Is South Africa on your travel list in 2019? if so, we’ve made things a little easier for you by giving you the top things to do in South Africa this year.
You might be searching non-stop, looking for the best things to do in this sunny and temperate country. Home to stunning sceneries, rich history and culture, diverse wildlife and crystal clear beaches and coastlines, it’s no wonder that South Africa attracts more and more tourists every year.
Here are some of the best places and things you need to do when visiting South Africa!
1. Take a Scenic Road Trip along the Garden Route
If you want a road trip filled with scenery, then nothing beats this route!
The stunning Garden Route along the southeast coast runs for 200 km through some of the nation’s most astonishing and jaw-dropping coastal scenery. It passes through rolling green hills, lagoons, pretty coastal towns, lakes, and amazing coastal cliffs. Some of its highlights include Oudtshoorn Cango Caves and ostrich farm, the seal colony at the Robber Nature Reserve, dense forest and sparkling lagoon of Knysna and the Garden Route National Park filled with tidal pools, thick forests, and gorges!
2. Experience a Safari
South Africa is probably the most famous place in the world to take a wildlife safari. So, make sure that this is way up there on your top things to do in South Africa this year.
Safaris can be quite expensive, however, it’s totally worth it when you come face to face with the King of the Jungle and other amazing South African animals. One of the biggest and oldest parks in the country is the Kruger National Park where you can see the Big Five. It also offers a wide range of accommodations from self-catering chalets to luxurious wild lodges. You might want to try the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park which is popular for its black-mane lions.
3. Indulge in Stellenbosch Wines
For the wine enthusiasts, there will always be a vineyard to explore! If you’re visiting this beautiful country, then a trip to Stellenbosch is something you should add to your list of top things to do here in South Africa!
Stellenbosch is among the most picturesque towns inSouth Africa and is filled with Georgian, Victorian and Cape Dutch architecture. There are many good restaurants, interesting museums, hotels and bars but nothing beats the vineyards and wineries!
Mitres Edge – wine estate in Stellenbosch, in particular, is a family-owned and managed boutique winery at the foothills of Simonsberg Mountain. Indulge in their great tasting wines while falling in love with the beautiful scenery.
You can also visit other famous wineries such as Jordan Wine Estate, Stark-Conde and DE Trafford which all offer an expansive wine experience for all the wine lovers out there!
4. See The Wildlife at iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Translated as “miracle and wonder” in the Zulu language, iSimangaliso perfectly fits its name and is known as the largest estuarine system in all of South Africa.
This park connects 8 ecosystems including swamplands, savanna, lakes, towering coastal dunes, coral reefs, and croc-filled rivers making it an area filled with different plants and wildlife species!
The reserve boasts about 526 species of birds as well as leopards, rhinos, leatherback turtles and loggerhead. It also features the largest concentration of hippos and crocs in the country.
As if that’s not enough, the park also offers you the classic experience combined with coastal adventures like fishing, snorkeling, diving and kayaking in one place!
5. Cape Town
With a friendly cosmopolitan atmosphere, natural sceneries, and enviable quality of life, Cape Town is the best urban landscape with a stunning harbor and breathtaking Mountain Views.
For the greatest panoramic view in all of South Africa, go to the top of Table Mountain and experience the stunning conservatory of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. You can also take a closer look at the sea life while snorkeling and diving into the crystal clear sea.
Cape Town, being one of the famous places in South Africa, you will have a wide variety of accommodation options ranging from luxurious hotels to the many affordable ones such as the Antrim Villa and Gordon’s Beach Lodge.
6. Cage Diving With Great White Sharks
Looking for something a little more extreme?
Something like being trapped in an iron cage and thrown into the ocean while coming face to face with the fiercest creature in the water?
Believe it or not, one of South Africa’s top attractions include cage diving with great white sharks. This has become so popular that new tour operators keep popping up every year and seducing the thrill-seeking tourist.
April to October are the best months to try shark cage diving, however, you can do it all year round.
So there we have the top things to do in South Africa this year, we hope you enjoy your trip!
Let us know your top things to do in South Africa in the comments below.
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