Best Places to Visit
Seven places that show off the variety of South Africa.
Cape Town and Table Mountain
Cape Town is set between the ocean and the flat-topped Table Mountain, which you can climb or ascend by cable car. Nearby are the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) and the Cape Peninsula, which ends at the Cape of Good Hope.
Kruger National Park
One of Africa's largest game reserves, in the north-east of the country. It is home to the Big Five and many other animals. Visitors can self-drive or take guided game drives.
The Garden Route
A scenic stretch of the south coast, running roughly from Mossel Bay to the Storms River area. Expect beaches, forests, lagoons and towns such as Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
The Drakensberg
A mountain range along the border with Lesotho, known for dramatic cliffs, hiking trails and rock art left by the San people.
Johannesburg and Soweto
Johannesburg is the country's largest city. Soweto, on its edge, is important in the history of the anti-apartheid movement, and visitors can see the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pieterson Memorial.
The Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl lie in valleys east of Cape Town. They are known for wine estates, Cape Dutch architecture and restaurants.
Durban and the Indian Ocean coast
Durban has warm seas, long beaches and a large Indian-South African community that shapes its food, including the local bunny chow.