Johannesburg, Jo’burg, Jozi, eGoli. Call it what you will, the reputation of South Africa’s biggest city won’t have passed you by. But high crime rates – now thankfully on the turn – aren’t the end of the city’s story.

Plus, as the site of the country’s primary international airport, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in Johannesburg at least overnight. It would be a real shame to waste that time locked up in a hotel in one of the city suburbs.

Born out of the discovery of gold in 1896, Johannesburg fell into decline with the ‘white flight’ of the transition between apartheid and multiparty democracy a hundred years later. As families moved out to the suburbs, undesirables moved in.

Now however, communities are taking back the streets, as demonstrated by redevelopment of Newtown and Maboneng. So while I do urge caution – as I do anywhere in the world – don’t let the headlines stop you checking out the current buzz around Johannesburg’s best things to do.

1. Apartheid Museum

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Opened in late 2001, the Apartheid Museum is located midway between Johannesburg’s CBD (Central Business District) and Soweto. Part of the Gold Reef City amusement park, its prison-like structure houses the foremost study of the country’s former policies of racial segregation.

Both hard-hitting and touching, the realities of apartheid are brought to life through cleverly thought-out curation. This includes having two entrances, with visitors randomly split between them.

Inside, the exhibits and displays don’t shy away from 40 years of events, including the Sharpeville Massacre and Soweto Uprising, days that led to the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians.

2. Johannesburg Art Gallery

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Right at the heart of Jo’burg in Joubert Park, Johannesburg Art Gallery has a collection larger than any other similar museum in Africa. Containing 15 connected gallery spaces and a small sculpture garden, its exhibits range from 17th century Dutch works to modern homegrown art.

Although the gallery has its fair share of well-known names, including Rodin, Picasso, and Moore, the main reason to visit is to learn more about South African art. The gallery was the first in the country to purchase a work by a black artist – Gerard Sekoto’s Yellow Bricks in 1940. Additional names to look out for include Jacobus Pierneef, Sydney Kumalo, and Walter Battiss.

3. Newtown

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Just south of Johannesburg’s main train station (the largest anywhere in Africa), Newtown isn’t all that new after all. Dating to the founding of the city in the late 1800s, and then known as Brickfields, it therefore has several historically important buildings, including Turbine Hall.

The pleasantly quiet streets of Newtown are known for their performance spaces, which range from The Market Theater to the Carfax live music venue. It’s also the location of the child-friendly Sci-Bono Discovery Center science museum and The Workers’ Museum.

4. Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct

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The seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Constitution Hill is no dry courts complex. Instead, it’s a structure dating back to the earliest days of Johannesburg. A fort turned prison turned museum, it’s walls have incarcerated names including Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Made up of three main buildings, the Old Fort, Women’s Jail (or Gaol), and Number Four (or Native Prison), the museum plays another important part in recording the devastating effects of apartheid. There’s a café filled with tasty treats, alongside a perpetual Flame of Democracy lit by Mandela on the fifteenth anniversary of South Africa’s new constitution in 2011.

5. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens

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Covering an area of 81 hectares, Johannesburg Botanical Gardens wasn’t set up until 1969. Since then, an area of grasses used as a driving range for golfers has been converted into a much-loved recreation area.

Divided into a number of small gardens, visitors will find an arboretum of trees from around the world, a succulent garden of 85 species, and Shakespeare garden, with herbs mentioned in the bards plays. That’s in addition to a rose garden and reservoir created by the Emmarentia Dam.

6. Soweto

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Soweto, once short for the South-West Townships, was created to house non-white Johannesburg residents outside of the city center. The scene of various anti-apartheid actions, including the Soweto Uprising of 1976, it today contains several important landmarks.

Best explored as part of an organized tour, Soweto’s landmarks start with Walter Sisulu Square. A wide grassed square, it acts as an open-air museum detailing the creation of the Freedom Charter – the principles put forward for a democratic South Africa. Elsewhere, there’s the Mandela House Museum, and the 33 story high Orlando Towers. Covered in bright murals, these former power station cooling towers now make for one of the world’s most exciting bungee jumping spots.

7. Origins Center

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South Africa’s history isn’t limited to apartheid, or even European colonization from the 1650s onwards. At the Origins Center, it’s possible to step back more than two million years. Dedicated to the journey of human evolution, this museum helps to unravel not only our biological evolution, but also our development of art and culture.

Focusing on humans from southern Africa, the Origins Center protects an impressive array of rock art for future generations. Many belong to the San, the people who inhabited much of South Africa before the arrival of Europeans. Other exhibits include stone tools, all within an impressive state-of-the-art museum space.

8. Maboneng

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Heralded as one of the most successful regeneration programs in the world, today’s Maboneng Precinct is awash with cool things to see, do, and taste. A destination par excellence for lovers of all things artistic, street art brightens the area’s thoroughfares while Art on Main is home to various studios.

Along with Main Street, its Fox Street which is the heart of the neighborhood, and it’s here you’ll find no shortage of trendy coffee shops and cafes. Nightclubs take up the slack from late evening onwards, particular on Saturday night, when Maboneng is undoubtedly the place to head for a good time. Stay awake long enough, and you can even turn your attention to Sunday’s Market on Main, at Art on Main.

9. Museum Africa

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Taking up the whole of one side of Mary Fitzgerald Square, Museum Africa occupies a fruit and vegetable market building constructed in 1913. Its remit is to cover the cultures of the entire continent. It does this through its displays of musical instruments, masks, traditional clothing, and other items.

But Museum Africa also contains an image-based exhibition highlighting the changing face of Johannesburg over the ages. Additional exhibitions go into the Rivonia Trail which saw Mandela imprisoned for 27 years, and the history of photography in South Africa.

10. Gandhi Square

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Situated in Marshalltown, an area of shining office blocks belonging to the big banks, Gandhi Square is a large plaza named after the Indian activist – a lawyer in Johannesburg early in his life. Once incredibly down at heal, the regeneration of the square has seen shops and cafes return to this important location.

It was here, when known as Government Square, that Afrikaner Boer forces surrendered to the British military to end the siege of the city in 1900. On the edge of the area a number of beautifully designed heritage buildings have avoided the onslaught of the modern tower blocks.

11. National Museum of Military History

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This is a large museum consisting of indoor and outdoor exhibits detailing the role of the South African military throughout the country’s sometimes turbulent history. Its vast array of items on display include multiple tanks, and aircraft, including historic planes such as a Spitfire and Messerschmitt 109, both from World War Two.

Together with smaller objects, the collection records the involvement of the South African armed forces from the Anglo Boer Wars of the early 1900s to the free elections of 1994. Its grounds also contain the impressive Anglo Boer War Memorial designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

12. Braamfontein

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With two major universities nearby, you can be sure there’s always something interesting going on in Braamfontein. A fashion and music hub, the weekend is usually the best time to visit this part of Johannesburg, since students are free of their lectures.

Things to do include the ‘Neighborgoods Market,’ which started in Cape Town before spreading to Jo’burg. Here visitors and locals alike can peruse two floors of clothing, food, and drink. The rooftop bar makes the most of the location. Not far away there are more traditional stores sharing the latest in cool, as well as a rooftop farm.

13. The Wilds

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The Wilds is an inner-city park and nature reserve in the Houghton neighborhood of Johannesburg. Sixteen hectares in area, it encloses two koppies, or rocky hills, which provide attractive views back to the center of Jo’burg.

However, the main attraction of The Wilds is its artworks, largely comprising brightly-colored laser cut animals created by local artist James Delaney. They began with an owl forest, containing almost 70 of the birds. The various artworks can be seen thanks to eight kilometers of paths cutting through largely indigenous flora.

14. Hop-on Hop-off Bus

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A regular sighting in cities the world over, Johannesburg’s hop-on hop-ff tourist buses shouldn’t be discounted. This is especially true given the size of the city if you’ve only got a few hours going spare.

They tend to run on two different routes, with one sticking to sights within the center of the city and the other going further afield. Commentary provides a little background to what you’re seeing – aim for seats on the open top deck if the weather is good.

If nothing else, these buses are a great way of getting to the Apartheid Museum without your own transport.

15. Wits Art Museum

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The architecturally stylish Wits Art Museum came into being in 2012, making it one of Johannesburg’s newest attractions. Boasting 10,000 individual works of art, the gallery’s 5,000 square meters of exhibition space contains a tightly curated selection of both traditional artworks such as carvings, and contemporary creations.

The crisp white interior really makes each of the objects on display sing, whether that’s modern South African photography, fabrics, watercolors, or sculpture.

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Affectionately known as Bloem (pronounced ‘bloom’), Bloemfontein is one of South Africa’s three joint capitals, alongside Cape Town and Pretoria. The largest city in Free State, which occupies largely flat grasslands to the north and west of Lesotho, it may not be an obvious first tourist destination.

However, this spacious, cultured ‘city of roses’ has enough attractions to keep most visitors busy for a couple of days. Here then are the 15 best things to do in Bloemfontein.

1. Franklin Game Reserve

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Get up close and personal with zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe without the bars of a zoo enclosure or even the protection of a safari vehicle at Franklin Game Reserve. A hilltop reserve completely surrounded by the city, it sits on Naval Hill. Covering 250 hectares, it’s been a unique protected space for nearly one hundred years.

Although traversable by car – its tracks are wide enough to do so – your best chances of encountering its wildlife are on foot. Bear in mind though that it will take at least an hour to circle the site, and tall grasses can limit viewing chances.

2. Oliewenhuis Art Museum

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A manor house in the Cape Dutch style, the structure housing Oliewenhuis Art Museum was actually only built in 1935 although it looks much older. Becoming the residence of the Governor General of South Africa and then its presidents, it also played host to King George VI and princess Elizabeth – who become Queen Elizabeth II.

Converted into a museum in the 1980s, the first floor of the museum is dedicated to twentieth century artworks, largely by South African artists. Its grassy grounds contain several short walking trails, taking in a number of sculptures of various styles.

3. First Raadsaal

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Located centrally on Saint George Street, and almost lost amid more recent buildings, the First Raadsaal is a simple stone and thatch building used as a museum to detail the history of the Orange Free State.

Constructed in 1849 with a pounded dung floor, it acted as the state’s first parliament building, or raadsaal. Now Bloemfontein’s oldest surviving building, its history also includes use as a church and as a school. While on Saint George Street, consider visiting the Wagon Museum next door too.

4. Maselspoort Resort

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If you’re looking for a few days of rest and relaxation, Maselspoort Resort could be the place for you. Located approximately 30 minutes outside of Bloem, this tranquil area of bushveld has become a renowned place to unwind.

Overnight visitors are able to book one of the plain but comfortable chalets, while activities range from non-motorized water sports to tennis and walking trails. However, its fishing on the Modder River which is very much the order of the day.

5. National Museum

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The National Museum offshoot in Bloemfontein is akin to a natural history museum, with collections centered around life on planet earth. Its large collection of fossils includes the Florisbad skull, which has been vital to scientists studying human evolution.

But its displays also cover archeology, ethnographic exhibits, grander themes including the creation of the solar system, and the recreation of a street scene depicting 1900s Bloem. Just in front of the museum is Hertzog Square, where there’s an impressive statue dedicated to General Hertzog, a key player in South Africa’s political history.

6. Waaihoek Wesleyan Church ANC Birthplace Museum

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A humble red brick church behind the concrete cooling towers of a city’s power station isn’t usually a tourist attraction. A South African National Heritage Site since 2018, this church is recognized as the birthplace of the Native National Congress, which went on to become the ANC.

The party of Nelson Mandela, and which still governs South Africa, the ANC was founded at this church in 1912 through a meeting of representatives, chiefs, and leading black academics. As such, this church laid the ground work for decades of protest, eventually leading to multiparty elections in 1994.

7. Happy Valley

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On the eastern edge of Bloem’s Westdene suburb, Happy Valley is a region of untouched natural landscapes used by hikers and off-road cyclists. A mix of hillside grasslands and wooded sections, its trails fall under the general category of challenging, although still easy enough for children as well as hardened walkers to enjoy.

At 2.7 kilometers in length, you don’t have to reserve a whole day to enjoy Happy Valley either. Most people can complete the main walk in around an hour. Although free of facilities, Oliewenhuis Art Museum isn’t all that far away, making a great two center morning or afternoon of attractions.

8. The Old Presidency

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Impressively grandiose, the Old Presidency sits on President Brand Street right at the heart of Bloemfontein. Also known in Afrikaans as Ou Presidensie, it was built in the 1880s to act as the presidential residence of the Orange Free State – then an independent nation.

