South Africa

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Cape Town and Peninsula

A favorite South African topic of debate is whether Cape Town really is part of Africa. That’s how different it is, both from the rest of the

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, Jo'burg, Egoli ("City of Gold"), or Jozi, as it is affectionately known by locals, is the commercial heart of South Africa and

Durban

Durban has the pulse, the look, and the complex face of Africa. Then there's the summer heat, a clinging sauna that soaks you with sweat in

Cape Town Central

In Cape Town's city center, moderately sized glass-and-steel office blocks soar over street vendors selling everything from seasonal fruit and

Northern Suburbs

Johannesburg has dozens of northern suburbs, ranging in size from the huge and diverse Sandton, which includes the entire township of Alexandra

Stellenbosch

You could easily while away a week in this small, sophisticated, beautiful, and absolutely delightful town. South Africa's second-oldest municipality

Southern Suburbs

Paarl

Paarl takes its name from the granite domes of Paarl Mountain, which looms above the town— paarl is Dutch for "pearl." The first farmers settled

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

The V&A (Victoria & Alfred) Waterfront is the culmination of a long-term project undertaken to breathe new life into the historical

Kimberly

Kimberley was born in the dust, dreams, and disappointments of a rudimentary mining camp that grew into a city of grace and sophistication in

Franschhoek

Franschhoek (French Corner) takes its name from its first white settlers, French Huguenots who fled to the Cape to escape Catholic persecution

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is undoubtedly one of the world's best game parks, where teeming game roams freely over an area the size of Wales or Israel

Little Karoo

The landscape of the Little Karoo—austere, minimal, and dry—stands in stark contrast to the Garden Route. In summer it resembles a blast furnace

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve, more commonly referred to as the Sabi Sands, is a grouping of private game reserves located on 153,000 acres along

Hermanus

Pristine beaches extend as far as the eye can see, and the Kleinriviersberg provides a breathtaking backdrop to this popular resort, the Overberg

Knysna

Knysna (pronounced nize -nuh) is one of the most popular destinations on the Garden Route. The focus of the town is the beautiful Knysna Lagoon

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay is South Africa's premier beach resort, as the empty houses on Beachy Head Road (known as Millionaires' Mile) during the 11

Umhlanga

Umhlanga's sophisticated charm and lovely beaches have entrenched it as one of the most sought-after vacation destinations for locals and foreigners

Morningside

Dating back to Durban’s colonial past, Morningside is an upscale suburb featuring prestigious residential properties such as the Dr. John L

Gardens

An affluent city neighborhood, Gardens is populated largely by young professionals. Gardens has numerous restaurants, cafés, hotels, and shops

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn has been famous for its ostriches since around 1870, when farmers began raising them to satisfy the European demand for feathers

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, or PE, may not have the range of attractions found in Cape Town or on the Garden Route, but it's a pleasant town that's worthy

Pretoria

The city of Pretoria lies within the greater Tshwane metropolitan area, which was formed in 2000 when Pretoria and its surrounding areas—Centurion

Constantia

The most upmarket of the so-called Southern Suburbs, this primarily residential zone is home to several of the Cape’s oldest wine estates, as

The Magaliesberg

The Magaliesberg Mountains (actually rolling hills) stretch 120 km (74 miles) between Pretoria and the town of Rustenburg. The South African

Grahamstown

Although billed as a city, much of Grahamstown looks more like an English village than anything else—if you discount that alter ego of most

Kleinmond

The sleepy coastal town of Kleinmond (Small Mouth) presides over a magnificent stretch of shoreline, backed by the mountains of the Palmietberg

East London

The gateway to both the Wild Coast and Amatole, East London was built around the mouth of the Buffalo River, which forms South Africa's only

Beachfront

Of any place in Durban, the Beachfront most defines the city. Either you'll hate it for its commercial glitz, or love it for its endless activity

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

If you're looking for true wilderness, remoteness, and stark, almost surreal landscapes and you're not averse to foregoing luxury and getting

Somerset West (Helderberg)

Somerset West, nestled at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains, is just 30 minutes from the center of Cape Town and close to Gordon's Bay and

Wilderness

Wilderness is a popular vacation resort for good reason. Backed by thickly forested hills and cliffs, the tiny town presides over a magical

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay's main attractions are an excellent museum complex; several beautiful historic stone buildings (some of which are exceptionally well

