South Africa is a beautiful country teeming with rich history, breathtaking natural beauty, and a unique culture that can’t be found elsewhere. That said, the country is known for a variety of things such as safaris, braais, beach penguins, and other unique experiences!

If you’re a curious traveller looking for adventure or someone eager to discover what the country has in store for you, make sure to read this list of the best things South Africa is known for.

1. Safaris 

South Africa is known for being one of the best places to go on an exciting safari adventure in the world. The country is home to tons of savannas, national parks, and green spaces that are bursting with exotic and incredible wildlife.

One of our top spots for going on a safari here is Kruger National Park, a lush green space filled with rare animal species. In fact, you can find a bunch of endangered animals here, such as the African Wild Dog, rhinos, and lions.

Aside from mammals, South Africa also has a variety of interesting birds and raptors that are exclusively endemic to the country. One of our favourite places to go bird-watching is the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi reserve, which is a prime spot for bird-watching.

2. Braais

One of the best things South Africa is known for is its unique dish called Braais, which is their own version of barbecue. Braais are so significant here that they’ve become a cultural icon signalling fun, as locals host them during weekends and celebrations.

The preparation of Braais always involves the use of charcoal, but you’ll find a variety of variations of the dish around the country. You’ll also find that Braais are cooked using a variety of meats caught during hunts, such as beef, ostrich, and even springbok!

What’s most interesting about this cultural phenomenon is the Braaismaster who’s responsible for all the grilling and hosting of the entire event. You’ll often find them behind the grill, cooking up a bunch of meat simultaneously during any Braais event.

3. Beach Penguins  

Penguins docking up on the beaches of South Africa weren’t always well-known, but after some viral pictures, the phenomenon became synonymous with the country. That said, these cute birds can usually be found on the shores of Boulders Beach.

These adorable penguins are actually African penguins, which have a black stripe and spots that can be found on their bodies. Sadly, their habitat has continuously degraded over the years, leaving them with little resources, which is why they come to the beach.

Also, Boulder Beach is the only place in the world where you can get to see these lovely creatures up close, where you can observe them scouring for resources along the waters and the beachfront.

4. Surfing

South Africa is home to a bunch of provinces with beautiful beaches that boast long coastlines and consistently strong waves, perfect for surfing. There are hundreds of beaches here where you’ll find not just beauty but a strong surfing culture as well.

One of the prime surfing spots in the country is Jeffreys Bay, located in the province of Eastern Cape. The bay prides itself as the place where the J-Bay Open annual world surf league takes place, so expect some quality swells and waves here.

Another great surf spot to check out if you’re in the Western Cape is the beautiful Surfer’s Corner beach in Muizenberg. The place is known for its breathtaking scenery, quality swells, clear waters, and colourful beach huts that line the sandy shores.

5. Wine

In South Africa, you’ll find locally made wine everywhere and great wine-tasting experiences that won’t just let you sample drinks but also teach you about the winemaking process.

South Africa has such a big wine culture that you’ll often find rolling hills dotted with tons of vineyards around the country. We suggest wine enthusiasts visit the Cape Winelands, which is home to a number of wineries, vineyards, and wine-tasting opportunities.

Also, South Africans have become such experts in winemaking that they’ve crafted a bunch of unique flavours. One such wine is the Pinotage variety, which is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut and has become popular all over the world.

6. Biltong

Biltong is one of the first things people think about when delicious South African food and cuisine come to mind. It’s basically South Africa’s answer to beef jerky, except it’s much more flavorful as it’s seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices.

This popular cured meat snack is made through various steps that comprise drying meat in vinegar before it’s seasoned with a mix of herbs and spices. You’ll find Biltong being sold in every butcher shop in the country, each made with its own unique recipe.

Also, the snack isn’t just popular in South Africa; its high protein content, low carb count, delicious flavour, and gluten-free properties make it a popular snack worldwide.

7. Robben Island

Robben Island is a small island just off the coast of Cape Town, widely known as the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Today, the island is a tourist spot that boasts lovely greenery and a visitable museum.

On the island, you’ll find some old remnants of the former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Most of the prisoners held here were black activists, so you’ll see lots of remnants that depict their living conditions from the 1960s to 1990.

Aside from that, the island is also home to a Muslim Moturu Kramat shrine, which was built for Prince Pangerau Chakra Deningrat of Madura. The island has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers stunning views of Table Mountain.

8. Table Mountain 

Speaking of Table Mountain, it’s one of South Africa’s most notable and popular landmarks, home to stunning views and lush flora and fauna. This humongous mountain is iconic for its flat peak that resembles a giant tabletop!

The mountain is a popular hiking destination for adventurous locals and travellers alike, as it’s home to several long and beautiful trails. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you’ll be treated to a lovely view of Cape Town and its surrounding areas.

