Things to do in South Africa - 30 sights and experiences

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What to see and do in South Africa? This exciting and contrasting country offers dramatic landscapes, wildlife and plenty of culture. Find all our top tips here.

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Things to do in South Africa - our top tips

We visited South Africa earlier this year, on a trip that lasted almost two months. We flew to Johannesburg, where we have friends, and started by visiting the Kruger Park with them. Then we drove ourselves across much of the country, finally arriving in Cape Town. An absolutely fantastic trip!

We've already told you a lot, but now it's time to summarise all the experiences, in a report on what to see and do in South Africa.

1. experience safari

Of course, one of the things you don't want to miss doing in South Africa is experiencing safaris. The largest and most famous safari park is the Kruger Park, but if you're not at that end of South Africa, there are also plenty of smaller safari parks and game reserves. Safari in South Africa is a great opportunity to see wild African animals in their natural environment.

2. visit the Kruger Park

If you have the opportunity, visiting the Kruger Park is an experience of a lifetime. This park is the size of the country of Slovenia, and there are many different campsites and lodges. There is plenty of wildlife and you can spend many days driving around looking for lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and other animals.

3. photographing the Big Five

Many people want to see the "Big Five" during their visit to South Africa: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino. These impressive animals can be seen in the Kruger Park, but also in other smaller safari parks.

4. Be fascinated by the Blyde River Canyon 

The Blyde River Canyon is a 26 kilometre long green canyon located in the north-eastern part of South Africa. The canyon is one of the largest in the world and forms part of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Don't miss the Bourke's Luck Potholes, which offer very special rock formations.

5. Discover the big city of Johannesburg

Johannesburg may not be the most charming of cities, but it's a special place to be. The city, sung about in the popular song "Gimme Hope Jo'anna", is at the centre of the story of Apartheid, a period in history that should not be forgotten. Here you can visit museums and join guided tours.

6. Join a guided tour of Soweto

One way to learn more about Apartheid and the history of black people in South Africa is to join a guided tour of Soweto, in Johannesburg. Here you can see the Soweto Towers, Nelson Mandela's house and the Hector Pieterson Museum. Above all, it's interesting to see what everyday life is like for many black South Africans and hear the guide's stories.

7. learn about the origins of humanity

Just outside Johannesburg is the Cradle of Humankind palaeoanthropological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site contains the world's largest concentration of ancestral remains, including a complex system of limestone caves. Fossils of our ancestors dating back 3.5 million years have also been found here.

8. Hiking in the Drakensberg mountains

We travelled in large parts of South Africa, but still did not see everything, as this is a large country. One place we did not have time to visit, but which many people spoke warmly about, is the Drakensberg. These are the highest mountains in South Africa, and here you can both hike and practice mountaineering.

9. Travelling in the footsteps of the Boer War

The Boer War, which was actually two wars in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was triggered by a conflict between the Boers (Dutch farmers) and the British. Gold and diamonds attracted the British to South Africa, and fighting broke out between the two groups. Today there are memorials in various places, including Bethulie, where you'll also find an incredibly charming 'library-style' hotel.

10. Take an excursion to Nieu-Bethesda

Another great place to visit in South Africa is Nieu-Bethesda. This charming little village is secluded in the mountains of the Eastern Cape. The main attraction is "The Owl House", where artist Helen Martins created a magical place. There's also a fossil centre, art galleries and an incredibly charming guesthouse.

11. Sunbathing and swimming on the coast of South Africa

South Africa has long and incredibly beautiful sandy beaches. You can experience the beaches in many different places. Near Cape Town you'll find Camp's Bay, Clifton Beaches and Muizenberg Beach. There are also plenty of great beaches along the Garden Route, and other places along the coast. The water can be a bit cool, but it's still good for swimming.

12. Get the holiday feeling at Jeffreys Bay

Jeffreys Bay is a charming place on the South African coast. Here you can enjoy beautiful beaches, shop in boutiques or sit down in restaurants. Don't miss the Die Walskipper restaurant, where you can sit with your feet in the sand while looking out to sea.

13. Kayaking in Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park is a stunning national park on the coast of South Africa, known for its beautiful suspension bridges. The long Otter Trail hiking trail starts from here. You can also rent a kayak and paddle in the beautiful green surroundings.

14. Travelling along the Garden Route

The Garden Route runs along the South African coast, stretching between Mossel Bay to the west and Storms River to the east. The route is very popular with both domestic and foreign tourists and offers everything from nature experiences and beaches to cosy towns, nice restaurants and interesting sights. A highlight is the charming town of Knysna.

