Must-see attractions in South Africa, Lesotho & eSwatini (Swaziland)

  • Flowers in the Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens below Table Mountain.

    Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

    Cape Town

    Location and unique flora combine to make these 5.28-sq-km botanical gardens among the most beautiful in the world. Gate 1, the main entrance at the…

  • Constitutional Court on Constitution Hill.

    Constitution Hill

    Johannesburg

    Do not leave Jo'burg without visiting Constitution Hill. One of South Africa's most important historical sites, the deeply moving and inspirational…

  • Leopard (Panthera pardus) crossing road with tourists in jeep in background
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    Kruger National Park

    South Africa

    In terms of wildlife alone, Kruger is one of the world's greatest national parks. The diversity, density and sheer numbers of animals is almost…

  • 28 OCT 2017: the District Six Museum, a museum in memory of apartheid, located in Cape Town.
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    Apartheid Museum

    Johannesburg

    The Apartheid Museum illustrates the rise and fall of South Africa’s era of segregation and oppression, and is an absolute must-see. It uses a broad…

  • A river flowing through a forest with dramatic mountain in the background at the Blyde Nature reserve.

    Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

    Blyde River Canyon

    This stunning 260-sq-km reserve centres on the 30km-long Blyde River Canyon, where epic rock formations tower above the forested slopes and eagle-eye…

  • Table Mountain Aerial Cableway in Cape Town

    Table Mountain

    Cape Town

    Around 600 million years old, and a canvas painted with the rich diversity of the Cape floral kingdom, Table Mountain is truly iconic. You can admire the…

  • view of three rondavels and the blyde river canyon at sunset in south africa; Shutterstock ID 1536002621; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
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    Three Rondavels Viewpoint

    Blyde River Canyon

    The area's highlight, with a staggering view of these enormous rounds of rock, their pointed, grassy tops resembling giant huts carved into the side of…

  • Landscape in Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa.

    Mapungubwe National Park

    Limpopo

    Stunningly stark, arid, rocky landscapes reverberate with cultural intrigue and wandering wildlife at Mapungubwe National Park. A Unesco World Heritage…

  • Big Hole

    Northern Cape

    Although the R50 million that turned the Big Hole into a world-class tourist destination came from De Beers, touring the world’s largest hand-dug hole…

  • Simondium near Paarl Western Cape South Africa, Vineyard of the Babylonstoren wine estate.

    Babylonstoren

    Winelands

    This 2.5-sq-km wine and fruit farm is on the north slope of the Simonsberg mountain between Klapmuts and Paarl. Its highlight is an 800-sq-metre, formally…

  • District Six Museum

    Cape Town

    It's impossible not to be emotionally moved by this museum, which celebrates the once lively multiracial area that was destroyed during apartheid in the…

  • Groot Constantia manor house in Cape Town, South Africa.

    Groot Constantia

    Cape Town

    Simon van der Stel’s manor house, a superb example of Cape Dutch architecture, is maintained as a museum at Groot Constantia. Set in beautiful grounds,…

  • Landscape of Meerendal Wine Estate.

    Meerendal

    Cape Town

    Although it was established in 1702 and has some of South Africa's oldest pinotage and shiraz vineyards, as well as a handsome Cape Dutch homestead,…

  • Freedom Park in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Freedom Park

    Pretoria

    This stunning park and museum honours fallen South Africans in all major conflicts and adopts an integrated approach to African history. It is a place of…

  • Wine farm in Franschhoek, Western Cape South Africa - Image of La Motte wine estate with young grape vines, roses and lavender plants

    La Motte

    Franschhoek

    There’s enough to keep you occupied for a full day at this vast estate just west of Franschhoek. As well as tastings of the superb shiraz range, wine…

  • "Boschendal vineyard, Cape Winelands, Western Cape, South Africa."

    Boschendal

    Franschhoek

    This is a quintessential Winelands estate, with lovely architecture, food and wine. Tasting options include bubbly, brandy or wine and chocolate pairing…

  • Looking out from a viewpoint over the Mapungubwe National Park.

    Confluence Viewpoints

    Limpopo

    Four wonderfully sited viewing decks sit atop the cliffs and allow for uninterrupted views out over the river plain, the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers and…

  • Bloubergstrand Beach with Table Mountain in background.

    Bloubergstrand

    Cape Town

    The beaches beside this pleasant coastal suburb are where the British won their 1806 battle for the Cape. The panoramic view they provide of Table…

  • Scenic view of Sea Point Promenade, Cape Town, South Africa.

