The Republic of South Africa, also known as South Africa, is an excellent destination for a first-time safari traveler. The stunning African landscape, which includes enormous canyons, golden grassland, eerily gorgeous deserts, and an astounding array of African wildlife, is one of the nation’s key draws. Among the most well-liked activities in South Africa include white-water rafting, exploring coral reefs and mountain ranges topped by dragons, and taking in the golden beaches lapped by renowned surf breaks.
Cape Town
With its mountains and sea as its backdrop, Cape Town proudly displays its natural splendor. The city’s long, gorgeous beaches are among the greatest in South Africa, and its iconic Table Mountain is one of its most well-known attractions. Botanical gardens also beckon from the slopes of the city.
V&A Waterfront
- Address: Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 21:00
- Entrance fee: Free
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, which stretches across two harbor basins, is a bustling entertainment district evocative of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Many of the historic buildings have been maintained and renovated in this recreated waterfront region, which was once a run-down fishing harbor. It is currently one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. Every year, millions of people come here to see the stores, theaters, acting school, movies, museums, restaurants, and jazz venues.
The Cape of Good Hope
- Address: Cape Point Rd, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:30 – 17:30
- Entrance fee: R200/child under 12 years old & R400/adult
Tours to South Africa should include a stop at the rocky headland known as the Cape of Good Hope, which is located on the Cape Peninsula’s Atlantic coast. It has retained a unique significance for sailors over the years, who simply refer to it as “the Cape.” English sea commander Sir Francis Drake considered it “the fairest cape in all the world.” A Portuguese navigator named it Good Hope, citing the optimism around the establishment of a maritime route to India and the East.
The fabled Flying Dutchman, a ship manned by doomed sailors who are compelled to sail the waters but never manage to circle the cape, is claimed to call the Cape home. Table Mountain National Park, which is well-known for the “tablecloth” of clouds that covers the summit of the mountain, contains a portion of the Cape.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Address: Rhodes Dr, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 19:00 (Sep – Mar) & 08:00 – 18:00 (Apr – Aug)
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (R) |
| Child under 06 years old | Free |
| Child 06-17 years old | 40 |
| Adult | 220 |
Part of the Cape Floristic Region UNESCO World Heritage site, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is situated in a stunning setting on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Cecil Rhodes left the property to the state in1902, and the gardens—one of the first in the world with this purpose—were founded in 1913 to protect the nation’s native flora.This steep 528-hectare nature reserve of indigenous forest and fynbos is home to over 20,000 native South African plant species that are gathered, propagated, and studied.
An avenue of camphor and fig trees established by Cecil Rhodes in 1898, and a hedge of wild almond trees planted by Jan van Riebeeck in 1660, are of special historical significance. The placement of the trees, bushes, and flowers makes the gardens vibrant all year round with a display of color and blooming.
Two Oceans Aquarium
- Address: Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:30 – 18:00
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (R) |
| Child under 04 years old | Free |
| Child 04-13 years old | 110 |
| Child 14-17 years old | 175 |
| Adult | 235 |
A close-up and intriguing look beneath the surface of the waters encircling South Africa’s coastline may be had at the Two waters Aquarium. Enter the captivating world of the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, where an array of shapes, sizes, and vibrant colors bring the oceans to life. Verify the times for the animal feedings, pay a visit to the penguin display, the amazing kelp forest, and the predator exhibit. These massive tanks are home to an amazing assortment of Indian Ocean fish, sharks, jelly fish, eels, crabs, and the Knysna seahorse.
See the amazing show through large viewing windows and lengthy underwater tunnels. After that, examine the marine life under a microscope or stop by the Touch Pool to get up close and personal with deep-diving animals and plants. Families will love this all-weather location, where kids and adults alike may explore below the waterline and uncover a fascinating world that is typically concealed from view.
Boulders Beach
- Address: Simon’s Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00
- Entrance fee: R95/child under 12 years old & R190/adult
Boulders Beach, surrounded by massive granite boulders, boasts immaculate white sands and serene blue waters, making it one of the most breathtaking beaches on the Cape Peninsula. Situated somewhat outside of Simon’s Town, the beach is well-known for its African penguin colony and is protected as part of Table Mountain National Park.
The beach is divided into two sections: the southern portion is open for swimming, while the northern portion is accessible from the Boulders Visitors Center and features a specially constructed boardwalk where visitors may observe penguins in their natural habitat.
