Top 10 Things to do in South Africa
Table Mountain is the most iconic landmark of South Africa. It is also the country’s most photographed attraction and its famous cable car took millions of people to its top. Table Mountain has become the single most welcoming icon for the travellers from all over the world. But this mountain hides many surprises that wait to be discovered.
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is a state of the art cable car transportation system offering visitors a five-minute ride to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. It is one of Cape Town's most popular tourist attractions with approximately 900,000 people a year using the Cableway. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top. The main feature of Table Mountain is the level plateau approximately 3 kilometres (2 mi) from side to side, edged by impressive cliffs. The plateau, flanked by Devil's Peak to the east and by Lion's Head to the west, forms a dramatic backdrop to Cape Town. South Africa's most famous landmark, Table Mountain, is more than just a pile of rock in the bay. A protected national park, it has some remarkable features that make it a great destination for nature-lovers, deserving of more than just a quick cable car ride to see the view from the top.
The mountain forms part of Table Mountain National Park, which is globally recognised for its biodiversity, and contains truly unique fauna and flora. The park encompasses the Table Mountain chain stretching from Signal Hill in the north to Cape Point in the south and the seas and coastline of the peninsula. It is primarily an open-access park with only a few points where conservation fees are payable including Cape Point, Boulders (where you'll see penguins), the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Silvermine. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway was the solution to the arduous walk and climb to the top. Since its opening in 1929, more than 22 million people have taken the trip to the top of Table Mountain. The new cableway was upgraded and officially reopened on 4 October 1997. At the upper cable station you will find a restaurant and a curio shop as well as a network of footpaths to explore the table top. There are plenty of hiking trails from the Camps Bay side of the mountain, as well as from the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and even from the city centre itself. You can walk or climb the mountain, or even abseil down it, depending on your expertise and fitness levels, but be warned. Always hike in a group and carry water and warm clothing with you. Better still, hire a guide or ask an experienced hiker to take you along.
Shark Cage Diving
Few things compare to the adrenalin rush and exhilaration one gets from being face to face with a 3 m Great White, especially when they curiously cruise right up to the cage and eye you within kissing range!
Shark cage diving in South Africa has grown greatly in popularity and there are now a number of commercialized locations to view these incredible monsters of the deep. Your adrenaline is sure to pump as you come almost face to face with the sea’s most awesome predators. Shark cage diving is absolutely safe and you need not have any diving experience at all. Just before you start, you’ll receive a short course on general safety and the use of the equipment and you’re good to go. The South African winter, which is from May to October, is the best time to experience a South African shark cage dive. These months are considered to be the high season, but Sharks are generally seen throughout the year. The weather in South Africa can be quite unpredictable, so it is best to book a tour that lasts a few days. There are two main places in South Africa that promise fantastic shark cage diving experiences namely at Gansbaai and Mossel Bay.
Gansbaai is just 2 hours drive from Cape Town and offers awesome South African shark cage diving experiences everyday in the picturesque Kleinbaai Harbour. The harbour’s launching slip-way, which is the point of entry for all cage diving expeditions to the islands, becomes a beehive of activity on clear mornings. Air tanks are filled, cylinders are placed inside the diving cages, safety equipment is checked and the boats are fuelled prior to your arrival. 12km offshore from Gansbaai there are two islands situated next to each other. Dyer Island and Geyser Rock have become known as one of only two unique areas in the world and where the chances to view the great white shark are exceptionally high. Other wildlife species such as Cape Fur Seals, Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, African penguins, whales and dolphins are also likely to be sighted. The abundant amount of penguins in this area is what attracts the Great White Shark and is their prime feeding ground. Shark Cage Diving promises an enjoyable and unforgettable day of shark viewing. They are normally 1 x 4 man cage which is permanently attached to the dive platform and is always under observation so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Their hookah air supply system gives you total freedom in the cage and 25cm semi circular view ports allow plenty of room to view and admire these magnificent predators. Shark cage diving promises an awesome and unforgettable time! Be prepared for an up close and personal experience with the sea’s most magnificent predators.
