21 MUST-SEE Beautiful Places in South Africa (2025 • Insider Guide)

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Not only is Chapmans Peak one of the most beautiful places in South Africa but it’s also been rated as one of the most exquisite roads in the world. Stretched along a dramatic coastline between two prominent Cape Town suburbs, this winding route hugs the mountainside along the Atlantic Ocean – and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s a must-visit on your South Africa trip.

It’s perfect for a leisurely drive or cycle, and if you’re into photography, it has some of the best views of Hout Bay and the long white beach of Noordhoek. Historically, it’s a pretty impressive feat of engineering. It was first built in the early 1920s with a bunch of rocky overhangs, bridging sections, and rock-catching nets.

The road is a toll road, so you’ll need to bring along around R50 or $3—trust me, it’s worth every penny. There are plenty of places where you can pull to the side and picnic at one of the viewpoints. 

There is even a five-star hotel with a high-end restaurant known as Tintswalo at the base of the mountain towards Hout Bay. For a luxurious lunch on the seaside, you won’t want to miss this one. 

Cape Town is where it all happens. It’s the country’s tourist epicentre, set on a picturesque peninsula flanked by the Atlantic Ocean, exquisite mountains, and world-class wine farms. It’s one of the best places to stay in South Africa.

Whether you’re into history, wine, hiking, or coffee, Cape Town has something for everyone. The city has been around since the 1600s when it served as a port for trading ships. Today, it’s a multicultural hotspot that brings to light the iconic Nelson Mandela quote ‘a rainbow nation’.

While in the city, you’ve got to take the tram to the top of Table Mountain, hike Lions Head, and dine at The Waterfront. But what many tourists don’t know is that the most exciting parts of this top place to visit in South Africa can be found further away from the centre. Places like Cape Point, Noordhoek, and the wine farms in Constantia are some of the most visually outstanding in the world.

For a bit of history, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned), the District Six Museum, and the new Zeitz Moca Art Museum are worth checking out.

There are countless places to go on safari in South Africa, but the Kruger is no doubt the most famous. It’s a huge national park in South Africa covering over 19 thousand square kilometers, making up the ultimate safari destination. The Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino), along with plenty of other wild animals and birds, live together in this exciting area – and that’s just scratching the surface. 

The park was established in 1898 by the mayor at the time, Kruger, and has a long history of conservation. So, it’s not only a tourist hotspot but also an essential part of South Africa’s environmental efforts. 

Since it is a public park, there are options to join guided safaris or even do a self-drive. Just stick to the speed limit and do some research on how to behave around wild animals before you head into the bush. 

The most luxurious all-inclusive camps include Singita Lebombo Lodge and Singita Sweni Lodge, Skukuza, and Jock Safari Lodge. Lion Sands Narina Lodge is another incredible lodge with open-air suites. But there are also plenty of affordable lodges and chalets to be rented around this unique place to visit in South Africa.

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If I had to recommend three places to visit in Cape Town, Kirstenbosch would be one of them. Tucked against the back slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is Cape Town’s only Botanical Garden and one of the most impressive on the planet. Take my word for it: I’ve been to a few, and none really compare to the grandeur of the mountain backdrop in this incredible garden. 

Locals visit to explore the peaceful gardens, hike, and picnic in nature. However, Kirstenbosch is also the best place to learn about the diverse plant species unique to the Cape Floristic Region. Fun fact: There are more plant species found in one square meter of Table Mountain than there are in the Amazon Jungle. 

When I’m not lazing around on the lawn with a pre-packed picnic from the Kirstenbosch Tea Room packed with dips, bread, sandwiches – the works. I love walking over the Boomslang (which translates to ‘tree snake’ in Afrikaans), a long tree canopy walkway that trails over the tops of the trees. 

Kirstenbosch also hosts summer concerts on the lawns, which bring in some incredible talent from across the world. They’re held every Sunday evening during summer and range in price depending on the acts involved. 

Visiting the Goegap Nature Reserve in Namaqualand is like stepping into an expressionist painting. Every spring, this reserve up the West Coast blooms with wildflowers in every colour. No exaggeration; there are places where the flowers look like a solid carpet stretching over the hills. 

Other than being a sea of colours, the reserve is incredibly diverse, with over six hundred plant species. Most notably, there are plenty of succulent plants endemic to the area. Wildlife fans fear not; you’ll also get your dose of sightings here. There are 45 recorded mammals in the park, including springbok (the bouncing buck, not the rugby player), gemsbok, and zebra. 