Table Mountain National Park
- Address: Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:30 – 18:00
- Entrance fee: R80/child under 12 years old & R160/adult
A Marine Protected Area and several of the beaches surrounding the Peninsula are part of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), which extends 70 kilometers from Signal Hill and Table Mountain in the north to Cape Point in the south. As a component of the Cape Floral Kingdom, TMNP is home to thousands of beautiful plants and trees, many of which are unique to Earth, as well as a variety of fascinating animals!
This breathtaking natural world heritage site, which is also one of the Natural New 7 Wonders of the World, is surrounded by the bleached white dunes of the Cape Peninsula and features majestic mountains that plunge into pristine oceans. You have a destination that offers something for everyone, from nature lovers and history enthusiasts to families and crazy adrenaline sports aficionados. Add to this its amazing tapestry of natural and social history.
Castle of Good Hope
- Address: Darling St & Buitenkant St, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00
- Entrance fee: R25/child & R50/adult
The oldest stone building still standing in South Africa is The Castle of Good Hope, which is located across the street from the Grand Parade. Built in the shape of a five-pointed star between 1666 and 1679, the castle served as both the governor’s home and a fortification for the early settlers. Despite this, it was never attacked. The William Fehr Collection, which features artwork, fine glass, porcelain, pottery, and furniture from Europe, Asia, and South Africa spanning the 17th to 19th century, is a standout feature here.
The Cape Wheel
- Address: The Lawns, Breakwater Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:00
- Entrance fee as follows
| Type of ticket | Category | Fee (R) |
| General ticket | Child under 04 years old | Free |
| Child 04-17 years old | 95 | |
| Adult | 175 | |
| Sky Dining | Child | 150 |
| Adult | 320 |
When strolling along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, it is hard to overlook the Cape Wheel located in Market Square. With 30 completely air-conditioned, totally enclosed compartments offering 360-degree bird’s-eye views, the big wheel takes you on a 15-minute journey in four loops. Reaching around 120 feet above the earth, the summit of the wheel offers breathtaking, clear-day views of Table Mountain, the Paarl Mountains, Cape Town’s city center and port, and the Cape Town Stadium at neighboring Green Point.
Muizenberg Beach
Address: Cape Town, South Africa
Muizenberg, renowned for its vividly colored beach huts and superb surfing, is roughly thirty minutes’ drive from Cape Town’s city center. Because of its location on the False Bay side of the peninsula, the water here is slightly warmer than, say, that of Camps Bay Beach. The beach, which has a Blue Flag rating, is among the greatest spots for novice surfers to practice riding waves because the waves aren’t too big and the surf is reliable.
Bathing boxes are the colorful beach houses you’ve probably seen in pictures on social media. During the Victorian era, women would use them as a private place to change into bathing suits that covered from chin to ankle.
Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
- Address: 71 Wale St, Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (except Sunday)
- Entrance fee: R60
Bo-Kaap is a busy neighborhood with colorful residences and a diverse range of cultures. Located on the Signal Hill slopes, just outside of central Cape Town, this ancient community is a vibrant mashup of African, Indian, Malaysian, and Sri Lankan cultures. It was among the earliest Muslim immigration and freed slave colonies in South Africa. Bo-Kaap is teeming with cultural attractions, from museums and churches to artisan markets and traditional restaurants. A visit offers a glimpse into the neighborhood’s contemporary culture as well as a glance back in time.
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
- Address: V&A Waterfront Silo District, S Arm Rd, Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00
- Entrance fee: R250/adult & free for child under 18 years old
Located in the center of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront lies the innovative Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, or Zeitz MOCAA. It is the first significant museum in Africa devoted exclusively to modern art from Africa and its diaspora, having opened its doors in 2017. The purpose of the museum is to showcase and honor the artistic creations of African and African-diaspora artists, as well as to give them a platform on which to be viewed and purchased.
Durban
This seaside city is a great place for surfers and water enthusiasts to visit because it looks out over the untamed Indian Ocean. Because of its complex and lengthy past, Durban is a multicultural treasure. This is evident in the long-running Victoria Street Market, where fresh tropical fruit is displayed next to bundles of spices.
