{"id":22182,"date":"2017-03-20T16:00:10","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T16:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=22182"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:00:28","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:00:28","slug":"visit-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/visit-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"How to visit South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Africa is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes\u2014soaring mountain peaks and passes, dense and ancient forests, miles of unspoiled coastline, rivers to sooth or thrill you, and rolling flower fields and grasslands of every hue. It\u2019s also home to amazing wildlife safaris, vibrant cities and villages, extraordinary cultural history, uplifting urban rhythms, exotic culinary experiences, and endless discoveries.<\/p>\n

Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With so many different experiences, it can be a challenge to decide what to do and where to do it. Here are some suggestions to help you create and plan an unforgettable visit.<\/p>\n

Amazing Adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Shark cage-diving<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a safari adventure on the open water, there\u2019s no better place than the famous and fearsome Shark Alley<\/a>. Shark Alley is home to one of the largest populations of Great White Shark and is famous for being one of the top cage-diving<\/a> destinations in the world. A cage-diving experience gets you up-close and personal with one of nature’s most awe-inspiring creatures, allowing you to safely observe it in its natural habitat. It\u2019s not only sharks you\u2019ll find stalking these waters\u2014it\u2019s also a hotbed of Cape Fur Seals and sea birds.<\/p>\n

Are you ready to take the plunge? As far as adrenaline rushes go, you don\u2019t get much better than a supervised bungee jump off Blourkrans Bridge<\/a>. When you\u2019re about to leap off the Bloukrans Bridge, you\u2019re about to safely plunge 216m into the gorge below. And the beautiful surrounds are a sight to behold. While bungee jumping is the most popular adventure activity at the bridge, there are plenty of other rides, jumps and swings to try, including the thrilling 200m Flying Fox cable slide (known as a foofie slide in South Africa).<\/p>\n

On a Vintage Sidecar Motorcycle Tour<\/a>, you\u2019ll discover the gems of South Africa’s spectacular southwest coast on a breezy three-wheeled adventure. Choose to either get behind the wheel or ride along in a vintage sidecar as you follow a guide along the coastline, finding amazing scenery, native marine life, and tasty local flavors along the way. Once you reach the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, stop off to visit the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden.<\/p>\n

Go on Safari<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Addo Elephant National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leave the city behind and discover the diverse flora and fauna for which Africa is famous while you observe some of Mother Nature’s most majestic creations. Big Five safaris <\/a>in South Africa are a must-do for anyone fascinated by wildlife. Big Five refers to buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino and the term comes from the animals considered most dangerous to hunt. Now the thrill comes from photographing them in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n

To see the Big Five, your best bet is to head for the Kruger National Park<\/a> and its environs in Mpumalanga or Limpopo, where many five-star lodges are located. Keep your eyes peeled to spot each of the “Big 5″\u2014lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, and even elusive leopards. Marvel at the diversity of other animal life, like zebras, giraffes, hippos, and springboks, as they all wander across the region. Local wetlands also provide a home to 172 species of birds, including the endangered black eagle.<\/p>\n

Boulders Beach Penguins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Boulders Beach<\/a> remains the only place in the world where one can get up close to the absolutely irresistible African Penguins. Every year over 60,000 visitors flock to Simon\u2019s Town to photograph and watch the famous Boulders Beach Penguins.\u00a0To provide a safe breeding environment, Boulders Coastal Park management has introduced artificial nesting boxes, which you will see when you walk through the area.<\/p>\n

Cultural Encounters<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Whether you spend a day in a Zulu village<\/a> or a vibrant city<\/a>\u2014a week in a Xhosa household or escape to a typical South African farm\u2014in South Africa, you\u2019ll experience fascinating cultural interactions that are real and inspiring. You\u2019ll find that South Africans are friendly and accessible\u2014and their day-to-day lifestyles and customs will welcome you in.<\/p>\n

