15 Most Popular Tourist Places to visit in South Africa

Last Updated on April 6, 2022 by Cody Livingston

A journey through South Africa will take your breath away and leave you with life-long memories. Unanimously affordable, this destination is true concoction of diverse cultures and breath-taking landscape. South Africa’s tourism claims to ‘Inspiring New Ways’ with unforgettable experiences. Officially termed as the Republic of South Africa. It introduces travellers to the classic African scenery and numerous jewels of the Dark Continent.

Now the question is, what are the best places to visit in South Africa? Enthusiasts from all corners of the world come here in search of the world’s most renowned wildlife safari. From golden savannah to exciting wildlife. From amazingly deep valleys to impressively stunning deserts. South Africa serves paramount comforts when you roam across a mesmeric landscape. Reading this blog thoroughly will give you an elaborated idea about beautiful Tourist Attractions in South Africa.

The African attractions combine astoundingly diverse landscape and allow visitors to find adventure beyond their imagination. Witness what everyone has heard about, including the ‘Big Five’ – lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and elephants. In fact, South Africa houses never-ending breaks and adventure paradigm. Here, you’ll get an elaborated idea of what are the best things to do in South Africa.

In short, touring South Africa is simply awesome. Whether exploring coral reefs or diving deep into the ocean, you’ll surely enjoy surprising contrasts of South Africa. White-water rafting, trekking across dragon-backed mountain ranges, shark dives and relax golden beaches. Find amazing things to do, places to visit and more. Scroll down and check the list of top 15 Beautiful Tourist Attractions in South Africa.

1. Kruger National Park, Limpopo Provinces:

Famous for the big five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Lush green stretches look as far. Great to see vast greeneries and dream-like nature experience at Kruger National Park. It’s a majestic park in the true sense with easy access to wildlife. Reasonably priced accommodation and good food are available to make your outing more awesome. Counted among South Africa’s largest game reserves, this park includes numerous plant, bird and animal species.

Nearest city: Mbombela and Phalaborwa are the nearest cities to Kruger National Park.

Nearest Airport: Nelspruit Airport is only 9 km away from Kruger National Park which serves direct flights from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), Johannesburg. All you need, take low-cost flight tickets to Johannesburg then change your flights for Nelspruit and rent a vehicle to reach Kruger National Park.

2. Cape of Good Hope, Cape Peninsula:

A mesmeric headland, undoubtedly, the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ is a highly recommended tourist destination in South Africa. Select your driving route through Chapman’s Peak and enjoy the scenic journey from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope. Nearby national Parks and dazzling viewpoints next to the ocean are awesome. Imagine blue waves whistling and rolling on the rocks covered by seaweeds. Relish a tranquil walk across the protected wildlife reserve and scenic picnic spots.

Nearest city: The South African capital, Cape Town is 50 km away from the Cape of Good Hope.

Nearest Airport: Cape Town International Airport is the nearest airport (75 km away). You can hire a private taxi or go for public transit to the Cape of Good Hope from Cape Town International Airport.

3. Boulders Beach, Cape Town:

The African penguin’s colony welcomes overseas visitors to the sandy cove and boardwalk of Boulders Beach. Come to Boulders Beach and swim with African penguins. Roam to a sheltered public bay located near Simon’s Town on the Cape Peninsula. The name ‘boulders’ is extracted from inlets of granite boulders lie on its beaches. It simply attracts huge traffic of visitors with sun-soaked coastland and nice views of playing penguins. You’ll never get bored while soothing at or walking across this beautiful place from dawn to dusk.

Nearest city: Cape Town

Nearest Airport: Cape Town International Airport is 30 km away from Boulders Beach.

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4. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town:

Awe-struck Mountain views with a large nature reserve and hillside garden. Spread in 528 hectors on the slopes of Table Mountain, this park offers dramatic scenery. It takes you close to rare plant species preserving indigenous flora and fauna. Falls as World UNESCO heritage site including thousands of African plant species. Nature lovers take this place a paradise serving a tranquil space for hiking, walking and mountain bike riding.

Nearest city: South African capital – Cape Town.