15. Enjoy nature at Robberg Nature Reserve

One thing to do in South Africa, which we can highly recommend, is hiking at Robberg Nature Reserve. This stunning nature reserve is located on a promontory, just outside the town of Plettenberg Bay. Here you can do various long walks, while enjoying the spectacular views.

16. Visit an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn, located in the Little Karoo semi-desert area of the Western Cape, is the most ostrich-dense region in the world and specialises in ostrich farming. Today you can visit various ostrich farms, where you can take a guided tour or buy products made from skins, feathers and eggs.

17. Descend into the Cango Caves

Oudtshoorn is not only known for its ostriches, but also for its mighty stalactite caves. The Cango Caves are a major attraction, where you can join guided tours. During the tours you will learn about the history, while you can check out all the mighty stalagmites and stalagtites. It's interesting!

18. Go on a whale safari in Hermanus

Hermanus is a nice little South African town, with many large villas and a beautiful coastline. Here you can see art, shop and eat in nice restaurants. Hermanus is best known for its fantastic whale watching, which takes place between June and November. We were here in a different season and had to settle for visiting the resort's whale museum.

19. Dipping your toes at the southernmost tip of Africa

Cape Agulhas is a rocky headland in the Western Cape, the southernmost point of Africa. It is also the traditional dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

20. drive along Clarence Drive

Clarence Drive is a stretch of road in South Africa known for its stunningly beautiful views. The road stretches between Rooi-Els and Gordon's Bay. Not far from here you can also visit Betty's Bay, where you can expect a large colony of cute penguins.

21. Wine tasting at vineyards in Stellenbosch

One of the things you don't want to miss doing in South Africa is trying South African wine. You'll find wineries in many different places in the country, but one of the best places for winery visits is Stellenbosch, located just outside Cape Town. There are around 200 wineries in beautiful surroundings, and you can make pleasant vineyard visits with wine tastings, food and perhaps overnight stays.

22. Ride the wine train in Franschhoek

Another great thing to do in South Africa, which is related to wine, is to ride the wine train in Franschhoek. The Franschhoek Wine Trame, which consists of both trains and buses, is an incredibly charming way to travel around between wineries in the region. You simply hop off at a winery, where you taste wine, and when you feel ready, you travel on to the next winery...

23. see penguins in Simon's Town

Simon's Town is a fantastic gem, which you will find in the neighbourhood of Cape Town. Here you can enjoy holiday life and beaches, as well as excursions to great places like Kalk Bay, Muizenberg Beach and Godahoppsudden. To top it all off, you can see penguins up close at Boulders Beach in Table Mountain National Park.

24. Take a selfie at Godahoppsudden

The Cape of Good Hope is Africa's most south-westerly cape, and a popular spot for selfies. While you're there, you can also visit the old lighthouse at Cape Point, which was in use between 1860 and 1919. A nice walkway, with many viewpoints, leads up to the lighthouse.

25. Hang out in beautiful Cape Town

Cape Town really is a great city to discover. You'll want to stroll the V&A Waterfront, which offers a great mix of shops, restaurants, cafés, hotels, museums and activities. You can also explore beaches such as Clifton Beach and Camps Bay, experience cosy markets and take a variety of excursions.

26. learn about Cape Malay culture in Bo-Kaap

Cape Malay culture in South Africa includes an ethnic group with roots in Asia, and with Islam as its religion. The centre of the culture is in the colourful Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town. Here you can photograph the beautiful houses, visit the museum and eat typical Cape Malay food in the area's restaurants.

27. Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain

One of the most famous sights in Cape Town is Table Mountain. Most people choose to go up by cable car, which allows you to get to the top quickly. From the top you have a great view in all directions, and there are also restaurants and bars.

28. visit Robben Island

Robben Island is an island located about 7 kilometres from the South African mainland. The island has served as a prison island for several periods, and many opponents of apartheid have been imprisoned here. Most famously, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here for 27 years. Today, boat trips and guided tours are organised to the island, where you can learn more about its history.

29. Try South African food

Local food is often an important part of travelling. In South Africa, meat often plays a key role and you may want to try biltong (dried meat), droewors (sausages made from air-dried meat), braai (grilled), ostrich meat and various types of game meat. There are also plenty of exotic fruits and exciting restaurants.

30. Dive with caged great white sharks

One thing that is popular to do in South Africa, although it didn't appeal to us, is cage diving with great white sharks. Tours are organised in various places, including Gansbaai.

More suggestions on what to do in South Africa?

Are you curious about Southern Africa? Maybe you even have more suggestions on what to see and do in South Africa? Please leave a comment in the comments section!

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