5 Amazing Things to do in South Africa

South Africa is a country that is jam-packed with activities, sights, animals and scenery. The way to see this southern nation properly is to rent (or buy) a car and drive yourself around this incredible land. Get a map and figure out where you want to go. But even if you have a route “planned,” it will most likely change after speaking with the local people, who always know the most scenic routes to take, or the must-see places.

There is an endless amount of things to do in South Africa, but here are our Top 5...

1. Explore Cape Town.

The beautiful city of Cape Town is located on the southwestern coast of the country and is the perfect place to start a trip to South Africa. The towering Table Mountain sits as the backdrop of the city. A day trip up the mountain for views of the ocean and Cape Town below is a must. Visiting the District 6 Museum to learn about the horrific racial divide of the not-so recent past is a definite must. The culinary scene in Cape Town is fantastic and the area around the harbor is the perfect place to spend the day. Throughout your visit, you’ll most likely see some live music and tribal dancing on the streets. This is a lively city, well worth a 3-5 day visit.

2. Visit Vineyards.

There is an actual Wine Route in South Africa, and it’s fabulous. The road twists and turns through rolling green hills and through blossoming orchards. In and around the university town of Stellenbosch, you’ll find more than 140 wine farms. The tastings near this city are great, but the only downside is that you have to pay for the drink samples. This is due to the fact that students from the university would use wine tastings as a sort of pre-drinking session to the night out! The town of Robertson is another great place to explore wineries. You'll find a gorgeous backdrop of towering mountains, with over 45 vineyards spread out along this portion of the wine route. Tastings at the wineries here are free and the settings in which you are able to enjoy your vino are spectacular. Make sure to check out the Viljoensdrift winery, which is set alongside a pretty river.

3. Go On a Safari.

When most people think of going on a safari, they generally picture the National Parks of Masai Mara in Kenya, and the Serengeti in Tanzania, but South Africa has some excellent parks for big game spotting! Kruger National Park in the north is the biggest and the most popular, but make sure to visit the smaller parks as well for a more intimate experience. Many of the parks allow you to go on a self-drive safari! Imagine slowly driving along a dirt road and slamming on the brakes as you spot a herd of elephants, or picture yourself having the heart-pumping moment of being face to face with a pack of lions...with no one else around. Going on a safari here is a must and there are numerous National Parks to choose from.

4. Experience Land Based Whale Watching.

South Africa is the best spot in the world for sitting on the shoreline and watching humpback and southern right whales breaching, swimming and playing in the ocean! During the months of September and October, you're guaranteed to see these mammoths off the eastern coast, with the city of Hermanus being the best city to spot the whales. Seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat is such an amazing experience.

5. Watch a Surfing Competition.

If you time your visit to South Africa right, you may be able to catch a professional surf competition. In July, the Association of Surfing Professionals holds a comp in the town of Jeffrey's Bay. The level of surfing is incredible. Sitting on shore watching the pros paddle and catch waves for hours on end is a great way to spend the day.

No matter what you do during your trip to South Africa, you’ll have a very memorable time. If you’re interested in adrenaline-pumping activities, this is the place for you. If you’re more interested in nature and animals, this is the place for you. If you’d like to learn about history and culture, this is the place for you. South Africa has something for everyone!