Things To Do in South Africa
South Africa is a vast area with a wide range of different activities, outdoor sports, cruises, game reserves, national parks, golf, health resorts, and many other wonderful ways to embrace the culture, the beauty, and the history of the area.
A few of the most popular things to do in South Africa include deep sea diving, hiking, mountain climbing, surfing, scuba diving, river cruises, playing golf, enjoying a health spa, and visiting the many game reserves and national parks of the area.
South Africa Tours and Safaris
A visit to South Africa would not be the same if you do not take the opportunity to enjoy a tour or participate in some type of safari while you are here if only by walking through a game reserve.
South African Canopy Tours are not for those that like to take the day slow and easy. This tour puts you atop the highest trees in South Africa sliding along steel cables suspended some thirty meters about the forest floor. What better way to see nature than in and around the animals that call the forest and trees home.
When it comes to safaris, South Africa is home to some pretty unique ones including Elephant Back Safaris. This safari will have you up close and personal to the elephants. The two most popular elephant safaris in South Africa include the Elephant Back Game Viewing in Pilansesberg and Elephant Safari in Addo.
Horseback safaris may be your best bet if you truly want to see nature. One wonderful game reserve that offers horseback safaris is Ubizane Wildlife Reserve in KwaZulu Natal. Other areas that offer horse-riding trials include Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo, Amadiba Adventure Project Trail along the northern coastline of the Transkei, Wellington, Hogsback, and Barkly East.
Deep Sea Diving/Scuba Diving
South Africa has close to 3,000km of coastline offering the opportunity for a deep sea diving and scuba diving to explore shipwrecks, coral reefs, and more. Deep sea diving can be experienced in Mozambique, Mavericks, Kev’s Ledge, Bass City, Pinnacles, and Aliwal Shoal nearby Durban. visitors to Aliwal Shoal enjoy seeing Ragged Tooth Sharks on every dive and if they dive in the warm summer months, they can encounter Hammerhead and Tiger Sharks. All around Aliwal Shoal, you will find a total of seven dive spots including one with a shipwreck.
Diving nearby Port Shepstone at Protea Banks will give you the chance to see such more than just a couple of shark species since there are quite a few that call the area home. The sharks that are seen in this area include Mako, Tiger, Hammerhead, Bull, Dusky, and Ragged Tooth. You will also see mantas, and pelagic fish.
Hiking/Mountain Climbing
Hiking can take you to breath-taking scenic area of South Africa where you will experience the beauty that is South Africa. Table Mountain and the Cederberg offering the beauty of lush forests, vineyards, craggy cliffs, waterfall, and magnificent sandy beaches in Cape Town.
KwaZulu Natal is home to Drakensberg Mountain Range offering breathtaking forests and majestic waterfalls. Other hiking trails can be found including Otter Trail in Tsitsikamma National Park and the Dolphin Trail.
River Cruises
River cruises may be one of the best ways to explore nature while enjoying a quiet and even romantic trip along the river. You can find river cruises nearby Knysna at the Sibuya Game Reserve where you can enjoy seeing zebra, giraffe, bonebok, birds, and more. Another great river cruise is down the Bushman’s River where you may get a glimpse of the African Fish Eagle and other Kingfishers along with Cape Clawless Otters. Kruger Park in Limpopo will give you the opportunity to see hippos, crocodiles and a variety of other drinking game and birds in their natural habitant.
Surfing
South Africa boasts about their great surfing spots and if you ask a local about the best spot you may have to endure a very long tale relaying all their favorite surfing spots, which are many. If you have the time, you will want to check out Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth has been called the watersports capital of South Africa with surfing at the top of the list. A few hot spots in Port Elizabeth include the pipe and Kings Beach. You will also want to take a drive to KwaZulu Natal, which is also very popular among surfers. Around Durban, you will find quite a few hot spots including Cave Rock, Alkanstrand, Ballito, Umdloti, New Pier, Bay of Plenty, and St Mike’s.
South African Game Reserves and National Parks
If you want to truly explore South Africa and enjoy nature via game reserves and national parks then you had better take off from work for about a year or so if you wish to explore each one that is home in South Africa. You will find that there are all kinds of different game reserves and national parks to visit. In the western cape game and nature reserves list you will find Agulhas National park, Bird Island Nature Reserve, Bushmanskloof Wilderness, and Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, to name a few. Next is the Garden Route game and nature reserve, which includes Boosmansbos Wilderness Area, Garden Route Reserve, Knysna Elephant Park, and Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary. The Eastern Cape Game and Nature Reserves include Camdeboo National Reserve, Baviaanskloof Wilderness, Luchaba Nature Reserve, and Addo Elephant Park, to name a few.
In the Kwazulu Natal Game and Nature Reserves, you will find Albert Falls Dam Reserve, AmaZula Game Reserve, Lake Sibaya, Sululand Rhina Reserve, and Mapelane Nature Reserve among many others.
That is only a taste of the few of the game reserves and national parks in South Africa. All areas of South Africa are home to parks such as KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg Area, Gauteng Game and Nature Reserves, Mpumalanga Game and Nature Reserves, Limpopo Game and Nature Reserves, North West Province Game and Nature Reserves, Free State Game and Nature Reserves, and Northern Cape Game and Nature Reserves.