South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bordered by Namibia to the northwest, by Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and by Mozambique and Swaziland to the northeast and east. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation. South Africa has three capital cities: executive Pretoria, judicial Bloemfontein and legislative Cape Town. The largest city is Johannesburg. About 80% of South Africans are of Black African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European, Asian, and multiracial ancestry.

South Africa is renowned for its wines and is one of the world's largest producers of gold. South Africa has the strongest economy in Africa, and is an influential player in African politics.

The economy of South Africa is the second largest in Africa. However, it is the most industrialized, technologically advanced, and diversified economy on the African continent. South Africa has a comparative advantage in the production of agriculture, mining and manufacturing products relating to these sectors. Mining has been the main driving force behind the history and development of Africa's most advanced economy.

One of the main reasons travelers visit South Africa is to experience the outdoors and see the wide range of wildlife and Africa’ has a seductive appeal for many would-be travellers, and South Africa’s reputation as a destination that offers such an extensive variety of breathtaking holidays and experiences throughout the year, combined with its First World infrastructure, continues to bring more and more visitors to its superb beaches, world-famous game reserves, and much more.

Nevertheless, huge inequality remains, still sharply marked out along racial lines. To understand modern South Africa, everyone should visit Johannesburg’s moving Apartheid Museum, and Robben Island prison, where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years. Or you could join a township tour in Soweto, which, like the rest of your trip, you’ll never forget.

Things to See and Do in South Africa

South Africa is famous for its stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, award-winning wineries, beautiful beaches, and its lively and cosmopolitan cities. There’s something deeply special about this place.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. The garden is one of ten National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa's six different biomes and administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Kirstenbosch places a strong emphasis on the cultivation of indigenous plants. It’s a favourite among locals and visitors alike for many reasons: picnics on the lawns, hiking up Skeleton Gorge, enjoying a glass of chilled Chardonnay before a summer sunset concert, exploring the many shady trails, and taking in the panoramic views from the canopy walkway, to mention just a few. While the Garden is spectacular all year round, you’ll see the fynbos at its best from August to November. However, summer has its own charm in the form of the Summer Sunset Concerts every Sunday evening and the open air Galileo Cinema on Wednesday evenings.

Constitution Hill

Constitution Hill is a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens. There is perhaps no other site of incarceration in South Africa that imprisoned the sheer number of world-renowned men and women as those held within the walls of Constitution Hill’s Old Fort, Women's Jail and Number Four. Nelson Mandela. Mahatma Gandhi. Joe Slovo. Albertina Sisulu. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Fatima Meer.

Cape of Good Hope

The Cape of Good Hope is a promontory off of the southern tip of South Africa. It is mistakenly thought of as the southernmost point of Africa and the spot where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The true southernmost point of Africa is at Cape Agulhas, located on the Garden Route of South Africa over 200 km away. The best thing to do at the Cape of Good Hope is to enjoy the natural, wild beauty of this place. The Cape of Good Hope is a narrow peninsula jutting out into the ocean. With this landscape comes lots of wind and unpredictable weather. While at the Cape of Good Hope, keep an eye out for the Zebra and Eland that roam here. There are 1, 100 species of indigenous plants that grow here and nowhere else in the World. Furthermore, this is a great spot for whale watching during the months of June to November. You can climb up the lighthouse for the best views over the Cape of Good Hope.

Kruger National Park

The world distinguished Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. You can visit the Timbavati Nature Reserve, which shares a common unfenced border with the Kruger National Park. This allows the animals free range and ensures guests to the area the opportunity to view the greatest diversity of wildlife that South Africa has to offer.

Apartheid Museum

To better understand the rich and turbulent history of South Africa, pay a visit to Apartheid Museum. Founded in 2001, the museum explores the system of imposed racial segregation implement during the apartheid era. You can spend hours wandering the 22 spacious exhibits narrating the story of oppression, racial tension, and the struggle for freedom. A plethora of items, photos, videos, and written materials paint an extensive picture of the tyranny that the black majority in South Africa endured for much of the 20th century.