Bloukrans Bungy Jumping
Bloukrans Bridge Bungy is the world's highest commercial bridge bungy at 216 metres (709 ft) above the Bloukrans River. It is situated at Bloukrans Bridge on the N2 Highway at the border between the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape in the Tsitsikamma area of South Africa's Garden Route. For most people, looking over the edge of a 216m bridge might be quite enough of a thrill. For others though, throwing themselves off the bridge is a far better pastime.
Bungee jumping in South Africa has earned a global reputation for its claim to having the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. Positioned along the gorgeous Garden Route, the Bloukrans Bungee Jump will send you plummeting 216m, headfirst, towards the bottom. Because of the extreme height of this bungee jump, a full body harness is used, instead of the traditional ankle harness. The harness, combined with a technique called 'pendulum bungee technology', makes for a very comfortable jump - considering the fact that you're jumping off a 216m high bridge.
Hermanus Whale Watching Experience
South Africa is one of the best destinations worldwide for watching marine wildlife, including whales, whether from land or from boats, with spectacular annual visits from southern right and humpback whales and enormous pods of dolphins year-round. Every year, southern right whales migrate from their icy feeding grounds off Antarctica to warmer climates, reaching South Africa in June. The country’s coastal waters teem with the giant animals, mating, calving and rearing their young – and giving whale-watchers spectacular displays of raw power and elegant water acrobatics.
The best time for watching the southern right whale in South African waters is from June to November along the Cape south coast. Take advantage of Hermanus' proximity to Cape Town on an unforgettable whale-watching boat trip to see the Southern Right Whales up close. Enjoy seeing nature at work where these whales come every year to mate and give birth.
Sail on a spacious 36-seater, 15m(49ft.) catamaran with retractable windows for comfort . Come as close as 50m(164ft.) to these magnificent mammals. Watch as they approach, dive or carry on with their mating activities. Get a bird's eye view from the top deck, which is ideal for picture taking
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, in northeastern South Africa, is one of Africa’s largest game reserves. Its high density of wild animals includes the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos. Hundreds of other mammals make their home here, as do diverse bird species such as vultures, eagles and storks.
A place that encapsulates the essence of African beauty and diverse wildlife, The Kruger National Park is an area for the adventurer. Kruger Park Safaris offers a unique range of safaris, activities and tours to make your wildlife experience nothing short of incredible. The Kruger National Park is one of the biggest National Parks in Africa. It is situated at the North-Eastern tip of South Africa and spans over the Mpumalanga and Limpopo province. The parks surface area spans 19633 km² as many of the surrounding private reserves have removed their fences, allowing wildlife to roam freely between reserves. This has created a wildlife area like no other, as its beauty soaks itself into anyone who visits this diverse place.
Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivaled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. There are thousands of wildlife destinations on the African continent but few of them offer an authentic wilderness experience to tourists. Driving around in an open game drive vehicle the whole time and staying in a luxury lodge is not necessary the real thing. Staying in a rustic, primitive camp and experiencing the African bush on foot is much closer to an ultimate wilderness type of recreation. That is what we offer the more adventurous tourist – wildness, remoteness, tranquillity, peace and a big bonus: no other people!
Helicopter Ride in Capetown
Explore the scenic wonders of the Cape Peninsula from the marvellous heights while enjoying a helicopter experience. Treat yourself or your loved one to the unforgettable experience of seeing Cape Town from the air. Discover the colourful cultures of the Cape, see the jagged headland of Cape Point at the southern-most tip of the peninsula, feast your eyes on the rugged majesty of Table Mountain and witness the blue beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.
Enjoy an exhilarating 45-minute helicopter tour over Cape Town and the highlights of the Cape Peninsula. See the beautiful scenery of both Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope from the sky. Take in views of Table Mountain and False Bay from above for a unique perspective. Peer down on Boulders Beach to see if you can spot any of the resident penguins, or any of the surfers at Muizenberg. Admire the rows upon rows of vineyards in Constantia before flying back to Cape Town.
