Top 30 Tourist Places in South Africa

South Africa is a land of diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and incredible wildlife, making it a dream destination for travelers. From the bustling cities and historical sites to the breathtaking natural wonders and wildlife reserves, South Africa offers something for every type of traveler. Here is a list of the top 30 tourist places in South Africa, along with detailed information on each destination’s specialties, localities, best times to visit, nearby attractions, restaurants, and hotels.

1. Table Mountain, Cape Town

Tourism Specialty:

• Iconic flat-topped mountain with panoramic views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean.

Locality:

• Cape Town, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• November to March (summer months).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• V&A Waterfront
• Robben Island
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Pot Luck Club
• Kloof Street House
• La Colombe

Nearby Hotels:

• Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
• The Silo Hotel
• One&Only Cape Town

2. Kruger National Park

Tourism Specialty:

• One of Africa’s largest game reserves, known for the Big Five.

Locality:

• Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Blyde River Canyon
• God’s Window
• Panorama Route

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Hat & Creek
• Kuka Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge
• Tindlovu Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
• Singita Lebombo Lodge
• Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge

3. Cape Winelands

Tourism Specialty:

• Renowned wine region with picturesque vineyards and wine estates.

Locality:

• Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• September to April (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
• Huguenot Memorial Museum
• Paarl Rock

Nearby Restaurants:

• Delaire Graff Restaurant
• La Petite Colombe
• Faber

Nearby Hotels:

• Babylonstoren
• Lanzerac Hotel & Spa
• Le Quartier Français

4. Garden Route

Tourism Specialty:

• Scenic coastal route with diverse landscapes and outdoor activities.

Locality:

• Western Cape to Eastern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• October to April (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Knysna Heads
• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Cango Caves

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Fat Fish
• île de pain
• Zinzi Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Conrad Pezula
• The Plettenberg Hotel
• Tsala Treetop Lodge

5. Robben Island

Tourism Specialty:

• Historical site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

Locality:

• Off the coast of Cape Town, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• October to March (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Table Mountain
• V&A Waterfront
• Bo-Kaap

Nearby Restaurants:

• Sevruga Restaurant
• Harbour House V&A Waterfront
• Karibu

Nearby Hotels:

• The Table Bay Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
• Victoria & Alfred Hotel

6. Addo Elephant National Park

Tourism Specialty:

• Famous for its large elephant population and diverse wildlife.

Locality:

• Eastern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Sundays River Valley
• Alexandria Dune Fields
• Daniell Cheetah Project

Nearby Restaurants:

• Addo Wildlife Lodge Restaurant
• Lenmore
• Nanaga Farm Stall

Nearby Hotels:

• Gorah Elephant Camp
• River Bend Lodge
• Kuzuko Lodge

7. Blyde River Canyon

Tourism Specialty:

• One of the largest canyons in the world, known for its lush subtropical foliage.

Locality:

• Mpumalanga.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• God’s Window
• Bourke’s Luck Potholes
• Three Rondavels

Nearby Restaurants:

• Harry’s Pancakes
• Potluck Boskombuis
• The Wild Fig Tree

Nearby Hotels:

• Blyde River Canyon Lodge
• Swadini A Forever Resort
• Forever Blyde Canyon Resort

8. Drakensberg Mountains

Tourism Specialty:

• Majestic mountain range offering hiking, rock climbing, and breathtaking views.

Locality:

• KwaZulu-Natal.

Best Time to Visit:

• March to May and September to November (spring and autumn).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Amphitheatre
• Royal Natal National Park
• Giants Castle

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Waffle Hut
• Valley Bakery
• Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse

Nearby Hotels:

• Cathedral Peak Hotel
• Champagne Castle Hotel
• Montusi Mountain Lodge

9. iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Tourism Specialty:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site with diverse ecosystems including wetlands, beaches, and coral reefs.

Locality:

• KwaZulu-Natal.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• St Lucia Estuary
• Cape Vidal
• Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Nearby Restaurants:

• Reef & Dune
• Ocean Basket St Lucia
• Thyme Square Coffee & Gift Shop

Nearby Hotels:

• St Lucia Eco Lodge
• Elephant Lake Hotel
• Lidiko Lodge

10. V&A Waterfront

Tourism Specialty:

• Vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in the heart of Cape Town.

Locality:

• Cape Town, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• November to March (summer months).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Two Oceans Aquarium
• Robben Island Museum
• Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Greek Fisherman
• Baia Seafood Restaurant
• Willoughby & Co.

Nearby Hotels:

• The Silo Hotel
• Cape Grace Hotel
• One&Only Cape Town

11. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Tourism Specialty:

• Oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa, known for its rhino conservation efforts.

