There’s always something new to discover in South Africa and from the food and wine scene in cosmopolitan Cape Town to the beaches in Durban, there is an endless list of things to love about the country. Here are some of them.
Effortless beauty
The vineyards, rolling hills, beaches and wildlife reserves will make you fall in love with South Africa. Throw in the vibrant, colourful sunsets and iconic sights such as Cape Town’s Table Mountain and you’ll see why it’s such a popular destination.
National parks such as Kruger are highlights, but there are also countless other delights to be uncovered in every corner of the country. At the country’s southern tip is a stunning marine environment renowned for its biodiversity. Here you can dive with sharks, watch migrating whales in season and walk on deserted beaches.
The fabulous climate
Sub-tropical South Africa is famous for its sunshine. It’s a dry country, with an average annual rainfall of about 464mm, just over half the world average. In most of South Africa, summer brings hot, sunny weather. There’s little rain in autumn, and the nights – especially around Capetown – are warm. You’ll also see plenty of sun in winter, with the coastal regions such as the beaches of northern KwaZulu-Natal getting the most warmth.
Cultural diversity
With 11 official languages and people with African, European and Eastern heritage, it’s hardly surprising South Africa is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity. Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu described it as the Rainbow Nation and it really is. Black South Africans make up around 80 percent of the population and belong to a variety of ethnic groups. Islam and Hindu traditions and culture are prominent, a legacy of the many slaves from India and modern-day Indonesia who were brought here in the 1600s.
Unsurpassed wildlife experiences
You can’t come to South Africa and not do a wildlife safari. The chance to see the big five – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros – in their natural habitat can be expensive, but it’s worth it. Expert game rangers take care of everything, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the show.
In Kruger National Park, one of the country’s oldest, self-drive safaris are a cheaper option. Winter (June through August) is the dry season and the best time to spot the big five (so called because they’re the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot). Don’t limit yourself to just these five species, though; there are plenty of other animals to spot, including hippo, wildebeest, giraffes, zebra and other big cats among them.
Food, food and more food
South African food has many influences, among them Dutch, French, Indian and Malaysian. So it’s little wonder the country’s dishes are bursting with flavour that will leave you wanting more. As if that’s not enough, South Africans love to experiment with food and the results are often spectacular.
For a truly local dish, try Bunny Chow, which originates from Durban and comprises hollowed-out loaves of bread stuffed with spicy curry inspired by Malay, British and Indian flavours. Bobotie is South Africa’s national dish. Minced meat is simmered with spices, herbs and dried fruit, then topped with a mixture of egg and milk and baked until set. While in South Africa you should also try biltong, a thin, meat cured in vinegar, salt, sugar and spice mixture before being air-dried.
The great outdoors
If you like extreme sports or light adventure, you’ll be treated to both here. Kick off your trip in Cape Town with a hike up Table Mountain. Picnic at the top and ride the cable car down – or paraglide if you’re game. The 669m hike takes about 60-90 minutes depending on which trail you take. Surfing, hiking and rock climbing are popular, and in the Garden Route area there’s diving, canoeing, canyoning, horse-riding and kayaking on tap. Shark cage diving is one of the more extreme options and is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Whatever activities you choose, you won’t go home disappointed.
Hit the road
South Africa is easy to navigate and its scenery is second-to-none. Getting out of the cities is the best way to see the real country, from the snowy mountains to the sandy beaches and the rural villages to the picturesque settler towns. Some of the better road trips include Crook’s Corner to Pont Drift, the 670km Bloemfontein to Durban drive and the road from Cape Town to the Garden Route. The Crook’s Corner road trip is a 160km drive that follows the Limpopo River. Baboons will keep you company on the road as you pass ancient baobab trees, some as old as 3000 years. The journey through farmlands and foothills from Bloemfontein to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho is one of South Africa’s most scenic drives. It hugs the Lesotho border and passes through the Free State’s Eastern Highlands and many villages. Galleries, boutique shops, restaurants and breweries offer good pit stops en route. Want to see the coast? Follow the Indian Ocean from Capetown along the east coast to the Garden Route; this famous 300km stretch boasts beaches, lagoons and indigenous forests. The Wild Coast section of the route will reward your driving efforts. Its hills give way to rugged cliffs and beaches, making it arguably the country’s most quintessentially African spot.