Nearest Airport: Cape Town International Airport is 18 km away from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

5. Robben Island, Western Cape:

Iconic prison site turned museum, where former South African President, Nelson Mandela kept in the prison. It was turned museum in 1997 declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Bringing you closer to the history of South Africa insightfully, it serves the unique taste of beauty and history. When you be in South Africa, you’ll find this a masterpiece among other places you visited in the country rejoicing the great ability of South Africans.

Nearest city: South African capital – Cape Town.

Nearest Airport: Cape Town International Airport is 18 km away from Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

6. Table Mountain, Cape Town:

Breath-taking views and super-effective recreation, Table Mountain is a place like nowhere. Amazing 360-degree Aerial Cableway cable car riding, free on your birthday, will take you to the top of the Table Mountain. From the top, you can enjoy the most stunning views of Cape Town and delicious food at restaurants. Find rare species small animals, plants and flowers while chasing the cherished experience of your holidays. It lies in the Cape Fold Belt mountain range. Table Mountain National Park is a must-visit.

Nearest city: Cape Town, the capital of South Africa is the nearest city to Table Mountain.

Nearest Airport: Cape Town International Airport is the nearest airport (22 km away). Simply catch cheap tickets to Cape Town and hire a taxi or go for public transit to the Table Mountain.

7. V&A Waterfront, Cape Town:

Once historic, now serving cutting edge commercial and residential complexes. Shopper’s paradise V&A Waterfront combines luxury homes, offices and famous restaurants, all at a waterfront harbour. The wonderful atmosphere and safe surroundings under Table Mountain’s shadow create magical charm. Street performers’ plays in cultural and historical hubs are worth seeing, the cliffs’ views are simply amazing.

Nearest city: Cape Town the capital of South Africa is the nearest city to the Table Mountain.

Nearest Airport: Cape Town International Airport is the nearest airport (21 km away).

8. Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg:

Witness the journey of apartheid including ups and downs in an intense concrete apartheid exhibition. Opened in November 2001 for the public, this museum narrates South Africa of 20^th century. Relish the surprising and enriching experience with so much to see, read and learn here. Explore the letters, diaries, clothing and other things of former South African president Nelson Mandela.

Nearest city: It locates on the Gold Reef Road – Johannesburg.

Nearest Airport: Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo Airport International Airport – JNB) is the nearest airport to Apartheid Museum (38 km away). Overseas travellers can take flights to Johannesburg and hire a private taxi to the Apartheid Museum. Public transit is economical between Johannesburg International Airport and Apartheid Museum.

9. Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg:

Play with elephants and watch roaring lions. Spread in 135 acres of Randburg municipality, Johannesburg Zoo nurtures and exhibits hundreds of plant, animal and bird species. You can have a great day-excursion and picnic at this zoo with your family. Its greenery and majestic aura will surely be the talk of your family for the coming years. There is ample to see and ample experience that makes your whole day fun. Major highlights of Johannesburg Zoo are Crocodile Country, Reptile House, the temple of the Ancients, AngloGold Lion Enclosure, Madagascar, Cheetah Slopes, Farm Yard and Amazonia.

Nearest city: Johannesburg.

Nearest Airport: Johannesburg International Airport (OR Tambo Airport International Airport – JNB) is the nearest airport to Johannesburg Zoo (25 km away). Private taxi and public transit are easily available for Johannesburg Zoo.

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10. Pilanesberg National Park, Moses Kotane:

Home to the ‘Big Five’ – lion, buffalo, leopard, rhino, and elephant, it’s a massive wildlife reserve accommodating thousands of animals. It’s been a volcanic crater. Sun City resort is the must-see place when you visit Pilanesberg National Park. Get into an absolute amaze and capture the moments in your camera. You’ll find leopards, rhinos, elephants, hippopotamus, giraffe and other animals walking next to you.

Nearest city: Pilanesberg, Moses Kotane, North West Province (Sun City – South Africa).

Nearest Airport: Pilanesberg International Airport is the nearest airport (16 km away) with direct flights from Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport), Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport) and other international airports of South Africa.

11. uShaka Marine World, Durban:

Offering a perfect holiday spot, this theme park takes visitors into the marine sphere. Never-ending recreational activities start with a dolphin show or seal show. Spend a tranquil stint with African penguins and enjoy fish feeding and shark feeding. Opened in 2004 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM), uShaka affords snorkeling lagoons and shark cage dives. There’s a beach with dark clouds nearby with sundry restaurants and shopping centers.

