What's up guys! We're here in South Africa, and in this video,
we're going to show you our top places to visit in the country. Let's hope you enjoy it.
South Africa is a beautiful country, where you can find world-class beaches, idyllic vineyards,
majestic mountains, and savannah teaming with wildlife. But its magic goes far
beyond the landscapes. South Africa's cultural tapestry is woven with history, vibrant cities,
and a warmth that makes you feel instantly welcome. We spent over 2 months exploring
this diverse country, and in this video, we're sharing our top 15 places to visit.
At the end of the video, we'll also share our top travel tips. Now let's dive in!
We are Zac and Ine. We make helpful videos about
destinations around the world so you can easily plan your own adventures.
Nestled in the foothills of the Maloti mountains in South Africa's Free State
Province, Golden Gate Highlands National Park offers dramatic natural scenery. The
most impressive views come when the sandstone cliffs bathe in the golden
hues of sunrise and sunset. It's a beautiful drive through the park.
Located about 200 km or 124 mi north of Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness Area
is in nature paradise. Boasting a landscape sculpted by time, this park is home to amazing
rock formations like the Wolfberg Arch and Maltese Cross. You can explore these
by hiking a network of trails. The Cederberg also boasts an abundance of wildlife as well
as hundreds of sand rock paintings, offering a glimpse into the lives of indigenous people.
Just north of Durban along South Africa's Dolphin Coast lies the
charming seaside town of Ballito. Unlike the bustling energy of Durban,
Ballito offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for families as well as travelers just looking
to relax. Unwind on golden beaches or hit the waves for some surfing. There
are also many tidal pools along this stretch of coastline, which are perfect for swimming.
If you're looking for a peaceful thing to do do here in Ballito,
definitely recommend going on the boardwalk. There's lots of different
beaches you can stop at and it's, uh, really nice in the evening especially.
Situated about 280 km or 173 mi north of Durban, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the
oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. Here, you'll find a diverse landscape of
rolling hills and savannah grasslands. This area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts,
offering the chance to witness the Big Five in their natural habitat
on a guided or self-drive game safari. The park is renowned for its rhino conservation efforts,
making it a crucial stop for those who are passionate about animal welfare. We visited
this park as a guided day tour from St Lucia, which also included breakfast and lunch among
the wildlife. We included a link to the tour that we did in the description below the video.
Winding along the southwestern coast of South Africa, the Cape Whale route is a stunning
scenic drive that stretches from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas. Crossing through villages,
rivers, bays, and valleys, this route offers a lot of different scenery. Explore the charming
seaside village of Betty's Bay, where you can see the endangered African Penguin Colony
waddling across the shores of Stony Point. You can also visit Hermanus, which is considered the
heart of the route. This town boasts stunning cliffside walks with some of the best whale
watching opportunities in the world. Complete this section of your journey in Cape Agulhas,
the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.
Addo Elephant National Park is located near Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape. It's a
sanctuary for the country's magnificent elephant population. Once on the brink of extinction, the
park success story is a testament to conservation efforts. Today, the elephant population thrives,
offering visitors the chance to witness these gentle giants up close on guided
game drives or self-drive safaris. But Addo is more than just elephants. You might be
lucky enough to encounter lions, buffalos, zebras, and a variety of antelope species.
Jutting out dramatically at the southwestern tip of Africa, the Cape Peninsula is another highlight
of the country. The vibrant city of Cape Town forms the peninsula's northern base. From there,
scenic drives take you along coastlines with pristine beaches and charming seaside villages.
Explore the Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach, where these cute animals waddle
around freely. Then, drive to Cape Point for a glimpse of the tall cliffs or check out the
colorful beach huts at Muizenberg Beach, one of the most photogenic spots in South Africa.
The Panorama Route is a scenic drive located in the northeast of South Africa. The route
stretches over 100 km or 62 mi from the foot of Long Tom Pass to the Echo Caves, and gets its name
name from the panoramic views of deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and natural rock formations.
The most popular site is definitely the Blyde River Canyon, which boasts amazing green, blue,
and brown colors. Other highlights include God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, the Lisbon Falls,
and the Three Rondavels, which resemble three traditional African-style houses. Watch our
full video about the highlights along the Panorama Route to learn more about it.
Nicknamed for its lush vegetation, the Garden Route is a breathtaking area stretching over
300 km or 186 mi along South Africa's southern coast. Winding its way from Mossel Bay in the
Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape, this scenic route has charming towns,
lush forests, dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife. Hiking enthusiasts
can explore numerous trails in Tsitsikamma National Park, the Robberg Nature Reserve,
and the Wilderness Area. Sea lovers can take a boat tour in the Knysna Lagoon,
swim with seals in Plettenberg Bay, or drive a boat on the Keurbooms
River. For the adrenaline junkies, bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge is a must-do.
