital of South Africa. The best time to visit this town for whale-watching is between July and November and it is undoubtedly the most established town on the route. A varied number of dolphin species along with cape fur seals and penguins also populate the area and can be spotted. The town’s two whale festivals in August and September bring a welcome buzz and atmosphere to this otherwise sleepy seaside retreat. Hermanus’ Whale Crier alerts visitors to any whale activity off its shores with just a few blows from his kelp horn. It sure is one of the best places to go whale – and dolphin-watching in the world. Hermanus is also a perfect base for those wanting to explore nearby attractions and towns such as Gansbaai and Stanford.

The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising to 3,482 meters (11,420 ft) in height. The name is derived from the dutch and means “dragons mountain”. Drakensberg mountains region is known for its incredible vistas, countless waterfalls, mountain streams, rock pools, caves, and tranquil scenery pretty much undisturbed by human development. The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa and if you visit here in the winter (July) as we did, be prepared for the freezing cold temperatures at night. The Amphitheatre is one of the geographical features of the Northern Drakensberg, and is widely regarded as one of the most impressive cliff faces on earth.

Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost place in Africa, is so far from every other landmark in South Africa and main tourist routes that it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. But what a beautiful and unique place it is! Standing at this point where two oceans meet you truly feel like you’ve reached the end of the world! It just feel facinating to find yourself on this location.

AfriChoice operates a wide range of carefully designed tours and safaris to South Africa by providing transport and booking a hotel for you. Our safari consultants will always be at your assistance should you need a tailor-made holiday to this unique destination. NB: For more information regarding South Africa, DO NOT hesitate to Contact Us.