Top 10 Best Places to Visit in South Africa 2018

Africa, the birthplace of human evolution has not shattered a bit from its mystic nature. South Africa is the gem of Africa. It is the most developed country in Africa. Its diverse land, varied cultures, fascinating wildlife, outstanding scenery, and stunning beach make it a paradise for travelers from around the world. The country also has unique and intriguing history and radiant inhabitants. South Africa is always a better choice for the travelers to make a journey in African mystery as beside the wilderness, you will also get enough facilities to spend a relax time.

The tourist attractions in South Africa are diverse and spread all over the country. Tourism is a notable source of income of the country and around 14 million visitors come to South Africa every year. Here is the list of top 10 best places to visit in South Africa that you will never feel good to ignore.

Best Places to Visit in South Africa:

10. Sun City Resort

Top 10 Best Places to Visit in South Africa, Sun City Resort
Sun City Resort | image credit – Flickr/Nathan Hughes Hamilton

Sun City Resort, famously known as Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure is a luxury casino and resort, located between the Elands River and the Pilanesberg. It is one of the best places to visit in South Africa and about two hours’ drive from Johannesburg. The resort was officially opened on 7 December 1979. When Bophuthatswana had been declared an independent state, it soon become a popular holidays in South Africa.

As an independent state, it could provide entertainments like gambling and topless revue shows which were illegal in South Africa at that time. The complex contains four hotels, two casinos, two championship golf courses and a large auditorium which seated 6,230. It is one of the best tourist attraction in South Africa.

9. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, tourist attractions in South Africa
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve | image credit – Flickr/jumblejet

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is the oldest nature reserve in Africa and one of the top places to visit in South Africa. It is one of the few places where all the big five game animals, African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and White/Black rhinoceros occur. The big five animals are referred to be the toughest animals in Africa to hunt on foot and that’s the reason they are in the spotlight of the park.

The five animals are in five different areas in Africa. Although in the earlier period, it is a praiseworthy job to hunt down big game animals, now the prime target is to conserve them. Among the five, African buffalo is the most popular to hunt. This is one of the best places to spend holidays in South Africa with family and friends.

8. Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon, tourism in South Africa
Blyde River Canyon | image credit – Wikipedia/Stefan Schäfer

Blyde River Canyon is a natural wonder of Africa and one of the best place to visit in South Africa. Situated in Mpumalanga, it is the second largest canyon in Africa, after the Fish River Canyon. Its lush subtropical foliage makes it the largest the largest ‘green canyon’. You can get the best view of Blyde River Canyon from the “Three Rondavels”. Besides the wonderful canyon, you can watch waterfalls, the Pinnacle, God’s Window, Wonderview, Bourkes Luck Potholes.

It is also a good place for bird watching. Hiking is very popular in Blyde River Canyon and it is one of the best places to spend holidays in South Africa. Blyde River Canyon is part of the Panorama route and drives along the route is a thrilling experience and a chance to all see all the geological features of the canyon. Blyde River Canyon is one of the best tourist attractions in South Africa.

7. Cape Winelands

Cape Winelands, holidays in South Africa
Cape Winelands | image credit – Wikimedia/Dave Bezaire & Susi Havens-Bezaire

Cape Winelands is a paradise in Africa. Surrounded by majestic mountains, impressive monuments, sleepy villages, fruitful orchards and some of the most picturesque scenery in South Africa, it is one of the best places to visit in South Africa. The visitors can get an amazing wine tour from Happy Holiday wine tours, Easy Rider Specialist wine tours, CDM Tours and so many other routes. The fertile soil and Mediterranean climate of the Western Cape make it one of the best places to visit in South Africa.

6. Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, tourist attractions in South Africa
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront | image credit – Flickr/South African Tourism

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is the largest tourist attractions of Cape Town and one of the best places to visit in South Africa. It gives broad views of the Atlantic Ocean, Table Bay Harbour, the City of Cape Town and Table Mountain. It also conjures images of the earliest days of the harbor. Filled with restaurants, specialty shops, pubs, and theaters, this is the paradise for the tourists.