Costing £12,200 to build, it served as the official residence of three presidents before being taken over by the British. Eventually becoming a museum detailing the lives of Presidents Brand, Reitz, and Steyn, it’s worth exploring to discover what life was like in South Africa during this period of the country’s history.

9. National Women’s Memorial

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The National Women’s Memorial is similar in scope to the Washington Monument in DC, primarily comprising of an obelisk of stone blocks. It was built to commemorate the estimated 27,000 civilian Boer women and children of the Orange Free State who perished in concentration camps put together by British forces during the Second Anglo Boer War between 1899 and 1902.

Partly paid for by public subscription, the monument also includes the final resting place of a British woman called Emily Hobhouse. She used her voice to speak out against the treatment of Boer women and called for human rights to be respected.

10. Rose Festival

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Taking place annually in October, the Rose Festival is one of the biggest events of the year in Bloemfontein. Largely taking place at the Loch Logan Waterfront, which sits beside Kings Park Rose Garden, it sees garden lovers from across South Africa descend on ‘the city of roses.’

Besides displays of hundreds of roses, many grown by amateurs, the festival has expanded to include a High Tea, cycle road races of 26, 55, and 106 kilometers in length, and an expo focusing on sustainability.

11. Sand du Plessis Theatre

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A work of art in and of itself, the Sand du Plessis Theatre is one of South Africa’s leading performance spaces. Decked out in marble and bathed in natural light thanks to massive windows, its crisp mid-century style foyer leads to a 1000 seat auditorium which has seen many of the world’s most famous names take to its stage.

Very much part of the community, skateboarders make use of its forms to practice their tricks on the weekends, while tours of the delightful interior can be made by appointment for anyone who isn’t in town when there’s a performance on.

12. War Museum of the Boer Republics

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Better known in many guidebooks as the Anglo Boer War Museum, this is the world’s only museum dedicated to the two wars between Britain and the Boer Republics – Orange Free State and Transvaal.

Sited beside the National Women’s Memorial, the museum accounts the causes of the two wars, before going on to explain their main battles and outcomes. Quaintly old-fashioned in its use of dark wood exhibition cases, it is nonetheless an important stop for anyone interested in learning how South Africa came into being.

13. Twin-Spired Church

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Tweetoring Kerk in Afrikaans, there’s something a little Disney princess castle about the exterior of the Twin-Spired Church. The slightly jarring form of the steeples comes from the collapse of one and fears for the other, leading to them being shortened in height.

Completed in 1880, it’s the only religious structure of its type in southern Africa, and belongs to the Dutch Reform Church which most Afrikaners adhere to. Now a national monument, the church witnessed the swearing in of the three Free State presidents who resided at the Old Presidency building.

14. Long Tom

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Long Tom was the general name given to four large cannon-like guns bought from France by the Boer Republics to defend themselves against British forces. Originally used to protect the Boer capital, Pretoria, they became famous enough that replicas were created, including the one that can be seen on the outskirts of Bloemfontein.

Continue along the same road and you’ll come to the Anglo Boer War Block House. Another reconstruction, this building of stone and sheet iron was probably used to defend the railway line north of Bloemfontein, which continues to connect Johannesburg to Cape Town.

15. Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery

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Part of the University of the Free State, the Johannes Stegmann Art Gallery combines a small permanent collection of South African masters with artworks by the so-called Bloemfontein group, and those from the town of Thaba’nchu, totaling around 150 pieces.

Come the end of the academic year, the gallery also hosts a temporary exhibition of final year student artworks. Who knows, you might find the next Monet or Picasso among them.

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Although now officially known as Gqeberha, most still know this Indian Ocean city as Port Elizabeth, or PE. It’s location on the broad Algoa Bay makes it an alternative choice to Durban for beach escapes. But there’s also plenty of culture and history to be had for those taking the time to get to know this noble lady of Eastern Cape Province, as we will see.

1. Donkin Reserve

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Smack bang in the middle of Port Elizabeth’s Central Business District (CBD), the Donkin Reserve is a publicly-accessible open space combining native flora, historic structures, and fine views over the wider city.

Its lighthouse, dating to 1861, can usually be visited to enhance the views from Donkin’s Reserve further. Next to it is a 10 meter high stone pyramid dedicated to Elizabeth Markham. The wife of then governor Rufane Shaw Donkin, it’s from her the city got its name.

Bringing the Donkin Reserve into the modern era are brightly colored mosaics in part depicting the Portuguese ships which first rounded this part of the South African coast, and metal cutouts of Nelson Mandela, fist raised in celebration.

2. King’s Beach

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Proudly flying a Blue Flag for cleanliness, King’s Beach is one of Port Elizabeth’s most popular stretches of sand. Its runs for 1.6 glorious kilometers from the harbor to Humewood, a beachside neighborhood with its own long history.

A good all-round beach, its sand is fine enough to ensure sand castles hold first, while warm Indian ocean waters lure visitors in to swim, bodyboard, and surf. Watched over the lifeguards, there’s also a nursery pool for toddlers, mini-golf, changing facilities, and refreshments. In fact, King’s Beach has all you need to spend a day soaking up Port Elizabeth’s sunny weather. Average daily temperatures don’t drop below 19°C at any time of year.

3. Route 67 walking trail

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The city’s Route 67 trail consists of a piece of public art for each of the 67 years Nelson Mandela gave his life to ending racial segregation in South Africa under apartheid.

Starting at the Campanile, the city’s easy to spot clock and bell tower, it passes through Vuyisile Mini Market Square. Continuing onto St Mary’s Terrace and Donkin Reserve, it also takes it what’s reported to be the largest flag on the continent. Each of the artworks come with an information board to provide the wider context.

4. Splash Waterworld

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The slides and rides behind King’s Beach belong to Splash Waterworld. Primarily aimed at children, this small waterpark nonetheless does its job of bringing smiles to the faces of those who visit. So prepare for a wet and wild time on attractions including the Super Tube, Lazy River, and Speed Slide, alongside a Kiddies Slide for younger patrons.

As you might expect, there are plenty of kiosks offering up drinks and snacks. More unusually, it’s also possible to take to the slides of Splash Waterworld after dark thanks to floodlights.

5. Fort Frederick

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Fort Frederick was constructed in 1799 to avoid a French invasion of this part of Britain’s Cape Colony. Although this may sound like a baffling idea today, at the height of the Napoleonic Wars between the two countries, nothing seems to have been off the table.

Never having fired a shot from any of its guns, the two-story complex is square in form and sits on one bank of the Baakens River, overlooking the modern harbor. Said to be haunted by the ghosts of a Shakespeare play, behind its walls you’ll find a blockhouse, powder magazine, and small museum.

6. Addo Elephant National Park

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Roughly 100 kilometers (1.5 hours) north of Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park makes for an easy day trip from the city. One of South Africa’s largest national parks, there’s no secret to what the big-ticket attractions are here.

There are around 600 elephants within the park, alongside several hundred buffalo, a pride of reintroduced lions, hyenas, Burchell’s zebra, kudu, eland, and bushbuck. Game drives are therefore the favorite past time, with 120 kilometers of track to choose between. Its lions and hyenas are most commonly spotted in the early morning or late evening.

My suggestion is to visit on a hotter day, which brings much of the action down to the waterhole.

7. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum

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Located within the grounds of Saint George’s Park, this gallery specializes in the art of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Containing three main rooms, its artworks are regularly rehung to allow as much of its comprehensive collection to be seen as possible.

These works are enhanced by temporary exhibitions spanning from sculpture to quilting. In addition to artworks by colonial artists such as Thomas Baines and Frederick Timpson I’Ons, there’s a fascinating collection of beadworks by the Southern Nguni people, and a smattering of contemporary pieces too.

8. Bayworld

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Opened in time for the new millennium, Bayworld is part natural history museum, part oceanarium, and part vivarium. Its museum exhibits are thoroughly modern, with plenty of interest for all ages.

Meanwhile, its outside areas include a dinosaur exhibit and oceanarium with live animal exhibits incorporating rescued turtles, seals, and penguins. Last but certainly not least, Bayworld has South Africa’s oldest snake park. Here visitors can get the lowdown on a myriad of local snakes, as well as crocs and tortoises.

9. Cape Recife Lighthouse

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Cape Recife is the name given to Port Elizabeth’s southeasternmost point. The obvious location for an aid to navigation, its lighthouse was established in 1849 to guide ships around Thunderbolt reef, named after a British frigate which wasn’t so lucky.

Rising 24 meters and banded with black and white stripes, Cape Recife Lighthouse sits within a nature reserve offering hiking opportunities for all levels of fitness. Paths cut through the semi-tropical vegetation and over rocky outcrops to rockpools home to an impressive number of marine creatures.

10. Horse Memorial

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Back in the center of Port Elizabeth lies its Horse Memorial. In approximate life size, it depicts a British solider kneeling in front of a horse and offering it a bucket of water. Designed by English sculpture Joseph Whitehead, it was unveiled in 1905 to honor the estimated 300,000 horses brought to South Africa during the Anglo Boer wars of 1899-1902. Most were brought to shore at Port Elizabeth.

Paid for by the public, it cost £800, equivalent to around £120,000 ($150,000) in today’s money, and was shipped all the way from London where the bronze was cast.

11. Amakhala Game Reserve

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A private game reserve approximately 1.5 hours from Port Elizabeth by road, Amakhala has an area of 18,000 acres. Joining morning or evening game drives to explore them, visitors to Amakhala have a good chance of encountering all the Big Five species – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape buffalo.

Amakhala ranges from bushveld to savanna, with areas covering five of South Africa’s seven biomes. This means other species to look out for on day trips from Port Elizabeth include giraffe, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, antelope, and monkeys.

12. South End Museum

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This museum is one of just a few attractions in Port Elizabeth which directly tackle the apartheid period. The South End neighborhood had been a multiracial one known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, good schools, and host of successful local businesses.

But that all ended when its non-white tenants were forcibly relocated, an event which took place between 1965 and 1975. Its this history which South End Museum seeks to share. It does this through its blend of displays, historic photographs, and a walk-on map of the area.

13. The Campanile

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This stand-alone clock and bell tower has a passing resemblance to its more famous cousin in Saint Mark’s Square, Venice, Italy. Built for the most part from red brick, it rises to a height of 50 meters.

Constructed to mark one hundred years since the first settlers arrived into what became Port Elizabeth, workmen remained on the site between 1920 and 1922. Their efforts included completing the 204 steps which reach up to the observation room at the Campanile’s top. That said, there’s now an elevator too, providing easier access to the 23 bells which make up one of the largest carillons (bells played like a piano) in South Africa.

14. Whale watching

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Port Elizabeth’s coastal waters aren’t only of interest to beach goers. They’re also a draw to whales to such an extent that Algoa Bay has been declared the World Cetacean Alliance’s fifth Whale Heritage Site.

Joining a licensed whale watching tour from Port Elizabeth gives the opportunity to watch the antics of southern right and humpback whales. Both are known for breaching the water. Other whale species which can be encountered are minke and Bryde’s whales. Known as the ‘bottlenose dolphin capital of the world,’ taking to the waters of Algoa Bay promises plenty of action from these intelligent creatures as an added bonus.

15. South African Air Force Museum

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One of Port Elizabeth’s smaller museum spaces, the South African Air Force Museum is located within the perimeter of the city’s airport. Its collection currently contains nine aircraft, including South Africa’s oldest jet, a supersonic fighter, and two helicopters.

Access to a restored World War Two era hangar allows visitors to see restoration work as it happens, while the walls of the main museum are packed with cabinets and imagery linked to the force, founded in 1920. However, the highlight has to be the onsite flight simulator.

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Although just 40 minutes from Johannesburg by Gautrain rail, South Africa’s ‘Jacaranda City’ is a very different beast. It’s certainly more conservative in outlook than Jozi, but also arguably more attractive to explore. Not only are there a slew of impressive buildings, but also some 50,000 purple-bloomed jacaranda trees. Even when they’re not in bloom (in October and November), there’s still plenty to delight. From parks to museums, these are the 15 best things to do in Pretoria.

1. Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum

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Named after the father of the first president of the former Transvaal Republic, Marthinus Pretorius, historic racial discrimination and the apartheid era looms large in Pretoria. Freedom Park was created as a way of honoring and remembering those involved in the struggle for democracy, alongside South Africans who died during the country’s wars.

The centerpiece of the park on Salvokop Hill is a simple ring of upstanding stones marking figures such as Steve Biko, killed by apartheid security agents in 1977. A peaceful place to ponder the beauty of Pretoria’s surrounding landscapes, Freedom Park also contains the ‘//hapo’ building. Here you’ll find a potted history covering no less than 3.6 billion years.