Pilgrim's Rest

The charming (although very touristy) village of Pilgrim's Rest—also a national monument—dates back to the 1870s gold-rush days when it was

City Center

Although the city center is experiencing a revival, it's not a place everyone will choose to visit. You'll find plenty to do downtown, including

Simon's Town

Picturesque Simon's Town has many lovely old buildings and some of the peninsula's best swimming beaches at Seaforth and Boulders, the latter

Clanwilliam

Although the town itself is uninspiring, it's no surprise that half the streets are named after trees or plants. Clanwilliam is at the edge

Upington

Home to about 74,000 residents, Upington is a thriving agricultural center on the north bank of the Orange River. In the 1870s a Koranna (a

Swellendam

Beautiful Swellendam lies in the shadow of the imposing Langeberg Range. Established in 1745, it is the third-oldest town in South Africa, and

Cradle of Humankind

This World Heritage Site stretches over an area of about 470 square km (181 square miles), with about 300 caves. Inside these caves,

Hout Bay

About 25-minutes’ drive from Cape Town Central, this once-quiet fishing village on the Atlantic coast is the gateway to Chapman’s Peak Drive

Langebaan

Probably the most popular destination on the coast, Langebaan is a great base from which to explore the region, and the sheltered lagoon makes

City Center

The center of the city is indicative of South Africa's developing world status and first-world leanings. Large office buildings dominate streets

Soweto and the South

An acronym for So uth We stern To wnships, Soweto dates back to 1904, when city councilors used an outbreak of bubonic plague as an excuse

Richards Bay

Founded in the 1880s during the Anglo-Zulu colonial wars, Richards Bay was named after British Rear Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards,

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Also known as the Motlatse Canyon Nature Reserve, this breathtakingly beautiful 71,660 acres of red sandstone mountains, gorges, and grassland

Darling

Darling is best known for three draws: its beautiful wildflowers; its sensational performer, Pieter-Dirk Uys, otherwise known as Evita Bezuidenhout

Tulbagh

Founded in 1743, the town of Tulbagh is nestled in a secluded valley bound by the Witzenberg and Groot Winterhoek mountains. A devastating earthquake

Springbok

The capital of Namaqualand is set in a bowl of rocky hills that form part of the Klipkoppe, a rocky escarpment that stretches from Steinkopf

Augrabies Falls National Park

The Khoi, early pastoralists who lived in this area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans, called these falls Aukoerabis (Place

Storms River

Although it's a small, isolated village, Storms River absolutely buzzes with activity. A hotel, a couple of guesthouses, and a few backpackers

Berea

Durban’s colonial past is very much evident in this suburb overlooking the city. Built on a ridge above the sea, it’s characterized by old homes

Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel

Drive through the small agricultural town of Malmesbury and over the Bothman's Kloof Pass to these twin towns named after Jan van Riebeeck,

Paternoster

Paternoster is a mostly unspoiled village of whitewashed thatch cottages perched on a deserted stretch of coastline. The population here consists

Addo Elephant National Park

Kalk Bay

This small but fascinating harbor shelters a weathered fishing fleet, and takes its name from the seashells that were once baked in large kilns

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Where Phinda excels is in the superb quality of its rangers, who can provide fascinating commentary on everything from local birds to frogs

Table Mountain National Park

Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and rich biodiversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area. Large

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Renowned for its conservation successes—most notably with white rhinos—this reserve is a wonderful place to view the Big Five and many other

Indian District

It's said that the largest Indian population outside of India resides in Durban, and the influence on the city is much in evidence, from the

Hazyview

Named for the heat haze that drifts up from the fruit plantations and bush in the surrounding area, Hazyview is a bustling little town. Situated

Worcester

You're unlikely to linger in Worcester, by far the largest town in the Breede River valley. It's often termed the region's capital by locals

Bredasdorp

This sleepy agricultural town has a certain charm, as long as you don't catch it on a Sunday afternoon, when everything's closed and an air

Robertson

Robertson was founded primarily to service the surrounding farms, and it retains its agricultural and industrial character. The town largely

George

About 11 km (7 miles) from the sea, George is the largest town and the de facto capital of the Garden Route. Although the surrounding countryside

Londolozi Game Reserve

Established as a family farm and retreat in 1926, Londolozi today is synonymous with South Africa's finest game lodges and game experiences