Nearest city: Durban.

Nearest Airport: Durban International Airport (DUR) is closest to uShaka Marine World (35 km away) and Pietermaritzburg International Airport (PZB) is around 80 km away from the theme park. More often overseas visitors take affordable flights to Durban when they have plans to visit uShaka.

12. Augrabies Falls National Park, Northern Cape:

Explore ‎original African inhabitants, wildlife including animal & plant life at Augrabies Falls National Park. Hypnotic waterfall from the Northern Cape Province and the national park established in 1966, attracting thousands of visitors to this amazing space. Nurturing and exhibiting hundreds of rare species in the intense canyon and Calm River. Hiking and cycling in stunning views added comfort from restaurants having good food and drinks.

Nearest city: Upington.

Nearest Airport: Upington International Airport is pretty close to Augrabies Falls National Park (124 km away). The airport serves domestic and international flights to the city. Another way to reach North Cape is to catch flights to Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth International Airport – PLZ) or Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport – CPT).

13. Sabi, Kruger, Mpumalanga:

Roam across Sabi Sand Game Reserve – a beautiful safari terminus allowing extravagance space for recreation and comfort. Capture close pictures of the big five – lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Serene Landscape and high-end lodging for you adjacent to the Kruger National Park. People across the globe come to see the wildlife at a hand-shaking distance and disappear in the wonderful atmosphere of Sabi territory. Thrilling safaris in a private game reserve serve worth value holiday.

Nearest city: Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Nearest Airport: Nelspruit Airport is the nearest airport (124 km away) from Sabi Sands Game Reserve having regular flights from Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport-JNB) and Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport-CPT).

14. West Coast National Park, Western Cape:

Imagine a whale next to you, isn’t it thrilling? West Coast National Park is close to the fishing village Yzerfontein. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Langebaan Lagoon, this park serves beautiful fields of flowers and white sand beaches under neat blue skies. Get in the perfect outing while undergoing the glory of the West Coast at its fullest and capture beautiful pictures for memories. Ample of charming cottages are major attractions serving wonderful belvedere for soothing. Enjoy mountain biking, beaches, whale-watching, and salt marshes with kayaking.

Nearest city: Yzerfontein, South Africa.

Nearest Airport: Cape Town (Cape Town International Airport – CPT) is the closest airport to West Coast National Park.

15. Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Clarens:

Camp with rare wildlife at Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Pretty close to the Lesotho border, this park sites in the Free State province of South Africa. Relish an absolute peace and quiet with majestic views of sandstone cliffs. Colourful and vibrant Brandwag rocks make the scenery simply amazing. Rare bearded vultures and other endangered species of plants and animals can be seen easily.

Nearest city: Clarens, Free State Province, South Africa.

Nearest Airport: Overseas visitors can fly to Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport-JNB) and opt for a hired safari or self-drive to Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

South Africa has been inspiring travellers across the world to discover destinations and live outdoor adventures at their best. Its mystical beauty, diverse land and vibrant cities are enough to leave you awe-struck. Nation’s rich history and its journey to prosperity bring curiosity among visitors to know more. From active adventure to glorious heritage, from breath-taking scenery to notch luxury and of course bustling beaches – South Africa is the ultimate holiday destination on the world map.

While planning your trip to South Africa, explore these attentive particulars or FAQ.

Which are the best airlines flying to South Africa?

Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air France and South African Airways are some preferred airline carriers flying to South Africa from London, UK.

What is the best time to visit South Africa?

It’s a year-round destination having diverse regional climates and wildlife opportunities. Precisely, September to April is the ideal time to visit South Africa in beautiful hot and dry weather. If you love water sports, July to November is yours for diving and whale watching.

How to book cheap flights to South Africa?

From October, November to mid-December, travellers could grab comparatively cheaper flights. You can book your tickets in advance 90 days for affordable airfare and good deals. This will help you in avoiding a last-minute rush. However, Crystaltravel.co.uk offers exclusive flight deals on this route. Hope you find this worthy. Don’t forget to mention your suggestions. Comment below if you have been to South Africa and want us to add more spaces.

Discover Top 15 Tourist Places to Visit in South Africa for Endless Memories