Vibrant public art captures the color and excitement of Soweto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest freedom icons in modern history, including\u00a0 Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Mahatma Gandhi, among many others. There are numerous museums and sites of interest located around Johannesburg and in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Spend some time in Soweto<\/a> or visit a Zulu village<\/a>. Admire the intricate beadwork, metal neck rings and unique geometric mural art of the Ndebele people. Enjoy the hospitality of a South African farm. Marvel at the South African rock art\u2014some of the best in the world.<\/p>\n

Robben Island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A trip to Robben Island<\/a> is a bittersweet experience but a must-do for anyone visiting Cape Town. Once a leper colony, a mental hospital and defense training base, this World Heritage Site is most famed as the prison for anti-apartheid activists like former president, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Tours are often led by former political prisoners who draw a vivid picture of life in prison. Robben Island is one of the world\u2019s greatest cultural heritage destinations both for its tragedy and its triumph. It is a testimony to the true spirit of the South African people and history, and will never fail to humble you.<\/p>\n

Cradle of Humankind<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Have you ever wondered where we human beings came from? What led to this evolutionary revolution on Planet Earth? All of the answers can be found in one place: the Cradle of Humankind<\/a> with its rich fossil record of human evolution. Here is where you\u2019ll see firsthand the findings that have led to the “Out of Africa” theory that most human ancestors originated from one general spot: Africa. At Maropeng Visitor Centre<\/a> you\u2019ll journey back in time from the start of our universe, some 14 billion years ago, to the present and beyond.<\/p>\n

Maropeng Visitor Centre, Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On a Soweto street, where two Nobel laureates once lived, stands the Mandela House<\/a> where, audio-visuals, photographic galleries and guided tours<\/a> give visitors a glimpse of the Mandela family’s life during the oppressive years of apartheid. It is the house where former South African President Nelson Mandela lived, on and off, for more than 14 years. President Mandela called it “the centre point of my world.”<\/p>\n

The Mandela House, Soweto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural Village<\/a> you can experience the colorful sights and sounds of authentic African villages and learn about the ways of the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho, Nguni, and Ndebele people. Traditional song and dance and a feast fit for a king top off an unforgettable day and night.<\/p>\n

City Lifestyle Experiences<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Food markets in South Africa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Apart from its more traditional tourism offerings of wildlife, cultural life, sun and sea, South Africa is gaining an impressive reputation for its food culture and vibrant art scene.<\/p>\n

Its many food markets<\/a> are testament to this. South Africa is internationally recognized for its cuisine\u2014a number of restaurants are ranked globally on annual world-best-of restaurant lists. This is underpinned by a strong food culture that finds expression in a wide array of food markets around the country offering the best in fresh local and artisanal produce.<\/p>\n

In Johannesburg, try the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein; Market on Main in Maboneng; the Jozi Food Market; the Sheds@1Fox; the Blubird Wholefood Market; and the Bryanston Organic Market. You can even savor it all by going on a Private Full-Day Culinary Adventure.<\/p>\n

In Cape Town, try the Neighbourgoods Market, the Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay, the Bluebird Garage Food and Goods Market, and the Oranjezicht City Farm Market.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss a delicious bite of Durban’s famous bunny chow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Check out the Durban Food Market and be sure to sample the incredible bunny chow<\/a> Durban is famous for. Bunny chow is a\u00a0South African\u00a0fast food\u00a0dish consisting of a\u00a0hollowed-out loaf of bread\u00a0filled with\u00a0curry-flavored deliciousness. Other foodie destinations include Pretoria Boeremark (farmers\u2019 market), Hazel Food Market (Pretoria), I \u2764 Market (Durban), Slow Market (Stellenbosch); and the Shongweni Farmers\u2019 and Craft Market (Shongweni).<\/p>\n

For art lovers, Johannesburg\u2019s Maboneng Precinct<\/a> is an absolute must\u2014and the perfect place for a walking tour<\/a> of the cultural heart of the city. The scene is filled with studios, galleries, exhibits, theaters<\/a>, boutique shops, restaurants and coffee bars that are fuelling an inner-city lifestyle with creativity. Johannesburg’s Arts on Main<\/a> is an important feature on the South African arts and crafts landscape, providing a stimulating space for artists from many disciplines.<\/p>\n