Madikwe Game Reserve

Just as leopards and Sabi Sand Game Reserve are synonymous, think of Madikwe Game Reserve and wild dogs in the same way. This is probably your

Rorke's Drift

From the British perspective the Battle of Rorke’s Drift was the most glorious battle of the Anglo-Zulu War, all the more so because it took

Tsitsikamma

Administered as its own park, the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is a narrow belt of coastline extending for 80 km (50

Sun City

A huge entertainment-and-resort complex in the middle of dry bushveld in the North West Province, Sun City is popular with golfers and families

White River

This pleasant little town is set amid nut and tropical-fruit plantations and is one of the gateways to the escarpment's major sights, as well

Barkly West

The town of Barkly West, on the Vaal River, was the site of some of the earliest alluvial diamond diggings in South Africa.

Sabie

As you descend Long Tom Pass, the town of Sabie (sah-bee) comes into view far below, in a bowl formed by the surrounding mountains. It's by

Montagu

Montagu bills itself as "the Gateway to the Little Karoo," and its picturesque streets lined with Cape Victorian architecture lend this some

Tokai

Between Constantia and the beginning of the Cape Peninsula, this largely residential area (and effectively the southern end of the Southern

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The 150,000-acre Pilanesberg Game Reserve is often called the Pilanesberg National Park. It isn’t actually a South African national park these

Timbavati Game Reserve

The 185,000-acre Timbavati, the northernmost of the private reserves, is a collection of smaller private reserves managed by the Timbavati

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Founded in 1978 at the southern end of Sabi Sand, the multi-award-winning Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve was one of the first reserves to offer

Djuma Private Game Reserve

This 17,297-acre reserve sits right up against Kruger within the northeast corner of the world-famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Expect classic

Manyeleti Game Reserve

North of Sabi Sand, Manyeleti Private Game Reserve ("the place of the stars" in Shangaan) covers 59,280 acres that border Kruger, Sabi Sand

MalaMala Game Reserve

This legendary game reserve (designated as such in 1929) is tops in its field. MalaMala constitutes the largest privately owned Big Five game

Kapama Private Game Reserve

The 32,123-acre Kapama Private Game Reserve, the area's largest single-owned private reserve, boasts some high-end luxury lodges, but it lacks

Greyton

The charming village of Greyton, filled with white thatch cottages and quiet lanes, is a popular weekend retreat for Capetonians as well as

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Roughly the size of Singapore, this enormous private wildlife reserve supports a free-roaming population of wild animals that were indigenous

Dundee

Once a busy coal-mining town, Dundee still has straight roads wide enough for the ox wagons of pioneer days to turn in, but today it's just

Betty's Bay

Betty's Bay, or Betty's, as the hamlet is fondly known, is worth visiting for its penguins and botanical garden. The village is made up of retirees

McGregor

Saved from development as a result of a planned mountain pass that never materialized, McGregor is the epitome of the sleepy country hollow

Kamieskroon

Another base for exploring Namaqualand in spring, Kamieskroon is the only place to stay close to Namaqua National Park—unless you’re in the

Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve

Expect great swaths of pale, creamy sand stretching to far-off rocky headlands, a shimmering, undulating horizon where whales blow. Watch out

uMkhuze KZN Park

Wildlife—and amazing birdlife—abounds in this 400-square-km (154-square-mile) reserve in the shadow of the Ubombo Mountains. Lying between the

Kommetjie

A pleasant, somewhat isolated, and almost entirely residential neighborhood, Kommetjie's main attraction is its beach. Take the scenic 45-minute

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve

Separated from Kruger National Park by the Sabie River, this reserve has one of the best locations in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Purchased

Singita

The Bailes family has overseen Singita (Shangaan for "the miracle") since 1926. Located on more than 45,000 acres of private bushland in the

Samara Private Game Reserve

Newlands

This leafy residential suburb is home to most of Cape Town's best private schools and is known as the entry for the Newlands Forest, a part

Coffee Bay

The village of Coffee Bay is a bit run-down, but the beaches and the scenery are great. (The surf is fantastic, but don't head out alone if

Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap is the historic home of the city's Muslim population, brought from the East as slaves in the late 17th and early 18th century. The Auwal

Ladysmith

Ladysmith, dating back to the middle of the 19th century, became famous around the world during the South African War, when it outlasted a Boer

Cape St Francis

Weaving its way between beautiful nature reserves, indigenous fynbos, wetlands, plush marinas, and rolling sand dunes, Cape St Francis is a

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the malaria-free Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, at 1,000 square km (386 square miles) the largest privately

Cintsa

This lovely, quiet little seaside town a half-hour drive from East London is a winner. A nice long beach, pretty rock pools, and a beautiful

Thanda Private Game Reserve

One of KwaZulu-Natal’s newer game reserves, Thanda offers a more intimate nature experience than some. Game may sometimes be elusive, but the

De Rust

De Rust is a sleepy Little Karoo village. The main road is lined with crafts stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and wineshops.