In a word, you can’t get bored in this place. The highest number of foreign tourists comes to Waterfront. There are some important features like Chavonnes Battery, the South African Maritime Museum, the infamous Clock Tower and the coastal Seal Landing where Cape Fur Seals reside. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in South Africa.

5. Knysna

Knysna, tourism in South Africa
Knysna | image credit – Wikimedia/Vaiz Ha

Garden Route one of the top places for tourism in South Africa. It stretches from Mossel Bay to St Francis along the Indian Ocean and also includes parts of the island. The oceanic climate, with mild to warm summers, and mild to cool winters makes it one of the best places to visit in South Africa. The well-known travel destination of the Garden Route in Knysna, located between lush forests and the shores of a peaceful lagoon.

Knysna has wonderful opportunities for outdoor adventure and one of the best places to spend holidays in South Africa. It has plenty of strolling paths filled with authentic dining and shopping venues. About 18 sq km Lagoon is one of the main tourist attractions of Knysna. The Knysna Forest, Pledge Nature Reserve, and Millwood Gold Fields are some of the places you never want to miss.

4. Durban Beaches

Durban Beaches, holidays in South Africa
Durban Beaches | image credit – Wikimedia/Bgabel

Often called the Miami Beach of Africa, Durban’s beaches are the perfect place to spend holidays in South Africa. It is the most vibrant and lively place of South Africa and for a relaxing destination, it is one of the best places to visit in South Africa. The cheerful weather and a different beach based culture will make your trip worthy. Subtropical sunshine, golden sands, and nice and clean weather will give you a party mode.

In a word, you will get everything you expect from a beach from Durban Beaches, It plays an important role in tourism in South Africa. The most popular beach among Durban beaches is North Beach. It is the best beaches for surfing, body boarding, paddle ski, skateboarding, and plain swimming and sunbathing. The beach is very crowded during holidays.

3. Amphitheatre, Drakensberg

Amphitheatre, Drakensberg, tourist attractions in South Africa
Amphitheatre, Drakensberg | image credit – Wikimedia/Bothar

The Amphitheatre is one of the most impressive geographical features the Northern Drakensberg South Africa and one of the best places to visit in South Africa. It is considered as one of the most magnificent cliffs faces on earth. The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in Southern Africa, rising approximately 1,220 meters. The Drakensberg means “mountains of the dragon“.

It is the warmest place in South Africa and so a perfect place to spend holidays in South Africa in winter. Hiking around the Amphitheater is the best thing to do in this area and a way to make a harmony with nature. The area features excellent hiking and accommodation facilities. It is declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and one of the top tourist attractions in South Africa.

2. Table Mountain

Table Mountain, tourism in South Africa
Table Mountain | image credit – Flickr/Werner Bayer

Table Mountain national park is one of the best places to visit in South Africa. The park is associated with a flat-topped mountain forming a significant landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town. The flat top of the mountain is often covered by orographic clouds, creating an incredible picturesque view. The park area is undergoing restructure and development. The park is extending the day by days.

The famous geographical landmark, Cape hop is part of the Table Mountain National Park. The area offers some typical fynbos vegetation. Hiking is very popular in this park. Scuba diving is also very popular. You have to be careful about baboon. They could be very annoying and sometimes dangerous. The Table Mountain national park is an important place for tourism in South Africa and one of the best places to visit in South Africa.

1. Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park, holidays in South Africa
Kruger National Park | image credit – Flickr/David Siu

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves on the continent and one of the most important places for tourism in South Africa. This park is the largest reserve for mammals. Located in the northeastern of South Africa, it is one of the best places to visit in South Africa. It is part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, an area designated by the UNESCO. The purpose of the park was to control hunting and protect the endangered wildlife and now it is highlighted by tourism and become one of the top tourist attractions of South Africa.

The park is much enriched with flora and fauna. The main attraction of the park is Crocodile River viewpoint and Masorini, a restored Iron Age village. You will get a wonderful wildlife experience from the park and it’s a great way to explore the flora and fauna, which is considered one of the best places to visit in South Africa.

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