South Africa
South Africa is everything you expect it to be and nothing like you imagine. You'll certainly have heard about its magnificent scenery, superb beaches, great game parks, classic winelands and vibrant cities, but did you know about its majestic mountains, ancient historical sites, infamous and famous battlefields, whale routes, 'the biggest shoal on Earth' (the annual sardine migration), over 900 bird species, fragile and unique eco-systems and plant kingdoms, adventure activities to light up the eyes of the most jaded adrenaline junkie, and its people – some of the friendliest and most hospitable anywhere?
It's a country of opposites and extremes.
One moment you're in a super-sophisticated shopping mall dripping with designer labels and beautiful people that rivals anything in Dallas or Dubai; the next you're in a rural village buying handmade crafts from a woman who has to walk long distances to fetch water and firewood for her family.
You may choose to do the familiar tourist things – like spot the Big Five in Kruger National Park, one of the world's greatest game parks. Or laze on sandy beaches that stretch for miles, with only seabirds and sunshine for company. You might tempt your tastebuds with fine wine and food on the Cape's wine route. You can learn about South Africa's painful past at Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum, or eyeball your ancestors at Maropeng – the Cradle of Humankind – where humans first harnessed fire, and where they probably started their trek northwards up through Africa, to populate the continents beyond, and even to the moon.
But there's lots more to see and do.
Don't miss …
Even if you've trekked in and marvelled at the Himalayas and the Andes, the mighty and majestic Drakensberg range will still make you draw your breath in wonder. Called the Dragon Mountains by the Afrikaners, and uKhahlamba – Barrier of Spears – by the Zulus, these mountains offer scenery which inspired the legendary Middle Earth of South African-born author JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
If you love walking and hiking or just enjoy spectacular views, head off to the Royal Natal National Park, with its 5km (3m)-wide rock wall that rises 457m (1 500ft). Rare bearded vultures soar overhead, waterfalls cascade and plummet, the air is vintage champagne, and you can choose between affordable national park accommodation, friendly B&Bs, or upmarket lodges. Visitors from all over the world come to see some of the most important San (Bushman) rock paintings in existence, with their depictions of shamans, animals, dances, hunts and spiritual practices. The website http://www.kznwildlife.com will give you the lowdown.
Elsewhere in KwaZulu-Natal you can scuba dive, watch the great leatherback turtles when they come ashore to lay their eggs, or visit the memorable Anglo-Zulu battlefields where the descendants of the great warrior, Shaka Zulu, inflicted on Queen Victoria's British army one of the most humiliating military defeats in history. Here, too, are the Anglo-Boer battlefields where Boers fought Brits from 1899 to 1902, again inflicting numerous defeats against the invading British, and where hundreds of thousands of black South Africans took part as messengers, interpreters and labourers.
If you want to shop till you drop, then you can't do better than the Midlands Meander, which stretches from Nottingham Road to Lion's River in KwaZulu-Natal. It comprises over 100 charming craft, clothes and embroidery shops and weaving and pottery studios, where you can also buy handmade chimes, cheeses, woodcraft, footwear and children's gear.
Hermanus in the Western Cape province is one of the best places to watch whales. Walk along the cliffs and spot the southern right whales breaching and blowing as they move along the coast between September and December.
If you fancy something more athletic and scary while you're in that area, go diving in a cage among white sharks, or if you're not so adventurous, stay on your small boat and watch the creatures from deck. There are also sea kayaking routes along the coast for keen paddlers.
Bird-watchers are spoilt for choice, from the forests of Venda to the flamingo breeding grounds of the dry Northern Cape and the rare blue cranes in the colourful fields of Caledon.
If you go gamewatching in the bush, take a guided walk with an armed ranger. There's nothing like eyeing a rhino on foot to keep your mind and your body extremely focused.
Take a boat ride to Robben Island, where prisoner 46664 (Nelson Mandela) served out his famous term, try a helicopter flip over the Blyde Canyon and the magnificent scenery of the Mpumalanga escarpment, or goggle at Kimberley's Big Hole, where the majority of the world's diamonds were first mined.
Go whitewater rafting on the Orange River, feel your heart stop as you take the world's highest commercial bungee jump (213m or 700ft) from the Bloukrans River Bridge, retreat to the Kalahari and learn more about an ancient lifestyle in the desert, see richly diverse botanical hotspots or take on the house at any one of dozens of glitzy casinos.