Maydon Wharf

Maydon Wharf is an extensive cargo handling section of Durban’s harbor, sandwiched between the suburb of Congella and the ocean. Its northern

Ithala Game Reserve

The topography of this reserve, from mountaintop to deep river valleys, incorporates varied terrain and plant life, and makes for superior game

Hogsback

This peaceful and picturesque village is the perfect place from which to embark on some of South Africa’s best hiking trails and experience

Kuruman

If you have a car while in the Kalahari region, it's worth stopping in Kuruman, the hub of a dairy, cattle, and game-farming area. With flat

Greenside and Emmarentia

Close to Rosebank, the suburb of Greenside is filled with popular restaurants. Gleneagles Road is lined with small eateries, including Italian

Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve

Oaklands

Oaklands is an old residential suburb not far from Rosebank and Melrose. It’s known for its wide streets, large homes (most often behind high

Babanango

The tiny hamlet of Babanango is a major agricultural center.

Spioenkop

The Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), now called South African War, was the biggest, the longest, the costliest, the bloodiest, and the most

Shakaland

If you're interested in learning more about the fierce warrior Shaka Zulu or the Zulu people, this living history museum will give you a glimpse

Exeter Private Game Reserve

Established in 1937, Dulini (formerly called Exeter), at 160,600 acres, was an original part of Sabi Sands when it was incorporated in the 1960s.

Isandlwana

The name of Isandlwana went down in British military history on January 22, 1879, when the then mighty British Empire suffered a resounding

Durban North and Glenashley

Along the eastern coastline north of the Umgeni River, you’ll find the well-established middle- to upper-income suburb of Durban North, the

Port Nolloth

Port Nolloth—a lovely drive from Springbok, particularly during flower time—started life as a copper port, but it's better known today as a

Amazulu Private Game Reserve and AmaKhosi Lodge

Amazulu Private Game Reserve incorporates mountains, wetlands, and savanna and, in addition to the Big Five, many other mammals and hundreds

Citrusdal

As you might guess from the name, Citrusdal is a fruit-growing town. It sits by the Olifants River valley, surrounded by the peaks of the Cederberg

Greyville

Between the foot of the Berea ridge and the beachfront, this suburb of older homes and apartment blocks is dominated by the legendary Greyville

Mbombela (Nelspruit)

Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), the capital of Mpumalanga and home of the provincial government, is a modern, vibrant subtropical city of some

Roodepoort

Roodepoort is a residential suburb to the west of Johannesburg in what is known as the West Rand, a drive of about 45 minutes to an hour from

Chatsworth

The predominantly Indian inner-city suburb of Chatsworth is a vibrant, cosmopolitan mix of old and new architecture complemented by myriad home

Rondebosch

Home to the main campus of the University of Cape Town, this suburb sits along the eastern slope of Table Mountain.

Parktown, Parkview, Saxonwold, and Westcliff

Perched on the Braamfontein Ridge, Parktown was once the address du jour for the city's early mining magnates. Most of the magnificent houses

Arniston (Waenhuiskrans)

Although its official name is Waenhuiskrans, and that's what you'll see on maps, this lovely, isolated vacation village is almost always called

Mthatha

Mthatha is largely poor and overcrowded, and a little dilapidated, though it’s certainly not boring. Most people don't stay here beyond making

Cato Manor

This neighborhood came about when black South Africans settled in the area during the 1920s, renting land from Indian landlords. The area saw

Thornybush Nature Reserve

Situated within 34,594 acres of pristine wilderness, adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park in Limpopo, Thornybush Nature Reserve is set

Glenwood

Dotted with parks, schools, churches, and sports clubs, Glenwood is a quiet family suburb. Helen Joseph Road is the social hub, where restaurants

Rosebank

Lying largely in the shadow and protection of Table Mountain, this southern suburb is known for its leafy, affluent charm. Home to the University

