What Are the Best Places to Visit in South Africa?

When most people think of South Africa, they picture safari drives in Kruger National Park or spotting the “Big Five.” But what if you want more than wildlife?

South Africa offers culture, history, coastlines, food, and mountains that can be every bit as memorable as a lion sighting. Here’s a guide to the highlights travellers often ask about, and how to decide what fits your trip.

Johannesburg: Memory and Momentum

Johannesburg is South Africa’s economic and cultural centre. It can feel overwhelming at first, but with time (and local guidance), it reveals extraordinary depth.

Why travellers include it:

Apartheid Museum & Constitution Hill: key to understanding South Africa’s story
Soweto: Vilakazi Street, where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu both lived
Maboneng Precinct: art, food, live music in a revitalised district
Cradle of Humankind: UNESCO fossil site linking to human origins
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens: waterfalls, birdlife, and quiet walks

💡 Tip: Johannesburg works best when you choose safe, well-located accommodation and explore with a guide.

Pretoria: History and Gardens

Just 45 minutes away, Pretoria feels calmer than Johannesburg. Known as the “Jacaranda City,” it’s lined with purple blossoms each October.

Highlights:

Union Buildings (seat of government)
Voortrekker Monument (Afrikaner heritage)
Botanical Gardens (quiet green space)

Travellers often combine Johannesburg and Pretoria for a mix of political history and local culture.

Cape Town & the Cape Peninsula

Cape Town is often called one of the world’s most beautiful cities. With Table Mountain as a backdrop, it combines natural beauty with vibrant city life.

Take the cable car (or hike) up Table Mountain
Drive Chapman’s Peak to Cape Point
Visit colourful Bo-Kaap
Wander Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Cape Winelands

For many travellers, the Winelands are as rewarding as the safari. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl all blend wine, food, and history.

Stellenbosch: South Africa’s wine capital
Franschhoek: French Huguenot roots and world-class gastronomy
Paarl & Wellington: less crowded, rustic dining and bold reds

💡 Tip: Hiring a driver-guide means you can enjoy tastings and hear the stories behind each wine.

Drakensberg Mountains

This UNESCO-listed range offers hikes, rock art, and sweeping scenery.

Short day walks from Cathedral Peak or Champagne Valley
Multi-day treks for experienced walkers
Cross the Sani Pass into Lesotho for a unique extension

Durban & the KwaZulu-Natal Coast

South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast delivers warm seas, cultural mix, and wildlife.

Durban: beaches, bunny chow (spicy curry dish), Art Deco architecture
Umhlanga Rocks / Ballito: upmarket coastal towns
St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park: hippos in town, crocodiles on boat cruises
Battlefields: rich Zulu and British history, best explored with a guide

Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Planning

Do you prefer cities and culture or mountains and coastlines?
How important are wine and gastronomy to your trip?
Do you want to add on beach time in Mauritius or Victoria Falls for a bigger adventure?

Final Thought

South Africa is not just safari. Johannesburg and Pretoria offer cultural foundations, Cape Town and the Winelands provide beauty and indulgence, and places like KwaZulu-Natal or the Drakensberg open up landscapes that inspire.

The best itineraries balance it all, so your trip feels layered, not rushed.

What Every UK Traveller Should Know Before Planning South Africa

Your insider guide to travelling safely, meaningfully, and well.

Created by Sandra Dowling, who called South Africa home for 36 years.