Located at the southern tip of the continent, South Africa is a beautiful country, known for its diverse geography, including plains, mountains, and coastline. From hiking up Table Mountain in Cape Town, to tracking rhinos on foot in the vast private reserves scattered throughout the country, this charming country delivers unforgettable experiences. In this post, I’ll share top three reasons to visit South Africa with activities that should definitely be on your bucket list, once you have decided to explore this African gem.
1 Tick off the Big Five on a World-Class Wildlife Safari
South Africa is a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering some of the best safari experiences in the world. On the bucket list of many travelers in this part of the world is spotting some of the most iconic creatures, known as the Big Five: lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and rhinos. In addition to the Kruger National Park, there are numerous private game reserves and parks where visitors can embark on thrilling game drives and guided walks to observe a wide variety of animals. Check out my post about Safari in South Africa to see which option would be best for your budget.
2. Nature lovers’ heaven
With almost 3,000 km of coastline, you’ll never be short of options when looking for a world-class beach in this part of the world. If your idea of a dream beach day is taking a dip in the ocean, or trying out a new watersport, head to the eastern coast. The waters of the Indian Ocean are slightly warmer than those found in the Atlantic.
On the other hand, South Africa also offers a diverse range of landscapes from lush forests and coastal paths to mountainous terrains. From the world-famous Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town, to The Drakensberg, a stunning mountain range in eastern South Africa, you can decide to take the easy paths or the challenging multi-day hikes. I was also impressed with Blyde River Canyon, which you can easily include in your itinerary if you are heading to Kruger National Park.
3. World class wine and cuisine
Tippicaly, I don’t recommend visiting a country just for food. Unless when it comes to Italy or South Africa. Whether in a simple cafe in Johannesburg, a bustling marketplace in Cape Town or in a luxury Vuyani safari resort, eating in South Africa has always been a mouthwatering experience. You can also take a tour and explore the Cape Winelands, or the vineyards in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. In addition, Cape Town is one of the prettiest cities in the world, so just exploring this small part of the country is a good enough reason to visit South Africa.
All these unforgettable experiences, including observing the penguins in the southernmost part of the Cape Penninsula, are the reasons to visit South Africa sooner or later. If visiting this beautiful nation is on your travel bucket list, make sure you carefully plan your time to ensure you tick everything off your itinerary. I envy you already! 😉