Ushaka Marine World
- Address: 1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban, South Africa
- Opening hours & Entrance fee as follows
| Ticket | Opening hours | Category | Fee (R) |
| Sea World | 09:00 – 17:00 | Child under 03 years old | Free |
| Child/ Senior | 163 | ||
| Adult | 214 | ||
| Wet N Wild | 09:00 – 17:00 (Wednesday – Sunday) | Child under 03 years old | Free |
| Child/ Senior | 165 | ||
| Adult | 204 | ||
| Ushaka Shipwreck Aquarium | 09:00 – 17:00 | Child under 03 years old | Free |
| Child/ Senior | 100 | ||
| Adult | 110 | ||
| Dangerous Creatures | 10:00 – 16:00 | Child under 03 years old | Free |
| Adult | 68 | ||
| Chimp & Zee | 09:00 – 17:00 (Wednesday – Sunday) | From 06 years old | 195 |
Ushaka Marine World is one of Durban’s best waterfront attractions, featuring enormous water slides, amazing marine life, and white sand beaches. This aquarium and theme park has eight distinct attractions. In addition to watching marine life in the aquarium, guests may race down slides, test their mettle on a ropes course, and more. This 16-acre park has a wide range of entertainment all under one roof. At Wet ‘n Wild, take advantage of the water slides; at Ushaka Sea World, go snorkeling or see dolphins; at Dangerous Creatures, handle reptiles; at Chimp & Zee, try out the ropes courses; or just relax on the beach and shop at Village Walk.
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Address: 44 Isaiah Ntshangase Rd, Stamford Hill, Durban, South Africa
Constructed to accommodate the 2010 World Cup, Moses Mabhida Stadium is one of the nation’s most prestigious sports and entertainment venues. On the Durban waterfront, it stands out due to its colossal arch and contemporary architecture. Take in the cityscape from the top of the arch’s viewing platform while testing your mettle on the biggest stadium swing in the world.
Attending a concert or soccer match is one way to experience the location, but there are other activities Moses Mabhida Stadium offers visitors. Take a funicular (or the stairs) to the top of the arch for an alternative perspective of the city and the architectural marvel while the stadium is empty. Take a swing off the arch called Big Rush, a huge rope swing that gives you the same excitement as bungee jumping, for a shot of adrenaline.
Durban Botanic Gardens
- Address: 9A John Zikhali Rd, Berea, Durban, South Africa
- Opening hours: 07:30 – 17:45
- Entrance fee: Free
Africa’s oldest botanic gardens, spanning 37 acres, were founded in 1849. Tumbling pathways, well-kept lawns, and a wide variety of plants make this place a verdant haven just outside the city limits. Treasures abound, such as the Orchid House, which is home to over 8,000 plants, and the Butterfly Garden, which showcases KwaZulu-Natal unique species.
The gardens are the ideal place to unwind after seeing the busy city of Durban because they are daily open and give free admission. In addition to introduce you to the local flora, many city excursions stop in the gardens, where you may enjoy a picnic on the shaded lawns and chairs. A relaxed picture shoot in the old sunken garden or a trip to the lake to uncover a birdwatcher’s paradise can be planned while you explore.
Umgeni River Bird Park
- Address: Riverside Rd, Durban North, Durban, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:00
- Entrance fee: R44/child 03-12 years old & R67/adult
About 200 different bird species may be found in Umgeni River Bird Park, which is situated just outside of Durban’s center. The park, which covers 8.6 acres (3.5 hectares), is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The park strives to raise and repopulate endangered animals with an emphasis on conservation.
A trip to the park is the perfect opportunity to combine leisure and learning. Discover more about the park’s efforts to protect fragile species and the conservation status of the birds as you go by natural waterfalls and through aviaries. Don’t miss the flight show, which features owls, cranes, and a Cape vulture, among other birds. Seeing rare birds in their natural habitat, where they can fly unhindered, is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg, also referred to as the “City of Gold,” offers a wide range of choices to satisfy various traveler preferences. Activities in Johannesburg include exploring the country’s complicated history at the Apartheid Museum, going on a day trip to the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bar hopping across the rooftops of the trendy Maboneng neighborhood, and testing your nerve at the Gold Reef City Theme Park. You will undoubtedly gain fresh insights and thoughts from exploring Johannesburg.
Gandhi Square Precinct
- Address: New St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:30
- Entrance fee: Free
Gandhi Square Precinct, which is located in the center of Johannesburg’s CBD, is a well-liked tourist destination as well as a bustling center of business and retail activity.
Gandhi Square’s renovation sparked a resurgence of interest from retailers in this part of Johannesburg, and now, the square is ringed by banks, street cafes, restaurants, bars, stores, and other distinctive establishments and is under 24-hour security.
Ongoing urban redevelopment projects, such as the renovated Main Street and the Fox Street mall, are located in the surrounding streets that connect to Gandhi Square. These projects are part of the inner city rejuvenation spine.