Make sure to visit during the spring season, which falls between September and November. The best way to get here is by car, which is about a six-hour drive from Cape Town. The remoteness is really what makes this such a beautiful place in South Africa.

If the Garden Route is the epicentre of adventure and activity, Tsitsikamma National Park is the heart of it all. While it is its own park, it’s technically a part of the Garden Route National Park. At the interception between the rugged Indian Ocean coastline and dense, lush forests, it’s a dream for adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts.

The special thing about this park is that it’s multi-dimensional. The park stretches across over 80 km of coastline, including indigenous forests, mountains, fynbos plains, and even coral reefs. You heard right: the reef stretches 5km out to sea, including a wonderland of deep-sea life and shallow coral reefs. 

Other than pure impressive scenery, the park’s highlights are whale watching and the bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge, which holds the title of the highest bungee jump in the world. The Otter Trail is another highlight, which follows the coastline from Storms River to Nature Valley, crossing impressive draw bridges along the way.

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There are countless game reserves in South Africa, but if I had to choose one to be the poster child for a luxury safari, it would be Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. Locally referred to as Sabi Sands, it’s the place to be for a five-star safari experience. 

Do you know those Instagram posts showing dimly lit tents and circle boma fireplaces with open bars? This is exactly the vibe here. This private game reserve is located right next to Kruger National Park and is part of a conservation area that stretches across nearly five million acres. There are around twenty luxury lodges here—check out the Elephant Plains Game Lodge for a sneak peek.

Besides high-end service and fine dining, this beautiful place in South Africa is best known for its incredible wildlife sightings. 

Sabi Sands is one of the most popular reserves where you can spot the elusive leopard, which is otherwise really tough to find in the wild. What sets this spot apart from other safaris is the nature of its game drives. Because it’s a private reserve, vehicles can traverse off-road for extra close encounters with the animals. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself within arm’s reach of the Big 5.

Now, I might be biased, but I firmly believe South Africa is home to some of the most beautiful wine farms in the world. The most popular include Franschhoek and Stellenbosch (two wine regions just outside Cape Town), but Constantia holds the title of the oldest wine region.

Constantia is a suburb of Cape Town, about a twenty-minute drive from the city centre and is one of the safest areas in Cape Town. The Constantia Valley is set against the backside slopes of Table Mountain, overlooking False Bay. It’s known for its world-class wines, impressively preserved Cape Dutch manor houses, and stunning views. 

It’s one of the oldest parts of the city, with wine farms established as early as 1685. The top wine farms and wine tours in South Africa include Groot Constantia, Constantia Uitsig, Buitenverwagting, and Constantia Glen. After you’ve hit your limit with the wine, there are countless trails and routes to stroll through the vineyards. You’ll even find some of the city’s best restaurants in this valley. 

If you’ve done a Google Image search of Cape Town, chances are you’ve seen pictures of African Penguins on white beaches. These photos were all taken at or around Boulders Beach, a small coastal area in a suburb known as Simonstown. 

And yes, you heard right—there are penguins in South Africa. Penguins settled here in the 1980s, and now this is one of the few places in the world where you can get up close and personal with them in their natural habitat. While penguins can swim (duh), they don’t often venture far from Simonstown, where they like to nest. 

African Penguins on a beach of crystal clear water make for one of the most unique places to visit in South Africa. The water is calm and clear and looks just about tropical (until you step in and realize it’s about as cold as water gets). There aren’t too many places in the world where you can sit on the beach next to penguins going about their daily lives.

If you look at a geographical map of South Africa, you’ll notice that much of the landscape is made up of desert. Part of this is the Karoo, a semi-desert region that stretches from the Eastern Cape to the Northern Cape and the Western Cape.

If I had to compare this region to one in America, it would be the Midwest. The Karoo is an endless, dramatic space of desert plains and rugged mountains that feels like it has stood still in time. With wide open spaces, clear skies for stargazing, and an eerie silence, it’s a rare place of stillness that is hard to find in the modern world. 

While it might look barren, the Karoo is packed with life. Plants have adapted to the harsh environment, and quaint small towns are dotted along the major roads. The Karoo is further separated into the Klein Karoo, which means the ‘small Karoo’ in Afrikaans. Just a few hours’ drive from Cape Town, this part of the semi-desert is scattered with charming towns with long histories, like Matjiesfontein and Prince Albert.