2. Union Buildings

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The Union Buildings are situated on another hill, Meintjieskop, overlooking Pretoria’s central neighborhoods. The offices of the South African president, Nelson Mandela’s historic inauguration as president took place here in 1994.

Today, the great man is honored with a literally larger-than-life bronze statue in the wonderfully maintained gardens. Open to the public daily, the gardens are a much-loved part of the city, used by locals, visitors, and even the occasional visitor to the president. Their heritage and significance to the country’s history makes a visit to the Union Buildings unmissable.

3. Pretoria Art Museum

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The sleek, single-story lines of Pretoria Art Museum are the perfect backdrop to discovering one of South Africa’s most important art collections. Founded in 1930, the early items obtained by the museum mainly comprised 17th century artworks from Europe, as was common at the time.

Now though, Pretoria Art Museum has expanded its collections to include many of South Africa’s leading artists. Look out for landscapes by Henk Pierneef, sculpture by Anton van Wouw, and canvases by once-exiled painter Gerard Sekoto.

4. Church Square

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For the heart of historic Pretoria, make a beeline to Church Square (Kerkplein). A statue of another president of the Transvaal, Paul Kruger, sits on its central plinth. It was created by Anton von Wouw.

On the square’s edges stand a number of significant buildings, including the Palace of Justice, Ou Raadsaal, Tudor Chambers, and Old Netherlands Bank Building. The Palace of Justice is rich in Victorian detail, though the structure is perhaps best known for events inside. That’s because it was here that Nelson Mandela was tried during the Rivonia treason trial which led to his imprisonment for 27 years.

5. Pretoria National Botanical Garden

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A short distance east of Church Square, this is one of nine national botanical gardens in South Africa. Comparatively small in stature, with an area of 76 hectares, it still manages to span a huge variety of landscapes, covering succulents, wetlands, grasslands, and medicinal gardens. There’s also an arboretum, artificial waterfall, and a restaurant.

One of the best ways to explore is by following the short Dassie Walking Trail. Sightings of these cute mammals isn’t guaranteed, but joining it for even a small distance will put you within touching distance of a multitude of natural wonders.

6. Voortrekker Monument

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The Transvaal Republic formed after Dutch-speaking settlers to South Africa left Britain’s Cape Colony in the mid-1800s in order to live independently of Britain. Calling themselves voortrekkers (pioneers), but also known as Boers, their Great Trek is part of the founding story of South African colonization.

This huge monument, rising 40 meters, was built in the 1930s. Its interior includes the world’s largest marble frieze in the Hall of Heroes, which comprises 27 panels. There’s also a Cenotaph decorated with the flags of the Boer Republics, alongside artefacts from the Great Trek. Although this can all feel a little at odds with the modern rainbow nation, it’s a fascinating insight into the minds of these early European settlers all the same.

7. South African State Theater

Impressive in both size and scope, the South African State Theater is the largest complex of its kind in Africa. In a Brutalist architectural style of raw unfinished concrete, it contains six performance spaces, and is capable of seating 2,700 people.

The Theater’s long list of monthly shows and events is a who’s who of South African and international talent. Comprising everything from new plays to fringe festivals, it’s well worth checking out the latest schedules before arriving into Pretoria to see what’s on.

8. Ditsong National Museum of Natural History

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This natural history museum has the sorts of displays of taxidermy animals and cases of insects you’re probably already expecting. What makes the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History stand out among similar attractions is its vast fossil exhibits.

These include incredibly important hominid fossils from several sites within the nearby Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Sterkfontein, Kromdraai, and Swartkrans. The star of the entire museum is a fossil known as Mrs Ples – the most complete skull of Australopithecus africanus ever discovered. Mrs Ples has been dated to around 3.4 million years old, and even made it onto a list of Great South Africans.

9. Hartbeespoort Dam Elephant Sanctuary

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Hartbeespoort Dam Elephant Sanctuary is approximately an hour from central Pretoria by road. It provides a home for elephants which wouldn’t survive in the wild in any of South Africa’s famed national parks.

The sanctuary’s elephants are instead looked after by a team of caretakers. Guides also lead visitors through the sanctuary on foot three times a day. An activity only otherwise available in a handful of national parks in Africa, it allows visitors to really get close to these mesmeric creatures.

My tip – head to Hartbeespoort in time for the 8 am tour. You’ll not only find the elephants at their most active in the cool of early morning, but also get to join the caretakers in brushing them down.

10. Fort Klapperkop

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Fort Klapperkop was one of four defensive structures built to defend Pretoria against the British during the Anglo Boer Wars of the late 19th century. Dating to 1898, it’s one of the best preserved of Pretoria’s historic forts.

In addition to its long building and defensive bastions, Fort Klapperkop contains a dry moat and one of the large French-built guns known as Long Tom. Despite its perceived importance, the fort was only ever manned by 30 troops, and never fired a shot except in practice.

If you like your music as much as I do, Fort Schanskop might be the fortification for you, since it hosts an outdoor music festival at the end of most months.

11. Van Tilburg Collection

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Housed in the Old Arts Building of the University of Pretoria, the Van Tilburg Collection spans a treasure trove of decorative arts. Alongside paintings, its collection includes furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as the largest collection of oriental ceramics in South Africa.

The latter includes vases from the personal collection of the Kangxi Emperor, who reigned from 1661 to 1722, and 550 pieces of Ming porcelain. Sadly, its small self-portrait of Rembrandt van Rijn was recently proven to be a fake.

12. Burgers Park

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You’re unlikely to hear the words ‘do you want onions with that?’ at Burgers Park. Created in the 1870s, this historic green space is named after Thomas Francois Burgers, the fourth president of the Transvaal Republic.

Pretoria’s oldest public park, its wide lawns and curving paths weave between a smorgasbord of attractions, including a cast-iron bandstand, fish pond, and statue of Thomas Burgers. Just opposite is Melrose House, a museum with interiors detailing the shift between Victorian and Edwardian tastes. It also acted as the British military headquarters when Pretoria was occupied for 18 months from June 1900.

13. African Window

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The African Window is the name given to the building housing the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History (DNMCH). With one of the broadest missions of any of Pretoria’s museums, its displays cover everything from Stone Age axheads to early Apple Macs.

Exhibitions comprise a mix of permanent and temporary displays, and looks after an estimated three million artefacts belonging to South Africa’s mix of cultural groups. If you’re short of time, head straight for the galleries containing San rock art thousands of years old.

14. Groenkloof Nature Reserve

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Open daily during daylight hours, Groenkloof protects the region’s endangered bankenveld flora. It’s located just 15 minutes south of central Pretoria, between the Fountains Valley resort and Waterkloof Golf Club.

Groenkloof boasts a range of typical South African animals, including kudu, blesbok, giraffe, and jackal. Free of any big cats, the reserve is popular with both cyclists and walkers. There’s a 20 kilometer off-road cycling route, and three hiking trails spanning 3.5 to 10.5 kilometers. That said, the short vehicle route is best for wildlife viewing.

15. Kruger House

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Surrounded by modern tower blocks, Kruger House was the city residence of the Transvaal’s best-known president, Paul Kruger. One of the first buildings in Pretoria to get electricity, the house has been laid out with a blend of original and period furnishings, to show how the president would have lived.

The long partially-covered front veranda (or stoep) in particular was known as a spot Kruger liked to sit in. Exhibition halls depict his battle from freedom from the British of Cape Colony, while the grounds feature his presidential railway coach.

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When it comes to location, Durban has it made. Firmly positioned on South Africa’s east coast, this port city developed around a string of long and attractive sand beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

The region around Durban has been inhabited for at least 100,000 years. It only reached the attention of Europeans in 1497, when Portuguese golden age explorer Vasco da Gama sighted it on his way to India. It then passed through multiple hands until annexed by Britain in 1844.

Today, Durban is South Africa’s third-largest city. Alongside its beaches, it contains a blend of natural and manmade sights which range from exquisite cuisine to fascinating museums. Come for the sun, sea, and sand, but stay for the culture.

To provide you with a little helping hand, here are my pick of the 15 best things to do in Durban.

1. The Golden Mile

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Durban isn’t the getaway of choice for South Africans for nothing. You won’t need much convincing that the city’s Golden Mile is the best place to head. It stretches out from the Central Business District (CBD) to form several beaches backed by an attractive promenade filled with cafes and restaurants.

Like most of the Golden Mile’s beaches, South Beach is watched over by lifeguards most of the year. It’s also protected by shark nets. Its slightly calmer atmosphere makes it a good choice for families looking to enjoy the sand or water temperatures of 22°C. Neighboring North Beach is best known for its waves, which attract surfers and bodyboarders from right around the world.

2. uShaka Marine World

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When it’s time for a change from the sands of the Golden Mile, head to uShaka Marine World. Although primarily known as a water park, most agree that its slides don’t come anywhere near comparison with its aquaria, which total 4.6 million gallons and contain 10,000 distinct species of sea creature.

Putting rivals to shame, the aquaria at uShaka Marine World incorporate the largest single tank in the southern hemisphere. Its viewing windows run for 500 meters through four different ‘shipwrecks.’ Each offers insight into an alternative marine environment. Species you’re likely to encounter include sharks and manta rays, alongside turtles, seals, and even penguins.

3. Port Natal Maritime Museum

Source: Darren Glanville from Acle, Norfolk, UK / Wikimedia | CC BY-SA 2.0

Just across the bay from uShaka Marine World is the Port Natal Maritime Museum. Maintaining the old name for the city – which was changed in 1835 – the museum has Durban’s elegant harbor as a backdrop. Its exhibitions span hundreds if not thousands of years of seafaring in the region.

The stars of any visit have to be the boats and ships which can be boarded and explored. It’s not just little kids who’ll enjoy pretending to be the captain of the minesweeper SAS Durban or NCS Challenger while discovering the tiny rooms which together made these ships function.

4. Umgeni River Bird Park

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Once a water-filled quarry, Umgeni River Bird Park now has tropical flora spanning 3.5 hectares on the opposite bank of the Umgeni River to the city. It provides a home for approximately 800 birds belonging to 200 species, including the only examples of their kind in Africa.

Birds to look out for range from owls and hornbills to vultures and macaws. Many play a part in the daily shows which take place at the outdoor auditorium. Still more can be seen hatching and being raised by the park team, including increasingly rare wattled cranes.

5. The BAT Centre

Nothing to do with flight, the BAT Centre is a community arts project found on Durban’s Victoria Embankment. It consists of a clutch of individual brick buildings containing small independent art galleries, alongside a performance hall, places to grab a bite to eat, and stores selling a mix of traditional and contemporary art from KwaZulu-Natal province.

A not-for-profit center looking to celebrate the artistic heritage of the city, the BAT Centre is without doubt the best place in the city to discover the diversity of arts and crafts on offer.

Related reading: 15 Best Places to Visit in South Africa

6. Durban Botanic Gardens

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Durban Botanic Gardens is the oldest formally laid out botanic gardens in South Africa, with a foundation date of 1849. A mix of local South African plants and exotics from around the world, it boasts specimens from a variety of floral kingdoms.

Among them are orchids, palms, and cycads (ferns). But covering 15 hectares, there’s also a sunken garden established in the English style and displaying a colorful array of flowers, a butterfly habitat garden, and a naturally-fed lake that’s the perfect spot for a picnic on any of Durban’s multitude of sunny days.

7. Mini Town

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A knee-high version of the city beyond its perimeter walls, Mini Town is a retro (turning to kitsch but in a good way) attraction close to the beachfront at Snell Parade. Recreating Durban in miniature, Mini Town contains versions of all the city’s main buildings of note.

What makes Mini Town extra special is the attention given to the functioning railway, and its harbor. Complete with its own moving tug and ship, it contains over 200,000 liters of water.

8. KwaMuhle Museum

To my mind, the KwaMuhle Museum is the most important and most interesting of all Durban’s exhibition spaces.

This museum of apartheid, and its forerunner, the ‘Durban system,’ has been sensitively situated in the building once hated by non-white South Africans – the Department of Native Affairs. It was here that the passes which had to be carried by everyone entering the city were issued.

The museum details all this with its collection of documents, photographs, videos and items belonging to ordinary South Africans. Refusing to hide away from the horrors of the apartheid system, KwaMuhle Museum plays a vital role in educating the generations born after the release and election of Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s first black president.

9. Food

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One of South Africa’s most ethnically diverse cities, Durban’s population is made up of Zulu people in addition to a significant number with British and Indian descent. Blending their cultures over decades, Durban has a culinary scene unlike any other city in South Africa. And you don’t have to spend big to enjoy it.