Locality:

• KwaZulu-Natal.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• False Bay Park
• Lake St Lucia
• Zululand Rhino Reserve

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Saddle Pub & Restaurant
• Ilala Weavers
• Wimpy Hluhluwe

Nearby Hotels:

• Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
• Hluhluwe River Lodge
• Bushwillow Collection

12. Robberg Nature Reserve

Tourism Specialty:

• Coastal reserve offering hiking trails, seal colonies, and stunning ocean views.

Locality:

• Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• October to April (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Plettenberg Bay Beaches
• Birds of Eden
• Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Table Restaurant and Bar
• Lookout Deck
• Emily Moon River Lodge Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• The Plettenberg Hotel
• Tsala Treetop Lodge
• Sky Villa Boutique Hotel

13. Augrabies Falls National Park

Tourism Specialty:

• Home to the impressive Augrabies Falls on the Orange River.

Locality:

• Northern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• April to September (autumn and winter).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Riemvasmaak Hot Springs
• Kalahari-Oranje Museum
• Orange River Wine Cellars

Nearby Restaurants:

• Augrabies Falls Lodge & Camp
• Die Pienk Padstal
• Red Ox Steakhouse

Nearby Hotels:

• Augrabies Falls Lodge & Camp
• Dundi Lodge Augrabies Falls
• Tutwa Desert Lodge

14. Cango Caves

Tourism Specialty:

• Extensive limestone caves with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Locality:

• Oudtshoorn, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• March to May and September to November (spring and autumn).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Cango Wildlife Ranch
• Swartberg Pass
• Safari Ostrich Show Farm

Nearby Restaurants:

• Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Restaurant
• Nostalgie
• Jemima’s Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
• La Plume Boutique Guest House
• De Zeekoe Guest Farm

15. Pilanesberg National Park

Tourism Specialty:

• Malaria-free game reserve home to the Big Five and diverse wildlife.

Locality:

• North West Province.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Sun City Resort
• Madikwe Game Reserve
• Lesedi Cultural Village

Nearby Restaurants:

• Crystal Court
• Plume Restaurant
• The Raj Indian Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Ivory Tree Game Lodge
• Bakubung Bush Lodge
• Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge

16. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Tourism Specialty:

• Renowned botanical garden at the foot of Table Mountain.

Locality:

• Cape Town, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• August to November (spring).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Table Mountain
• Constantia Wine Route
• Rhodes Memorial

Nearby Restaurants:

• Moyo Kirstenbosch
• The Conservatory
• Jonkershuis Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Vineyard Hotel
• The Andros Boutique Hotel
• Southern Sun Newlands

17. Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Tourism Specialty:

• Known for its stunning sandstone cliffs and diverse wildlife.

Locality:

• Free State.

Best Time to Visit:

• September to April (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Basotho Cultural Village
• Clarens
• Sterkfontein Dam

Nearby Restaurants:

• Clementines Restaurant and Bar
• Clarens Brewery
• Highland Coffee Roastery

Nearby Hotels:

• Protea Hotel by Marriott Clarens
• Golden Gate Hotel and Chalets
• Mont d’Or Clarens

18. Sani Pass

Tourism Specialty:

• Scenic mountain pass offering spectacular views and adventurous driving.

Locality:

• Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Lesotho
• Underberg
• Himeville Museum

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Himeville Arms
• Lemon Tree Bistro
• The Old Hatchery Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Sani Valley Nature Lodges
• Premier Resort Sani Pass
• The Old Hatchery

19. Pretoria

Tourism Specialty:

• Capital city with historical monuments, museums, and gardens.

Locality:

• Gauteng.

Best Time to Visit:

• March to May and September to November (spring and autumn).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Voortrekker Monument
• Union Buildings
• National Zoological Gardens of South Africa

Nearby Restaurants:

• Kream Restaurant
• Fumo
• Geet Indian Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Sheraton Pretoria Hotel
• Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Pretoria Menlyn
• The Maslow Hotel Time Square

20. Durban

Tourism Specialty:

• Coastal city known for its beaches, cultural diversity, and vibrant nightlife.

Locality:

• KwaZulu-Natal.

Best Time to Visit:

• March to May and September to November (spring and autumn).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• uShaka Marine World
• Durban Botanic Gardens
• Moses Mabhida Stadium

Nearby Restaurants:

• Butcher Boys Morningside
• Havana Grill
• The Grill Room

Nearby Hotels:

• The Oyster Box
• Hilton Durban
• Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Edward

21. Hermanus

Tourism Specialty:

• Famous for whale watching and stunning coastal scenery.