The Garden Route is a scenic stretch of road along the country’s southeastern coastline. It’s famous for its lush forests, wild beaches, and dramatic cliffs and bridges. If you enjoy hiking, canoeing, or even ziplining, this is the place to be.

Tucked between impressive gorges in Mpumalanga, Elands River Falls is one of the most beautiful places in South Africa. Water plunges 70 meters into a lush gorge near the historic town of Waterval Boven, which has a fascinating history linked to the old railway systems of South Africa.

The Sterkfontein Caves are part of the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its ancient human fossils. The caves are a dream come true for history and archaeology buffs, and with limestone stalactites and stalagmites, they are also some of the most beautiful in the country. 

Just a few hours from Cape Town is a gorgeous mountain range known as the Cederberg. These mountains are known for their striking, rugged beauty, which makes for incredible hiking, rock climbing, and even cold-water dipping. Once home to the country’s first inhabitants, this is also a great spot to find ancient San rock art. 

Set at the base of the mountains in the Franschhoek Valley, Babylonstoren is a relatively new farm that has made itself famous for its gardens and orchards. While most farms in the region grow grapes for wine, these immaculately kept gardens are home to all sorts of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and local herbs.

Another famous mountain range, the Drakensberg, is home to the highest peaks in the country. Located in KZN, close to the city of Durban, these mountains offer incredible views, hiking trails, and stunning waterfalls. If you’re into history, there are also plenty of cultural routes to take, some showing off the area’s ancient rock art. I’d recommend staying in Drakensberg if you get the chance.

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Blyde River Canyon is a unique place to visit in South Africa because it’s one of the largest and greenest canyons in the world—picture Grand Canyon vibes overgrown with lush trees. The canyon is part of the Panorama Route, one of the country’s most beautiful drives. Must-sees include God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is Cape Town’s go-to dining, shopping, and entertainment spot. It’s primarily a shopping mall but is set on the city’s harborfront, with views of the sea and Table Mountain. You’ll also find incredible markets, hotels, and museums around the complex, which locals just call the ‘Waterfront.’

Franschoekk Valley is South Africa’s wineland capital. Just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town, French Huguenots first settled in this cute town when they brought the wine industry to the country. It’s packed with beautiful wine farms, with highlights including Boschendal and Babylonstoren.

If you’re heading over from Cape Town, you can choose to join on the hop-on hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram! It adds a bit of extra spice and excitement to your wine-hopping day.

Set against Signal Hill in Cape Town’s City Center, the Bo-Kaap is one of the city’s most colourful and culturally exciting neighbourhoods. It’s famous for its brightly coloured painted houses and cobblestone streets and is a hotspot for its unique blend of history, culture, and flavorful Cape Malay food.

Cape Point is the southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula (although not of the continent) and forms a part of the Table Mountain National Park. The area takes up a large piece of land winged by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and False Bay on the other. The view from the top of the lighthouse might be one of the best in the world.

Here, you can gaze out towards Antarctica and down hundreds of meters into the crystal clear (yet oh-so cold) Atlantic. The easiest way to get here without a car is on by joining a day tour to Cape Point from Cape Town.

The journey is half of the adventure when it comes to exploring these gorgeous mountains, wine farms, and dynamic cities. Getting around is pretty straightforward, but it really depends on how you like to travel. 

As a local, I always recommend renting a car for your South Africa trip. Whether spending your entire trip in the Cape Peninsula or travelling up the coastlines, there are few public transport options, and having the freedom to choose when you arrive and depart from each spot is ideal. The roads are well maintained throughout most of the Western Cape province, but you might want to consider a 4X4 vehicle if you’re driving further afield. 

Car rentals start at around R400 per day ($20) for a basic hatchback for city driving. A larger SUV suitable for a whole family might cost around R1500 daily ($75).

Domestic flights often depart from the four major airports (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Durban) and are relatively affordable. A one-way flight from Cape Town to Joburg will cost between $50 and $100, depending on the season.

While Greyhound and Intercape bus routes do exist, I would recommend booking a place on a group tour for convenience. 

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for South Africa

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to South Africa.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

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With a geography as diverse as this, it’s not a huge surprise that South Africa is a treasure trove of natural beauty. From the dramatic cliff-side road of Chapmans Peak to the lions of the Kruger, every inch of this country is a wild experience you will struggle to forget. 

If I had to recommend one place on this list, I would cheat and put down Cape Town. There are just so many beautiful beaches, mountains, animals, and neighbourhoods in this city that you’ll pretty much be ticking off a bunch of beautiful places in South Africa, all within this one city.

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