The city’s oceanic location means fish is always a good bet, whether it’s deep-fried in the British style or covered in flavorsome spices originating from the Indian subcontinent. For dishes specific to the city, look out for Bunny Chow – a curried mixed vegetable stew traditionally served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread.

10. Moses Mabhida Stadium

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Built for the 2010 FIFA soccer world cup and named after a leading anti-apartheid politician, this stadium in Durban isn’t just for sports fans. As well as hosting soccer, cricket, and rugby union matches, the stadium doubles as a playground for adventure sports lovers.

The arch which spans the 55,000 seater arena incorporates a 550 step ‘adventure walk’ leading to a viewing platform 106 meters above the ground. There’s also a funicular to reach the top for those who don’t fancy the walk. Beyond the views of Durban and the Indian Ocean, the platform provides the perfect spot to watch daredevils fling themselves from the arch on the bungee swing which flings them 220 meters across the pitch.

11. Dick King Statue

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The Dick King Statue is another remnant of Durban’s past located on Victoria Embankment. A bronze equestrian statue, it honors the actions of Richard Phillip King in raising the alarm over the possibility of the Boer attack on the city in the 1840s.

Riding for 10 days between Durban and Grahamstown, King covered around 125 kilometers a day, whilst so sick some days he couldn’t even ride. Reaching Grahamstown all the same, he was able to mobilize a British force which saved the city from attack and led King to become part of the history of Durban.

Also read: 15 Best Tours in South Africa

12. Durban Natural Science Museum

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The grand columned exterior of the Durban Natural Science Museum should be enough to attract most visitors to its doors – part of Durban City Hall. Entering through a wide stone staircase lined with thick red carpeting, the museum’s displays are no less impressive.

Focusing on the living planet, the museum is a treasure-trove of animals stuffed in former years, from birds and mammals to insects and reptiles. Its displays extend as far as ancient Egypt, with the mummy known as Peter Amen, and one of the most complete skeletons of a dodo there is anywhere.

13. Sports

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Know anything about South Africa and you’ll know its people love sports. The city of Durban certainly isn’t any different, making attendance at one of its major sporting events a great way of getting under the skin of the city.

Kings Park Stadium is the home ground of the Sharks rugby union team, with most games in the domestic league taking place during the country’s winter months (June to September). At other times of year, there’s also the chance to catch cricket at Kingsmead Ground, and soccer at Moses Madhiba Stadium.

14. Old Court House Museum

This museum occupies one of the oldest remaining structures in central Durban, with its ironwork veranda and cream-yellow stone windowsills making for an intriguing addition to the surrounding office blocks.

Built in the 1860s, inside visitors will find a collection totaling some 10,000 individual items. Together, they help tell the story of the area and its people through good times and bad. Further interest is provided through the fact that the building was regularly frequented by Mahatma Gandhi while he acted as a lawyer in the city.

15. Phoenix Settlement

Durban’s connections with one of the greatest men of the twentieth century don’t stop with Old Court House Museum. The Phoenix Settlement, a few miles north of the CBD, was bought by Gandhi in 1904. It was here that he began the switch from lawyer to freedom fighter.

The settlement acted as a test bed for a series of ideas, from communal living to the policy of non-violence which would see Gandhi nominated (unsuccessfully) for a Nobel Peace Prize on more than one occasion. The house where Gandhi lived during this time has been fully restored, and can be visited as part of the Inanda Heritage Trail.

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Cape Town has everything. The beauty of its natural location really cannot be overstated. Table Mountain rises up from one side and the rolling waves of the Atlantic from the other. As South Africa’s first city, it’s intrinsically tied to South Africa’s history, containing important sites and some of the country’s best museums.

Then there’s the weather. It’s fine enough to ensure there’s almost always an excuse for getting outside, whether for a beach day or hiking. My pick on the 25 best things to do in Cape Town are therefore as eclectic as they are memorable. Miss them at your peril.

1. Table Mountain

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Table Mountain is more than an impressive backdrop to Cape Town. Enclosed within South Africa’s most visited national park, its slopes are draped in indigenous fynbos flora including stunning proteas. Among these flowers skuttle lizards and cute-as-can-be dassies (hyrax). Large numbers of birds of prey keep watch while using the thermals to rise up the mountain’s flanks.

A favorite of hikers and trekkers, even the easiest route to the summit, following Platteklip Gorge, is a strenuous assault on the legs. But have no fear. The Table Mountain Cableway lifts visitors to the mountain’s famed flat summit effortlessly. The 1,000 meter peak tops out at Maclear’s Beacon, where viewpoints provide endless panoramas of the city below. Exploring fully can easily take over an hour. I suggest to take a sweater, it does get chilly at the top!

2. Robben Island

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Visible as a small oval from Table Mountain, Robben Island became the obvious place for authorities over centuries to exile their most troublesome prisoners. From 1964 until 1982, this included Nobel Peace Prize winner and future South African president Nelson Mandela. Incarcerated for treason against South Africa’s apartheid state, the island then became a tourist attraction in the 1990s.

Tours are often led by other former political prisons. They include a stop at Mandela’s cell and the quarry where he was forced to break rocks by hand. There’s no more visceral way of understanding South Africa’s modern political history, than a visit to Robben Island (A must-visit in my opinion).

3. Company’s Garden

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Cutting its way through a swath of central Cape Town, the Company’s Garden is named after the Dutch East India Company. This was the organization which first founded Cape Town. It planted the garden to supply its ships with fresh fruit and vegetables. Laid out some time in the 1650s, it’s South Africa’s oldest dedicated garden. One of its pear trees was planted in 1652.

The garden is also a beautiful space in which to relax to the sound of birds and trickling water. There are plenty of shady benches to choose between after checking out monuments including the increasingly controversial bronze of Cecil John Rhodes.

4. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

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One of Cape Town’s newest attractions, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront saw boat-building basins turned into a thriving dining and shopping district. A mix of modern indoor mall and open-air shopping made out of historic dock structures, it has a vacation feel year-round.

The Cape Wheel provides the opportunity to take it all in, although simply sitting with a view of Table Mountain is hard to resist. Nearby, a small number of impressively-stinky Cape fur seals bask on the sunbaked paving before taking dips in the harbor.

5. South African National Gallery

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Originally founded in 1872, the South African National Gallery’s current home dates back to 1930. It contains a permanent collection which therefore emphasizes European culture, with artworks predominantly from Britain, France, and the Netherlands. In recent years the gallery has used its temporary exhibitions to highlight contemporary works, creating a fascinating mishmash of styles.

Artists contained within the collection include Abraham van Beerstraten and Thomas Baines, known for his drawings of colonial South Africa. Among its sculpture is The Butcher Boys, created by highly-respected South African artist Jane Alexander.

6. Castle of Good Hope

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Once situated on the edge of Table Bay, today the Castle of Good Hope lies slightly marooned beside the main train and bus station. Even so, the seventeenth-century fortification provides an unmissable part of any Cape Town itinerary.

The oldest colonial structure in South Africa, the castle was built by the Dutch East India Company. It’s generally labelled the best fort of its kind anywhere in the world. Forming a star-shape of bastions, and boasting some impressive architecture, it comes complete with its original moat. Attractions inside the complex of buildings include a torture chamber, slave quarters, and a military museum.

7. Green Point

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One of several upmarket neighborhoods lining the coast, Green Point has been called the Soho of Cape Town thanks to its nightlife. By day, Capetonians tend to head to Green Point Park. It contains various walking and jogging trails alongside a maze and a biodiversity garden. The square red-and-white striped lighthouse makes for an attractive photo op, as does the nearby Mandela’s Glasses art installation.

Come evening, the attention turns to Main Street. Here you’ll find a multitude of laid-back dining options, such as burger joints, Cuban, and Italian cuisine. For seafood, I would consider Sea Point Promenade instead.

8. Long Street

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Long Street stretches all the way from the harbor-front Convention Center to the lower slopes of Table Mountain. Along the way it’s adorned by a great selection of independent cafes, book shops, and antique stores.

Maintaining its feel of a Victorian throughfare as a result of the elegant ironwork balconies which line many of its buildings, the street evolves again come evening. At this time of day, it’s the many restaurants, bars, and clubs which take to the fore. Needless to say, the fun continues long into the night…

9. Bo-Kaap

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Colorful Bo-Kaap is probably Cape Town’s most distinctive of neighborhoods. Located at the base of Signal Hill, it’s just five minutes from the heart of Cape Town. Bo-Kaap gets its distinctiveness from the southeast Asian immigrants who settled in the area in the 1760s. A blend of Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture, the neighborhood’s structures took on their bold coloration as a celebration of freedom from slavery.

Wale Street contains the district’s oldest building, now containing the Bo-Kaap Museum. However, in my view the best way to enjoy Bo-Kaap is to walk its cobbled streets. Coincide it with the sound of the muezzins in the local mosques, and the atmosphere only builds further.

10. Zeitz MOCAA

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One of the newest additions to the Cape Town skyline is the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. Unveiled to the world in 2017, the nine-floor converted grain silo became the largest gallery to African contemporary art anywhere in the world.

Bolstered by an impressive series of rotating temporary exhibitions and fine permanent exhibits, visitors can be sure of plenty to absorb. From all the colors of the rainbow, to seriously thought-provoking new additions, top off your trip to Zeitz MOCAA with the elevator ride to the rooftop restaurant.

11. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

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Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are not only important as a place for preserving South Africa’s unique plant species, but also as a playground within Cape Town’s city limits. Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the gardens are as close as you can get to what the region looked like before the arrival of European colonizers.

Formerly created in only 1913, Kirstenbosch is nonetheless rich in history. Attractions include part of a wild almond hedge planted by South Africa’s first colonizer, Jan van Riebeeck. More modern editions to the garden include the Boomslang canopy walkway. Named after the deadly South African snake, it winds its way through Kirstenbosch’s arboretum. Stretching for 130 meters, it provides intimate views of the gardens, alongside Cape Flats township and the mountains.

12. Two Oceans Aquarium

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Part of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Two Oceans Aquarium is named for the fact the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet just a short distance from Cape Town. Despite this, it contains sea creatures from right around the globe. The Diversity Gallery highlights the role of South Africa’s Benguela and Agulhas currents through species including seahorses, moray eels, and clownfish.

Meanwhile, a walk-through tunnel contains 1.6 million liters of seawater home to rays and turtles among other species. The Shark Exhibit celebrates critically endangered ragged-tooth sharks. However, the biggest display is the Kelp Forest Exhibit. Showcasing the natural habitats of a huge range of creatures, rockhopper penguins use it for daily exercise.

13. Boulders Beach

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To observe Africa’s only mainland dwelling penguins, you only have to go as far as Boulders Beach. Situated near Simon’s Town in suburban Cape Town, the beach unexpectedly became a home for African penguins in 1982.

Since then, the small colony has continued to grow to around 3000 individual birds. Wooden boardwalks have been built for visitors to see these noisy animals. Sounding like donkeys, their other name is the jackass penguin.

If you’re interested in a guided tour I’d suggest this one that included Table Mountain, Cape Point and Boulders Beach.

14. Iziko South African Museum

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Housed in an elegant building on the edge of Company’s Garden, the Iziko South African Museum has collections ranging from zoology to archeology. Spanning four floors, exhibits include the world-renowned Lydenburg Heads, some of the oldest Iron Age artworks found in South Africa.

The natural world plays a key part in the museum, with separate galleries displaying whales, birds, sharks, and mammal taxonomies. Heading to level 3, you can explore the bones of a 250 million year old reptile discovered in the country’s arid Karoo region.

15. Muizenberg Beach

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Known for its highly-photographed row of beach huts painted in primary colors, Muizenberg is one of Cape Town’s most popular beaches. Located in the suburb of the same name, the beach has a Blue Flag for cleanliness and plenty of soft sand despite the crowds.

Watched over by lifeguards during the swimming season, Muizenberg is also the birthplace of surfing in South Africa. This makes it a great place to jump on to a board for the first time. Waves rarely get large enough to trouble first-timers.

With fun for all the family, Muizenberg Beach makes for a good break from the cultural attractions of central Cape Town.

16. Bree Street

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Hailed by the likes of Vogue, Bree Street has certainly come a long way from its humble origins. Perhaps Cape Town’s trendiest address, it gets its name from the Dutch for broad. It was made deliberately wide so ox carts had a chance to turn around.

These days it’s street art, including some incredible full-building murals, you have to look out for rather than animal dung. A place to hang when you’re after a relaxing afternoon, there are no shortage of cafes and bars.

All are small enough that you’ll never feel lost in the crowd. Add to that a number of chic homegrown artisan products – from fabrics to pottery – and you’ve got those lazy hours well taken care of.

