South Africa
South Africa has one big selling point - variety. Its landscape is as varied as it is beautiful, with a huge range of different sights: climb Table Mountain, visit dramatic river valleys and waterfalls, drive through looming canyons and gorges, and explore a fantastic coastline that ranges from the rocky precipice of Cape Point to the gleaming luxury of famous Fourth Beach. The range of outdoor activities on offer is just as varied, from surfing and trail hiking to more extreme options like white water rafting and rock climbing. There's even the world's longest zip line here, allowing steely-nerved punters to fly over the landscape at terrifying speeds. South Africa's wildlife is another star attraction, meet some on safaris and whale-watching trips - you can even go diving with five-metre long tiger sharks if you're brave enough!
South Africa's culture is as varied as its landscape, with different regions enjoying their own customs, history and languages. Its cities are vibra…
Top South Africa attractions
We know a total of 91 attractions in South Africa. See all South Africa attractions.
- Tiger sharks at Umkomaas
Tiger sharks are considered the second most dangerous shark to man and it is true that they are indiscriminate predators. But a… - Bull Sharks at Protea Banks
This beautiful rocky reef supports a healthy population of bull sharks. The sharks are more often seen in the summer months bet… - Rocktail Bay
Rocktail Bay is situated in the northern reaches of South Africa's Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The area is wild and without … - Garden Route: Slang River to Tsitsikamma
With several forest and marine reserves, and offering snorkelling, scuba diving, boat trips to see dolphins, whales and sharks,… - Self-drive safari in the Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park, established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, sprawls over an area of nea… - Eden to Addo Mega-hike
Last year I was fortunate enough to participate in the inaugural Eden to Addo Mega-hike, a 400km, 17-day epic that crosses seve… - Surfing J Bay (Jeffreys Bay or Jeffreysbaai)
J Bay is South Africa's most famous wave, it's a fast right point break which can get hollow down the line and it's best if you… - Astronomy in the Karoo National Park
Karoo National Park is set in the Great Karoo, South Africa's largest natural ecosystem. Consisting largely of vast, undulating… - Maputaland's Turtle Hatching Season
Every year turtles return, sometimes travelling thousands of kilometres, to the warm watered beaches in this region to lay thei…
Holiday ideas featuring South Africa
African Safari and Mauritian Beach Break Combined
The big five and some of Africa's most pristine wilderness, married with Mauritius's tropical beach perfection = a match made in heaven, and on earth.
More than a week in Mauritius
There's a lot more to the destination of so many daydreams than the white beaches and the blue bays - if you can drag yourself away from them...
Classic South Africa Journey
Ten days visiting Cape Town and beyond.
All regions and destinations in South Africa
Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers
South Africa Food Safari
Every country has their own special foods and traditional dishes that have evolved and refined throughout their history. South Africa is no different, except that now because of its varied history and the affects of different cultures on it, it is a veritable gourmet melting pot.
From the hunter gather tribes that dominated the plains to the early Dutch, English and Huguenot settlers, to the Cape Malay slaves brought in to work the wine farms, to the Indian labourers brought in to help on the sugar plantations – it has a world of gastronomic influence all in one country.
This has helped to create some of South Africa’s most inspired tastes – Boerewors (a special type of spicy sausage directly translated from Afrikaans to mean farmers Sausage), Bobotie (pronounced ba-boor-tea arrived with the Malay people and is a delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit topped with an egg custard, not dissimilar to moussaka), Pap (a traditional porridge made from ground maize), Biltong (a dried salty meat similar to American jerky), traditional Indian curries, Ostrich in red wine sauce, Waterblommetjie bredie (directly translated as water flower stew it is a meat stewed with the flower of the Cape Pondweed) and Mashonzha (a local delicacy made from the mopanwolrms!).
South Africa also has a rich tradition in excellent wine and brandy making with many winning awards, so washing down these exotic meals is certainly no hardship. But, if none of this is to your taste South Africa has many excellent restaurants that feature food from around the world.
It is no wonder then that with such eclectic influences South Africa is fast becoming one of the worlds best places to do a “gourmet food tour”. If you have a passion for food then I would recommend that you consider this as your next holiday. It allows you to explore the wonders of South Africa and all its spectacular scenery, but it allows you to learn about the people and their cultures through their food! Ending your holiday with a “food Safari” satisfies not only your tummy but also your sense of adventure seeing the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant) – what more could you want?
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Related links
- Africa travel guide
- South Africa tour operators and travel specialists
- Weather in South Africa
- Best hotels in South Africa
Is South Africa a good place to go in May or June? Unfortunately that is only time I can get off. I'd like to take my wife on a safari.
3 Replies
It's dry and cool(ish) in Africa in June, so it can be a good time to go game viewing. Botswana or Zambia are the classic destinations for this time of year, not sure about South Africa.
Have a look at our World Weather Guide for the average temperatures - there's a link on the bottom of the page: www.worldreviewer.com/world-weather
KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo are probably the best places to look for game in June. The higher plains are going to be very cold.