South Africa is a country of immense beauty and variety, offering travelers a unique opportunity to explore its diverse landscapes and attractions. From the lush Blyde River Canyon to the majestic Table Mountain, the rolling vineyards of the Cape to the wilds of Kruger National Park, there is something for everyone in this incredible country. For wildlife enthusiasts, Addo Elephant National Park is a must-see, while Hermanus is the perfect spot for whale watching. Durban's beaches are ideal for surfing and snorkeling, and the Wild Coast offers bucolic beauty and remote safaris. The majestic Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is a photographer's paradise, while Costa Salvaje offers rugged cliffs and remote sandy beaches. Finally, Kgalagadi Transboundary Park is one of the best places in the world to spot big cats.
The Blyde River Canyon Scenic Route is one of the most spectacular sights in South Africa. Located along the Panorama Route, this green canyon is the largest on Earth and dotted with sensational access points. Visitors can explore by car, on foot or on horseback, spotting hippos, crocodiles and Samango monkeys along the way. The Three Rondavels and God's Window offer jaw-dropping views, while birdwatchers will be in their element watching Cape vultures, African osprey and Knysna lourie.
The Cape of South Africa is a wine connoisseur's paradise. Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, this picturesque region offers rolling vineyards and spectacular mountain views. Visitors can enjoy decadent wine-filled experiences in Hemel Wine Valley in Aarde.
Addo Elephant National Park began as a small sanctuary established to protect 11 reddish Addo elephants in the 1930s. Now it is one of South Africa's largest national parks and arguably one of the best to spot these gentle giants. The park consists of five different sections, each with its own unique characteristics.
Hermanus is known as the whale watching capital of South Africa. Every year, southern right whales come to this corner of Walker Bay to give birth to their young. Visitors can watch from the cliffs or take boat trips for an even closer look. The town also offers idyllic beaches and Hemel Wine Valley.
Durban's glorious stretch of coastline offers popular sandy beaches bathed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Surfers will love catching waves on the east coast, while snorkelers can explore life under the waves.
The Kruger National Park is one of Africa's great nature experiences and one of the most powerful national parks in South Africa. With its accessibility, quantity and variety of wildlife, and its astonishing size and variety of activities, it is one of the best places in the world to see animals, big and small.
The majestic Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is a World Heritage-listed site with stunning peaks and valleys. People have lived here for thousands of years as evidenced by rock art sites of San. Photographers, hikers and adventurous travelers will love exploring this bucolic paradise.
Costa Salvaje offers rugged cliffs that sink into the sea, remote sandy beaches, rural Xhosa villages and history of shipwrecks and stranded sailors. Hikers can explore trails that hug the coast or traverse dense vegetation.
Kgalagadi Transboundary Park covers nearly 38,850 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) of rough Kalahari in North Cape and Botswana. This immense land offers crackling sunsets, velvety night skies and rolling red dunes - perfect for spotting big cats like cheetahs and leopards.