17. Signal Hill

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Standing to one side of Table Mountain, Signal Hill is the site of the noon gun which fires most days at midday. The guns themselves date to 1794, making them the world’s oldest guns in routine use. Maintained by the South African Navy, the 18-pound guns fire every day except Sundays and public holidays.

The hill also makes for a great alternative to hiking Table Mountain. There’s also a car park close to the summit for anyone who doesn’t want to walk. At the top, visitors will find a handful of street food vendors, alongside places to rent mats to watch the sunset.

18. Saint George’s Cathedral

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The first Saint George’s Cathedral opened to congregations in 1834. But Saint George’s is not only a historic place of worship for Cape Town’s Anglican communities. It played an intriguing role in the anti-apartheid movement too.

Its replacement was designed by important British architect Herbert Baker in the early 1900s. Construction is yet to be completed. In spite of this, it has already entered the history books after cathedral authorities ignored apartheid segregation laws and welcomed everyone to worship.

Led by Archbishop Demond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, the cathedral also witnessed 30,000 people protest apartheid in 1989. It would end just five years later.

19. District Six Museum

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Another link to South Africa’s past of racial discrimination, the District Six Museum tells the tale of a single Cape Town neighborhood. Once multiracial, the apartheid authorities forced the rehousing of 60,000 non-white residents.

Dominating its central space is a map pinpointing the homes of specific residents. Many of these homes were demolished during ‘regeneration’ schemes which have left much of the area desolate to this day.

What’s unique about this museum is its focus on individuals. This makes it an important part of any Cape Town tour, even for people who have already uncovered some of the city’s apartheid past.

20. Chapman’s Peak Drive

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Chapman’s Peak Drive is a short but epic coastal drive which has also become popular with cyclists. Connecting Noordhoek with Hout Bay, it promises sheer drops, alluring vistas over the Atlantic Ocean, and an impressive array of engineering structures to protect the road from falling rocks.

Count carefully, and you’ll discover Chapman’s Peak Drive has no less than 114 curves. It means you’re never looking at the same view for more than a few seconds. Add to this the fact the drive leads southwards towards Cape Point Nature Reserve, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect day out.

21. Llandudno Beach

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It’s not as famous as Clifton Beach, but that’s exactly why I’ve chosen Llandudno Beach for anyone looking for peace and tranquility. Tucked into a small arching bay, the beach comprises a delightful expanse of rich golden sand.

Being on Cape Town’s Atlantic coast, the waters can be cold. But there are still plenty of reasons to visit, from sunbathing to sand castle building. Llandudno Beach has also developed a reputation for romance, making it popular with couples come sunset.

The boulders on the lefthand side of the beach have become known as Sunset Rocks.

22. Old Biscuit Mill

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Constructed in the late 1800s, the Old Biscuit Mill has been turned from a factory space to a cool hangout in the Woodstock neighborhood. Its series of old buildings have become home to a range of artisan producers. This is alongside office space for designers, and a choice of restaurants. Farm stores are on hand to offer up the best of local produce from Cape Town’s farmland, in addition to sweet and savory treats that need no cooking time.

The Old Biscuit Mill plays host to markets both during the day and at night. One of the most popular with locals is the ‘Neighborgoods Market.’ This family-friendly event is a heaven for anyone with a love for the gourmet.

23. Mitchell’s Plain Township

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The term ‘township’ refers to the settlements created by the apartheid regime to house South Africa’s non-white population. Although democracy has existed in the country since 1994, most of Cape Town’s non-white residents continue to live in townships. These include Mitchell’s Plain. In fact, many residents from District Six were forcibly relocated here.

Found on False Bay, around 20 kilometers from downtown Cape Town, tourism is being used as a way to improve the area. Visit on a well-run official tour, and you’ll see the reality of life for the majority of South Africans.

24. Groote Schuur

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Translating from the Dutch for ‘big shed,’ Groote Schuur was first used as a farm in the 1650s. Passing through a number of hands over the centuries the Cape Dutch style building was bought in 1893 by Cecil Rhodes. He paid £60,000 for the property, a huge amount at the time.

The home of South African prime ministers and then presidents for almost a hundred years, it was also the site of an important meeting between FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. A museum open by appointment, visitors are able to admire the furnishings and books which remain, as well as learning more about its position in the history of South Africa.

25. Wine tasting

Source: Luiz Antonio Nasser Jr / shutterstock

Cape Town and vineyards go hand in hand, and have done since the very foundation of the city. Understandably, most of the big names in wine are located outside of the city, in towns including Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington, and Paarl.

There are plenty of organized tours that will take in the winelands in each of these regions, if I’d had to suggest one I’d have a look at this tour that includes visiting 3 estates. That said, you don’t have to leave Cape Town to get your fill of one of the city’s most-loved exports.

Tasting rooms dot the city limits, while most of the city’s wine stores will also happily provide tastings.

I’ve got some more content on South Africa for further reading:

• 15 Best Places to Visit in South Africa
• 15 Best Tours in South Africa

The post 25 Best Things to do in Cape Town appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

There are few places that combine such a mix of natural beauty and fascinating history as South Africa does. Arguably the country’s most popular attraction, Kruger National Park is one of the continent’s most visited game reserves. Its 7,800 square mile area is full of iconic African animals, including the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes.

In fact, Kruger National Park is the best place to see the Big Five in South Africa. Elsewhere, Cape Town’s Table Mountain is just one of South Africa’s range of stunning landscapes. Additionally, the country is packed full of historic sites. These include the prison island of Nelson Mandela, one of the 20th century’s most celebrated men due to his long fight for racial equality.

With all there is to see and do, filling your schedule won’t be an issue in South Africa.

1. Cape Point and Penguin Full-Day Tour

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The panoramic ocean views from Cape Town’s peninsula are some of the most majestic you’ll see anywhere. This full-day tour departs from Cape Town in the morning and includes stops at Boulders Beach, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Boulders Beach is home to Africa’s only mainland penguin colony, while Cape Point marks Africa’s south westernmost point.

If you’re an animal and nature lover, this tour is a great choice. Visitors to the reserve have a good chance of spotting animals including ostriches and gazelles. If you’re there between July and November, you may even see whales. You’ll have time to stop for lunch along the way, but it’s not included in the cost, so plan accordingly.

2. 4-Day Camping Trip in Kruger National Park

Source: jaroslava V / shutterstock

Few places in Africa are as full of wild animals as South Africa’s Kruger National Park. And it’s well worth taking your time when visiting. This extensive tour kicks-off at the airport, or at your Johannesburg or Pretoria hotel if you’re already in the country. Once you’ve made yourself at home at the tour’s compound, the majority of your time will be spent out in the bush, viewing the animals from an open-air vehicle.

Spending the night under the African stars and viewing lions, hyenas, and elephants up close will be something you’ll never forget. These tours fill up fast, so plan ahead.

3. Addo Elephant National Park Full-Day Tour from Port Elizabeth

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Though Addo Elephant National Park isn’t a household name like Kruger, it is one of the largest reserves in South Africa. Created first and foremost with elephants in mind, it’s undoubtedly the best place to guarantee close encounters with the world’s largest land mammal.

From your hotel in Port Elizabeth, you’ll travel to the park, which was established in the early 1930s. At that time, elephants were dangerously close to extinction. Thankfully, since then they’ve made a remarkable comeback.

This all-inclusive tour gives visitors the chance to see other African legends, like leopards, rhinos, and Cape buffaloes too. The latter is one of the most dangerous large animals in Africa. A side-trip to Algoa Bay, reached by Portugese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1488, may also be included depending on time.

4. Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket at Two Oceans Aquarium

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With millions of gallons of habitat and more than 3,000 creatures on display, it’s no wonder that the Two Oceans Aquarium is such a popular place. At peak times, this Cape Town institution can get downright crowded. So this skip-the-line ticket will ensure that even on a busy day you and your travel companions will zip right through.

The majority of the aquarium’s species are from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. But there are exhibits with animals from around the globe. Some species aren’t found in any other aquarium in the world. There are lots of interactive activities to keep kids entertained, as well as a gift shop and café on-site.

5. Robben Island Ticket with Hotel Pick-Up

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Robben Island is one of the most historically significant sites that you’ll visit during your time in South Africa. It’s the former prison-island for black enemies of the state during the long apartheid years. Largely staffed by former prisoners, it’s full of fascinating exhibits, photographs, artifacts, and first-hand accounts, all of which are a little macabre.

Highlights include the cell where the island’s most famous resident, Nelson Mandela, spent nearly two decades incarcerated for demanding democracy and majority rule. Since the great man’s death in 2013, the site has only grown in importance.

Robben Island is less than an hour from Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront from Nelson Mandela Gateway ferry terminal. After the tour, you’ll be dropped back at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. From here, there are almost endless views of Table Mountain, and great shopping too.

6. Sailing Trip around Cape Town Waterfront and Bay

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This sailboat sightseeing tour will follow the prevailing winds and may include Table Bay, Milnerton Lighthouse and Robben Island. Regardless of which way the captain takes you, your tour will be full of majestic views and will provide many once-in-a-lifetime photo ops. Make sure your camera is fully-charged or bring plenty of film as the boat’s crew will point out significant landmarks along the way.

Just remember to pack a few extra layers and bring sunglasses and a hat, as the weather out on the water can change quickly. The tours last an hour and launch from Quay 5 of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

7. Cape Town: Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Source: getyourguide.com

The sunsets along the South African coast are some of the most magical you’ll find anywhere in the world. Experiencing one from the gently rolling deck of a catamaran is one of the best ways to enjoy it. From the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, this tour cruises down the Atlantic coast toward the base of the Cape Peninsula. Along the way you’ll get unobstructed views of Table Mountain, looming large over the surrounding landscape.

What’s more, you’ll get views of Robben Island thrown in. The shadows playing off these structures give the landscape a dramatic and lunar feel you won’t forget. The tour lasts 90 minutes and has the chance to encounter dolphins, Cape fur seals, and plenty of birdlife as extra incentives to sign up.

8. Champagne Sunset and 3-Course Dinner Cruise from Cape Town

Source: getyourguide.com

For most of us, trips to exotic locales like Cape Town are things we’ll only ever get to experience once. If you’d like to spare no expense and see the city like few others will, then this dinner sunset cruise deserves a spot on your itinerary.

You won’t take much convincing that Cape Peninsula and Table Mountain are the perfect backdrops for this sunset cruise. Depending on conditions, you may get glimpses of Granger Bay and Milnerton Lighthouse too.

You’ll sip South African wine from the deck, then head back to shore after sunset to enjoy your gourmet 3-course meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Delish!

9. Pilanesberg Full-Day Safari Tour from Johannesburg

Source: getyourguide.com

Even if you’ve already scheduled a 4-day tour of Kruger National Park in your itinerary, it’s worth including this full-day tour of Pilanesberg National Park too.

Starting from Johannesburg, the tour includes round-trip transportation and at least 2 ½ hours spent in the park. That’s ample time to search for the park’s big game aboard an open-air vehicle.

Led by an experienced guide, you’re sure to get close to many of the park’s main animal attractions, like lions, zebras, hyenas, and hippos. With a little luck, you may even see an elusive leopard, alongside crocodiles and giraffes.

What’s more, the cost of the tour includes both park entrance fees and lunch. From beginning to end, this safari lasts about 12 hours. So it may not be the best bet for young children with short attention spans. Whether you take this tour or another I highly recommend visiting the Pilanesbert National Park as it is a great place to spot wildlife.

10. Museum of Contemporary African Art Fast-Track

Source: getyourguide.com

The Zeitz MOCAA is South Africa’s preeminent modern art museum and is conveniently located on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It’s the largest of its kind in the world and includes tens of thousands of square feet dedicated to preserving and promoting contemporary African art from all corners of the continent.

The museum has galleries featuring works in every medium, plus plenty of hands-on activities for children. A top-floor restaurant makes great use of the incredible views, while the gift shop is perfect for souvenir hunters. This fast-track ticket enables visitors to skip the long lines which can form on busy days. And if you fancy discovering even more, audio guides are available in many languages.

11. Marine Wildlife Kayak Tour from the V&A Waterfront

Source: getyourguide.com

The waters around South Africa are known as one of the world’s great white shark hotspots. Given this fact, a kayak tour may seem like a strange way of sightseeing. But this two-hour tour is perfectly safe, and gets you up close to some of the area’s less dangerous wildlife.

Dolphins, seals, penguins, and seabirds are in abundance. You may even catch a glimpse of a whale or two if you’re there in the right season. From your ocean vantage point, you’ll also get glimpses of Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, and the Twelve Apostles Mountains, together some of the area’s most recognizable natural icons.

