Our Top Five Alternative Things To See And Do In South Africa

Our Top Five Alternative Things To See And Do In South Africa

It’s understandable that first time visitors to South Africa will want to visit Table Mountain, go on safari in Kruger National Park or spend some time at the V&A Waterfront, however there is so much more to South Africa than these amazing experiences. Here are our top five alternative things to see and do in this extraordinary country.


1. Witness the stunning wildflower displays of the Western Cape
No place on earth can beat South Africa for its wildflowers. With more than 9,000 plant species, the country is rich with astonishing flora. The best place to see this incredible flora is the country's Western and Northern Cape, which bursts into vibrant colour for a few weeks every spring between August and September. It's a truly extraordinary sight and should not be missed if you are visiting South Africa at this time of year. If you are interested in seeing South Africa's incredible wildflower displays and gardens for yourself why not join one of our escorted tours with celebrity gardeners Carol Klein and Nick Bailey this August and September.



2. Sample some of South Africa’s fantastic cuisine
South Africa may be very well known for the world class wines its many estates produce, but did you also know it's a fantastic place to try some truly incredible cuisine? The country which has a rich and diverse culinary heritage is home to some of the world's leading restaurants including La Colombe in Constantia and The Test Kitchen in Cape Town, which was named the 22nd best restaurant in the world in 2016. Some dishes and culinary traditions you must try whilst you are in the country include bunny chow, biltong and a traditional  braai bbq. If you are interested in discovering South Africa's incredible culinary heritage and restaurant scene for yourself why not join our escorted tour with celebrity chef Brian Turner this September.



3. Discover amazing Art
South Africa may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of the great art centres of the world, but the country's art scene has been growing and growing in strength and with the recent opening of 'Africa's Tate Modern' the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town South Africa should definitely be on any art lover's travel bucket list. Aside from the Zeitz museum, there are also plenty of other great art galleries to visit whilst in South Africa including the Stellenbosch Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery, 34 Fine Art and the Johannesburg Art Gallery.



4. Go hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains
The ancient Drakensberg Mountain Range is Southern Africa's highest at 3482 metres and stretches an enormous 1000 kilometres from north to east. In addition to unspoilt forests, soaring peaks and rich animal life, the mountains also offer visitors a wide variety of activities to enjoy including fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing. They're also home to the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to many highly endangered animals and plants and the largest group of Bushmen paintings south of the Sahara.



5. Go on a marine safari
We've all heard of South Africa's Big Five, but have you also heard of South Africa's Marine Big Five? This term refers to the prolific population of ocean life that flourishes along the country's coastline and is made up of whales, sharks, seals, penguins and dolphins. A great way to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat is to stay at the luxurious and super eco-firendly  Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and go on one of their expert guided marine safaris.



If you are interested in visiting South Africa and want to include any of the amazing experiences mentioned in this blog then give our experts a call on 020 7843 3500 or email info@africatravel.co.uk