Graskop

Graskop (translation: "grass head") was so named because of the abundance of grassveld and few trees. Like so many of the little towns in this

Elands Bay

Mention eBay auctions here, and most people will stare at you blankly. But mention the E'bay left-hand break, and you'll get nods of approval

Victoria Embankment

Margaret Mncadi Avenue (formerly Victoria Embankment or the Esplanade) skirts Durban harbor from Maydon Wharf with its sugar terminal in the

Griquatown

If you are driving from Kimberley to Upington, make a stop in Griquatown. The town, locally known as Griekwastad, was the center of a 19th-century

Garies

Garies is a one-horse town cradled amid sunbaked, granite-dominated hills, and one of the best flower routes runs just north of it for 100 km

Bulungula

Bulungula is a tiny community near the mouth of the Bulungula River, about a 25-km (16-mile) walk from Coffee Bay's Hole-in-the-Wall. There

Alicedale

A tiny settlement west of Grahamstown, Alicedale was once an important railway town. The demise of the steam train, however, sent Alicedale

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve

Cape Town and Peninsula

A favorite South African topic of debate is whether Cape Town really is part of Africa. That’s how different it is, both from the rest of the

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, Jo'burg, Egoli ("City of Gold"), or Jozi, as it is affectionately known by locals, is the commercial heart of South Africa and

Durban

Durban has the pulse, the look, and the complex face of Africa. Then there's the summer heat, a clinging sauna that soaks you with sweat in

Stellenbosch

You could easily while away a week in this small, sophisticated, beautiful, and absolutely delightful town. South Africa's second-oldest municipality

Paarl

Paarl takes its name from the granite domes of Paarl Mountain, which looms above the town— paarl is Dutch for "pearl." The first farmers settled

Kimberly

Kimberley was born in the dust, dreams, and disappointments of a rudimentary mining camp that grew into a city of grace and sophistication in

Franschhoek

Franschhoek (French Corner) takes its name from its first white settlers, French Huguenots who fled to the Cape to escape Catholic persecution

Little Karoo

The landscape of the Little Karoo—austere, minimal, and dry—stands in stark contrast to the Garden Route. In summer it resembles a blast furnace

Hermanus

Pristine beaches extend as far as the eye can see, and the Kleinriviersberg provides a breathtaking backdrop to this popular resort, the Overberg

Knysna

Knysna (pronounced nize -nuh) is one of the most popular destinations on the Garden Route. The focus of the town is the beautiful Knysna Lagoon

Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay is South Africa's premier beach resort, as the empty houses on Beachy Head Road (known as Millionaires' Mile) during the 11

Umhlanga

Umhlanga's sophisticated charm and lovely beaches have entrenched it as one of the most sought-after vacation destinations for locals and foreigners

Oudtshoorn

Oudtshoorn has been famous for its ostriches since around 1870, when farmers began raising them to satisfy the European demand for feathers

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, or PE, may not have the range of attractions found in Cape Town or on the Garden Route, but it's a pleasant town that's worthy

Grahamstown

Although billed as a city, much of Grahamstown looks more like an English village than anything else—if you discount that alter ego of most

East London

The gateway to both the Wild Coast and Amatole, East London was built around the mouth of the Buffalo River, which forms South Africa's only

Kleinmond

The sleepy coastal town of Kleinmond (Small Mouth) presides over a magnificent stretch of shoreline, backed by the mountains of the Palmietberg

Simon's Town

Picturesque Simon's Town has many lovely old buildings and some of the peninsula's best swimming beaches at Seaforth and Boulders, the latter

Somerset West (Helderberg)

Somerset West, nestled at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains, is just 30 minutes from the center of Cape Town and close to Gordon's Bay and

Pilgrim's Rest

The charming (although very touristy) village of Pilgrim's Rest—also a national monument—dates back to the 1870s gold-rush days when it was

Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay's main attractions are an excellent museum complex; several beautiful historic stone buildings (some of which are exceptionally well

Wilderness

Wilderness is a popular vacation resort for good reason. Backed by thickly forested hills and cliffs, the tiny town presides over a magical

Swellendam

Beautiful Swellendam lies in the shadow of the imposing Langeberg Range. Established in 1745, it is the third-oldest town in South Africa, and

Clanwilliam

Although the town itself is uninspiring, it's no surprise that half the streets are named after trees or plants. Clanwilliam is at the edge