12. African Dinner and Drumming Experience

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Traditional African drums create some of the most dramatic and recognizable beats you’re ever likely to hear. This dinner and drumming experience takes place in one of the city’s most unique restaurants. It includes a drum lesson taught by locals, after which you’ll get to see how the experts do it.

The accompanying multi-course set menu boasts a wide array of foods. Many incorporate ingredients hinting at the expansive international influences forming parts of South Africa’s past. Come hungry, and be prepared for a truly distinctive experience which may just be one of the highlights of your trip.

13. 1-Day Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour from Johannesburg

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Apartheid was a reality in the lives of all South Africans for decades. In 1976, an uprising in the black township of Soweto set things in motion that would ultimately lead to apartheid’s end. This tour includes a brief stop at Nelson Mandela’s home before visiting the place where two school boys aged 12 and 15 were shot dead by the police. The recovery of their bodies became a symbol of the uprising.

As you might imagine, this is not the only graphic site on the tour, so be warned. Lasting eight hours, guides give you the option of visiting several museums along the way – or if you’d rather not, that’s okay too. If you visit just one, make sure it’s the Apartheid Museum. I highly recommend it.

14. South African Full-Day Wine Tour

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In recent years, South Africa has garnered international acclaim for its wine industry. On this tour, you’ll be exposed to some beautiful countryside, the area’s history, and the process by which grapes get turned into wine. The tour lasts 8 ½ hours and includes visits to some of the region’s most celebrated wineries in the towns of Stellenbosch and Franschoek.

Just a short drive from Cape Town, you’ll spend most of your time learning about and sampling wines created with varieties including shiraz and pinotage. A dry yet refreshing sparkling champagne-like wine is also usually available to try. Put simply, this tour is essential for wine lovers.

15. Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-on Hop-off

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The hop-on hop-off tram and bus tour offers an excellent opportunity to explore the beautiful Franschhoek Valley from Cape Town. The tour departs from Cape Town at 8:30 AM and 9 AM, depending on the chosen tram line. You can choose from different tram lines, such as the Navy and Burgundy Line, or the Pink and Grey Line (from December 26th – January 2nd), and visit any of the eight wine estates on the circular routes. Each line offers a unique perspective on the Franschhoek wine experience, from boutique to marquee estates.

The tram or tram bus passes every 60 minutes, and you can hop-on-hop-off at your preferred wine estates. However, wine-tasting fees are not included and payable on the day. At 4:45 PM, the tour ends, and you will return to Cape Town by bus. Overall, the hop-on hop-off tram and bus tour is a great way to experience the lush beauty of the Franschhoek Valley and enjoy some of South Africa’s finest wines.

The post 15 Best South Africa Tours (Updated 2023) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

But this is largely overstated, and rarely impacts visitors to the city. The reality is that Johannesburg is the cultural heart of modern South Africa. All in all, Jo’burg is the perfect base from which to explore the many national parks and game reserves found in the area. It’s also the ideal place to see the best of South Africa’s contemporary culture. Down the road is the historic city of Pretoria, where you can learn more about the divided history of this country. Not too much further away, Sun City offers amusement and water parks for those looking for a different kind of escape from Johannesburg. In other words, there are many great day trips to be done from Johannesburg, and these are the very best.

Below you’ll find my top picks for attractions easily reached from Johannesburg. Having traveled extensively across South Africa more than once, I know first-hand what’s worth your hard earned time, and what isn’t.

1. Kruger National Park

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Kruger National Park is perhaps South Africa’s most famous national park.

It’s also one of South Africa’s largest, covering an enormous area of almost 8000 square miles. Johannesburg acts as an ideal gateway for international travelers to South Africa looking to visit the park.

From Johannesburg, a multitude of companies offer day tours to the fringes of Kruger. Here you can get a taste for the wild nature of South Africa’s savannas and see the icons of African wildlife, including the Big Five game animals.

It can be tricky to see all five species (lions, elephants, rhinos, Cape buffaloes, and leopards) in a single day.

However, it’s not impossible with an experienced guide, and there are plenty of other animals to keep you open-mouthed, from giraffes to hyenas.

With such an expanse of wilderness to explore, you’re sure to find yourself wanting to return again and again. After all, no two days at Kruger National Park are ever the same.

Recommended tour: Kruger National Park 3-Day Safari

2. Soweto

Source: PrakichTreetasayuth / shutterstock

Soweto is found on the outskirts of Johannesburg’s city centre. Although now considered part of the city itself, for a long time this area was very, very separate.

It makes for an incredibly interesting day trip, as Soweto was the largest township in South Africa during the dark days of Apartheid.

The name of the area means simply South Western Townships, and a tour here will give you a glimpse of the Johannesburg beyond its glittering central office blocks.

You can learn about the turbulent history of the township but also experience the vibrant lifestyles that are lived here. The modern symbol of Soweto, the muraled cooling towers of Orlando Power Station, are a sign of this.

A must for any visit to Soweto is the Apartheid Museum. It’s galleries are dedicated to detailing the horrors of South Africa’s policies of racial division. But there’s a lot more to see besides.

The Orlando area was home to Nelson Mandela before his imprisonment on Robben Island. Now a museum and national monument, the tiny red brick building where he lived still holds the bullet holes and burn marks caused by petrol bombs, alongside much of its original contents.

Tours also include time learning about the Soweto Uprising, an event that led to the deaths of several school children protesting against the use of Afrikaans in Soweto schools.

Together attractions make Soweto an intriguing place to visit, and one of the best day trips to make from Johannesburg.

Available tour: Johannesburg and Soweto Apartheid Full Day Tour

3. Sun City

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After a heavy dose of history and politics in Soweto, you may be looking for something a little more light-hearted and relaxing when it comes to taking your next day trip from Johannesburg.

Sun City is essentially one big holiday resort. South Africa’s most famous getaway, it’s an excellent place to visit if you are looking for relaxation, fun, and amusement parks.

Think Las Vegas, and you’ve got Sun City pretty much sussed. You can find everything from spas and water parks, to bars and even a casino. In short, fun for all the family.

Kitsch it definitely is. Yet at the same time, Sun City has an allure like nowhere else in South Africa, and certainly nowhere within proximity to Johannesburg.

Sun City is a two-hour drive away from Johannesburg, meaning that while there are plenty of hotels tempting you to stay the night, it makes for a great day trip too.

What’s more, trips to Sun City are often combined with a tour of Pilanesberg National Park, my next pick.

Available tour: Pilanesberg Full-Day Shared Safari with Sun City Visit

4. Pilanesberg National Park

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Pilanesberg National Park is located right next to Sun City, but it’s an entirely different world to explore.

Being so close to Johannesburg, Pilanesberg makes for an excellent place to visit to experience the wild nature of South Africa without needing to spend days in the bushveld.

The park takes its name from an enormous mountain, formed from a now extinct volcano. But most people visit for the chance to see the huge variety of wildlife that lives within its boundaries.

You can spot all of the Big Five animals, as well as almost every species which calls South Africa home.

The volcanic landscape is simply breathtaking, especially around the Mankwe Dam area of the park.

To get a real overview of all the park’s magnificent landscapes, ascending to the skies in a hot air balloon is a fabulous idea.

5. Pretoria

Source: Felix Lipov / shutterstock

Pretoria is found just an hour to the north of Johannesburg’s city center and is one of South Africa’s three capital cities (alongside Cape Town and Bloemfontein).

As a result, it’s home to a host of administrative offices, many beautiful pieces of architecture in their own right.

There’s also a great deal of history, connected not only with the Afrikaaners who founded the city, but also the nomadic tribes who roamed the plains of the area before them.

To get a feel of what the city’s all about, a good place to start is the impressive Voortrekker Monument.

It’s a grand legacy built to commerorate the hardships faced by Afrikaaners forced to move north to escape British colonisation.

For a full lowdown of the history of this time, head to Pretoria Forts, built to protect against British advances.

Then visit the Union Buildings on Meintjieskop hill. The seat of the South African government, the buildings were designed by British architect Sir Herbert Baker, who was also partially responsible for New Delhi.

6. Magaliesberg

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Magaliesberg is a formidable mountain range found to the north of Johannesburg and an area that makes for a wild escape from the confines of the city. The scenery is absolutely beautiful.

It’s rugged, mountainous and full of wildlife, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the nature, to hike to waterfalls, and to climb its peaks.

Alternatively, grab a ticket for the Hartbeesport Aerial Cableway, which will take you to the top of the Magaliesberg Mountains without any effort.

Elsewhere in the area you can find many farms and wildlife reserves, giving visitors the opportunity to explore local life in this secluded part of South Africa just a short hop from the country’s biggest city.

7. Rustenburg

Source: PHParsons / Wikimedia

Rustenburg is a city located two hours away from Johannesburg, and it’s found in beautiful surroundings in the foothills of the Magaliesberg Mountains.

Meaning ‘place of rest’ in Afrikaans, it’s a phrase which still perfectly describes the town.

It’s really the gateway to exploring the entire region, but the town itself offers visitors a look at Afrikaaner history in the area.

There is a great museum explaining the town’s importance, and there are many battlefields nearby which were the scene of fighting during the Anglo-Boer War.

8. Hartbeespoort

Source: Angela N Perryman / shutterstock

Also found in the foothills of the Magaliesburg Mountains is the town of Hartbeespoort.

This lakeside community is a charming place to visit and is the site of the Hartbeespoort Dam.

It’s an excellent place to wind down and to enjoy boating trips or cruises across the scenic lake.

That said, Hartbeespoort has also become a center for adrenaline sports.

White water rafting on the Crocodile River (no crocs present) is becoming increasingly popular, while divers have the unusual opportunity of delving into what was once a chrome mine.

Meanwhile, big cat lovers should head to the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Center, a sanctuary committed to protecting these superb creatures.

9. Maropeng Visitor Centre

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The Maropeng Visitor Centre, found within the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an incredible learning center and exhibition space located close to Magaliesburg.

The center showcases the rich discoveries that have been made in the area by archaeologists uncovering human fossils and remains and piecing together the early years of humanity.

It’s a great insight into the importance of southern Africa to the evolution of humankind as a whole. Its exhibits include stone tools thought to be a million years old, predating our own species by around 700,000 years.

10. Sterkfontein Caves

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The Sterkfontein Caves are located close to the Maropeng Visitor Centre and can be visited on the same day trip from Johannesburg.

Ten to 15 minutes apart, it’s well worth ensuring any tour you go on includes a shuttle between the two attractions.

The caves are part of the broader Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site because it was within these caves that many of the most important discoveries have been made.

These include the unearthing of many, very early human species, such as Australopithicus bones dated to around 3 million years ago.

The most famous example is probably Little Foot, a near complete skeleton 3.5 million years old. Little Foot was only discovered in 1994, and had enough of the ankle remaining to show he or she walked upright.

11. Krugersdorp

Source: Shiraz Chakera / Flickr

Krugersdorp is predominantly a mining town, built to take advantage of the huge deposits of gold and minerals that were discovered in the Witwatersrand area close to Johannesburg.

The town itself may not have much to offer tourists, but the surrounding area is rich in beautiful scenery and many underground cave systems that can be explored.

A favourite place to visit is the aptly named Wonder Cave. One of South Africa’s largest caves, it drops 22 meters below ground.

Visitors are able to reach the bottom thanks to 87 steps, from where the range of stalagtites, stalagmites and cave pearls are best viewed.

A second top Krugersdorp attraction is the Bothongo Lion and Rhino Reserve, which has game drives in open-sided vehicles departing multiple times a day.

12. Cullinan

Source: PretoriaTravel / Wikimedia

Source: PretoriaTravel / Wikimedia

Cullinan is another mining town found close to Johannesburg, and this town is very much of interest to those wanting to learn more about the history of the region, and the mining opportunities that brought many settlers here.

Many of the buildings date back to the early 20th century, when the town was first established. Walking through the streets is almost like taking a step back in time.

The town contains several small museums worth popping into, while horse rides and zip-lining are available in the surrounding countryside.

13. Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve

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The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is an unusual nature reserve, in that it’s located less than ten miles from Johannesburg city center.

Being so close to the city, it’s surprising to find so much wildlife and beautiful scenery right on the doorstep, and makes for an easy escape, as well as a great look at the nature of the region.

So although Klipriviersberg might not meet the stature of either Kruger or Pilanesberg national parks, it still makes for a superb day out from Johannesburg.

The reserve has healthy populations of many ungulates and antelopes, including zebra, wildebeest, and red haartbeest. But Klipriversberg is best known as a birding destination, with 230 bird species identified in the reserve.

14. Skeerport

Skeerport is a quaint little town that’s found close to the Hartebeesport Dam, not far from Johannesburg.

This small town is set in glorious surroundings and is known as one of the area’s best hot air ballooning spots.

Take to the skies as the sun rises and enjoy the incredible scenery from the air. If you can manage the early morning departure from Johannesburg that is!

15. Bloemfontein

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Bloemfontein makes for a long day trip from Johannesburg, but it’s worth the drive to see South Africa’s judicial capital in all its glory.

The city center is awash with lawyers rushing from attractive building to attractive building.

Among them are several interesting museums, including a detailed Boer War Museum.

The city’s Loch Logan Waterfront complex is a nice place to do some shopping, before relaxing on the lake edge with a drink as the sun descends on another day in paradise.

The post 15 Best Day Trips from Johannesburg (Updated 2023) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

Beyond its harborfront, there’s a cosmopolitan culture, awesome Mediterranean climate, and a bounty of great wine and food boasting their own distinct flavors.

My experiences of Cape Town now span decades. Although this makes me feel incredibly old, it’s also a demonstration of just how alluring South Africa’s ‘mother city’ is as a destination. I just can’t stop myself heading back time after time. And when I do, I always find something new, alongside some of the most important historic sites in the entire country, as you’ll discover below.

Here’s a list of the best day trips from Cape Town – the city of big skies, beautiful beaches, and unending adventure.

1. Table Mountain

Source: Kanuman / shutterstock

This landmark is found within Table Mountain National Park. It earns its name from its flat-topped shape, cut by glaciers millions of years ago.

Getting to the top is a right of passage for visitors to Cape Town, something which can be done by cable car.

Its individual gondolas complete a 360° rotation during their transit. This gives a panoramic view over the mountain and the surrounding ocean for every passenger.

Those looking for a work out can also make it to the summit by one of the hundreds of public footpaths that wind their way upward.

Ranging from the easy to the downright dangerous, it’s recommended that you hire a guide who’ll help you navigate these steep and rocky trails.

The best time to take the trip is in the morning when the skies are clear, so you can explore the various viewpoints which dot its edges.

Recommended combo-ticket: Table Mountain Cable Car Ticket & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Combo

2. The District Six Museum

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The District Six Museum is a must-visit for anyone who would like to take a history lesson and learn about the country’s struggle in overcoming apartheid.

The museum was created in 1994, and does a fantastic job of educating visitors about the area’s locals and their history.

In 1966, when apartheid was in full swing, multiracial District Six was declared a whites only neighborhood. It meant approximately 60,000 black residents were forced to move to townships on the outskirts of the city.

The plan was to regenerate the area. But despite officially renaming it Zonnebloem (or ‘sunflower’), oppositition was so great much of the area was left bulldozed and abandoned until the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994.

To discover just what life was like for locals during apartheid, I don’t think there’s anywhere better in Cape Town.

Recommended tour: Cape Town: Half-Day Guided Township Tour

3. Robben Island

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Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; a symbol of hope and triumph after years of oppression. Over hundreds of years of habitation, it has acted as a military base, and a mental institution.

Undoubtedly though, Robben Island is best known for its role as a prison for politcal prisoners during the apartheid regime.

It’s on this island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years of incarceration. Sleeping in a tiny cell, much of his time was spent crushing rocks in a limestone quarry on the island.

Both Mandela’s cell and the quarry form part of the island’s tours.

Anyone who’s interested in soaking up some history should visit the island’s museum, which offers in more detail the history and culture of the island.

The most intriguing part is that tours are often led by former inmates, who give first-hand accounts of exactly what they had to endure.

If you have time, Robben Island is a great spot for birdwatching. Species range from oyster catchers to penguins.

A boat ride to Robben Island will take you approximately 45 minutes one way from Nelson Mandela Gateway in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Recommended tour: Robben Island Ferry Ticket and Township Combo Tour

4. Old Biscuit Mill

Source: Sareena Singh / shutterstock

The Old Biscuit Mill, just as the name suggests, was once a biscuit factory in the 19th Century.

Today, the buildings have been converted into a rustic, warm-hearted village that houses some of Cape Town’s most charming architecture.

Rivalling the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Old Biscuit Mill is home to numerous indy shops, dynamic offices, and food joints sure to get your stomach rumbling.

Given the country’s history, its restaurants feature a variety of foods from all over the world.

Regular live performances bring the entire mill to life. They are most common on weekends, when visitors from all walks of life flock to shop at the craft shops and designer stores.

This bustling hub is situated approximately 10 minutes from the city center.

5. Bo-­Kaap

Source: MG Africa / shutterstock

Multicultural Bo-Kaap was formerly known as the Malay Quarter. Today, it’s well known for its brightly colored houses, which continue to be an architectural delight in the age of instagram and social media.

This residential area dates back to the 18th Century and is characterized by vibrant one and two-story houses on romantic cobbled streets.

Historically unique, the neighborhood was the traditional location of Cape Town’s Muslim community. The city’s oldest surviving residential neighborhood, it has the largest number of buildings dating before 1850 anywhere in South Africa.

With many of its homes first rented out to slaves in the 18th century, Bo-Kaap’s colorful facades developed as an expression of liberty on becoming free. It continued as a tradition, and as a means of keeping the community together.

Even today residents check with neighbors to ensure colors don’t clash.

Walking distance from the center of Cape Town, I’d recommend taking an afternoon stroll through Bo-Kaap, looking out for its colorful homes, fascinating murals, and historic mosques.

6. Clifton Beach

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Cape Town isn’t short of coastline or beaches, but Clifton Beach is a magical jewel and a tourist’s paradise.

In fact, the upmarket suburb of Clifton has four beaches each separated by massive granite boulders. They’re named first, second, third, and fourth beaches.

Used by a nice mix of locals and visitors, the soft white sands of Clifton Beach have been recognized internationally for meeting stringent safety and environmental standards.

Located away from Cape Town’s sometimes strong winds – the ‘Cape Doctor’ – Clifton Beach is one of the best spots for sunbathing. Swimming is another possibility in the clear shallows, with surfers not uncommon either.

Don’t forget about Clifton’s Atlantic views, which are perhaps best enjoyed from a bar at sun set.

This stunning beach is a 20-minute drive from the city center.

Related tour: Cape Peninsula and Penguin Colony Full Day Tour

7. Greenmarket Square

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Greenmarket Square is a vibrant market for African crafts right at the heart of Cape Town.

The vendors come from all parts of Africa, including South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and a select few from west Africa.

Thanks to the immigrants who come to South Africa seeking a better life, you will find crafts that represent their various countries and cultures.

This cobbled public market is one of South Africa’s oldest, and originally functioned as a slave market.

Today, the vendors sell a wide variety of merchandise, ranging from hand-crafted trinkets such as carved animals, to painted fabrics including artworks.

Greenmarket Square is therefore a great place to find some different and authentic curios and jewelry to take home.

Surrounding streets have a range of cafes and restaurants, many with small terraces for enjoying the sun and warmth of the city.

8. The Winelands

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South Africa has a flourishing wine industry which enjoys an impressive reputation. On your trip to Cape Town, you should definitely plan a trip to the Winelands and test some of South Africa’s best whites, reds, and rosés.

It all began in the 17th century, when the city’s founder, Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck, planted the first vines and produced the very first bottle of South African wine.

Since then, the wine industry of Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek has only gone from strength to strength. These well-to-do towns are characterized by stunning historical mansions, mostly in the Cape Dutch style.

Slipping past driveways, it’s not unusual to see a Porche, followed by a Ferrari, or a Lamborghini. No wonder when the Cape Winelands are just an hour from the city.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a wine connoisseur, taking at least a half day Winelands tour is well worth it.

Many vineyards have expanded to produce top quality olive oils, while photographers will be sure to fall for the stunning panoramas the region boasts too.

The wine estates, the rolling vineyards, and the towering mountains make you feel like you’re in a totally different world.

Amazing tour: South African Winelands Half Day Tour and Tasting

9. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

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The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is located on the Atlantic shore in South Africa’s oldest harbor.

Thanks to its strategic positioning, which offers magnificent views of the ocean and Table Mountain, about 100,000 people visit the place daily during peak season.

The complex was designed by Adrian van der Vyver and named after Queen Victoria (Empress of South Africa) and her second son, Alfred.

He became the first member of the British royal family to visit the country when he arrived onboard HMS Euryalus in 1860.

Once forming boat-building basins, the V&A Waterfront was converted into a 123-hectare mixed-use destination. It’s a favorite spot for retail therapy, and has an excellent choice of dining options.

Close by, you’ll find the stylish Zeitz MOCAA art gallery, carved out of a massive grain silo.

The V&A Waterfront is also the location of the Nelson Mandela Gateway ferry terminal for trips to Robben Island. So you’re sure to find yourself here at some point during your time in Cape Town.

10. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

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Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens proves that not all gardens are created equal.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the gardens contain over 7000 species of plant, almost exclusive from southern Africa. It remains a vital cog in the machinery of protecting South Africa’s unique flora.

The 89-acre garden was started in 1913 by botanist Harold Pearson, and is part of the 528-hectare Kirstenbosch Estate. But its history also connects it to none other than Jan van Riebeeck and Cecil Rhodes.

Situated on the inland side of Table Mountain, its mesmerizing collection of plants are best discovered by making use of the myriad signposted walking trails.

They wind up and down the mountain slopes, taking in sights including part of the hedge planted by van Riebeeck in the 1650s, and the Boomslang canopy walkway.

Adrenaline junkies will enjoy the tougher hike along the Skeleton Gorge trail. However, it’s also perfectly acceptable to sit on Kirstenbosch’s lawns and enjoy a picnic.

And all just 13 km away from central Cape Town.

Suggested tour: Skeleton Gorge and Kirstenbosch Gardens Hike

11. Cape of Good Hope

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Drift south of Cape Town’s heart and you’ll soon enter the realm of the Cape Peninsula. Largely pristine, it’s an area of yet more incredible natural beauty by both land and sea.

Much of it sits within the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, whose highlight has to be the lighthouse at Cape Point. With nothing between it an Antartica, it’s the southwesternmost point on the African continent.

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is also home to many entirely wild animals, such as antelopes, baboons, and ostriches. The nearby Boulders Beach tops them all with a colony of African penguins.

Equally impressive is the variety of plants which can be found here, making up a significant part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It’s the smallest of the six plant kingdoms defined worldwide.

Most tours make the route via Chapman’s Peak Drive, a stretch of stunning driving between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Make sure yours will too, or you’ll be missing out on glorious coastal views.

Available tour: Cape Point and Boulders Beach Full-Day Tour

12. Camp’s Bay

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Camp’s Bay was originally known as Baai von Kamptz, after Dutch sailor Friedrich von Kamptz.

This affluent suburb is edged by breathtaking, boulder-flanked beaches.

The vast stretch of Camp’s Bay’s soft sand is flanked by bars and cafes, offering an assortment of both local and international cuisines.

Just like Clifton Beach, Camp’s Bay is shielded from strong winds, creating a great atmosphere where families can picnic and enjoy the outdoors.

The Bay is about 5 to 6 miles away from Cape Town and would make a great destination for a day trip from the city.

13. Paternoster

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Paternoster is a quiet oasis that is rumored to be one of South Africa’s oldest fishing villages.

The area has a lobster factory, while the locals catch and sell herring, fish in the deep sea, and draw mussels from the rocks.

For this reason, Paternoster has a high density of seafood restaurants rated world-class.

The name Paternoster directly translates to “Our Father” from Latin. It’s believed to have come about when Portuguese fishermen got stranded offshore and supposedly cried out this prayer before being miraculous saved.

Today, heading out onto the water isn’t the preserve of fishermen. Paternoster offers the possibility of kayaking, kite surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The water can be very cold, making wetsuits a must.

If that hasn’t put you off, Paternoster is within easy driving distance of Cape Town.

The 90-minute drive is definitely worth it for the town’s serenity and fabulous array of restaurants.

14. Hermanus

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Hermanus is a charming town to visit at any time of year, thanks to a dramatic coastline on the Indian Ocean.

But it really comes to life between the months of June and October (South African winter), which is whale-watching season.

If you find yourself in Cape Town around this time of year, you definitely need to make a visit to what’s often called the whale-watching capital of the world.

Numerous whales converge here to mate and calve, with both humpbacks and southern right whales regular callers.

These gracious creatures can be spotted from different locations along the waterfront. However, boat tours provide a much better view as these majestic mammals breach the waves and care for their young.

The 115 km between Cape Town and Hermanus can be covered in approximately two hours by road.

15. Aquila Private Game Reserve

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This 4-star game reserve is located two hours away from Cape Town to the northeast.