A notable thing about Table Mountain is how it features thousands of lush flora and fauna that aren’t just native to South Africa but are also endemic to the mountain.

9. Click Consonants 

One of the things South Africa is known for is its iconic clicking sound that locals and native language speakers make. This is because of the nature and influence of the click-heavy Khoisan tribe language on modern South African languages.

Today, there are only around 100,000 Khoisan left in the world, raising concerns about the survival of their languages. Despite this, many people in South Africa continue to incorporate click consonants in their day-to-day speech.

To most tourists, these sounds are alien, as click consonants are rarely used in most languages around the world. In fact, most tourists find it hard to replicate these clicking sounds, which has created a strong interest in learning the local language.

10. Mining

It’s no secret that South Africa is a haven for beautiful stones, minerals, and just about any geological resource one can think of. The country has become well-known for its mining operations and for having some of the most beautiful stones in the world.

The country is so rich in geological resources that it has garnered a reputation for having some of the world’s most significant diamond and gold reserves. 

Despite this, the country has lagged behind the global mining industry due to numerous issues between South Africa’s government and the mining industry.

11. Hiking

South Africa is composed of tons of mountainous regions and hills, so it’s no surprise it has gained a reputation as a great hiking destination. You’ll find thousands of beautiful trails scattered across the country, each boasting unique traits and vibes.

There are numerous hiking trails around every major mountain and nature reserve in the country, like the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Here you’ll be able to find the Rhebok Trail, which is filled with stunning vistas of mountain peaks and ravines.

Also, there’s the Fanie Botha Hiking trail, which is 75 km long and can take around 5 whole days to complete. It’s known as one of the best hikes in South Africa, boasting historical landmarks, lovely waterfalls, stunning vistas, and lush fauna along the way.

12. Shark Diving

Another thing South Africa prides itself on is being home to a bunch of unique experiences like shark diving. Over the years, many people have come to the country in search of adventure and have left only to talk about their shark diving experiences.

Shark diving is a unique and fun activity that can be found almost anywhere in South Africa, while also being an activity with strict regulations. That said, you’ll often find people going shark diving using huge cages in shark-infested waters.

South Africa is home to the great white shark, which is loved around the world while also being feared by many tourists and locals. In particular, Gansbaai is known for its huge population of sharks and is a great spot for novices looking to try shark diving.

13. Shipwrecks

The currents and waters around South Africa have always been known to be quite strong, resulting in shipwrecks being a common sight. Thousands of shipwrecked vessels and boats can be found all along the coast of the country.

Today, most of the shipwrecks are quite rundown and degraded, which is oddly picturesque, making them popular among photographers. You can even find tons of people crowding the beach, snapping lovely photos of shipwrecks during sundown.

One of the easily accessible and eye-catching shipwrecks is the Nightingale steam vessel wreck. This rusty old vessel is beached on some rocks, which makes it easy to observe every detail up close.

14. Zulu Tribe

The Zulu tribe is one of the most famous tribes around the world and in Africa, playing an important historical role in shaping Africa today. The tribe has a population of 10-12 million people who are renowned for their craftsmanship, culture, and skills.

Many of the Zulu in South Africa can be found in KwaZulu-Natal, known for its natural beauty, lush mountains, and flora and fauna.

You can find many products and cultural aspects of the Zulu tribe around South Africa as well. Their Zulu-woven baskets and beaded products are quite abundant and stand as a great representation of their unique culture.

15. Bo Kaap

Bo-Kaap is another thing South Africa is known for, not only as a settlement of Malay people but also for its vibrant colours. This awesome neighbourhood was once the place where Malay slaves resided but now it’s one of the country’s top landmarks.

Despite the population of Bo-Kaap being mostly Malaysians and Indonesians, this iconic neighbourhood has become synonymous with South African culture. Also, its bright and vibrant colours make it one of the most picturesque urban destinations to visit in SA.

16. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea, or African red tea, is one of South Africa’s most prominent products that can be found everywhere across the globe today. The tea finds its origins in the “rooibos” herb which is native to South Africa.

The tea’s iconic colour, smoky, woody, and herbal flavour has become a big hit all over the world. Aside from that, the tea is also loved by locals and tourists alike for its nutritional value and health benefits.

17. Multilingualism

One of the most popular things about South Africa is how multilingual the country is, with a whopping 11 languages spoken on a daily basis. Regardless of where you are in the country, you’re bound to hear at least 4 different languages on a daily basis.

The common languages you’ll hear spoken in South Africa are Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, Sepedi, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and isiZulu.

Despite this wide range of languages, the government and forms of media use English as their language of communication, so don’t be afraid of any language barriers. Likewise, many South Africans are well-versed in English as well as local languages.

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