Africa has always reached us first as a single, sombre sketch: a continent defined by its wounds, by slavery, poverty, and a long struggle for schooling, with little room left for anything else. I’m not saying that history is fabricated, but it tells only the part that was easiest to write down. Also, early ideas like that stick to our minds, and it will either take quite a good amount of reading, or several very good photographs to realise how much was left out.
Like the fact that South Africa is the only place that has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein, or that its climate runs from desert and semi-arid scrub to a subtropical coast, with snow on the Drakensberg mountains in winter. Or that you can see the Big Five on a morning game drive and penguins by the afternoon, with whales offshore in season and the ostrich, the fastest runner among birds despite being flightless, strutting through Oudtshoorn.
It’s frankly, incredibly beautiful. If you’re here because you are the among the many that found out that South Africa is far more than the story we were handed, this blog is for you. Here, I’ve picked out the 10 best things to do in South Africa, straight from our on-ground experts so that you can add them to your wish list.
1. Go on a Game Drive in Pilanesberg
I’ll start with this one, because out of everything on the list, it’s the one you wouldn’t want to miss. Pilanesberg National Park sits inside an extinct volcanic crater, and you can explore it from an open safari vehicle, looking out for the Big Five and plenty of other wildlife. If you’d like, you can get two drives: one in the afternoon, and one at dawn the next morning.
Wear layers for the early start, because mornings can be cold, and keep your camera and binoculars within reach. Pilanesberg is also malaria-free, which makes it a good pick for first-timers and families!
2. Spend a Day at Sun City's Valley of the Waves
After the bush, choose a resort. Sun City, in South Africa's North West province, is known for its entertainment and leisure activities, and one of the most fun things to do in South Africa is its Valley of the Waves, a water-themed leisure area with unlimited access (included in most of our packages). It's a proper rest day, which you'll appreciate after an early game drive.
If you want more action, the resort also has zip-lining, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, go-karting and golf, along with spa treatments, a cinema and Segway rides!
3. Meet Ostriches and Explore the Cango Caves
From Knysna, a full-day trip takes you to Oudtshoorn, known for its ostrich-farming heritage. But start with the Cango Caves, a guided walk through underground chambers decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. Then head to an ostrich farm to learn about the birds up close, and experience a tractor-and-trailer ride through the natural veld. Your last stop can be the Cango Wildlife Ranch, where a guided tour covers its animals and its conservation work. It's an easy day out (and a hit with kids).
4. Do a Cape Town City Tour, Including Bo-Kaap
If you’re looking for things to do in Cape Town that show you the city’s history, a guided city tour is the easiest way in. You’ll drive past Parliament, City Hall and the Slave Lodge, and a short visit to the Castle of Good Hope may be available as an option, or you can explore the historic Grand Parade area instead. From there, the tour will continue to District Six and Company’s Gardens, a landscaped park in the middle of the city.
The highlight for most people on this day will be the Bo-Kaap, the Malay Quarter, with its colourful houses and cobbled streets. It’s the stop where you won’t be able to put your camera down, so charge your phone first. You can also include a visit to a diamond-cutting factory, where you can watch the craftsmanship up close.
Not sure which experiences deserve a place on your itinerary? Connect with our travel experts and we'll help you build a South Africa holiday that matches your interests and budget.
5. Ride the Cable Car up Table Mountain, Then Taste Wine
Now, one of the best things to do in South Africa is also one of the simplest: a ride to the top of Table Mountain. A revolving cable car takes you to the top of Table Mountain, and on a clear day you can see Robben Island and Cape Point from the plateau. Strong wind can shut the cable car for a day, so keep a spare day in your plan, and go early if you're travelling in summer, when queues can be long.
Some tours then continue to Groot Constantia for a wine tasting before you head back to your hotel. If you want more views, a scenic helicopter ride of about 12 minutes will also be available at an extra cost.
6. Drive the Cape Peninsula
This is a full day out, and a very good one. The route runs along the coast, past Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, with a photo stop at Maiden's Cove. At Hout Bay, there's a boat trip to Seal Island, weather permitting, followed by Chapman's Peak Drive, a road carved into the cliffs.
At the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, the Flying Dutchman funicular takes you up to the viewpoint. Then you can visit the Boulders Beach, home to a protected colony of African penguins, and Muizenberg's colourful beach huts. Between the coast, the penguins and the cliffs, I’d easily say it’s one of the best things to do in South Africa in a single day.
If you want to see how all of this fits together day by day, read our detailed 10 day South Africa itinerary.
7. Spend a Morning in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum
Among the best things to do in Johannesburg, take note of these two. Vilakazi Street in Soweto is the most famous street in the township, and both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived there. Mandela's former home is now a museum, and a block away is the Hector Pieterson Memorial, which marks the 1976 student uprising now remembered as Youth Day. It's one of the more authentic things to do in South Africa, because the history here is told by the place itself.
The Apartheid Museum, which opened in November 2001 sits within the Gold Reef City complex, and begins with a jolt: your ticket randomly classifies you as "white" or "non-white", and you enter through the matching entrance. That's the first exhibit. Give it a good chunk of your day, and stay for lunch afterwards, since Sakhumzi and Chaf Pozi are well-known shisa nyama spots in Soweto.
8. Visit Robben Island
Ferries leave from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront, and the crossing takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The whole tour, including the ferry, takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.
You'll see Nelson Mandela's former cell, and the walk through the maximum-security prison is often led by a former political prisoner. Tickets often sell out, especially from November to March, so book through the official website well ahead. Crossings depend on the weather and sea conditions too, so keep a spare day.
9. Taste Wine in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
Wine country is close to Cape Town: Stellenbosch is about 50 kilometres away and Franschhoek about 75. In Franschhoek, a hop-on, hop-off wine tram links the estates, so you can plan a tasting day without arranging transport. The town's Huguenot Monument honours the French settlers who shaped the Cape's food and wine heritage in the late 17th century. It's one of the most fun things to do in South Africa if you enjoy a slow afternoon.
Prefer a journey that's designed around your interests and dates? Discover our tailor-made tours and travel the way you love.
10. Watch Whales, or Brave the Sharks
Between June and November, whales come close to the coast around Hermanus, about 115 kilometres from Cape Town, and it's one of the more unique things to do in South Africa. The Hermanus Whale Festival runs from late September into October, and accommodation fills up quickly.
But if you want to take things up a notch, Gansbaai is known for shark cage diving, which peaks from June to September. Either way, it's seasonal, so check your dates first.
Have something else in mind? Explore holidays around the globe and start planning your next journey with us today.
Want to Experience It All?
From safaris to Soweto, these are 10 of the best things to do in South Africa for a first-timer, and a mix of the fun things to do in South Africa that suit families, couples and friends. With over 267 years of experience and local connections on the ground, we take care of everything, from the iconic sights to the authentic local experiences, stays, food and everything in between.
We have holidays that are both tailor-made and group departures, so there's always room to add whatever you like. Explore our South Africa tour packages from India today and find a journey you like.