Locality:

• Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• June to November (whale watching season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Fernkloof Nature Reserve
• Grotto Beach
• Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Burgundy Restaurant
• Fisherman’s Cottage
• Harbour Rock

Nearby Hotels:

• Birkenhead House
• The Marine Hermanus
• Auberge Burgundy

22. Madikwe Game Reserve

Tourism Specialty:

• Malaria-free game reserve offering excellent Big Five game viewing.

Locality:

• North West Province.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Pilanesberg National Park
• Sun City Resort
• Groot Marico

Nearby Restaurants:

• Sanitas Restaurant
• Caravela Portuguese Restaurant
• Beef Boys

Nearby Hotels:

• Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge
• Jaci’s Lodges
• The Bush House

23. Cape Point

Tourism Specialty:

• Dramatic promontory offering stunning ocean views and hiking trails.

Locality:

• Cape Town, Western Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• October to April (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Boulders Beach
• Cape of Good Hope
• Simon’s Town

Nearby Restaurants:

• Two Oceans Restaurant
• Black Marlin
• Seaforth Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Tintswalo Atlantic
• Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel
• Aqua Terra Boutique B&B

24. Namaqualand

Tourism Specialty:

• Famous for its spectacular spring flower displays.

Locality:

• Northern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• August to September (flower season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Goegap Nature Reserve
• Skilpad Wildflower Reserve
• Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Nearby Restaurants:

• Springbok Lodge & Restaurant
• Rolbos Restaurant
• Naries Namakwa Retreat

Nearby Hotels:

• Naries Namakwa Retreat
• Kamieskroon Hotel
• Springbok Inn

25. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Tourism Specialty:

• Desert landscape park known for its red sand dunes and predator sightings.

Locality:

• Northern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Augrabies Falls National Park
• Riemvasmaak Hot Springs
• Witsand Nature Reserve

Nearby Restaurants:

• Twee Rivieren Restaurant
• Molopo Lodge
• Kgalagadi Lodge Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• !Xaus Lodge
• Kgalagadi Lodge
• Rooiduin Guest Farm

26. Port Elizabeth

Tourism Specialty:

• Coastal city known for its beaches, water sports, and historical attractions.

Locality:

• Eastern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• October to April (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Addo Elephant National Park
• Donkin Reserve
• Bayworld

Nearby Restaurants:

• Ginger Restaurant
• Blue Waters Café
• De Kelder

Nearby Hotels:

• The Boardwalk Hotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth
• The Beach Hotel

27. Soweto

Tourism Specialty:

• Historical township known for its role in the anti-apartheid struggle.

Locality:

• Johannesburg, Gauteng.

Best Time to Visit:

• March to May and September to November (spring and autumn).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Nelson Mandela House
• Hector Pieterson Museum
• Vilakazi Street

Nearby Restaurants:

• Sakhumzi Restaurant
• NexDor
• Wandie’s Place

Nearby Hotels:

• Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre
• Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers
• Zaza’s Guesthouse and Spa

28. Wild Coast

Tourism Specialty:

• Rugged coastline with dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, and traditional Xhosa villages.

Locality:

• Eastern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• October to April (spring and summer).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• Hole in the Wall
• Coffee Bay
• Mthatha

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Deck Restaurant & Bar
• Ocean View Hotel
• Coffee Shack

Nearby Hotels:

• Wild Coast Sun
• Ocean View Hotel
• Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa

29. St. Lucia

Tourism Specialty:

• Coastal town known for its wetlands, estuary, and wildlife.

Locality:

• KwaZulu-Natal.

Best Time to Visit:

• May to September (dry season).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Cape Vidal
• St Lucia Estuary

Nearby Restaurants:

• Ocean Basket St Lucia
• Braza
• Reef & Dune

Nearby Hotels:

• St Lucia Eco Lodge
• Elephant Lake Hotel
• Lidiko Lodge

30. Kimberley

Tourism Specialty:

• Historical city known for its diamond mining heritage and the Big Hole.

Locality:

• Northern Cape.

Best Time to Visit:

• March to May and September to November (spring and autumn).

Nearby Tourist Attractions:

• The Big Hole
• Kimberley Mine Museum
• Magersfontein Battlefield

Nearby Restaurants:

• The Occidental Bar & Restaurant
• Butlers Restaurant
• Annabell’s Restaurant

Nearby Hotels:

• Protea Hotel Kimberley
• Garden Court Kimberley
• Savoy Hotel Kimberley

South Africa’s diverse attractions offer something unique for every traveler. From natural wonders and historical sites to vibrant cities and cultural experiences, this beautiful country is a destination that promises unforgettable memories.