Travel tips:
South African weather is among the best in the world. Peak tourist season is November to March, when Cape Town in particular is hot and crowded and hotel rates are high. You can get good deals in its 'green season' although you will also get wind and rain some of the time. Generally speaking weatherwise, any time of the year is a good time to visit.
Winter, May to October, is a good time to go to the bush because the vegetation is sparse and low and there's no rain, so the game is forced to use water holes and other available water sources, which makes game-spotting much easier. Bring warm clothing as early mornings and evenings can be cold.
If you're a birder, however, come in summer when the migrants return and there are over 900 species on offer.
South Africa has an excellent range of superb accommodation for all pockets and is easy to get around as the roads and infrastructure are good. Crime and safety issues are a concern, but tourist destinations are mostly secure and safe. Approach your personal safety in the same way as you would in any major city – lock your vehicle doors, lock passport and money in your accommodation, and leave the jewellery at home.
Useful links:
Eastern Cape
Baviaanskloof Route
The Baviaanskloof Route encompasses the broader Baviaanskloof area, which contains a newly proclaimed World Heritage Site, and offers a mix of sights and activities relating to nature and culture.
Read moreCoastal Route
Renowned for its great beaches, malaria-free parks and reserves, wildlife and proud heritage and culture, the Eastern Cape offers tourists extreme action sports to gentle flower trails, heritage museums, game reserves and parks. The Coastal Route covers the entire length of the Eastern Cape Province stretching across a number of districts.
Read moreeScape Route
This area has so much to offer and many stories to tell. Stutterheim, at the heart of the area, has a very interesting political past which allowed people to think that there was a way to deal with inequalities of the past. We also have a range of adventure tourism and cultural attractions and large amounts of arts and crafts all waiting to be discovered.
Read moreGarden Route Sea Kayaking Trails
These trails are situated along the famous Garden Route. The area offers warm-water sea paddling with its associated marine life, as well as many lakes and estuaries to explore.
Read moreInyathi Buffalo Route
Buffalo City boasts a variety of tourist attractions and is rich in cultural and natural resources. The 68km coastline includes 10 estuaries, conservancies, natural heritage sites, rocky shores and 14 sandy beaches. There is a long-standing tradition of beadwork in the area.
Read moreMaloti Drakensberg Route
This route spans the borders between South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, providing travellers with the opportunity to experience a diversity of cultures – Basotho, English, Xhosa and Afrikaans.
Read moreMbodla Eco-Heritage Route
The Fish River (Nxuba) Valley is located adjacent to a thriving game-farming area of the Eastern Cape. The Mbodla Eco-heritage Route adds an original, Afro-centric, environmental, cultural and heritage dimension to the region’s offerings.
Read moreMid-Karoo Route
This route is surrounded by dramatic mountains in the heart of the great Karoo and falls within the Nama Karoo Biome. This region is recognised for its herbal plant life, an exceptional variety of scarce birdlife and rock art from the San Bushmen. It is also one of the few, and best, places in the world where fossils are found.
Read morePort St Johns Open Africa Route
En-route from Durban to Buffalo City, Port St Johns has numerous estuaries, bays and headlands. Small sandy bays and long stretches of open beach are found here, often near the mouth of large rivers like Umzimvubu River and Umngazana.
Read moreFree State
Clarens Route
The charming little village of Clarens, nestled in the Maluti Mountain range, overlooks fertile farmlands amid stunning landscapes, with Lesotho, the mountain kingdom, visible in the distance.
Read moreHorizon Route - "Open Spaces and Little Places"
South-western Free State, South Africa: A route that explores vast open spaces, complemented by small towns or villages that pride themselves on surviving in rural remoteness.
Read moreGauteng
Alex Tourism Route Open Africa Cooperative
The Alex Township of Rhythm – Open Africa route consists of some of the best taverns and shebeens to be found in the townships, plus catering services, arts & crafts and entertainment groups.
Read moreKwaZulu-Natal
Amajuba Route
In the north-western corner of KwaZulu-Natal, this route has an ABC of core attractions: adventures, art, animals and ambles; berg, battlefields and birds; culture, crafts and charm.
Read moreDrakensberg Experience Route
The Drakensberg Experience is located in the Midlands of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The route is centred on the Drakensberg World Heritage Site, which includes Giant’s Castle and the Central and Northern Drakensberg. The route extends from Hidcote in the south to Sterkfontein Dam in the north.
Read moreElephant Coast Route
A large route stretching from St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay in the north and inland to the N2 national highway, this route has a wealth of attractions, accommodation options and activities. It contains outstanding wildlife reserves covering a diversity of habitats.
