Top 10 Things To See And Do In South Africa

When visiting South Africa, trips to the Kruger National Park and Table Mountain should be on your to-do list; but if you’re after the less obvious attractions, look no further. We round up some lesser known, but just as exciting, things to see and do in South Africa.

Meet the penguins at Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town

A unique beach experience, this popular tourist destination in Cape Town is home to a colony of African penguins, who aren’t too shy to wander in between lethargic beach-goers. You can really get up close and personal with the penguins, just remember that they’re wild and will bite.

The African penguin is also called the Jackass penguin, due to its donkey-like call

1. Watch a live comedy show at Cape Town Comedy Club

South Africa’s comedy circuit is rapidly growing and there’s no doubt why when you consider who the local comedians are – just look at Trevor Noah. Checking out a live act makes for a great night out and the Cape Town Comedy Club at the V&A Waterfront (an attraction of its own accord) offers comedy shows on a regular basis. The club also serves mouth-watering meals, so it really is the complete package.

The Pumphouse, 6 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, 8001

The Cape Town Comedy Club is housed in The Pumphouse, an industrial style venue that fills with people who are after a laugh | Courtesy of Cape Town Comedy Club

Do an arts and crafts tour of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands

The KZN Midlands is a beautiful stretch of land, starting at Pietermaritzburg and continuing westward to Mooi River. In between lies a world of rich history, amazing dining opportunities and beautiful accommodation options. The 80km stretch is famous for its art and craft stores and the historic Nottingham Road Hotel is the perfect accommodation option.

The 95 metres high (310 feet) Howick Falls is a popular destination in the Midands

See the Namaqualand wildflowers in bloom

Each year the Namaqualand area comes alive with fields of colourful wild flowers. Visitors flock to this mostly arid region to take in the breathtaking show, which occurs only once a year, after the winter rainfall. The Namaqualand Flower Route extends through the small towns of Garies, Springbok, Kamieskroon and Port Nolloth and should be visited during the months of August and September.

Each year the normally scorched landscape completely changes as it’s covered in a blanket of colour

3. Enjoy live jazz at the Radium Beer Hall in Johannesburg

Bar

The Radium Beer Hall, established in 1929, is the oldest bar in Johannesburg and a favourite location among music-loving locals. The bar lights up with the sound of jazz music almost every weekend while guests take in the ambience, good food and of course, beer. The Radium Beer Hall remains rooted in its original spot and is still one of the top venues in the city specialising in live jazz.

282 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove, 2192

Radium Beer Hall has been the go-to music venue for decades | Courtesy of Radium Beer Hall

Go diving in Sodwana Bay

Between St. Lucia and Lake Sibhayi lies Sodwana Bay, an untouched paradise of clear waters and pristine beaches. The untouched holiday spot is ideal for travellers who are after a bit of adventure. From hiking to scuba diving and even turtle tours, there’s a plethora of exciting activities on offer.

Sodwana Bay has many fantastic diving spots, and if you’re lucky you’ll spot a gentle whale shark

Experience the vastness of the Valley of Desolation

The Valley of Desolation, near the picturesque town of Graaff-Reinet, is one of the best road-trip stops in the country. Pack a lunch and enjoy the sheer vastness of the cliffs and surrounding valley. There are also great hiking options and birding opportunities in the area, with more than 200 recorded species.

The cliffs making up the Valley protrude approximately 120 meters (394 ft)

Visit an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn

The Klein Karoo town of Oudtshoorn is the unofficial ostrich capital of South Africa – as it’s known for its ostrich farms. The quaint village has much to offer in terms of beautiful country-style guest houses, restaurants and sightseeing. Some attractions include the nearby Cango Caves, just outside of town you can cage dive with crocodiles and then there’s always the option of riding an ostrich.

Oudtshoorn lies between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains

Take a tour on the Franschhoek wine tram

The Franschhoek Wine Valley is the place to go for tantalizing food and the best wine-tasting you’ll ever experience. There are more than 40 wine cellars in the region, ensuring a selection that caters to everyone’s needs – from small, boutique wineries to larger farms. The hop-on-hop-off wine tram stops at different wine estates and is guaranteed to be the most fun you’ll have while on a tour.

The minimum stay at each wine farm is one hour

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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