Upington

Home to about 74,000 residents, Upington is a thriving agricultural center on the north bank of the Orange River. In the 1870s a Koranna (a

Langebaan

Probably the most popular destination on the coast, Langebaan is a great base from which to explore the region, and the sheltered lagoon makes

Darling

Darling is best known for three draws: its beautiful wildflowers; its sensational performer, Pieter-Dirk Uys, otherwise known as Evita Bezuidenhout

Richards Bay

Founded in the 1880s during the Anglo-Zulu colonial wars, Richards Bay was named after British Rear Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards,

Tulbagh

Founded in 1743, the town of Tulbagh is nestled in a secluded valley bound by the Witzenberg and Groot Winterhoek mountains. A devastating earthquake

Springbok

The capital of Namaqualand is set in a bowl of rocky hills that form part of the Klipkoppe, a rocky escarpment that stretches from Steinkopf

Storms River

Although it's a small, isolated village, Storms River absolutely buzzes with activity. A hotel, a couple of guesthouses, and a few backpackers

Paternoster

Paternoster is a mostly unspoiled village of whitewashed thatch cottages perched on a deserted stretch of coastline. The population here consists

Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel

Drive through the small agricultural town of Malmesbury and over the Bothman's Kloof Pass to these twin towns named after Jan van Riebeeck,

Bredasdorp

This sleepy agricultural town has a certain charm, as long as you don't catch it on a Sunday afternoon, when everything's closed and an air

Worcester

You're unlikely to linger in Worcester, by far the largest town in the Breede River valley. It's often termed the region's capital by locals

Hazyview

Named for the heat haze that drifts up from the fruit plantations and bush in the surrounding area, Hazyview is a bustling little town. Situated

George

About 11 km (7 miles) from the sea, George is the largest town and the de facto capital of the Garden Route. Although the surrounding countryside

Kalk Bay

This small but fascinating harbor shelters a weathered fishing fleet, and takes its name from the seashells that were once baked in large kilns

Robertson

Robertson was founded primarily to service the surrounding farms, and it retains its agricultural and industrial character. The town largely

Montagu

Montagu bills itself as "the Gateway to the Little Karoo," and its picturesque streets lined with Cape Victorian architecture lend this some

Rorke's Drift

From the British perspective the Battle of Rorke’s Drift was the most glorious battle of the Anglo-Zulu War, all the more so because it took

Barkly West

The town of Barkly West, on the Vaal River, was the site of some of the earliest alluvial diamond diggings in South Africa.

Sabie

As you descend Long Tom Pass, the town of Sabie (sah-bee) comes into view far below, in a bowl formed by the surrounding mountains. It's by

White River

This pleasant little town is set amid nut and tropical-fruit plantations and is one of the gateways to the escarpment's major sights, as well

Tsitsikamma

Administered as its own park, the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is a narrow belt of coastline extending for 80 km (50

Betty's Bay

Betty's Bay, or Betty's, as the hamlet is fondly known, is worth visiting for its penguins and botanical garden. The village is made up of retirees

Greyton

The charming village of Greyton, filled with white thatch cottages and quiet lanes, is a popular weekend retreat for Capetonians as well as

McGregor

Saved from development as a result of a planned mountain pass that never materialized, McGregor is the epitome of the sleepy country hollow

Kamieskroon

Another base for exploring Namaqualand in spring, Kamieskroon is the only place to stay close to Namaqua National Park—unless you’re in the

Dundee

Once a busy coal-mining town, Dundee still has straight roads wide enough for the ox wagons of pioneer days to turn in, but today it's just

Kommetjie

A pleasant, somewhat isolated, and almost entirely residential neighborhood, Kommetjie's main attraction is its beach. Take the scenic 45-minute

De Rust

De Rust is a sleepy Little Karoo village. The main road is lined with crafts stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and wineshops.

