Must-see attractions in Southern Africa

  • Southern Carmine Bee-eater in the air in South Luangwa.
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    South Luangwa National Park

    Zambia

    For scenery, variety and density of animals, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia and one of the most majestic in Africa. Impalas, pukus, waterbucks,…

  • Flowers in the Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens below Table Mountain.

    Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

    Cape Town

    Location and unique flora combine to make these 5.28-sq-km botanical gardens among the most beautiful in the world. Gate 1, the main entrance at the…

  • Trees in front of Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe

    Victoria Falls National Park

    Victoria Falls (town)

    Here on the Zimbabwe side of the falls you're in for a real treat. Some two-thirds of Victoria Falls are located here, including the main falls themselves…

  • Constitutional Court on Constitution Hill.

    Constitution Hill

    Johannesburg

    Do not leave Jo'burg without visiting Constitution Hill. One of South Africa's most important historical sites, the deeply moving and inspirational…

  • Herd of Springbok passing in front of a red dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia; Concept for traveling in Africa and Safari

    Sossusvlei

    Namibia

    Sossusvlei, a large ephemeral pan, is set amid red sand dunes that tower up to 325m above the valley floor. It rarely contains any water, but when the…

  • Young woman sitting at the edge of Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia, Africa

    Devil's Pool

    Livingstone

    One of the most thrilling experiences – not only at the falls but in all of Africa – is the hair-raising journey to Livingstone Island. Here you will…

  • Mozambique, Bazaruto Archipelago. Divers kit up on a zodiac, ready to explore the stunning coral reefs off Benguerra Island.

    Bazaruto National Park

    Bazaruto Archipelago

    This1400-sq-km park protects the five islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, plus surrounding waters. Thanks to this protected status, and to the…

  • Leopard (Panthera pardus) crossing road with tourists in jeep in background
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    Kruger National Park

    South Africa

    In terms of wildlife alone, Kruger is one of the world's greatest national parks. The diversity, density and sheer numbers of animals is almost…

  • The Great Enclosure at the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, nearly 100 metres across and 255 metres in circumference, it's the largest ancient structure in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Great Zimbabwe

    Zimbabwe

    The mysterious ruined city of Great Zimbabwe dates back to the 11th to 15th centuries AD and remains the emblem and heart of the nation. The Unesco World…

  • 28 OCT 2017: the District Six Museum, a museum in memory of apartheid, located in Cape Town.
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    Apartheid Museum

    Johannesburg

    The Apartheid Museum illustrates the rise and fall of South Africa’s era of segregation and oppression, and is an absolute must-see. It uses a broad…

  • The dead Camelthorn trees in the famous Deadvlei are one of the Hotspots for Photographers all over the world.

    Deadvlei

    Namibia

    Although it's much less famous than its neighbour Sossusvlei, Deadvlei is actually the most alluring pan in the Namib-Naukluft National Park – it's…

  • A river flowing through a forest with dramatic mountain in the background at the Blyde Nature reserve.

    Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

    Blyde River Canyon

    This stunning 260-sq-km reserve centres on the 30km-long Blyde River Canyon, where epic rock formations tower above the forested slopes and eagle-eye…

  • Table Mountain Aerial Cableway in Cape Town

    Table Mountain

    Cape Town

    Around 600 million years old, and a canvas painted with the rich diversity of the Cape floral kingdom, Table Mountain is truly iconic. You can admire the…

  • view of three rondavels and the blyde river canyon at sunset in south africa; Shutterstock ID 1536002621; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI
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    Three Rondavels Viewpoint

    Blyde River Canyon

    The area's highlight, with a staggering view of these enormous rounds of rock, their pointed, grassy tops resembling giant huts carved into the side of…

  • Landscape in Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa.

