If you’re planning on visiting South Africa, there’s an abundance of activities to try during your stay, plenty of places to visit and a wide variety of mouth-watering food and delectable wine to sample. Whether you like nature or city life, whether you’re a thrill-seeker or more of the comfort-seeking type, you’re definitely going to find an activity or two that tickles your fancy from the list below.
1. Go On An Adventure: Explore The Cango Caves
These are Africa’s largest show caves and one of South Africa’s Seven Wonders. If you’re the adventurous type you’ll be thrilled to explore the dark tunnels and stunning limestone formations of this archaeological and historical highlight. If you’re not quite the adventurer, you’ll still be able to enjoy the caves by embarking on a Heritage tour which is more of an easy type. But don’t expect to go there and start your tour. Given its popularity, you must book either tour in advance.
2. Get a Neck Massage: Go To Cango Ostrich Farm
Another Cango attraction is this ostrich farm where you get to learn more about this endangered species, how ostriches are raised, and what they’re used for you’ll also be able to get a close view of the largest bird on earth. Yes, you can get an ostrich massage here too, plus you’d be able to feed the ostriches that are held in captivity.
3. Meet The Big Five: Go On A Safari
If wildlife is your thing, then going on an African safari is a complete must. People from all over the world flock to South Africa to unite with nature at its wildest. What people think of when they think of Africa is often its wildlife, especially the big five. You can enjoy Africa’s true wilderness from the multiple national parks and game reserves there. Also, the immense coastline offers a great opportunity to watch marine animals, an experience which is second to none.
4. Paint The Town Red: Go To A Casino
If you’re looking to do something that’s as fun as it is exciting, then what better activity than going to one of South Africa’s land casino resorts? If you have some extra spending money, why not try your luck at possibly doubling or tripling that figure? It’s worth a shot, no? You’ll be able to find a casino around the most popular tourist spots. So it’s not like you need to go on a hunt to be able to take a chance at winning big!
5. Learn From South Africa’s Apertheid: Visit Johannesburg’s Apertheid Museum
Anyone who is keen on understanding and getting a taste of what South Africa was really like, this Apartheid museum is not worth missing. Illustrating the rise and fall of the apartheid, the museum is a testimony of the way South Africa came to terms with its past, while also exhibiting its hard work towards a future that all South Africans can call their own.
6. Take A Scenic Road Trip: Drive Through The Magical Garden Route
The Garden Route covers 300km and along the way you can enjoy a plethora of wildlife and vegetation, an abundance of lakes, lagoons and beaches as well as immense forests and mountains. To watch all the main highlights on a self-drive tour you need at least 3 days. That said, this route is so huge that to really view it in its entirety, you need a good 14 days. The activities you can engage in on this route are multiple: from savouring fresh oysters to watching southern right whales at play. There are several hotels where you can stay as you explore this enchanting garden route and the ideal time to visit it would be between February and April. Still, bear in mind that you can experience rain at any time of the year.
7. Get Your Adrenaline Fix: Kayak With Crocodiles!
If you’re the type to chase the thrill, then this one’s for you! There you’d be, in an estuary right in the middle of untamed Africa, kayaking among man-eating beasts, including 800 hippos, 1200 crocodiles, and countless sharks of different species, hoping you’ll make it out alive! But there’s no denying that it’s an exciting experience nonetheless; that’s why so many people go for it. Still, we must say that this one is not for the faint-hearted!
8. For A One In A Lifetime Experience: Visit Cape Town
Cape Town is mostly known for being home to the inspirational South African president Nelson Mandela. But it’s also known as the culinary capital of South Africa, not to mention that its wine is viewed as the best (and most affordable) in the world.
In this gorgeous city you can feast your eyes on scenic mountain ranges, amazing natural wonders as well as picturesque landscapes and ocean vistas. In fact, the lifestyles of locals and those who visit Cape Town tends to center around the outdoors. There’s no shortage of adventure here. Be it hiking, diving, cruising or climbing, if it can be done outdoors, it can be done in Cape Town. You’ll be able to find an activity for all the family, from paragliding and abseiling, to kloofing or even shark-cage diving if you’re an adrenaline junkie.
9. Smell The Wildflowers: Explore Little Namaqualand
Roughly a 6-hour drive from Cape Town, you’ll find this gorgeous land bursting with life and full of colourful flowers. You can go around this town by driving yourself or else you can book a tour. The best time to visit is between August and September but if you aim to see the flowering of the March lilies and other pretty bulb species, then March-April is when you should visit. To be able to appreciate the vast area of flowers and attractions you need at least a week. And since flowers do not open in heavily overcast and rainy weather, you might want to factor in an additional day or two.
10. Enjoy Some Good Vino: Relax in Stellenbosch Wine Country
Just 40 minutes away from Cape Town you’ll find the wine region of Stellenbosch which is renowned for the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Bordeaux Blends. But in general, the wines that come from Stellenbosch are internationally known and rank among the best in the world. Apart from its delectable wine, this region is also known for its natural beauty and oak-lined avenues, as well as its Cape Dutch architecture, history and culture.