Cape St Francis

Weaving its way between beautiful nature reserves, indigenous fynbos, wetlands, plush marinas, and rolling sand dunes, Cape St Francis is a

Cintsa

This lovely, quiet little seaside town a half-hour drive from East London is a winner. A nice long beach, pretty rock pools, and a beautiful

Ladysmith

Ladysmith, dating back to the middle of the 19th century, became famous around the world during the South African War, when it outlasted a Boer

Coffee Bay

The village of Coffee Bay is a bit run-down, but the beaches and the scenery are great. (The surf is fantastic, but don't head out alone if

Spioenkop

The Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), now called South African War, was the biggest, the longest, the costliest, the bloodiest, and the most

Arniston (Waenhuiskrans)

Although its official name is Waenhuiskrans, and that's what you'll see on maps, this lovely, isolated vacation village is almost always called

Shakaland

If you're interested in learning more about the fierce warrior Shaka Zulu or the Zulu people, this living history museum will give you a glimpse

Kuruman

If you have a car while in the Kalahari region, it's worth stopping in Kuruman, the hub of a dairy, cattle, and game-farming area. With flat

Mbombela (Nelspruit)

Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), the capital of Mpumalanga and home of the provincial government, is a modern, vibrant subtropical city of some

Citrusdal

As you might guess from the name, Citrusdal is a fruit-growing town. It sits by the Olifants River valley, surrounded by the peaks of the Cederberg

Babanango

The tiny hamlet of Babanango is a major agricultural center.

Isandlwana

The name of Isandlwana went down in British military history on January 22, 1879, when the then mighty British Empire suffered a resounding

Hogsback

This peaceful and picturesque village is the perfect place from which to embark on some of South Africa’s best hiking trails and experience

Port Nolloth

Port Nolloth—a lovely drive from Springbok, particularly during flower time—started life as a copper port, but it's better known today as a

Bulungula

Bulungula is a tiny community near the mouth of the Bulungula River, about a 25-km (16-mile) walk from Coffee Bay's Hole-in-the-Wall. There

Garies

Garies is a one-horse town cradled amid sunbaked, granite-dominated hills, and one of the best flower routes runs just north of it for 100 km

Elands Bay

Mention eBay auctions here, and most people will stare at you blankly. But mention the E'bay left-hand break, and you'll get nods of approval

Graskop

Graskop (translation: "grass head") was so named because of the abundance of grassveld and few trees. Like so many of the little towns in this

Mthatha

Mthatha is largely poor and overcrowded, and a little dilapidated, though it’s certainly not boring. Most people don't stay here beyond making

Griquatown

If you are driving from Kimberley to Upington, make a stop in Griquatown. The town, locally known as Griekwastad, was the center of a 19th-century

Alicedale

A tiny settlement west of Grahamstown, Alicedale was once an important railway town. The demise of the steam train, however, sent Alicedale

The Western Cape

Anchored by Cape Town in the southwest, the Western Cape is an alluring province, a sweep of endless mountain ranges, empty beaches, and European

Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park

In many ways Mpumalanga ("where the sun rises") is South Africa's wildest and most exciting province. Its local history is action packed: local

Durban Environs and KwaZulu-Natal

Durban is a burgeoning arts and culture destination, but its main draw is the 320 days of sunshine a year that entices visitors and locals alike

The Garden Route and the Little Karoo

This region is a study in contrasts. The forested mountain ranges of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma that shadow the coastline trap moist ocean

The Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape is South Africa's most diverse province and has some of its best vacation destinations, but it is often glossed over by overseas

The Northern Cape

South Africa's largest province, the Northern Cape, is also its least populated. Covering almost a third of the country, its deserts and semi

The Elephant Coast

The Elephant Coast is bordered in the northwest by the Ubombo Mountains, in the east by the Indian Ocean, and in the south by the iMfolozi River

Cape Peninsula

The peninsula is a massive treat for any Cape Town visitor, and a round-trip drive that takes in both the False Bay coastline and the Atlantic

Zululand and the Battlefields

Zululand stretches north from the Tugela River all the way to the border of Mozambique. It's a region of rolling grasslands, gorgeous beaches

The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands

Set amid the rolling green foothills of the Drakensberg, the Midlands encompass waterfalls, lakes, reservoirs, forests, fields, Zulu villages

Dolphin Coast

About an hour north of Durban, the Dolphin Coast (North Coast) lies along the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, with lifeguards and shark-netted

Noordhoek

This popular beach community has stunning white sands that stretch all the way to Kommetjie along the aptly named Long Beach. The Noordhoek

The Crags

Although technically part of Plett, the Crags is very different. It's rural and forested and is home to a primate refuge as well as a free-flight

The Drakensberg

Afrikaners call them the Drakensberg: the Dragon Mountains. To Zulus they are uKhahlamba (pronounced Ooka-hlamba)—"Barrier of Spears." Both

