The Best Vacation Cities In South Africa

Most people generally associate South Africa or the African continent with wildlife, animal safaris, tropical forests, and grasslands. However, South Africa is much more than that; it has some of the world’s most beautiful and well-developed cities. If South African holidays have been on your mind for quite some time, you may want to check out this blog post to learn more about the most popular cities in the nation.

Top 5 South African Travel Destinations That You Cannot Miss 

Cape Town

Cape Town is one the most popular cities in the southernmost tip of South Africa. Exquisite and breathtaking geographical marvels abound. As the name suggests, the city of Cape Town is situated in a cape. Hence, you can see stunning beaches like the Clifton beaches (some are sandy while others are filled with boulders). Deep ocean waters surround the city: the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east. 

Apart from the lovely beaches, Cape Town has tabletop mountains that skirt the waters. This mountain’s beauty and uniqueness are its flat top (hence the name tabletop), unlike other mountains that conventionally have a conical peak.

Also, if you are interested in the rich history and culture of South Africa, you may visit Robben Island. Robben Island hosts one of the most infamous prisons in the country, which is known to incarcerate influential political leaders like Nelson Mandela.

Cape Town is a must-visit if you are on a South African holiday trip. The city boasts the most luxurious hotels in South Africa, and its scenic beauty is breathtaking.

Port Elizabeth

Everybody knows about popular South African cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, etc.; however, if you want to visit the rare gems that are lesser-known cities, you can include Port Elizabeth in your vacation in South Africa.

Port Elizabeth, as the name suggests, is a port city and paradise for whoever wants to enjoy the rich marine life of this city. However, at Port Elizabeth, you will not have to satisfy yourself with just marine wildlife, and if you love elephants, you can visit the Addo elephant reserve. The Addo Elephant Reserve preserves these giant mammals in a friendly ambiance where their socialization with humans is encouraged. So, if you want to pet a giant elephant and are not restricted to watching from a distance, as in a typical game reserve, the Addo Elephant Reserve is a must-visit site.

If you are planning a holiday in South Africa, you will likely want to visit the safaris after you have had fun with marine animals. So, you may check out the package deals available at affordable rates for jungle safaris.

Johannesburg

It is the largest city in South Africa, and it offers the perfect mix of happening city life and serene safaris where one can enjoy the wilderness. If you wish to spend some time in the city and enjoy the nightlife, you can visit the live music clubs. Alternatively, suppose you wish to indulge in some physical activity during the daytime. In that case, you can visit the vineyards in Johannesburg, which will let you relive the entire process, from picking grapes to fermenting the juice. Again, if you are missing your dose of history, Johannesburg has the Mandela Museum, where you can enjoy the relics of South Africa’s war against apartheid.

Durban

Durban is the third largest city in South Africa. Durban is famous for its harbors, and the coast along the majestic Indian Ocean is known for its sun-kissed beaches. Durban has a huge Marine World aquarium, which hosts some rare marine creatures. However, not just the marine aquariums but the large plethora of watersports this city offers make this place so special. 

Watersports are another specialty of the city of Dublin. If you are interested in watersports and enjoy visualizing the life of marine creatures under several feet of water, do not forget to pack your snorkeling gear when traveling to Durban.

Stellenbosch

Just like Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosch is not a very popular city in South Africa, but if you love vineyards and would love to spend calm afternoons while slipping in a glass of wine, do not miss Stellenbosch.

Final Words

South Africa is a diverse country with a hospitable local population. If you are on holiday in South Africa, you need not worry about accommodation or transportation since you have the most luxurious star-rated hotels and even the most affordable tent-based houses available just a click away. So, prepare for your South African getaway and try to visit the most popular cities to enjoy their culture, food, and city life.