Read moreN3 Gateway
The N3 Gateway, at present, spans from the Valley of a Thousand Hills in the south to Heidelberg in the north. It traverses four provinces namely KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Caledonspoort, Puthadijaba and Sani Pass are included, making it a cross border project into Lesotho.
Read moreNguni Route
The Nguni Route incorporates an area of scenic landscapes combined with historical and cultural attractions. These are some of the poorest rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, and tourism has been identified as a major job creator here.
Read moreuMngeni Footprint Route
A route of diverse attractions at the gateway to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands including the towns of Mpophomeni and Howick.
Read moreZululand Sea Kayaking Route
We have selected a number of sea kayaking routes which showcase those parts of our coastline most suited for paddling and exemplify the wide variety of experiences available to sea kayakers in this country.
Read moreLimpopo
Hlanganani Route
The Hlanganani route is situated in the northernmost part of South Africa, in Limpopo (previously known as Northern Province), on the north-west border of one of Africa’s finest parks, the Kruger National Park.
Read moreKruger to Canyons Route
Located in the Kruger to Canyon Biosphere, this route includes the towns of Graskop, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa. It aims to contribute to the conservation of the biosphere.
Read moreLand of Legend Route
The Land of Legend Route, true to its name, offers a platform to explore sacred lands, rippling rivers and awe-inspiring nature sites. Based in Thohoyandou, it is within close range of the Kruger National Park, but deserves more than a stop-over.
Read moreRibolla Open Africa Route
The route, named after the uniquely shaped mountain in the Makhado District, showcases the artistic talents of many of its inhabitants, as well as dancers, storytellers, gardeners and singers.
Read moreRixile Bush to Beach Route
A new concept in tourism, the bush to beach experience provides travellers with the opportunity to have the best of both worlds. Spend a few days in one of Southern Africa’s most renowned game parks before reaching the pristine beaches of Mozambique where you can enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, angling and whale-watching.
Read moreRixile Culture to Kruger Route
The route, situated in the Limpopo province of South Africa, meanders between the small town of Giyani and Phalaborwa, the only town with a gate into the Kruger National Park.
Read moreRoute of Lost Kingdoms
Follow a trail of myths and legends from the ancient stone wall site of Thulamela to the Mapungubwe World Heritage site in Limpopo Province.
Read moreSeraki Blouberg Route
This route lies at the foothills of the Blouberg Mountain in Limpopo and offers an experience that can only be found in Africa. A range of projects with authentic arts and crafts, as well as accommodation in a pristine setting can be found. Vistors can go on adventurous hikes, see cultural and natural heritage and interact with 'real' people.
Read moreMpumalanga
Kamoka Route
The region in which this route is located is known as the Cultural Heartland, which is one of the seven registered tourism regions of Mpumalanga province. The general route area is located about 100km north-east of Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city situated in Gauteng, which is the smallest but richest province in the country.
Read moreNorthern Cape
Augrabies Contrast Route
The Augrabies Contrast Route is a land of contrasts. This arid zone, with its rugged mountains and desert-adapted species, is stifling hot in summer (up to 45ºC) and chilly in winter nights. The Great Gariep, known more commonly as the Orange River, winds through the landscape and brings it life.
Read moreFootprints of the San
The two focus areas in this route are Kimberley’s Platfontein, where the !Xun and Khwe San tribes live, and the Kalahari. This route stretches over a distance of roughly 600km and captures breathtaking contrasts.
Read moreKalahari Oasis Route
Northern Cape, South Africa: This route centres on Upington, an oasis fed by the Orange River and surrounded by the harsh Kalahari Desert.
Read moreKalahari Red Dune Route
Northern Cape, South Africa: This route, full of natural and cultural treasures, extends north of Upington into the area of South Africa that fits between Namibia and Botswana. It incorporates the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Read moreKamiesberg Route
Northern Cape, South Africa: This route stretches from the west coast to the Kamiesberg Mountain Range and links with the Namaqua National Park in the Namaqualand region, famous for its wild flowers. The route is in the centre of the Succulent Karoo Biodiversity Hotspot.
Read moreKaroo Highlands Route
The Karoo Highland Tourism Route is situated in the north-eastern part of the Western Cape and southern part of the Northern Cape in South Africa. The route covers small Karoo towns such as Matjiesfontein, Sutherland, Fraserburg, Williston, Carnarvon, Loxton, Victoria West and Beaufort West and is commonly referred to as the Great Karoo.