Gold Reef City
- Address: Northern Pkwy & Data Cres, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (Thursday – Sunday)
- Entrance fee: R250 for theme park
Eight kilometers outside the city center, Gold Reef City transports you back to the era of the gold rush with an exhilarating theme park and historical displays. In addition to touring a shuttered shaft of the Crown Mines, one of the wealthiest gold mines in the world, visitors to this family-friendly site may see replicas of the structures and companies from that era.
Kids adore the thrilling theme park rides, such as the Anaconda roller coaster, the ten-pin bowling alley, and the trampoline park. The park also has a petting zoo and attractions specifically designed for small children. Gold panning, sideshow games, and putt-putt golf complete the excursions.
Apartheid Museum
- Address: Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Road, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00 (except Monday & Tuesday)
- Entrance fee: R100/child & R150/adult
The unfairness, brutality, and absurdities of white minority rule in South Africa are documented in detail by the Apartheid Museum. Separation had been a pillar of South African politics since the nation’s founding, but apartheid—which means “separateness” in Afrikaans—was formally in place from 1948 to 1994. The goal of the museum is to assist South Africa in moving past its repressive past and toward the future. The museum uses images, records, and video to portray the story of apartheid in the 20th century. Interactive elements also help to vividly illustrate the history of racial categorization. The seven pillars of South Africa’s post-apartheid constitution—democracy, equality, reconciliation, diversity, responsibility, respect, and freedom—celebrate the end of the country’s segregation in 1990, following former president Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.
Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
- Address: 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00
- Entrance fee as follows
| Type of tour | Category | Fee (R) |
| Highlights | Child 05-17 years old | 55 |
| Student | 80 | |
| Adult | 120 | |
| Full | Child 05-17 years old | 100 |
| Student | 100 | |
| Adult | 180 | |
| Self-Guided Tour | Child 05-17 years old | 50 |
| Student | 65 | |
| Adult | 100 | |
| Night Tour | 350 | |
| Art & Justice Tour | Child/Student | 150 |
| Adult | 200 | |
| Time Travel Tour | 350 | |
| Time Travel with Finger Food and Ltd Drinks | 600 | |
| Constitutional Court Tour | Child/Student | 70 |
| Adult | 120 |
Constitution Hill is arguably the place where South Africa’s democratic transition is most noticeable. Buildings here served as a dreaded prison complex for more than a century, housing everyone from simple criminals to activists like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, as well as Winston Churchill for a brief period of time during the Boer War. The Constitutional Court of South Africa has been housed at this location since 2004. Discover the history of the Soweto Uprising, the rebellious Boer soldiers who fought alongside British soldiers at the turn of the century, and South Africa’s Constitutional Court at Constitutional Hill, which is partially constructed using bricks from an old prison building mixed with more modern, lighter elements.
Maboneng Precinct
- Address: Fox St &, Kruger St, City and Suburban, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
An excellent illustration of a mixed-use urban revitalization project that has succeeded is the lively Maboneng Precinct. Maboneng, which means “place of light,” was formerly a pretty dilapidated neighborhood but is now teeming with activity. Smartly mixed among residential structures are funky cafes, restaurants, art galleries, stores, motels, and entertainment venues.
The weekly Market on Main, which features cuisine from all across the continent, is a major draw here. Two of the earliest projects where warehouses are converted into artist’s studios, galleries, and retail spaces are Arts on Main and Revolution House. Designer hotels, stores, a community center, and an independent theater called Bioscope are located in other developments. This is a great place to explore, take in the atmosphere of the city, and get a bite to eat or a refreshing drink.
Mandela’s House
- Address: 8115 Vilakazi St, Orlando West, Soweto, South Africa
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:45
The goal of the Nelson Mandela National Museum (also known as Mandela House) is to preserve the family’s history, culture, and legacy. This Johannesburg home was inhabited by former South African president Nelson Mandela and his family from 1946 until the 1990s, when they gave it to the Soweto Heritage Trust. After being designated as a National Heritage Site, the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s home has undergone careful restoration to become a museum with exhibits and common household items that bring a human element to the tale of its residents’ valiant struggle.
Hector Pieterson Memorial
- Address: 8287 Khumalo Rd, Orlando West, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (except Monday)
- Entrance fee: Free
In the center of Soweto, the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum is a site of contemplation and memory. This museum and memorial present the story of the Soweto uprising and its aftermath through an interactive experience, honoring the legacy of the students who struggled against apartheid. You will get a better understanding of the hardships and sacrifices South Africans faced in the pursuit of freedom and equality if you visit this museum.
Pretoria
Pretoria, nicknamed the Jacaranda City because of the riot of purple blooms that illuminate its numerous parks and gardens in the spring, is located in the lush Apies River valley at the base of the Magaliesberg mountain range. Pretoria is home to many Afrikaners and is a city of diplomats, civil servants, and neat residential areas. In addition, it is a significant industrial town and a center of culture and education.
Voortrekker Monument
- Address: Eeufees Rd, Groenkloof 358-Jr, Pretoria, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
- Entrance fee: R5 – 700
One of South Africa’s most popular historic sites, the Voortrekker Monument is perched on a hill south of the city center and is recognized as a National Heritage site. To honor the Voortrekkers, the Boers who marched northward into uncharted terrain in the middle of the 19th century, it was constructed in 1949. Steps ascend to the Hall of Heroes, a 40-meter-tall square granite edifice that is a well-known landmark in the city. Inside are 27 marble reliefs that illustrate the Great Trek of 1838. There is a mural surrounding the monument that shows ox carts, which stand in for the trip wagons. Every year on December 16, a beam of light from the dome’s aperture illuminates a cenotaph beneath it that says, “Ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika” (which translates to “We are for you, South Africa”).
Pretoria National Botanical Gardens
- Address: 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 17:00
- Entrance fee as follows
| Category | Fee (R) |
| Child under 06 years old | Free |
| Scholars 06-17 years old | 20 |
| Student | 40 |
| Adult | 60 |
Situated in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, the Pretoria National Botanic Garden is a tranquil haven near the city. The 76-hectare gardens have various floral plants, cycads, aloes, and other noteworthy collections, as well as more than half of South Africa’s tree species. The park is divided into two pieces by a quartzite ridge, with the warmer north-facing portion of the park’s vegetation differing from the colder south-facing portion.
The flora is categorized based on the climate zones they inhabit, which include the Karoo savannas, coastal woodlands, and Namibia’s grassland plains. Paths made of pavers wind through the steep hill above the garden, displaying its organic flora. Located on the premises is the National Herbarium, which has the biggest plant specimen collection in South Africa, comprising over a million species that are cataloged and preserved. Visitors can eat at the lakefront restaurant after touring the exquisite gardens.
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
- Address: 232 Boom St, Daspoort 319-Jr, Pretoria, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:30 – 17:30
- Entrance fee as follows
| Type of ticket | Category | Fee (R) |
| General ticket | Child under 02 years old | Free |
| Child 02-17 years old | 70 | |
| Student | 70 | |
| Adult | 100 | |
| Night at the zoo: Sunset Safari | Child | 100 |
| Adult | 130 | |
| Night at the zoo: Zoocamp | Child | 120 |
| Adult | 180 |
The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, which cover 85 hectares, offer the whole family an exciting day filled with animals. This expansive zoo features a walk-through aviary, a reptile house with an international collection of animals, and the nation’s only inland aquarium, where guests may view a wide variety of fish, including ragged tooth sharks.
Highlights of the extensive mammal collection include the exhibit including lions and tigers, hippos, and elephants. In order to explore the zoo, guests can rent golf carts for an hour, take the cableway for an aerial perspective, or walk along the walkways to get up close and personal with the animals. There are also options for overnight camping excursions and nocturnal visits.
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
- Address: 14 Game Reserve Ave, Rietvallei 377-Jr, Pretoria, South Africa
- Opening hours: 06:00 – 18:00
Less than a 20-minute drive from the city center, the Rietvlei Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Pretoria provides a tranquil getaway to nature and excellent wildlife viewing. Constructed in the midst of the Great Depression, the dam provides 15% of Pretoria’s water supply and is home to a variety of highveld wildlife that has been restored. The species that can be found here include elands, red hartebeest, buffalo, blesbok, waterbuck, zebra, black wildebeest, hippo, and even cheetahs. The playful secretary birds, the national bird of South Africa, the blue crane, and a pair of fish eagles that are breeding should all be of interest to birdwatchers.
Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum
- Address: koch st &, 7th Ave, Salvokop, Pretoria, South Africa
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 16:30
- Entrance fee: R155
Freedom Park, which is perched atop Salvokop Hill and offers expansive vistas, tells the tale of South Africa’s freedom and pays tribute to individuals who were instrumental in it. The complex, which welcomed visitors in 2007, has an excellent museum with displays exploring the history of the country from the dawn of civilization to the present. It also features a number of moving memorials.
Highlights include the Gallery of Leaders, which offers an inspirational look at role models on the path to independence, and the Wall of Names, which is inscribed with the names of all those who gave their lives in South Africa’s major conflicts and contains an eternal flame. Two hours of guided tours yield fascinating insights into the stories portrayed here and the architectural aspects that hold symbolic meaning.
