Spectacular Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
If you are looking to travel to a country that is rich in beautiful landscapes and cultural diversity…South Africa is the answer for you!
With all of the country’s nine provinces offering something unique for each tourist, it will be worth your while to take your time to explore them all…or keep coming back.
Nestled right at the bottom of the African continent, South Africa is celebrated for its colourful culture, be it for foodies, art and fashion, outdoor enthusiasts, wild life….and again the different cultures found in all provinces!!
The Gauteng Province
Jacaranda trees in Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa
Gauteng province is home to South Africa’s capital city Pretoria and the country’s most celebrated city of gold Johannesburg. Both cities are filled with history, with Johannesburg being the centre of attention, much thanks to being the melting pot of all nations and cultures including being dubbed “ the city of gold”, it offers many stories to be enjoyed! Fashion, art and food culture is a huge deal in Johannesburg, with most tourist attractions in and around the city…you’ll have plenty to choose from….Be it food and crafts markets, visiting national parks for game drives, to museums and experience the Cradle of humankind.
For those wishing to visit the Kruger National Park, i’d say a few days stay in Jo’burg is well worth it especially for a long weekend.
Northwest Province
Sunrise in the tranquil Pilanesburg Nature Reserve, North West, South Africa
Mostly appreciated because of the Sun City resort, this province has a lot to offer, Just under 2 hours away from Johannesburg, you can enjoy a game drive in Pilanesburg National Park, especially if you don’t have time to visit the Kruger. Pilanesburg offers great game viewing without the traffic found in the Kruger and it is also malaria free. Definitely visit Sun City, even if for a day…even hop on a hot air balloon!
Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province
Spectacular views, God’s window, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Mpumalanga: wow what can I say? Mostly famous for the most loved Kruger National Park for game drive experience! However there’s a lot to be explored in this province, just a stone throw away from Swaziland, Mpumalanga boasts the most amazing greenery, surrounded by mountains forests and waterfalls…you just cannot be indoors and forgive yourself for it, when you can be wild outdoors. Stunning small towns and quaint villages with lots to do, you simply can not visit this province for only the national park. Explore it and enjoy its people.
Limpopo: Also beautifully surrounded by national parks and game reserves, with a much protected Mapungubwe National Park which is also a world heritage site, Limpopo is often overlooked yet has so much to offer. From hiking to bungee jumping, zip lining and river rafting…don’t forget to visit the caves!
KwaZulu Natal
Hippos busking in the sun, St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
KwaZulu Natal is a coastal province with beautiful white sand beaches and wetlands. With the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, KZN has tropical climate and much preferable for winter visits (June-August). A visit to cultural villages is a must where guests can be enthralled by the traditional Zulu dance and drums. I’d encourage anyone visiting KZN to make a stop at St. Lucia, for an experience of witnessing wild life in open space…where hippos and hyenas roam the streets freely that you literally have to watch your speed. I highly recommended a visit to a cultural village, where your strings will be pulled by the beautiful beats of Zulu drumming and dance!!!
Northern Cape
S.A.L.T Telescope, Sutherland, Northen Cape, South Africa
I doubt there’s a province less appreciated in South Africa than the Northen Cape. If it wasn’t for the diamond mined from it…only a few would give it a thought. Yet this province offers more than the precious diamonds…it is home to the Augrabies Falls National Park, the Namaqua National Park most known for its bright and colourful wildflowers… where you can just lay back and enjoy a good book or have a romantic picnic. Not to mention a chance to stargaze and visit the astronomical observatory…the Southern African Large Telescope in Sutherland!
The Free State Province
View from a cave, Rosendal, Free State South Africa
Though it is small, the Free State also holds a lot of South African history, with museums and monuments. Nestled somewhere between Gauteng and the Eastern Cape province, and close to Lesotho ( a land locked country and definitely worth a visit. Visa required for non South Africans) there’s a lot to discover and enjoy in the Free State. From its small towns such as Clarens being the province’s most loved town, to nature reserves and hiking trails at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park to be included on the things/ places to see list and a visit to the Basotho cultural village, where you’ll experience an authentic cultural lifestyle with beautiful African architecture, food, music and dance!!!
Eastern Cape Province
Tsitsikamma National Park, Eastern Cape South Africa
Aaah what can I say? This is the province of beauty and beauty and beauty and yes, I’m super biased!! But it’s just magically beautiful
From the rolling hills and gigantic mountains and vast plains, to the echo of the caves dazzled in San rock paintings, to the roaring sounds of the rivers, crashing against the rocks, snaking their ways to meet on the sea mouths. If there’s anything… do meet the Eastern Cape with all her beauty! This is a country on its own, with stunning mountainous views both inland and coastal, you’ll never be left short of things to do and see. With South Africa being on the south of the African continent, well the Eastern Cape is on the south of South Africa! Enjoy the Addo and Camdeboo National Parks, visit Kariega Game Reserve, go river rafting and kayaking, see the nature reserves, waterfalls, visit the Valley of Desolation in Graaf Reinet and be wowed by the hole in the wall ( main picture) found in Coffee Bay, with stunning bright colored village houses!!!
Western Cape Province
Penguin party at Boulders beach, Simon’s Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Cape Town jumps to mind whenever this province is mentioned…but there are so many undiscovered places in his province. You can start inland with towns such as Oudtshoorn and visit the Cango Caves and enjoy ostrich farms…even ride an ostrich if you fancy. Visit the Karoo with its national parks, take a stunning drive with the sea views along the garden route with stop overs in the small coastal towns and wine farms along the way. Why be in the rush when you can have all of this at your own pace? Do not leave out Mossel Bay, best braai/ bbq seafood at the harbor! Whilst in Cape Town, there are many towns such as Simon’s Town and plenty of wine farms you can hop on and off to visit with in an hour or 2 hours drive from the city. Climb the famous table mountain, shark dive, surf…etc. Try not to limit your time to Cape Town only, explore the neighboring towns and villages such as the fishing village of Paternoster and Langebaan!
All in all, where ever you go in South Africa, you will not miss a chance for great outdoor experiences with wild life!! That goes for water sport fans such as surfing, kayaking and even diving…not to mention the great hiking routes!!
Thinking of paying South Africa a visit or already here but don’t have an itinerary?
Contact us and we’ll build you an itinerary based on your preferences and advise you on best places to visit and things to do!! We will hold your hand guiding you to the best places in the country and give you detailed travel tips!!!