10 Beautiful Places to Visit in South Africa
A land of great diversity and incredible beauty South Africa has become one of the most sought after travel destinations in the world.
Here are First Car Rental's top ten choices for the most beautiful places to visit in South Africa.
1. Tshukudu Game Reserve, Limpopo
This is a stunning place to visit in South Africa and, if you can, we recommend staying at The Bush Lodge. The Bush Lodge is a very romantic place, built high atop a hill that overlooks the vast plains of the Tshukudu Game Reserve. Your mornings will start with a casual stroll with the resident Cheetah; your days can be spent traversing the African Bush in search of the Big Five; and the cool evenings spent sitting on the patio watching the sun set behind the Drakensberg Mountains that border the horizon.
2. Knysna, Western Cape
This is a beautiful small South African town located on the Knysna Lagoon and is a delightful place to visit. Those who live in Thesen Harbour - an island just off the mainland of the inlet - seem to use boats more than vehicles to get to where they want to go as they navigate the waterways. Across the lagoon is Featherbed Nature Reserve and an outdoor restaurant sheltered from the elements by the giant Milkwood trees it was built around. Their thick canopy of leaves protects it from sun and rain. The low-lying mountains around the town are a deep luscious green and the waters of the lagoon a clear turquoise making Knysna a perfect place to lounge and soak up the natural beauty.
3. God's Window, Mpumalanga
Part of the Panorama Route, God's Window is a vantage point over the South African Lowveld and is, in our opinion, one of the most amazing views in the world. Standing and looking out across South Africa, on a cloudless day, you can see across the landscape into Kruger National Park. It's as if you've found the edge of the world!
4. Boulders Beach, Western Cape
Home of over two thousand African penguins, this beach lives up to its name with white sand and large boulders scattered in the ocean and on the shore. The boulders create inlets sheltered from the wind and in the summer, you can find quite a few people enjoying the beach or swimming in the waters.
5. Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga
Located in Mpumalanga, the Blyde River Canyon - one of the largest canyons on earth - is where you'll find a scenic river winding past red sandstone cliffs as it crosses the Lowveld. You can stay up high and get some breath-taking photos of the river and cliffs or head down to the river itself and take a boat tour where you may even spot a hippo or two.
6. Paarl, Western Cape
The Cape Winelands is a beautiful South African gem. Paarl, the third oldest town in South Africa, is a small city in the Western Cape that is dominated by classic Cape Dutch houses and large gardens. Surrounding the city is fertile farmland used mostly for vineyards and olive farms. The Paarl Wine Route and the Cape Olive Route offer plenty of accommodation available on vineyards, making them a great vacation destination. What better place to enjoy a sundowner than the peace and quiet of a vineyard in the middle of wine country.
7. The V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is a wonderful place to be. You can sit down at a café and watch the ships roll into the harbour, take scuba diving lessons in the Kelp Forest or peruse the art market filled with hundreds of African art stalls. There are also ample gorgeous photo opportunities, including a stunning view of Table Mountain.
8. Pringle Bay, Western Cape
Pringle Bay is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town. Just over an hour's drive from the Mother City, what was once a small collection of houses has become a popular destination for Capetonian retreat and you'll find plenty of activities available. The beach is the main feature, but the mountains that surround Pringle Bay offer a beauty and hiking trails abound for those of all fitness levels.
9. Cape Point, Western Cape
The most southwesterly tip of the continent, Cape Point boasts spectacular sights with towering stone cliffs, breath-taking bays, a fascinating maritime history, and plenty of unique fauna and flora. An easy hike to the point, you can glance far below where the waves crash against the cliffs or look out at the edge of the world where the ocean dips below the horizon.
10. Tsitsikamma National Park, Eastern Cape
Tsitsikamma stretches along 80km of pristine coastline. It is best known for its giant indigenous trees, such as Milkwood and Yellowwood, and its many hiking trails, including the Otter Trail. There's an abundance of amazing things to experience in the Tsitsikamma Park such as The Storms River Suspension Bridge, a canopy tour 30m above the forest floor or bungee jumping from Bloukrans Bridge.
With 51 car rental branches across South Africa, car hire is quick and easy with First Car Rental. Contact us today for professional car rental services.