Hot Air Balloon
A ride in a hot air balloon gives you the opportunity to see, smell and soak up an area on a completely new level. It gives perspective to the enviroment, it has an element of adventure and quite often enhances the guest’s safari experience if conducted in a wildlife area, with numerous sightings of wild animals.
They start very early in the morning (before sunrise), when the air is at its calmest - normally with a tea and coffee being served to guests as they watch the balloonists prepare the hot air balloon for take-off. The flights last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Upon landing a ground crew (or recovery crew) will collect the passengers and drive them back to the launch site, or a to a nearby restaurant where guests enjoy a full breakfast, with orange juice and sparkling wine. Before finally leaving the hot air balloon pilot awards each of his or her passengers with a hot air balloon flight certificate in recognitions of their bravery!
You can select the area that you wish to try some hot air ballooning. All of the options are based in South Africa, and each hot air ballooning operation is located in an area within South Africa that has its own beauty and attraction. These areas include the Cape Winelands, the Magaliesberg Mountains, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, the Hazyview area of Mpumalanga and the Lowveld area adjoining the Kruger National Park.
Congo Ostrich Farm in Oudthsoorn
Locals call Oudtshoorn the ostrich capital of the world. That’s because this tiny town’s economy thrives almost exclusively on the farming, feathers and tourism of this giant land bird. Since the mid-1800s, South Africans in Oudtshoorn have been supplying ostrich products to European dignities at home and abroad. Cango Ostrich Show Farm is located in the lush Cango Valley, Schoemanshoek, 14km outside of Oudtshoorn on the main route towards the world famous Cango Caves, making it easy to find and making your trip more time efficient.
To ride an Ostrich, visit one of the Ostrich Show Farms in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Here you can observe large flocks of Ostriches at different stages of development. There are petting areas where you can cuddle the chicks or feed an ostrich by hand. Professional multilingual guides take you on a conducted tour where you will learn about the birds surrounded by thousands of ostriches. Visit the Restaurant where you can try an Ostrich Steak or the Ostrich egg. And then if you feel really brave you can try to sit on an ostrich or you can actually try to ride an ostrich (at your own risk!).
Pilanesburg National Park
Pilanesberg Game Reserve is a provincial park in South Africa, northwest of Johannesburg. It’s set in an extinct volcanic crater, with grasslands, wooded valleys and multihued rock formations. Wildlife includes elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos. Animals drink at Mankwe Dam, a man-made lake. Abundant birdlife includes eagles and ostriches. Concealed wildlife-viewing shelters are scattered throughout the park.
mong Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible. Situated in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, this vast area promises thrilling big game viewing. Only three hours’ drive away from South Africa’s largest city (Johannesburg), Pilanesberg National Park offers the perfect opportunity to leave the city lights behind, and discover another world. The diversity of Pilanesberg’s accommodation options means that there is an offering to suit every taste. Whether you enjoy “roughing it” in a Safari tent in the bush, or a savouring a glass of fine wine in a big bubble-bath as you gaze out the window of your luxury lodge, Pilanesberg has something just for you.
The relatively small size of the park, and its unusual ecological richness, dramatically increase your chance of encountering the Big 5 in their natural environment. Enjoy a leisurely Safari experience as you experience the Big 5 up and close.
Stellenbosch Winelands
Stellenbosch is a university town in South Africa's Western Cape province. It's surrounded by the vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the mountainous nature reserves of Jonkershoek and Simonsberg. The town's oak-shaded streets are lined with cafes, boutiques and art galleries.
The wine farms in Stellenbosch range from big farms with, high tech cellars, through multi-functional farms and historical manors to small, more intimate wine estates that lend themselves to relax and enjoy nature and the fruits of the vine! Most of these farms lie in the many valleys and hills of the Stellenbosch Wine area and boast with magical views of the winelands. Enjoy a half-day wine tour into historic Stellenbosch to learn about this region’s role in South African winemaking. This trip from Cape Town includes a walking tour of the little town of Stellenbosch, where you’ll learn more about the Cape Dutch architectural style; and a tour of an historic wine estate, where you’ll taste the country’s signature Pinotage wine. This is a perfect choice for travelers with tight schedules who still want to experience the beautiful Cape Winelands region.
