If you’re planning a unique, exciting, and culture-filled vacation, you might want to consider South Africa.

Beautiful beaches, award-winning vineyards, breathtaking scenery, magnificent wildlife, and vibrant, international cities are just a few of South Africa’s many drawcards.

The country stretches to over 1,700 miles and like its colourful flag, South Africa offers variety and new experiences. 

In this article, we’ve listed some key South Africa activities for tourists, as well as great attractions to check out during your visit.

Activities You Should Try in South Africa

South Africa is a great place to try out new thrilling experiences. Here are some activities that might be fun to try out:

1. Go surfing

South Africa offers several great surfing locations. While some surfing spots are restricted to professional surfers, there are many more beaches that are beginner-friendly.

1. Jeffrey’s Bay

The most well-known surfing location in South Africa is Jeffrey’s Bay, which lies on the country’s south coast close to Port Elizabeth. It’s known for its enormous waves and variety of breaks.

The renowned Supertubes and the yearly J-Bay Open, a notable World Surf League competition, are held here. Jordy Smith, a local surfing legend, calls it his home break, and other prominent surfers like Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning are regular visitors.

2. Muizenberg

Muizenberg is widely recognised as the site of the origins of surfing in South Africa. What’s great about this spot is there are waves for all skill levels here, so you might be able to bring‌ your friends and family.

While Muizenberg is one of the most popular surfing locations in South Africa for amateurs, the waves are also excellent for honing your skills.

3. Durban

Durban is a fantastic choice for surfing lessons if you’re a beginner because of the predictable waves and warm water of the Indian Ocean. For a two- to three-hour course, surfing lessons cost approximately R 500 per person.

Between April and September is the ideal period for Durban surfing. However, if you’re looking for extremely big waves, visit during the height of South Africa’s winter– between June and August.

There are consistent waves throughout the rest of the year, though, so any time is a good time to surf Durban if you’re a beginner or intermediate surfer.

4. Llandudno

In addition to being one of the most stunning beaches in the Western Cape, Llandudno is also one of the most challenging surfing spots in the area. 

There are sharp mountains of rocks everywhere, and its strong waves are definitely not for amateurs. Thus, you should be very careful when surfing here as the waves can become incredibly hollow and the hard stones can cause serious injuries.

2. Try bungee jumping at the Bloukrans Bridge

The Bloukrans River Valley is located on the Western and Eastern Cape border. There, you’ll find the Bloukrans Bridge, which is the highest commercial bungee jumping bridge in the world.

As you jump, you’ll be plunging more than 650 feet below, letting you experience the majestic view and inhale the fresh air. 

It costs roughly R 150 for a bungee jump at the Bloukrans Bridge.

3. Go hiking at the Drakensberg

The country’s tallest mountain range, the Drakensberg, is located close to the east coast and features rocky, green peaks, sandstone cliffs, and deep valleys. 

There are multiple trails with choices for both day treks and multi-day excursions, ranging from easy strolls to challenging climbs. The most popular routes include:

Trail	Duration/Difficulty
Rainbow Gorge	Beginner-friendly and only takes two hours to complete
Ploughman’s Kop	Half-day trail with a steep climb
Chain Ladders Hike	Challenging one-day hike
Cathedral Peak	Long hike, which can be broken up into two days by spending one night camped out in a cave
Giant’s Cup Trail	Challenging five-day hike

4. Indulge in wine tasting at the Cape Winelands

There is no better place to sample South Africa’s world-class wines than right at the production facility. 

The Cape Winelands are charming and surrounded by a beautiful, serene landscape, making them the ideal place to enjoy top-notch wines. They are tucked away in the valley of the unending mountains.

It also offers multiple wineries you can visit. Here are a few popular spots:

1. Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch, the second-oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town, is renowned as the centre of the Cape Winelands. Despite being a small area, Stellenbosch comprises over 150 wineries and offers a flavourful experience for its guests.

In addition to offering daily wine tours and tastings, many of these farms also have restaurants with vineyard views and picnic areas where you may enjoy your meal.

2. Franschhoek

Franschhoek or “French Corner” is one of the most beautiful vineyards in the Cape Winelands regions. It’s surrounded by blooming orchards and breathtaking mountain peaks.

Although it’s small and only has one main street, Franschhoek has more than 50 vineyards and is home to some of South Africa’s greatest restaurants.

3. Constantia

Constantia is a hidden suburb with huge vineyards, magnificent ambassadorial palaces, and elegant homes with vast green lawns.

Constantia Wine Valley is actually the oldest wine-producing region in the Cape, having been first established in 1685. As a complement, there are also plenty of choices for fine dining and exquisite cuisine in the area.

4. Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, which means “Heaven and Earth” in Afrikaans, is one of the less popular wineries, as it’s located outside the main wine route. You’ll find it located outside of Hermanus, a coastal community.

The cool breeze from the oceans is thought to help grapes thrive, making wine from wine farms in Hemel-en-Aarde Valley extraordinarily ripe.

BONUS ENTRY: Route 62

Located about an hour away from Cape Town is another popular wine destination: Route 62. It’s considered the longest wine route in the world, as well as one of South Africa’s most beautiful drives. 

Before entering the Karoo, the vast area of semi-desert that makes up much of the Western Cape’s core, Route 62 travels through valleys studded with vineyards, across magnificent mountain vistas, and past peaceful farming communities.

5. Explore life below water

You can visit Cape Town if you enjoy diving or wish to learn. The mixture of warm and cold ocean currents has made diving in this area world-class. 

Here, you’ll find rocky shorelines, numerous reefs, and kelp forests. You’ll also be able to find wrecks on both sides of the peninsula, which you can explore.

If you’re a beginner diver, budget approximately R 1,450 for a one-tank dive (including equipment rental) and R 6,600 for your PADI certification.

You can also try out shark cage diving in Gansbaai, which is located two and a half hours’ drive from Cape Town. Gansbaai is a fishing town which comprises one of the world’s biggest populations of great white sharks.

The best season to visit is from March to September. This is because the sharks hunt prey nearer the shore when it’s cold.

Places You Should Visit in South Africa

It’s okay if you’re not into extreme activities as there are still plenty of must-see places in South Africa. 

These tourist spots are still fun but are more chill. Most of them are kid- and family-friendly too.

1. The Boulders Beach

Website: https://www.sanparks.org/

Address: Boulders Beach; 4 Boulders Place, Secluse Ave, Simon’s Town, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 21 786 2329

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Ticket prices:

South African Citizens and Residents (with ID)	R 44 per adult, per dayR 22 per child, per day
SADC Nationals (with passport)	R 88 per adult, per dayR 44 per child, per day
Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors):	R 176 per adult, per day R 88 per child, per day

The Boulders Penguin Colony, located as part of the Table Mountain National Park, is home to several thousands of African penguins. These penguins are endangered species.

Because of this, it is prohibited to walk on the beach where the penguins breed; however, you are still allowed to observe them from the neighbouring viewing platforms. 

The Boulders Visitor Centre also has a high boardwalk that allows visitors to approach the penguins up close.

2. Hermanus

South Africa is a quite popular destination for whale watching. In the town of Hermanus, you’ll find the most popular whale-watching companies in the country.

It’s best to visit between June and November to increase your chances of spotting Southern right whales, Bryde’s whales, and orcas.

Tours usually last for about two hours and cost around R 950 per person. Snacks are also included in the fee, which is nice.

However, if you’re not really planning to go on a tour but are interested in seeing some whales, here are some spots where you can be on the lookout.

1. Gearing’s Point

Address: 71 Marine Dr, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa
Gearing’s Point is a great stopover for travellers. They have a free and spacious parking lot and benches by the side of the ocean for those who want to stay awhile.

There are also some sculptures placed along the path, which are interesting.

There is also a designated “Whale Cryer” who uses a seaweed horn to let people know when the whales are visible.

2. Sievers Point

Address: 306 Main Rd, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa

Sievers Point is considered one of the best spots to watch whales for free. In addition, it’s also listed as one of the best tourist spots in Hermanus.

There are also a few great food establishments nearby, which is why it’s no surprise that a lot of travelers and locals hang out at Sievers Point.

3. The World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park

Website: https://worldofbirds.co.za/

Address: Valley Rd, Hout Bay, Cape Town, 7806, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 21 790 2730

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Entrance Fees: Adults – R 130, Children 3-16 yo – R 50, Under 3 yo – Free 

The World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park, also known simply as World of Birds, is a bird, reptile, and wildlife sanctuary located in the South African suburb of Hout Bay.

They take care of around 400 species, 330 of which are birds. They also feature meerkats and porcupines and various monkeys like baboons, marmosets and tamarins.

You can also find reptiles including green iguanas, monitor lizards and tortoises. 

Apart from their affordable prices, they offer discounts for students and pensioners. On top of that, The World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park allows group bookings.

4. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art

Website: https://zeitzmocaa.museum/

Address: V&A Waterfront Silo District, S Arm Rd, Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Contact Details: +27 87 350 4777

Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Cape Town and opened in 2017. This is designed to be the world’s biggest museum that features contemporary art from Africa.

Most of the works spotlighted are from the exhaustive collection of a German businessman and philanthropist named Jochen Zeitz. However, you’ll also find commissioned pieces from many prominent African artists.

Aside from the art the institution features in its galleries, even the interiors of the Zeitz Museum are breathtakingly unique. 

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