If you've never been to South Africa before, there are a number of great attractions here. Some of these include the Garden Route National Park, the Addo Elephant National Park, uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and Robben Island. However, there are many more options.
Garden Route National Park
One of the best times to travel to the Garden Route is during South African spring or summer. The region is one of the richest in rainfall, with the eastern side experiencing a greater amount of rainfall than the western side. Although it rains throughout the year, the days are generally not too long, and the average temperature is around 24degC-30degC. The summer months are warm, but the coolest months are June and July, and the whale-watching season is September.
There is a diverse range of wildlife to view in the Park. The Park protects a range of marine and forest ecosystems. Its 80km coastline is fringed by forests that reach down to the sea. Other attractions include waterfalls, zipwires, and excellent hiking trails. There are also great opportunities for kayaking and horseback riding.
Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park located near Gqeberha, South Africa. It is one of 20 national parks in the country and is the third largest after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It is home to more than a thousand different species of African animals.
Visitors can enjoy game drives, self-drive tours, and four-wheel-drive safaris. Other activities include hiking and horseback riding. The park is home to 450 bird species and the flightless dung beetle. It also includes an underground viewing area for the Big Five.
uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
This mountain range is home to one of the world's greatest collections of rock art. You can take a guided hike to the Amphitheater Valley or the breathtaking Champagne Castle to see the ancient rock art first hand. You can also take a drive up to Cathedral Peak to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Drakensberg.
There are various activities that can be enjoyed in the Drakensberg, from hiking to birding. The region is also famous for its freshwater pools, which make for an excellent swimming experience. If you're less physically fit, you can also try other activities, such as a horse riding tour. Riding a horse is a great way to immerse yourself in the landscape and observe wildlife up close. There are also many museums and historical sites to explore.
Robben Island
Robben Island is a small island situated in Table Bay, just 6.9 kilometres from Bloubergstrand and north of Cape Town. The island's name is derived from the Dutch word for seal, "robben". It is also known as Robbeneiland, or Seal Island.
Although small in size, Robben Island is a significant part of South Africa's history. You can take a ferry service to the island from the V&A Waterfront. Once there, you can visit the Nelson Mandela Gateway, which includes an excellent museum. It takes about 3 and a half hours to visit the island, and the tour guides are usually former prisoners who provide a unique insight into the conditions of life in a prison.