    Sea Point Promenade

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    Strolling along Sea Point’s wide, paved and grassy promenade is a pleasure shared by Capetonians from all walks of life. Once a white-only area, it’s now…

  • Valley of Desolation, Camdeboo National Park, South Africa.

    Valley of Desolation

    Eastern Cape

    The park’s most popular sight, the Valley of Desolation is a hauntingly beautiful valley with outstanding views – the rugged, piled dolerite columns are…

  • Buitenverwachting Wine Estate, Constantia, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
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    Buitenverwachting

    Cape Town

    Buitenverwachting means ‘beyond expectation’, which is certainly the feeling one gets on visiting this Cape Dutch estate. It's a lovely estate to visit…

  • Exterior view of Klipgat Cave in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve.

    Walker Bay Nature Reserve

    Western Cape

    This coastal reserve has excellent hikes and is a prime birdwatching spot. The main attractions though, other than the ocean vistas, are the impressive…

  • Restaurant and picnic area at Spice Route.

    Spice Route

    Winelands

    Spice Route is known for its complex red wines, particularly the Flagship syrah. Aside from wine there is a lot going on, including glass-blowing…

  • Lake at Spier Wine Farm.

    Spier Hotel and Wine Farm

    Stellenbosch

    Spier has some excellent shiraz, cabernet and red blends, though a visit to this vast winery is less about wine and more about the other activities…

  • Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa.

    Sterkfontein Caves

    Gauteng

    One of the most significant archaeological sites in the world, Sterkfontein Caves include a permanent hominid exhibit and a walkway down into the…

  • Building of the SALT 11-meter telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory near Sutherland.

    South African Astronomical Observatory

    Northern Cape

    During the day you can take a guided tour of the huge research telescopes, including the Southern African Large Telescope, but it's the two-hour night…

  • Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

    Bourke’s Luck Potholes

    Blyde River Canyon

    These bizarre cylindrical holes were carved into the rock by whirlpools at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers. Bridges span the rivers,…

  • Exterior of the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum in Soweto.

    Hector Pieterson Museum

    Gauteng

    This powerful museum, named after the 12-year-old boy shot dead during the student protests in Soweto on 16 June 1976, illuminates the role of Sowetan…

  • Maropeng

    Gauteng

    Partly housed in a building that looks like a giant grassy mound on one side and shiny modern steel on the other, Maropeng is an all-in-one information…

  • Constitutional Court

    Johannesburg

    Inaugurated in 2004, with its design based on the African concept of 'justice under a tree', the Constitutional Court is a very real symbol of modern…

  • Guga S’Thebe Arts & Cultural Centre

    Cape Town

    Decorated with polychromatic ceramic murals, this is one of the most impressive buildings in the townships – even more so now that it has a theatre,…

  • Workshop Ko Kasi

    Northern Cape

    Serving both as a community centre and a much-needed tourist draw, Ko Kasi is a must-stop if you're passing through Kuruman. Started by two local…

  • Avondale

    Winelands

    This quiet spot in a gracious old homestead serves delectable, organically made wines. The formal tasting takes around an hour, or you can join a two-hour…

  • Liliesleaf Farm

    Johannesburg

    A highlight of Jo'burg's northern suburbs is Liliesleaf Farm. This was the secret headquarters of the ANC (African National Congress) from 1961 until a…

  • Irma Stern Museum

    Cape Town

    The pioneering 20th-century artist Irma Stern (1894–1966), whose works are some of the most sought-after among modern South African painters, occupied…

  • Klein Constantia

    Cape Town

    Part of Simon van der Stel's original Constantia estate, Klein Constantia is famous for its Vin de Constance, a sweet muscat wine. It was Napoleon’s…

  • June 16 Memorial Acre

    Gauteng

    Opposite one of the schools from which students marched on 16 June 1976 is this stunning open-air memorial to the bloody events that presaged the Soweto…

  • Langa Pass Museum

    Cape Town

    Step inside a grim apartheid relic at Langa's old pass office, where black people had to present their identity cards, and the attached court, where they…

  • KwaZulu-Natal Museum

    KwaZulu-Natal

    This impressive museum has a range of well-curated displays reflecting a diversity of cultures, including settler history, war records, stuffed birds and…

  • Elephant Hall Museum

    Kruger National Park

    Even if you're not staying at Letaba Rest Camp, it's worth swinging by to check out this excellent museum. It has life-size skeletons and dozens of…