There are few countries that can compare to South Africa when it comes to breathtaking landscapes and amazing wildlife. The country boasts both natural beauty and diverse landscapes, from fields of wildflowers, to forests, mountains, sand dunes and crystal clear waters.
In this article, we will talk you through some of the best places to visit in South Africa with mind blowing beauty.
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Table Mountain
Table Mountain is the best place to visit for spectacular views of Cape Town, Robben Island and the surrounding suburbs. If you enjoy a good walk, then why not spend the day hiking it? If you would rather get to the top of Table Mountain as quickly as possible, then a cable car will get you up there in just five minutes.
Table Mountain is home to around fifteen hundred species of plants, making it a fascinating visit for horticulturists. If you are in need of a break after your hike then be sure to visit the restaurant located at the mountain’s peak.
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-natal
Breathtaking views
Whether you are a photographer, bird lover, or nature lover, Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is one place you should spare your time to visit. It offers a wide range of hiking activities for you to enjoy every moment. It also encompasses wildlife where you won’t miss seeing antelope since they have the highest population.
Not only does it have forests but also rivers, ravines, rapids, and many more. Since it is only 25 kilometers inland from the coastal hotspot, it makes a great area for swimming and surfing with its consistent sunshine. It is highly recommended to stay for a night in this place to achieve the most out of the Oribi Gorge experience.
The Valley of Desolation, Camdeboo National Park
The Valley of Desolation has been declared a national monument making it one of the most tourist attraction sites. It contains vertical cliffs and different columns of dolerite that tilt back 120 meters above the valley floor. This is a result of erosive and volcanic forces that took up to 100 million years to form. They stand over a valley forming huge isolated hobgoblins that will force you to spend time viewing them.
All these make it a perfect picnic site and walking trail for more fun and enjoyment. It is suitable to visit this area during the daytime to be able to watch this amazing scenery and avoid missing those important moments with your friends or family members.
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The Drakensberg Amphitheatre, KwaZulu-Natal
The Amphitheatre is one of the well-known geographical features in South Africa. It is endowed with the most impressive cliffs in the entire world. These cliffs measure more than 1.2 kilometers high with a cliff face with a length of 3.1 miles.
This structure lies silently and still makes it one of the best places to spend time with your loved ones. Additionally, it is the home of Tugela Falls with a height of up to 3100 feet. It usually takes you approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Johannesburg city. Moreover, it is advisable to visit during daylight hours for a more enjoyable experience.
The Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal
As a Visitor to South Africa, you would not want to miss out to tour the amazing Dolphin Coast. It is well known by this name because bottlenose dolphins frequent this part of the coast. Ideally, it offers a combination of modern facilities in its subtropical environment. It features a combination of golden beaches and rock pools that assure you of safer surfing, bathing, ski-boat fishing, scuba diving, or even relaxing.
In addition, it is home to many tourists and the Indian population that visits temples and sample traditional spicy foods. This makes it one of the prime hotspots to visit.
Lisbon Falls, Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga South African province is one of the tourist attraction sites. The Lisbon falls in this province is one of the largest. This fall is 308 feet high making it one of the highest falls in the country. Better still, it is located north of Graskop on the Panorama route making it accessible to both visitors and locals from all over.
With some lovely trees nearby, you are assured to enjoy a picnic with your friends. If you are a bird lover then you would never want to miss this place because it is inhabited by many exciting avian bird species. Also, these falls crash down into an elegant gorge making it a must-see site whenever you are in the area.
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a popular seaside resort town that lies halfway between Cape Town and Cape Point. If you are planning on hiring a car in Cape Town it will take you about twenty minutes to get to Hout Bay. There you will find beautiful forests and stunning white sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing on.
Hout Bay is one of the best places to go surfing if you fancy catching a few waves. Be sure to explore the coastal suburbs and try out the local restaurants while you are in Hout Bay.
Cape Point
Cape Point is known for its dramatic scenery and fascinating history. The sheer cliffs that tower more than two hundred metres above the sea were once navigational landmarks used by sailors.
Cape Point is located in the southern section of the Table Mountain National Park. The lighthouse at Cape Point was built in 1859 and is still used today as the centralised monitoring point for all of the other lighthouses along with the coast of South Africa.
Boulders Beach
The beautiful Boulders Beach is located just outside of Cape Town. It is most famous for its community of African Penguins that reside on Foxy Beach. There is a small beach located close to the main penguin colony for the public to enjoy. Although the penguins’ beach is separate, they do tend to pop over and say hello every now and then and some may even join you for a swim.
If you fancy having a little peek at the penguin colony, take a stroll along the boardwalk which has been purposely built around the dunes.
Blyde River Canyon
The Blyde River Canyon is the third deepest canyon in the world and one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Africa. Some of its most spectacular viewpoints have names such as Panorama Route, God’s Window and Wonder View. There you will find fresh mountain scenery and stunning panoramic views over sheer drop cliffs. The entire canyon stretches over twenty kilometres.
South Africa is easily one of the most beautiful and remarkable countries in the world. It is definitely worth visiting if you are looking to travel to a location that provides both natural beauty and diversity. Whether you enjoy mountain hikes, forest walks or sunning yourself on white sandy beaches, you are sure to be more than satisfied with the beautiful landscapes South Africa has to offer. South Africa also has some great destinations for family holidays and a climate children will love.
Image credits:Pixabay
Jane Freeman is a travel blogger and digital marketer based in the UK. Jane splits her time between London during the Spring/Summer and Asia in the winter.
