Tourist Places To Visit In South Africa

Located along the southern rims of the African continent, South Africa is a country equipped with innumerable tourist places to wander into. Mother Nature has carved out incredible vistas all over South Africa, all of which attract tourists from different parts of the globe. This country is one of the leading fabricators of gold and also attracts several visitors on account of its wine-making prowess.

Blessed with some beautiful cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Stellenbosch and Pretoria, South Africa lures in tourists from all parts of the globe. In addition, some other cities such as Hermanus and Garden Route also act as hotspots for tourism. Visitors can learn more about South Africa’s rich history by visiting a museum or meeting the people of an ancient town. Other options involve visiting beautiful beaches, mountain areas, and some of the splendid natural reserves in the country. Let us have a look at some of these stunning tourist spots that lie within South Africa.

Cape Town lies on South Africa’s southwestern shoreline, forming the foreland just in front of the Table Mountain. Tourists often get aboard cable cars that climb to the top of Table Mountain, providing a perfect view of the beautiful landscapes from above. Cape Town also houses the infamous penal settlement that was home to their revered leader, Nelson Mandela. The V&A Waterfront is a vibrant hub for shopping and also boasts of great amusement amenities for tourists. The Penguin colony that lies along the Boulders Beach is a must visit. Finally, visitors can cap off their trip with a visit to the tip of the continent, the Cape of Good Hope.

Forming a part of Garden Route, Knysna is another coastal town that adorns the Western Cape province of South Africa. The city is studded with refreshing beaches such as Buffalo Bay, Brenton-on-Sea, and Sedgefield. Adventurers can embark on a variety of water escapades, including kayaking, cruising through the Knysna lagoon on a ferry, or riding through the waters on an inflatable boat. The forests of Eden are perfect picnic sites for families to unwind. Tourists can also visit the Old Gaol Museum to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of Knysna. Visitors can finally stop by at Mitchell’s Brewery to indulge in some fine wine tasting.

Johannesburg is an enormous city situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The city specialises in gold mining, renowned all over the world. The Mandela House Museum in Johannesburg once formed the coveted household of Nelson Mandela’s family. This city is studded with Soweto museums such as Apartheid Museum, which depict South Africa’s freedom struggle. The Herman Eckstein Park offers tourists boat rides along a lake and also houses the Johannesburg Zoo. The Gold Reef City theme park fuses exciting rides with mining antiquity and a tour down under.

Situated within the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, Durban is renowned for its Indian, African and colonial imprints. uShaka Marine World that lies along the Seafront Promenade is a water theme park that also houses an aquarium, drawing hordes of tourists regularly. The Golden Mile seafront is a famous site for those tourists who love partaking in water sports. Some of the splendid surfing bays that grace the coast of Durban include Cave Rock, which lies on Brighton Beach, and a few spots for starters on Addington beach. The Campbell Collections museum showcases African artwork that provides a gist of Durban’s cultural diversity.

The capital city of South Africa, Pretoria is nestled within the Gauteng Province. The city came to be called Jacaranda City owing to its abundant plantations of jacaranda trees. The Church Square holds significant historical significance, with the neo-Renaissance Ou Raadsaal and the Palace of Justice building situated in the vicinity. The Kruger House once formed the residence of Paul Kruger, who was the President of the Transvaal during the 19^th century. The spacious National Zoological Gardens nurture exotic species such as the Komodo dragons. In addition, tourists also visit Groenkloof Nature Reserve to get a glimpse of the blue wildebeest on one of their game safaris.

Stellenbosch is located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The city is popular for its luscious grapevine plantations, which are part of the Cape Winelands. The Stellenbosch Wine Route is renowned all over the globe for its wine-making prowess. Stellenbosch also boasts of two rejuvenating national parks, Simonsberg and Jonkershoek, along with its mountainous terrain. The city area is filled with several art museums and refreshing cafes that tourists can choose to unwind at. Tourists can visit the Cape Dutch architecture gallery to catch a glimpse of South Africa's colonial era during Dutch reign.

Garden Route is a gorgeous city that adorns the southern shoreline of South Africa, popular throughout the globe for its serene landscapes. The eminent mountain ranges of Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua are popular sites for hiking expeditions. Sanctuaries such as the Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary and the Robberg Nature Reserve showcase the diverse wildlife population that Garden Route is blessed with. The Monkeyland reserve situated in Plettenberg Bay organises walking safaris through its forests. The unique factor here is that the walk continues along a rope bridge that stretches to about 128 m. Eden Bird Sanctuary in the vicinity holds exciting bird-watching prospects for bird watchers.

Hermanus is a coastal city that lies in the Western Cape province of South Africa. This city is popular all over the globe for the whale-watching activities that it organises. A proud host of the annual Whale Festival, this city houses exotic whale species such as Bryde Whales, Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales. Beaches such as Grotto Beach and Voëlklip Beach offer great relaxing stays for tourists. The Fernkloof Nature Reserve harbours some interesting wildlife within its vicinity, such as long-tailed Cape sugarbirds. With more than 70 wineries in the city, tourists can sip on some of the finest wine while on their trip to Hermanus.