South African Attractions
Help Me PlanFrom Waterfalls to Wineries
You’ll discover a wide spectrum of attractions on a private tour or safari in South Africa—from dramatic escarpment viewpoints and ancient caves to coastal promontories and storied wine valleys. Highlights include Berlin and Lisbon Falls, Blyde River Canyon, Cango Caves, Cape Point, and classic vineyard routes near Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
Berlin Falls is one of several waterfalls that grace the Mpumalanga province. The white water tumbles over an orange cliff for about 80 m, making it one of the region’s most photogenic sights. The name recalls German miners who worked the area during the 1880s gold rush.
Running along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon is among the largest canyons in the world and is often ranked second-largest in Africa after Namibia’s Fish River Canyon. Many itineraries include a stop here en route to the Kruger National Park.
These curious cylindrical pools formed where the Blyde and Treur Rivers meet, as swirling water eroded the bedrock over hundreds of years. The site marks the start of the Panorama Route’s string of dramatic natural viewpoints and falls.
Cango Caves | Africa’s largest show caves
Selected Garden Route tours visit the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn—vast chambers in Precambrian limestone beneath the Swartberg foothills. First visitors arrived in the 1800s, and today the site is managed as Africa’s largest show caves, balancing conservation with guided access to spectacular halls and formations.
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Not the tallest of Mpumalanga’s cascades, Bridal Veil rewards hikers with an ethereal sheet of water in lush forest—a perfect picnic stop. The falls lie outside the Lowveld town of Sabie on the scenic road to Graskop.
Cape Point forms the most southwesterly tip of the African continent. Rich in wildlife, indigenous fynbos, and rugged beaches, a visit is a Cape Town highlight. Enjoy panoramic views from the old lighthouse and look for rock hyrax, baboon, ostrich, and antelope.
This private reserve occupies Knysna’s western head and protects coastal habitats that include the endangered Knysna seahorse. With time, visitors can enjoy a lagoon cruise, guided trail, and lunch beneath the shady milkwood trees; blue duiker may be spotted.
Franschhoek Wine Route
The Franschhoek Wine Route gathers acclaimed estates in a valley settled by French Huguenots. Framed by the Drakenstein Mountains, it blends refined tasting rooms, farm-to-table cuisine, and scenic drives—perfect for a day of cellar visits during a Cape Winelands stay.
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God’s Window offers sweeping views across Mpumalanga’s forested escarpment. Perched about 700 m above the Lowveld, the lookout can reveal the distant Lebombo Mountains on clear days. It is among South Africa’s most photographed viewpoints.
Lisbon Falls, named by Portuguese miners, is Mpumalanga’s highest waterfall at about 94 m. The falls are just north of Graskop along the R532 and make a fine stop for photos and a picnic.
Mac-Mac's twin falls were originally a single stream; miners blasted the rock face in the 1870s to divert water from a gold-bearing reef. A few minutes' walk upstream, the Mac-Mac Pools offer a refreshing summer dip.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch carpets the lower slopes of Table Mountain with indigenous flora. The 130 m Boomslang canopy walkway, opened in 2014, threads the treetops for sweeping views of the mountain and gardens—one of Cape Town’s essential nature experiences.
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The Paarl Wine Route winds through historic estates such as Fairview, KWV, and Nederburg—home to MasterChef South Africa in early seasons—offering tastings, cheeseries, and leafy picnic lawns in the Cape Winelands.
Centered on South Africa’s second-oldest town, the Stellenbosch Wine Route pairs gabled Cape Dutch architecture and university energy with award-winning estates, cozy cafes, and boutique shopping.
Seldom crowded, the gravel Swartberg Pass snakes through rugged sandstone peaks of the Little Karoo. Expect a semi-arid palette, dramatic geology, and tight hairpins on one of South Africa’s classic mountain drives.
The Palace of the Lost City
The Lost City complex at Sun City is an extravagant, themed resort inspired by a mythical African kingdom. It features a luxury hotel, landscaped gardens, and an expansive waterpark—an indulgent base for golfing, family fun, and spa time in the bushveld.
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Table Mountain is one of Africa’s most recognizable landmarks. A swift cable car ride to the top reveals sweeping views across Table Bay, with Robben Island to the west and the Atlantic stretching to the horizon.
Tugela Falls, in Royal Natal National Park in the Drakensberg, is Africa’s highest waterfall at approximately 947–983 m in combined drops. Seasonal flow means views are best after rain, when the ribboning cascades are most visible.
Many South African golf courses are attractions in their own right. Championship layouts and dramatic settings challenge every handicap while offering memorable 18-hole days between touring and safari.