Valley of a Thousand Hills

In the early part of the 19th century, before cars were introduced, wagons traveled from the port of Durban up along the ridge of this region

South Coast

Vacation towns like Scottburgh, Margate, Ramsgate, Trafalgar, and Palm Beach dot KwaZulu-Natal's southern coast, which stretches for more than

Cape of Good Hope

Once a nature reserve on its own, this section of Table Mountain National Park covers more than 19,000 acres. Much of the park consists of rolling

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is undoubtedly one of the world's best game parks, where teeming game roams freely over an area the size of Wales or Israel

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve, more commonly referred to as the Sabi Sands, is a grouping of private game reserves located on 153,000 acres along

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

If you're looking for true wilderness, remoteness, and stark, almost surreal landscapes and you're not averse to foregoing luxury and getting

Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Also known as the Motlatse Canyon Nature Reserve, this breathtakingly beautiful 71,660 acres of red sandstone mountains, gorges, and grassland

Augrabies Falls National Park

The Khoi, early pastoralists who lived in this area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans, called these falls Aukoerabis (Place

Addo Elephant National Park

Londolozi Game Reserve

Established as a family farm and retreat in 1926, Londolozi today is synonymous with South Africa's finest game lodges and game experiences

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Where Phinda excels is in the superb quality of its rangers, who can provide fascinating commentary on everything from local birds to frogs

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Renowned for its conservation successes—most notably with white rhinos—this reserve is a wonderful place to view the Big Five and many other

Table Mountain National Park

Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and rich biodiversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area. Large

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

The 150,000-acre Pilanesberg Game Reserve is often called the Pilanesberg National Park. It isn’t actually a South African national park these

Madikwe Game Reserve

Just as leopards and Sabi Sand Game Reserve are synonymous, think of Madikwe Game Reserve and wild dogs in the same way. This is probably your

Timbavati Game Reserve

The 185,000-acre Timbavati, the northernmost of the private reserves, is a collection of smaller private reserves managed by the Timbavati

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Founded in 1978 at the southern end of Sabi Sand, the multi-award-winning Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve was one of the first reserves to offer

Manyeleti Game Reserve

North of Sabi Sand, Manyeleti Private Game Reserve ("the place of the stars" in Shangaan) covers 59,280 acres that border Kruger, Sabi Sand

Kapama Private Game Reserve

The 32,123-acre Kapama Private Game Reserve, the area's largest single-owned private reserve, boasts some high-end luxury lodges, but it lacks

Djuma Private Game Reserve

This 17,297-acre reserve sits right up against Kruger within the northeast corner of the world-famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Expect classic

uMkhuze KZN Park

Wildlife—and amazing birdlife—abounds in this 400-square-km (154-square-mile) reserve in the shadow of the Ubombo Mountains. Lying between the

MalaMala Game Reserve

This legendary game reserve (designated as such in 1929) is tops in its field. MalaMala constitutes the largest privately owned Big Five game

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Roughly the size of Singapore, this enormous private wildlife reserve supports a free-roaming population of wild animals that were indigenous

Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve

Expect great swaths of pale, creamy sand stretching to far-off rocky headlands, a shimmering, undulating horizon where whales blow. Watch out

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve

Separated from Kruger National Park by the Sabie River, this reserve has one of the best locations in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Purchased

Thanda Private Game Reserve

One of KwaZulu-Natal’s newer game reserves, Thanda offers a more intimate nature experience than some. Game may sometimes be elusive, but the

Singita

The Bailes family has overseen Singita (Shangaan for "the miracle") since 1926. Located on more than 45,000 acres of private bushland in the

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

Near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the malaria-free Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, at 1,000 square km (386 square miles) the largest privately

Samara Private Game Reserve

Amazulu Private Game Reserve and AmaKhosi Lodge

Amazulu Private Game Reserve incorporates mountains, wetlands, and savanna and, in addition to the Big Five, many other mammals and hundreds

Ithala Game Reserve

The topography of this reserve, from mountaintop to deep river valleys, incorporates varied terrain and plant life, and makes for superior game

Exeter Private Game Reserve

Established in 1937, Dulini (formerly called Exeter), at 160,600 acres, was an original part of Sabi Sands when it was incorporated in the 1960s.

Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve

Thornybush Nature Reserve

Situated within 34,594 acres of pristine wilderness, adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park in Limpopo, Thornybush Nature Reserve is set

Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve