Looking to travel South Africa? Well, you’ve come to the right spot! Below, I’ve listed all the amazing places I recently visited on my trip to South Africa. I hope this post will help you plan your next trip!
Planning a trip to South Africa is extremely exciting! Probably a little overwhelming too… and if you are anything like me, you are doing all the research you can to ensure you have the best trip. Luckily for me, I didn’t have to do any of the planning on my recent trip!. I was visiting family who live in South Africa; and as locals, they knew all the best places to visit. They created the perfect South Africa itinerary for me, which I am here to share with you! Happy planning 🙂
But first… do you see that picture up above? How beautiful is that background? That is the true beauty of South Africa! Just breathtaking.
TRAVEL South Africa
1. Safari
Of course, you have to go on a safari if you’re going to South Africa! It is the quintessential South African experience. Seeing the safari animals up close in the wild is something incredible!
There are safari camps all over and for every kind of experience. There are both private and public camps. On our trip, we stayed at both types and enjoyed both for different reasons. The public camps, though cheaper, are more of a “do it yourself” kind of experience. So if this is your first safari and you are traveling from afar, I would recommend paying more for a private camp. This way the camp will have everything you need to “survive in the wild” and they will have guided tours that will ensure you see some amazing animals and don’t get lost!
Some of the most popular parks I would look into are Kruger National Park, MalaMala game reserve and Sabie Sands game reserve. On our trip, we went to the Sabie Sands game reserve and stayed at a private camp called Umkumbe. This game reserve is home to the “big 5”. If you don’t know what that means, it refers to the five animals that are most dangerous to hunt; and therefore, very sought-after animals to see by safari-goers.
Umkumbe had wonderful lodging, catered food, friendly staff, and most importantly amazing game drives. While I was there, I was able to see four out of the big five animals among many others. The game drivers are very knowledgeable and even bring you snacks and drinks (aka cocktails) for sundowners on the drive. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars, bug spray, and some light and breathable clothing, including a rain jacket!
2. WINELANDS
While you are in South Africa, you must go to Cape Town. And if you like wine, then you must visit the Cape Winelands. The Western Cape is South Africa’s main wine-producing area. Not only do they produce some of the world’s most popular wines, but the views are incredible. Some of the most popular wine regions in the area are Constantia, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek.
Haute Cabriere Winery
I spent most of my time in Franschhoek, and I would most definitely recommend it! In Franschhoek, they have a wine tram that will drop you off at all the different wineries. You can hop on and off the tram as many times as you’d like. It was so fun!! Here is the link to the website to book your tickets.
Drinking wine on the Wine Tram
My favorite wineries we stopped at were Dieu Donne and Haute Cabriere for the views, but all the wineries we went to were amazing. La Motte also had a very impressive wine estate! After drinking wine all day, you are going to need some good food and a place to sleep. If you go to Franschhoek, stop at Col’Cacchio Pizzeria for some delicious pizza and the Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek for a good night’s rest!
Dieu Donne Winery
3. Cape Town CoastLine
Besides visiting the wonderful wineries located in Cape Town, you must also drive the exquisite coastline! The views are breathtaking with the turquoise blue water and white sand beaches amidst the tall mountain tops. There are so many beautiful viewpoints, you will never get bored. I’ve listed some of the places we stopped along our drive below; however, there are so many. Keep in mind you would need a couple of days to really enjoy all that the coastline has to offer.
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Cape PoinT
Cape Point is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Cape Town. It is a tall body of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. At the top is a beautiful 360-degree view. Historically, it was a major navigational landmark for sailors. Also known for being notoriously windy; which I can confirm is true, as my hair was flying sideways in the wind during our entire visit haha. You can take the scenic but steep walk up to the top or jump on the tram that picks you up right from the parking lot. This is definitely a stop to add to your list.
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Table mountain
One of the most notable landmarks of South Africa is Table Mountain. With it’s unique flat top that sits 3,563 above sea level, it can’t be missed! There are several hikes around table mountain, as well as a cable car that will take you straight to the top for another incredible 360-degree view. You can buy tickets for the cable car here. At the foot of the mountain is Kirstenbosch Gardens, a world-renowned botanical garden.
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Boulder’s BEach
Boulder’s Beach is a fun spot if you want to see some waddling feet! It is home to a colony of African penguins, which sadly have been classified as an endangered species. You can take the boardwalk trail all the way down to the beach, where the penguins nestle between the boulders. You will be able to get some amazing pictures of them up close!
After you’ve seen the penguins head up the road to Simon’s Town and Kalk Bay. Take in the picturesque views of the harbor in Simon’s Town and stop for lunch at Harbour House Kalk Bay or Cape Point Vineyards for delicious food with a view!
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CampS Bay
Camps Bay is a fun and lively neighborhood of Cape Town, nestled between the beautiful Atlantic ocean and Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. You can spend the day getting some sun at Camps Bay Beach or frolic the streets filled with fun shops and beachfront restaurants. A little past Camps Bay you can drive the scenic route of Chapman’s peak for even more spectacular views.
There you have it! Three essential activities you need to add to your itinerary to South Africa. I hope this post helps you plan the best trip!
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