You can’t visit South Africa without learning about the horror of apartheid (a system of institutionalized racial segregation), which cast its shadow over the country from the 1940s all the way into the 1990s. Opened in 2001, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg does an excellent job of highlighting apartheid’s history and legacy. While in Johannesburg, be visit the Constitutional Court. It stands on the site of a former political prison and you can tour some of the prison ruins and learn more about the many political prisoners who were unjustly detained here.

Table Mountain National Park

Table Mountain National Park is a 221-km² park in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It protects the natural environment of the Table Mountain Chain, and in particular the rare fynbos vegetation. The park contains two well-known landmarks: Table Mountain, and the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern extremity of Africa.

In Table Mountain National Park penguins spotting on Boulders private beach is not only fun, but immensely delightful. Located in the Cape Town area, the Boulders Beach is surrounded by sand dunes, which act as shelters for almost 2000 African penguins. Located near Simon Town, a visit to Boulders Beach Penguin Colony is a must activity in Table Mountain National Park.

Among all the top Table Mountain National Park activities, hiking is the most popular one. With jaw dropping 360-degree views of Cape Town, the surrounding azure ocean and beaches, hiking up to Table Mountain is an absolutely thrilling activity. In fact, there are guided hiking tours to Table Mountain top every day. Spend some time on the top, rejuvenate and chill out the Table Mountain Cafe, located atop.

If you do not want to trek uphill in Table Mountain, enjoy cable car ride up to hill top. Start your exciting ropeway journey from terminus at Kloofnek Road and you can reach the top of the Table Mountain, located 1089 metres above, in about 5 minutes.Table Mountain National Park cable car can accommodate up to 65 passengers and has rotating floors, which help everyone to enjoy panoramic view of Cape Town.

There are few diving spots in Table Mountain National Park, that let everyone enjoy bright and vibrant marine life. There are shipwreck sites and breeding centres of marine animals, which offer excellent diving opportunities and scuba diving is one of the top listed Table Mountain National Park activities, people generally opt for.

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

The Blyde River Canyon Reserve extends along the Blyde River Canyon’s winding path, which at every turn offers more and more impressive views over sheer edges dropper personing 800m into the riverbed. Blyde River Canyon Reserve is situated against the Greater Drakensberg escarpment and includes natural wonders such as the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, Pinnacle Rock and God’s Window. Many visitors to this region enjoy the visual splendour of combining the Panorama Route with exceptional game viewing in the Kruger National Park to create a spectacular itinerary in Mpumalanga.

A frequent stop on the way to or from Kruger, Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world. It’s particularly lush and green compared to the Grand Canyon and also has extremely deep, sheer cliffs. There are numerous natural rock formations and other natural features in this UNESCO-listed reserve, including Pinnacle Rock, God’s Window, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. You can also find ancient rock art in the Echo Caves. There are several hiking trails as well as abseiling, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a large wildlife preserve and conservation area in southern Africa. The park straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana and comprises two adjoining national parks: Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa, Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. For many people, the scenery is as much an attraction of this park as the wildlife. The red sand dunes and endless vistas are quite unique. The dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob are lifelines in this harsh environment.

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

The Sabi Sands is in particular well known for its amazing leopard sightings. The most elusive animal of the Big 5 is frequently spotted when going on a game drive in the reserve. As such, Sabi Sands offers the ultimate photographic safari one can think of. You can be certain to return home with some absolutely stunning pictures and memories. Besides the Big 5, other game species occur in great numbers, among which are over 300 bird species. Sabi Sands possibly makes the best South African safari destination for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and bird watchers alike.

Fermier

If you are in Pretoria, you should not miss Fermier restaurant. Fermier is an attempt to create a restaurant which in future can become completely self-sustainable by creating an entire “ecosystem” from the fish and vegetables to the livestock, that suits their idea of responsible, conscientious farming (and restaurant) where even “waste” is turned into a functional part of the cycle. The building has grown “organically” where soil from the area has been used to build rammed earth walls, poles as the skeleton and recycled wood for the cladding and doors, thus creating a “farm feel”. Guests can see the produce growing, where it comes from and the versatility of each product.