According to Stats SA, in December 2018 alone, 4,735,894 travelers (residents and foreigners) passed through South African ports of entry; over 98% of those traveling to South Africa are on holiday. As holiday destinations go, South Africa offers its guests a wonderful list of diverse attractions—big-name game reserves, unmatched scenery, world-class facilities, and 10 official World Heritage Sites. Here is First Car Rental's list of some of the most visited attractions across the country.
1. V&A Waterfront, Western Cape
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, set in the oldest working harbor in the Southern Hemisphere, is considered the most visited tourist attraction in South Africa, attracting 24 million visitors annually. This 123-hectare development offers everything from residential to commercial property, including hotels, retail districts, dining, leisure and entertainment facilities, heritage sites, and tourism landmarks.
Highlights of the V&A Waterfront include Table Mountain as a dramatic backdrop, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), Two Oceans Aquarium, and extensive views of the ocean, city bowl, and the mountain peaks of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains. Hire a car from First Car Rental Cape Town to make the most of your visit.
2. Table Mountain National Park, Western Cape
Table Mountain is South Africa's most iconic landmark and its most photographed attraction. As part of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site and a Natural New 7 Wonders of the World, the 22,000-hectare Table Mountain National Park attracts nearly 4 million visitors annually.
The park is divided into three sections:
Highlights of Table Mountain National Park include Table Mountain itself, Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony (home to some 3,000 African penguins), Signal Hill, and Lions Head. Rent a car from First Car Rental to explore this breathtaking national park.
3. Kruger National Park, Limpopo/Mpumalanga
Extending 360km from north to south and 65km from east to west, Kruger National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world and South Africa's first National Park, attracting almost 2 million visitors annually. Established in 1898, Kruger is the flagship of South African National Parks, offering a wildlife experience that ranks among the best in the world.
Kruger is home to an impressive number of species—336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals, including the Big Five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino) and the Little Five (Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion, and Rhino Beetle). Hire an SUV from First Car Rental to navigate the vast landscapes of Kruger National Park.
4. uShaka Marine World, KwaZulu-Natal
Offering a world of fun, excitement, and entertainment on Durban's Golden Mile, the 16-hectare uShaka Marine World theme park attracts around 1.5 million visitors annually. uShaka Sea World, an underground aquarium designed around a series of shipwrecks, is the largest aquarium in the Southern Hemisphere and the fifth largest in the world by volume of water.
Highlights include:
5. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Western Cape
Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is celebrated for its beauty and diversity of Cape flora, attracting just over a million visitors annually. Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch covers 528 hectares, with 36 hectares cultivated to showcase only indigenous South African plants.
Highlights include the five well-maintained paths and gravel roads winding through the estate. One of the most popular walks is the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, informally named 'The Boomslang,' a curved steel and timber bridge that takes visitors on a journey from the forest floor, through the trees, and above the trees of the Arboretum. Hire a car from First Car Rental to explore the beauty of Kirstenbosch.
6. Cape of Good Hope, Western Cape
Part of Table Mountain National Park, the Cape of Good Hope is renowned for its land formation, diverse fauna, and unique flora, attracting nearly a million visitors annually. A trip to the Cape of Good Hope is often regarded as mandatory when visiting Cape Town. The area is home to thousands of species of Cape Fynbos, over 250 species of birds, Chacma Baboons, Cape Mountain Zebra, and various antelope species.
A highlight is the two-day hiking trail that follows a 34km circular route, beginning and ending at the entrance gate of the Cape of Good Hope. The hike offers fynbos trails, secluded beaches, and overnight accommodation. Rent a car from First Car Rental to experience the natural beauty of the Cape of Good Hope.
7. Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Drakensberg mountain range covers over 240,000 hectares of KwaZulu-Natal's landscape. Visited by close to 620,000 guests each year, the 'Berg' is a must-see for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The highest mountain range in the country, the Drakensberg reaches an impressive 3,482m above sea level.
Highlights include:
Hire a car from First Car Rental to explore the majestic Drakensberg mountains.
8. Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga
The third largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the USA and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia, the Blyde River Canyon attracts close to 600,000 visitors annually. Situated on the Greater Drakensberg escarpment, the canyon supports a large variety of life, including over 1,000 plant species, numerous fish and antelope species, hippos, crocodiles, and every South African primate species.
The R532 is the most popular road through the canyon, with highlights along the drive including Lisbon Falls, God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Pinnacle Rock, and the Three Rondavels. Rent a car from First Car Rental to take in the breathtaking views of the Blyde River Canyon.
9. Robben Island
Another South African World Heritage Site, Robben Island is a popular destination for both local and international travelers, attracting close to 375,000 visitors annually. Located 7km off the coast of Cape Town, Robben Island was used for the isolation of political prisoners, including former South African president Nelson Mandela.
A tour of Robben Island begins at the V&A Waterfront with a multimedia exhibition. From there, visitors take a scenic ferry trip to the island. Once on the island, a former political prisoner leads a unique tour of the island's many historic facilities. Hire a car from First Car Rental Cape Town to start your journey to this significant historical site.
10. Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape
South Africa's third largest national park, Addo Elephant National Park covers an expanse of 120,000 hectares, including Bird Island and St Croix Island in Algoa Bay. This diverse park in the Eastern Cape attracted just over 300,000 visitors in 2018.
Established in 1931 to protect the remaining 11 elephants in the area, the park is now home to a herd of over 600 elephants. Addo prides itself as a 'Big 7' reserve, providing sanctuary to elephants, rhinos, lions, buffaloes, leopards, southern right whales, and great white sharks. Guided game drives at sunrise, sunset, and night offer more opportunities for sighting the Big Five, while marine tours provide glimpses of great white sharks or southern right whales. Rent an SUV from First Car Rental to explore the wonders of Addo Elephant National Park.