Lying just off national highway 1, the 10,000-hectare reserve is home to the Big Five, namely rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo’s.

They can be spotted on game drives, horseback safaris, and from quad bikes, allowing you to feel part of nature rather than apart from it.

The reserve also maintains the Aquila Animal Rescue and Conservation Center, providing sanctuary for animals that are no longer able to survive in the wild.

Afternoon safaris make it possible to visit as a day trip from Cape Town.

The post 15 Best Day Trips from Cape Town (Update 2023) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

With more landscapes and terrain than just about another country on Earth, South Africa takes the lead when it comes to diversity. An epic country at the tip of an epic continent, wildlife is likely your first draw. And why not, when you can boast hippos on the Limpopo River, penguins on the Cape, and Kruger’s Big Five?

But don’t forget about South Africa’s other attractions. There’s over 1800 miles of dramatic everchanging coastline. There are some of Africa’s best museums, an intriguing history, incredible cuisine, and no shortage of nightlife either.

Coming from an country which struggled for decades under the racial segregation of apartheid, this is utterly extraordinary. The legacy of apartheid can still be felt in places.  But the education and welcome you’ll receive will give you hope for the country’s future. Be sure to plan for a long trip, or at the least plan to return again and again. You’d need a lifetime to experience and appreciate this magnificent country in full.

1. Cape Town

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South Africa’s ‘mother city’ – it’s oldest – is a microcosm of the country as a whole. Here you’ll find evidence of Europe’s earliest footprint on the continent at the Company’s Gardens and Castle of Good Hope.

At the same time, attractions including Zeitz MOCAA, the world’s largest gallery dedicated to Africa’s contemporary art scene, show Cape Town still has what it takes to wow.

A myriad of diverse neighborhoods each offer something different, from street art to amazing architectural examples.

Then there’s Table Mountain, cool indie shopping on Long Street, almost endless nature trails, water sports, golden beaches, and fine dining. Plus a literally unique flora, which can be explored at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

The adventurous can abseil from Table Mountain or paraglide off Lion’s Head. The historic farms of nearby Constantia offer relaxing wine tasting, while game reserves promise sightings of Africa’s wildlife.

2. Kruger National Park

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When it comes to seeing Africa’s best known species, there’s little argument over the best place in South Africa to head – Kruger National Park. The size of a small European nation, the density and diversity of animals within Kruger National Park makes it one of the world’s greatest.

You’ll find all the iconic safari species here – leopards, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, elephants, and zebras.  Plus about 140 other mammals and 500 varieties of birds. While areas of the park can get busy, Kruger is large enough at 8000 square miles that it’s also possible to be the only game vehicle in sight. The longer you spend here, the more likely this is to be the case.

More than just savanna grassland, Kruger also contains granite hills to its south, the Lebombo Mountains in the east, and sub-tropical forest in the north. It’s no wonder Kruger’s species list is so extensive!

3. Knysna

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Part of the famous Garden Route, Knysna is known for its oyster festival and incredible views which stretch from Leisure Isle all the way to the Knysna Heads – a difficult passage of water where many ships have been wrecked.

All the same, the reason to include Knysna on your South Africa itinerary is for relaxation with a little added adventure.

Top attractions include Featherbed Nature Reserve for communing with nature, alongside the incredible Knysna Elephant Park and Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary.

Dolphin sightings are pretty regular in Knysna too. There are several dolphin spotting boat trips to choose between. Many include a stop at Plettenberg Bay or the Robberg Peninsula in order to see the noisy seal colonies there.

4. Stellenbosch

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During the Anglo-Boer War, British soldiers who showed courage and valor on the battlefield where sent to Stellenbosch as a reward. Head there today and it will feel like you’re being rewarded too. Stellenbosch is a beautiful town with restaurants, street cafes, and some of South Africa’s oldest buildings. These days, the town is centred on the university, one of the leading educational institutions in the country. As a result, the atmosphere can be very differnet between term time and the university holidays. There are also some fantastic wine estates here – check out Spier (established in the 17th century) to enjoy Segway tours, picnics, Eagle Encounters, and an amphitheatre for entertainment.

Other top picks include Thelema, Tokaa, and Blaauwklippen. For food, Stellenosch has two of the top ten “Best Restaurants in South Africa”. For something a little different, there’s AmaZink. This restaurant has a night dinner show recounting the history of the neighboring Kayamandi Township with music and dance.

5. Soweto

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South Africa’s most famous township is undoubedly Soweto, an abbreviation of South West Townships. Created in the 1930s as a means of pushing black communities out of central Johannesburg, Soweto became a vocal centerpoint for protests against apartheid. Nelson Mandela even lived in its Orlando West neighborhood until his imprisonment in the 1960s. His home here is now an important stop on any tour of Soweto.

These tours include places like Walter Sisulu Square, where South Africa’s Freedom Charter was signed in 1955, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, where the 1976 uprising began. There’s also Vilakazi Street, once home to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. It makes it the only street in the world where two Nobel peace prize winners have lived.

For some fun, take a look at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.  It’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest hospital in the world. To get the adrenaline flowing, opt for a bungee jump between the famous painted cooling towers of the decommissioned Orlando power station.

6. Durban

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Durban is where South Africans head on vacation, making it one of South Africa’s most popular holiday destinations. Why? Because just a short stroll from the city center you’ll find mile after mile of perfect golden sand. Add to this excellent year-round weather, and you have the beginnings of a great few days. If you somehow tire of the beach, check out the gondola rides, fishing, or uShaka Marine World theme park and aquarium.

When you want a break from the sun, head downtown and discover the wonderful art deco facades amid the more urban parts of town. Its buildings include the Durban Natural Science Museum, which contains one of the most complete dodo skeletons in the world among its artifacts. Stroll through its markets and you’ll wonder if you’re still in South Africa, given the influence of the city’s Indian community. They gifted Durban delights including bunny chow, a vegetable stew packed with flavor.

7. Bloemfontein

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The capital of Free State and one of South Africa’s three national capitals, Bloemfontein is one of South Africa’s most attractive cities. Meaning ‘fountain of flowers’ in Afrikaans, ‘Bloem’ is often called ‘the city of the roses.’ Flower beds line many of its broadest streets, while a rose festival is held here each year. But it’s more than just beautiful to look at, the city has a plethora of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.

For a start, try the Oliewenhuis Art Museum, the National Museum, the Free State National Botanical Garden, Vodacom Parkland, or the Anglo Boer War Museum. For round two, try the digital planetarium, the music scene at Die Mystic Boer, or go fishing at Maselspoort. For something a little different, head up to Naval Hill’s Franklin Game Reserve. Popular with joggers and cyclists, this hilltop reserve contains zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests, in addition to a plethora of bird species.

8. Blyde River Canyon

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Though it’s a very small province, Mpumalanga is truly exciting. Mountain vistas, cooler climates, and green valleys make the region a magnet for outdoor lovers. Abseil down waterfalls, river raft, canoe, inner tube, trek, mountain bike, or throw yourself off a cliff! All are possible.

The main attraction is definitely Blyde River Canyon, which has been carving its way through the Drakensberg Escarpment for centuries. It’s truly one of South Africa’s iconic sites. Although less than 17 miles long, it’s the perfect destination for nature and walking lovers. A rich dense carpet of green provides habitats for a huge number of species, from monkeys to birds.

Plus, the canyon is right next door is Kruger National Park. Its surrounding towns form a great base camp while you spend time exploring this magnificent area. Expect the best treks to last between three and five days.

9. Johannesburg

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The ‘city of gold’, Jo’burg has it all – if you know where to look. It’s true to say that downtown Johannesburg has seen better days. The last 20 years haven’t been kind to South Africa’s most populous city. However, things are rapidly changing for the better in Newtown and Braamfontein, the two cultural districts. Here you’ll find the restaurants, cafes, museums, and theatres you’d expect from a city the size of Jo’burg. Indeed, the energy here is almost infectious.

Even the inner city is quickly becoming a tourist hotspot.  You’ll want to make a stop at Maboneng, a hipster type neighbourhood on the eastern side of downtown. While in the area, try and pay a visit to Johannesburg Art Gallery in Joubert Park. With 15 galleries and a sculpture garden, its collection includes a mix of classical European works and modern home-grown art.

It’s a city still struggling with its history, but Johannesburg isn’t pretentious and has a lot to offer. Don’t forget to make a stop at the Apartheid Museum on its outskirts for a sobering reminder of just what Johannesburg has gone through.

10. Kimberley

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Another historic city is Kimberley, also known as ‘the city that sparkles’ because of its link to South Africa’s diamond industry. Located in the heart of the Diamond Fields region, it’s the home of De Beers and has a rich mining past. The billion dollar company’s first headquarters, a tiny tin shack, still exists beyond the train station.

Not to be missed is the Big Hole and Mine Museum. It’s surrounded by a series of old buildings relocated to the site, including a functioning old time saloon. Inside, visitors first get to watch an enjoyable documentary into just how Kimberley became the center of diamond mining. You’ll then get to see the Big Hole – the world’s largest hand dug pit.

Reaching a depth of 240 meters, and covering 170,000 square meters, the Big Hole miners discovered 3000 kg of raw diamonds before it was closed in 1914.

11. East London

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If you want a laid back beach scene that doesn’t have the crowds, East London is perfect for you. Flying somewhat under the radar, it’s got everything you would want in a beach getaway. Its coast is lined with sandy beaches, its Indian Ocean waves are warm, there’s wall to wall sunshine, and loads of water sports and other outdoor adventures to consider.

East London Museum contains two examples of the coelacanth too. Often called a ‘living fossil,’ it’s a large scaly fish that was thought to have been extinct for millions of years before one was caught in a fishing net in the 1930s nearby.

Meanwhile, Potters Pass Nature Reserve protects rare coastal grasslands which burst into life during the spring months. It’s here you’ll also discover the historic Hood Point Lighthouse.

12. Oudtshoorn

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Welcome to the ostrich capital of the world, where a trip to an ostrich farm is a must. Located between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains, Oudtshoorn is another ideal destination for outdoor and nature lovers. You have to travel through Klein Karoo to get there, but that’s no trouble given the beauty of this semi-desert area.

The mountain range has been declared a Cape Floral World Heritage Site, and you’ll see some stunning vistas as you explore the area. Nearby are the Cango Caves and the historical village of De Rust. If you’re in the mood for a road trip, consider crossing the Swartberg Pass or driving down the 25km Meiringspoort.

If you’re there around Easter time, don’t miss the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees – the largest language arts festival in the country.

13. Pietermaritzburg

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This heritage city is located in the forests and rolling pastures of the Natal Midlands. The provincial capital of kwaZulu-Natal, it’s considered one of the best preserved Victorian cities on Earth. A tour through town to look at the historic buildings will take you back to another age. They include the magnificent City Hall building.

Pietermaritzburg’s treasures extend to the Msunduzi Museum and Tatham Art Gallery. Once known as the Voortrekker Museum, the Msunduzi Museum contains a complex of historic buildings including the humble home of Andries Pretorius, a major Boer leader.

The Tatham Art Gallery has a fine collection of 19th and 20th century artworks, all housed in the Old Supreme Court building.

14. Pretoria

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‘Jacaranda City’ is swimming in a sea of purple Jacaranda trees.  The sister to Johannesburg, but much more laid back, Pretoria has great museums, historical buildings, and natural attractions for your enjoyment.

Once the heart of apartheid South Africa, a new energy is infusing the city as foreign embassies, businesses, and tourism reach Pretoria. When you want a relaxing stopover as you travel the country, Pretoria is definitely worth a visit.

Named after our old friend Andries Pretorius, any tour of the city should start at Church Square. From here, head the short distance to the Union Buildings on Meintjieskop hill – the home of South Africa’s presidency. On another hill, Salvokop, Freedom Park contains a monument to all the South Africans who lost their lives during wars and the apartheid era.

15. Port Elizabeth

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Most South African cities seem to have a nickname, and Port Elizabeth’s is the ‘friendly city.’ It’s located at the eastern end of the Garden Route, and the western end of the Sunshine Coast, on Algoa Bay.

As you might expect from such a location, there are blue-flag beaches and water sports offerings. Summerstrand’s beaches are particularly popular with surfers. Yet there’s a surprising amount of history here too.

Now officially known as Gqeberha, the city was founded in 1820. There are therefore plenty of grand Victorian buildings at its heart.

However, my personal favorite thing to do in Port Elizabeth is stroll across Donkin Reserve. Blending a historic lighthouse and memorial pyramid with modern sculpture and art, its a wonderful place to wander.

The post 15 Best Places to Visit in South Africa (Update 2023) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.