South Africa caters to a huge mix of tastes and preferences, with a little something for everyone in the family. The place offers diverse cultures, amazing wildlife experiences, beautiful scenery and more. Here are a few things you must not miss on your next holiday to South Africa.
For the adrenaline junkie
The beaches of South Africa are undoubtedly some of the finest in the world and a must-visit for any tourist. Travel junkies and water babies should go for shark cage diving and kayaking when by the shore. Other adventure sports include abseiling, hiking and horseback riding. Those who love to take to the road should definitely go for a long drive to Paternoster, one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast of South Africa, and stop over at Hermanus which is the whale watching paradise. Talking of outdoor activities, a South African holiday is incomplete without experiencing the African safari where one can see the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) in their natural habitat. The place also offers some very fine golf courses. Those interested in the sport must have a stop-over here.
Food & Wine
The South African braai is a must-have for every tourist visiting the country. I am a Cape Town boy, so if you ask me for my favourite restaurant, it has to be Piggale Restaurant in Sea Point — the food, the wine, the music and the ambience of this place are to die for. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world, so for food and wine lovers, the drive is nothing less than paradise. You will find good food with flavours across South Africa but if I have to choose one dish, I would say Boerewors is my favourite. Gourmet Boerie in Cape Town is also a place to be. South Africa also has a lot of Indian restaurants so finding comfort home food for Indian tourists isn’t very difficult. Naan and butter chicken are particular favourites among the locals here.
Cities & shopping
I was born in Stranfontein, so my favourite city has to be the Mother City, Cape Town. In addition, cities such as Johannesburg and Durban are extremely popular among tourists given their culture and history. For shoppers, Cape Town has some great stalls and flea markets around the beaches where you can find some interesting arts, artefacts and local mementos. For luxury brands, I would recommend The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront mall as a one-stop shop for all brands.
Five highlights:
- Ntsiri Nature Reserve in Limpopo is great for a safari experience
- Table Mountain in Cape Town, the Kruger National Park in Johannesburg, Ushaka Marine World in Durban and the Big Hole in Kimberley are a must visit for every traveller
- Don’t miss the world’s best wine — Chocolate Block by Boekenhoutskloof, Jacques Kallis and The Innings by Mark Boucher
- Drive down Paternoster and Hermanus for a beautiful scenic drive
- Meat lovers please try the South African braai