Read moreKimberley Diamond Route
Northern Cape, South Africa: This route centres on the town of Kimberley, where a diamond mining rush began after the first stone was discovered in 1866. Surrounding Kimberley are the sites of some important battles of the Anglo Boer War, as well as rock art sites.
Read moreKokerboom Food and Wine Route
In the Northern Cape of South Africa, where the Kalahari and the Nama-Karoo deserts meet, the Great Gariep River (Orange River) flows, bringing life to the typically arid worlds on both sides, and turning the area into an oasis. It is here that travellers can experience the Kokerboom Food and Wine Route.
Read moreRichtersveld Route
Northern Cape, South Africa: This route covers the mountainous desert region in the north-west corner of South Africa. The Richtersveld has the highest diversity of succulent plants in the world and is also of interest to artists, geologists and those interested in indigenous culture.
Read moreWestern Cape
Caledon Blue Crane Route
Lying at the southernmost tip of the African continent, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, is the Overberg, a fertile area surrounded by mountains and sea starting from a point 100km east of the city of Cape Town.
Read moreCape Care Route
The City of Cape Town initiated the development of this route that offers visitors a different experience of the city, in that it focuses on sustainable development issues.
Read moreCape Nature Route
Western Cape, South Africa: This route highlights the 'benefits beyond boundaries' of all reserves under Cape Nature Conservation.
Read moreDwars River Escape Route
The Dwars River Escape Route covers the entire Dwars River Valley, located near the university town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape of South Africa. The route covers a relatively short distance, but it is a valley packed full of attractions and activities for the tourist.
Read moreKanna Biodiversity Route
The Kanna Biodiversity Route is situated in the Little Karoo Priority Area of the Succulent Karoo. This is in the eastern part of the Western Cape and forms part of the scenic Route 62. Towns that form part of this route are Ladismith, Van Wyksdorp, Zoar, Calitzdorp and De Rust.
Read moreKhanyisa Cape Route
Western Cape, South Africa: This route goes through the townships of the Cape Flats. The Khanyisa Cape Route is all about pointing tourists to other destinations in the townships, not just the beaten track to struggle route landmarks.
Read moreMothers of Creation Route
The Garden Route is South Africa’s Garden of Eden, a combination of long, deserted beaches and tranquil lagoons, lush green forests and mountain ranges. Tourists can enjoy the abundant natural resources and meet local people while directly supporting the poorer communities and contributing to their sustainable future.
Porterville Blue Crane Route
The Porterville Blue Crane Route links the various attractions in and around the town under the banner of Blue Crane conservation, as the route is one of four Blue Crane routes in the Western Cape.
Read moreSindwendwela Arts / Craft and Cultural Route
The route is situated south of the Great Karoo in the valley surrounded by the Groot Swartberg, Outeniqua and Kammanassie mountains, along the Garden Route in the Western Cape province, South Africa.
Read moreSouthermost Route
The Southernmost Blue Crane Route is set in the south Western Cape region of South Africa and as the name suggests, the key feature of this route is South Africas national bird.
Read moreSouthern Overberg Fynbos Route
The route stretches into the hidden corners of the Agulhas Plain, near the southern tip of Africa, as well as to Stanford, Gansbaai, Baardskeerdersbos, Pearly Beach, Elim and Wolvengat.
Read moreWest Coast Rock Art Route
The San (Bushman) rock paintings in the Cederberg, Nardouwsberg, Koue Bokkeveld and Olifants River Valley north of Cape Town are amongst the most accessible in South Africa. The sites on this route together have about 25 rock shelters with hundreds of individual paintings.
Read moreWest Coast Sea Kayaking Route
This 250km stretch of coastline is truly one of South Africa’s jewels. Rolling hills, lush coastal forest, quiet estuaries, wild seas and friendly people. The Wild Coast, aptly named for its seas, can be wild and adventurous.
Read moreXairu Blue Crane Route
The Xairu Blue Crane Route is one of four blue crane routes in the Western Cape. It is located in and around the town of Heidelberg, which is about 276km east of Cape Town on the N2 national road. Heidelberg is fondly known as the “gateway to the garden route”.
Read more
Reviews
This is both street smart and itnelilegnt.
Hi Kate. Please check that you have the latest version of Internet Explorer. I went to the Maloti page this morning and it seems fine on our side. Regards - The Open Africa Team
I tried to get more information about the Maloti Route, but nothing seems to happen when you click on the link or the map icon...
Williston Open Africa members are very concerned that the Karoo Highlands Route is not displayed on the map of routes in SA. The size and quality of the pics chosen have also come under fire. Is there any chance the route can be more prominently displayed?
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