Arts on Main, Johannesburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A hop-on hop-off bus tour<\/a> around Johannesburg is a fun and leisurely way to explore the\u00a0 museums, historical sites and cultural\u00a0 experiences of the city and its surroundings. You can also choose an Unlimited Attractions Pass<\/a> to get discounts on museums, tours, activities and attractions that appeal to your interests.<\/p>\n

Epic Coastal Beaches<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The Cape Whale Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Imagine looking out across the Atlantic Ocean from the boardwalk and spotting a pod of Southern Right whales that have come into the Cape to give birth. The Cape Whale Route is the perfect outdoor family adventure with some of the best land-based whale watching spots on the planet. To see them up close, treat yourselves to a whale-watching tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also admire beautiful coastal scenery, enjoy opportunities to spot whales, wander among shops and restaurants with a visit to the seaside town of Hermanus<\/a>.\u00a0 On this full-day excursion from Cape Town, you can even pay a visit to the nearby penguin colony at Boulders Beach.<\/p>\n

Feeling adventurous? Hitch a ride on the \u201csupertube\u201d waves at Jeffreys Bay\u2014one of the world\u2019s best surfing spots. Or speed down the dunes on a thrilling sandboarding experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Durban’s Beaches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They don\u2019t call Durban “South Africa\u2019s Playground” for nothing. It is South Africa\u2019s very own seaside paradise, famous for its beaches and the warm Indian Ocean. Durban\u2019s beaches<\/a> lie along a stretch of golden sand, known locally as the Golden Mile. From Blue Lagoon’s fishing spot to the sunken Vetch’s Pier, a host of flat, sandy beaches invite you to set down an umbrella and towel, dig your toes in the sand and while away hours in the sun.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to venture out on the road less travelled to find alluring coastlines and rugged views that speak of romance, the Diamond Coast<\/a> is the place for you. This piece of coastline is definitely off the beaten track, a perfect opportunity to rekindle a romance\u2014be it with your partner or simply with nature.<\/p>\n

Explore the Scenic Outdoors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Maloti-Drakensberg Heritage Route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The largest mountain range in South Africa is a truly magical place. It\u2019s no wonder that J.R.R. Tolkien saw the\u00a0magnificent landscapes of uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park<\/a> as inspiration for the part of Middle Earth called the Misty Mountains.<\/p>\n

Table Mountain is South Africa\u2019s best-known landmark, but what many don\u2019t know is that it is also a hiker\u2019s paradise with numerous trails, amazing views and plenty of interesting facts to learn. From the summit, you can see nearly all of Cape Town stretching out toward the coast and the horizon in the distance. Explore the world-famous Table Mountain by foot and witness extraordinary sights of nature during a guided hike<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t resist a chance to get above it all with a helicopter sightseeing tour. An aerial tour of the Cape Peninsula<\/a> offers an outstanding look at the mountains, beaches, and communities along this stretch of South African coast. Your helicopter flight takes you from Cape Town all the way to the Cape of Good Hope for a unique perspective of the spectacular region.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>For a scenic offshore experience, take to the seas and cruise out to Duiker Island<\/a>, a rocky outcrop just off the Cape Peninsula where a vast colony of fur seals bask in the sun just out of the waves. Marvel at the array of life that flocks to the waters, such as feeding sharks, migrating whales, dolphins and a great variety of bird species.<\/p>\n

Stellenbosch & Franschhoek. The wonderful winelands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A guided tour of wine country is a wonderful way to enjoy the scenery and sample the goodies. South Africa wines are world-renowned for their richness and quality. Cape Town, iconic Table Mountain, Robben Island, Stellenbosh & Franchhoek<\/a> and the Cape Winelands <\/a>are a must on any itinerary.<\/p>\n

Are you feeling it yet? This only scratches the surface. There\u2019s no doubt a visit to South Africa will be an experience you\u2019ll never forget. There\u2019s lots more to explore, though, including deals on where to stay<\/a>, things to do<\/a> and flights <\/a>to catch. Start planning your South Africa trip and don\u2019t waste a minute of it!<\/p>\n