Spanning the border between the country of Lesotho and South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province,
Maloti-Drakensberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the vast Drakensberg mountain range,
this park can be divided into different sections: the Northern, Central,
and Southern Drakensberg. Each region offers different hiking trails and unique activities.
One of the good things here along the trails in Drakensberg is that there's a lot of streams
and little waterfalls where you can refill your bottle. Because the water is drinkable.
One of our favorite adventures in Southern Drakensberg was a guided 4x4 tour of Sani
Pass from Underberg. This challenging road connects South Africa to Lesotho
and includes a border crossing. On the top of the pass, we took in breathtaking views,
had lunch at Africa's highest pub, and visited a Basothu Village. We have another video on
our channel all about Drakensberg where we explain each section as well as highlights.
Hugging South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Coast, iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a sprawling paradise
for all different types of animals. Here, you can cruise the estuary while spotting hippos,
crocodiles, and a variety of birds, or drive to the beautiful beach of Cape Vidal while seeing
animals from the road. The town of St Lucia which sits at the edge of the park is an excellent place
to base yourself from. You can find a variety of accommodation options and restaurants here. And
during the night, hippos often come through town to graze, which is a unique site to say the least.
Located just outside of Cape Town and tucked between tall mountains, the Cape Winelands
beckon wine lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. This region boasts a rich history of winemaking
dating back centuries. Explore charming towns like Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek,
known for their award-winning wineries. Indulge in vineyard tours, hop on the Franschhoek wine tram,
savor delicious pairings of food and wine, or simply relax and taking the
scenic landscapes. Beyond the vineyards, you can also find many different hiking trails.
Located in the Northern Drakensberg area, Royal Natal National Park boast some of
South Africa's most striking scenery. Witness the a inspiring Amphitheater,
a colossal cliff face which is best experienced on the challenging Chain Ladders hike. From the top,
you can see the Tugela Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls plunging 948 m or 3,110 ft.
And while we were there when the waterfall was dry, the views were still definitely worth it.
If you're looking for a more relaxing hike in the area, there are numerous other trails down
in the valley. One that we can highly recommend is the Tugela Gorge Trail, which is well-maintained
and has relatively minimal elevation gain compared to other hikes in Drakensberg.
Cape Town sits at the southwestern tip of the country, where Table Mountain's
flat peak dominates the landscape. This lively city is a must-visit for its natural beauty and
multicultural flair. One thing you can't miss is ascending Table Mountain on foot or by cable
car for panoramic views of the city. We also recommend exploring the Robben Island Museum,
where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, diving into Cap Malay history in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood,
hiking up Lion's Head, walking through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden,
or relaxing on pristine beaches like Camps Bay. Cape Town caters to all interests,
offering a unique blend of history, culture, and outdoor adventure.
Kruger National Park is located in the northeastern part of the country and is
Africa's crown jewel for wildlife safaris. Encompassing over 19,000 km or 7,520 mi,
it boasts the continent's greatest density of animals. Embark on an unforgettable game drive
to spot the Big Five, whether it's on a guided or self-drive safari. The park's varied landscapes
include savannah plains and lush forests, making for a amazing game viewing opportunities. Stay
overnight in camps or lodges, listening to the sounds of the African bush at night. You can
watch our full Kruger National Park video to learn more about how to do a self-drive safari here.
As we promised at the beginning of the video,
we'll now share a few travel tips for South Africa. First, we recommend renting a car.
This gives you the ultimate freedom to explore the country's incredible parks and nature reserves,
many of which aren't reachable by public transportation. We have another video
on our channel which goes over a 3-week road trip itinerary around the country.
South African roads are generally good,
but some areas have potholes or dirt stretches. Consider renting a high-clearance vehicle,
especially if you plan on venturing to more remote areas like Drakensberg and
the Wild Coast. Some national roads are also toll roads, so keep some cash handy.
Third, you should embrace the power schedule of the country. Planned power outages happen
often in South Africa, and this is called load shedding. Download the Eskom App to
stay informed about planned outages, so you can plan your days accordingly.
We also recommend grabbing a local SIM card upon arrival,
like Vodacom. This way you'll have data access throughout your trip.
Wi-Fi is reliable in most areas but a SIM card provides extra flexibility.
Finally, the South African Rand is the local currency. Carry some cash for tipping and
smaller purchases in remote areas. The Rand is also accepted in the nearby countries of
Eswatini and Lesotho. Major credit cards are widely accepted for accommodation,
meals, groceries, and tourist attractions.
These were our top 15 places to visit in South Africa, but of course there are many other
destinations that are worth checking out. We've included a list of those on the screen here for
you. If you're planning your South Africa road trip, we recommend keeping things organized with
our interactive travel planner. Find a discount code in the description below the video. We also
included important links that you'll need for your South Africa road trip in the description,
such as a map with places to stay and eat. We'll catch you on the next adventure!