Things to see and do on a trip to South Africa

Thinking about where to go on your next holiday? In this post we give you several reasons why travelling to South Africa is a good idea. Discover its extensive nature reserves where you can go on safari and see hundreds of different species of animals. Visit the main cities to see in South Africa such as Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and learn about Apartheid and the turbulent history of a country that yearned for freedom.

South Africa has a lot to offer, which is why we’ve put together this post with the country’s must-see cities and natural landscapes. We also give you some tips on how to get around and get by in a country quite different from what we are used to in Europe. And of course, we’ll talk about its wonderful gastronomy, a fusion of cultures and rich in flavours and aromas. Ready to start your trip? Let’s get started!

Cities to See in South Africa

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. Durban, the surfing city

Durban, also known as the surf city, is the ideal destination for beach and sea lovers. In the city itself you will find The Golden Mile, an incredible beach for sports, swimming, walking or surfing safely, as there are nets to keep sharks out. In Durban there are also several parks not to be missed, such as the Umgeni River Bird Park, the largest aquarium in the Southern Hemisphere, the Ushaka Marine World and the oldest botanical garden in the country, dating back to 1849 and home to species from all over the world.

Find out more about Durban in this post: Things to do and see in Durban

2. Bloemfontein, the city of roses

Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa, but is best known for being the home of Lord of the Ring’s writer J.R.R. Tolkien or for its annual Rose Festival, when the city turns colourful. The city’s must-see attractions include the botanical gardens, full of flowers including orchids, the planetarium, the South African Arms Museum and the WindMill Casino. Nearby is the Franklin Nature Reserve, famous for its community of free-ranging cheetahs.

Find out what else to see in Bloemfontein in the post: Things to do and see in Bloemfontein

3. Cape Town, the city to see in South Africa

Cape Town and its surroundings are a must-see in South Africa. The city is a strategic point from which to visit natural areas such as Table Mountain, which is the area’s iconic landmark and has the best views in the country. You can walk up the mountain or take the funicular, which costs R250. Check the website before you go as it may not be operational in high winds.

Other points of interest in the city include the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and Long Street, the city’s most iconic and liveliest street. From the city, you can also organise excursions to Robben Island, home to the prison where Nelson Mandela spent part of his life. The island is 12km away, and you need to take a ferry to get there. Ferry times are 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, but you need to be at the ticket office half an hour beforehand. The visit to the island takes about 4 hours.

3. Pretoria, the perfect day trip from Johannesburg

Pretoria, nestled among the Magaliesberg Hills, is the administrative capital of South Africa and is characterised by modern streets and lush nature. In fact, Pretoria means ‘city of jacarandas’, as these purple flowers cover everything in spring. It’s not the most touristy city, but there are still several interesting places to see in Pretoria, so it’s a regular day trip from Johannesburg.

The city’s main attractions include the South African National Zoological Gardens, the National Botanical Gardens, the Voortrekker Monument, Freedom Park and the Union Buildings. There is also a nature reserve nearby, the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve. However, if you’re spending several days in the city, we recommend visiting Johannesburg, which is less than 1h away by train and makes a perfect day trip.

Find out what else to see in Bloemfontein in the post: Things to do and see in Pretoria

4. Johannesburg and its historical heritage

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and one of the best known cities in the world for the historical legacy left by the likes of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Gandhi. If you’re a history buff, we’re sure you’ll have the time of your life visiting its museums and strategic sites during Apartheid. It may not be the prettiest city to see in South Africa, and it may not be the safest, but it’s worth a couple of days.

We recommend seeing the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Liliesleaf farm and Soweto, the city’s historic centre. Organised tours are recommended to visit the city, as walking is not possible due to its size and public transport is not the safest way to get around, especially after dark.

Wildlife parks and reserves to see in South Africa

1. Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest reserve

The Kruger National Park is a must-see in South Africa because of its size, which makes it the largest in the country, but also because of the variety of animals it holds in the wild. There you will be able to see what they call the ‘big five’, animals difficult to see such as the lion, the leopard, the rhinoceros, the elephant and the buffalo. A safari in this park is a marvellous experience, but you will need a lot of patience to get to see some of the animals.

The park has private accommodation complexes that range in price from €20 to €100 and are fully equipped. There are also several companies that organise jeep, walking and even nighttime tours for a completely different experience.

2. De Hoop Nature Reserve

This reserve is very striking because it is unlike any other. It’s a long stretch of dunes where you can go on long hiking trips. At the entrance to the park there is an office where they will tell you about the routes available, their routes and duration. From the dunes of this coastal park, located three hours from Cape Town, you’ll be able to appreciate the immensity of the blue sea, and during autumn, you can even see whales jumping. It’s a spectacle not to be missed.

3. Isimangaliso Wetland

This park is a World Heritage Site as it is home to the largest community of hippos in the world. It’s located next to St Lucia, where you can take boat trips across the estuary to see crocodiles and hippos, and enjoy the scenery at the water’s edge. These excursions are in high demand, so booking in advance is recommended. Near the park is Cape Vidal, a set of huge beaches where you can swim in the Indian Ocean.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter easy and functional. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you the most, adding them to the route map.

4. Garden Route, the sights to see in South Africa

This 300km route runs from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, and is characterised by the many forests, fishing villages and incredible natural scenery along the way. The most common stops are usually Cape Agulhas, from where you can see a stranded ship, or Nature’s Valley, a curious and very long beach that separates a lake from the sea.

Another highlight is Tsitsikamma National Park, where you can see whales, seals and dolphins, and Gansbaai, the best place to dive with great white sharks. This activity is definitely for the brave. From the cage, you will see the sharks approaching in the wild as they are fed from the boat. It’s crazy.

Gastronomy in South Africa

South African cuisine is one of the most varied in the Southern Hemisphere due to all the influences it has received from neighbouring countries, immigrants or colonisers, such as Holland, India, Malaysia, Indonesia or North Africa. As a result, its cuisine is full of ingredients, spices and techniques from all over the world. Most of their dishes are characterised by being rich in meat and spices. Porridge is also very common. Here are some of the country’s most famous dishes:

• Bobotie: is a meat pie with egg, nuts and sultanas.
• Boerewors: are sausages made from pork, lamb or beef that are grilled. It is probably the best known dish in the country.
• Bunny Chow: Another classic. It is a bread stuffed with curry, although nowadays they serve it with different types of breads and fillings.
• Koeksuster: This is one of the most typical sweets. They are a fried bun glazed with syrup.

What should I consider before travelling to South Africa?

• The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand.
• Cards are accepted at most tourist sites.
• Tipping 10% is the norm.
• The best time to travel to South Africa is April to May or October and November.
• In South Africa tap water is safe to drink in the main urban centres.
• It’s best to hire a car to get around South Africa.
• The time is the same as in Spain, except when we change the time.
• There are many languages spoken in the country, with English being the second official language, so you’ll have no trouble communicating in English.
• If you are travelling as a Spanish citizen, you will only need a valid passport with an expiry date greater than 30 days from the date of departure.
• Hedge against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• Tourist sites are generally safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings and try to avoid travelling at night.

How to prepare what things to do on your trip to South Africa?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in South Africa.

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to South Africa