    Mapungubwe National Park

    Limpopo

    Stunningly stark, arid, rocky landscapes reverberate with cultural intrigue and wandering wildlife at Mapungubwe National Park. A Unesco World Heritage…

  • Big Hole

    Northern Cape

    Although the R50 million that turned the Big Hole into a world-class tourist destination came from De Beers, touring the world’s largest hand-dug hole…

  • Viewpoint, Gonarezhou National Park , Zimbabwe

    Gonarezhou National Park

    Zimbabwe

    Hidden in the southeast corner of the country is the stunning Gonarezhou National Park, ZImbabwe's second largest park (5000 sq km) and regarded by many…

  • Simondium near Paarl Western Cape South Africa, Vineyard of the Babylonstoren wine estate.

    Babylonstoren

    Winelands

    This 2.5-sq-km wine and fruit farm is on the north slope of the Simonsberg mountain between Klapmuts and Paarl. Its highlight is an 800-sq-metre, formally…

  • Crowned Crane from Hwange National Park.

    Hwange National Park

    Zimbabwe

    One of the 10 largest national parks in Africa, and the largest in Zimbabwe, at 14,651 sq km, Hwange National Park, pronounced ‘Wang-ee’, has a ridiculous…

  • Balancing rocks, Matopos, Zimbabwe

    Matobo National Park

    Zimbabwe

    Home to some of the most majestic granite scenery in the world, the Matobo National Park is one of the unsung highlights of Zimbabwe. This Unesco World…

  • African elephants with young ( Loxodonta africana africana) in the Shire river, Liwonde National Park.

    Liwonde National Park

    Malawi

    With its lodges and safari activities, Liwonde is the closest thing Malawi has to a traditional wildlife park. Dominating the west, the Shire River…

  • African elephants - Loxodonta africana - walking past a waterhole in acacia woodlands at dawn,  Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, Africa

    Mana Pools National Park

    Zimbabwe

    This magnificent 2200-sq-km national park is a Unesco World Heritage–listed site and its magic stems from its remoteness and pervading sense of the wild…

  • District Six Museum

    Cape Town

    It's impossible not to be emotionally moved by this museum, which celebrates the once lively multiracial area that was destroyed during apartheid in the…

  • Groot Constantia manor house in Cape Town, South Africa.

    Groot Constantia

    Cape Town

    Simon van der Stel’s manor house, a superb example of Cape Dutch architecture, is maintained as a museum at Groot Constantia. Set in beautiful grounds,…

  • Landscape of Meerendal Wine Estate.

    Meerendal

    Cape Town

    Although it was established in 1702 and has some of South Africa's oldest pinotage and shiraz vineyards, as well as a handsome Cape Dutch homestead,…

  • National Heroes Acre, Harare, Zimbabwe

    National Heroes' Acre

    Harare

    The grandiose obelisk of Heroes' Acre, overlooking the town, is straight out of Pyongyang, yet lies just 7km from Harare. Designed with the assistance of…

  • Freedom Park in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Freedom Park

    Pretoria

    This stunning park and museum honours fallen South Africans in all major conflicts and adopts an integrated approach to African history. It is a place of…

  • Wine farm in Franschhoek, Western Cape South Africa - Image of La Motte wine estate with young grape vines, roses and lavender plants

    La Motte

    Franschhoek

    There’s enough to keep you occupied for a full day at this vast estate just west of Franschhoek. As well as tastings of the superb shiraz range, wine…

  • "Boschendal vineyard, Cape Winelands, Western Cape, South Africa."

    Boschendal

    Franschhoek

    This is a quintessential Winelands estate, with lovely architecture, food and wine. Tasting options include bubbly, brandy or wine and chocolate pairing…

  • Majete Wildlife Reserve

    Malawi

    Since African Parks took over management of this rugged wilderness on the western bank of the Shire River in 2003, things have really been looking up…

  • Looking out from a viewpoint over the Mapungubwe National Park.

    Confluence Viewpoints

    Limpopo

    Four wonderfully sited viewing decks sit atop the cliffs and allow for uninterrupted views out over the river plain, the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers and…

  • Bloubergstrand Beach with Table Mountain in background.

    Bloubergstrand

    Cape Town

    The beaches beside this pleasant coastal suburb are where the British won their 1806 battle for the Cape. The panoramic view they provide of Table…

  • Scenic view of Sea Point Promenade, Cape Town, South Africa.

    Sea Point Promenade

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    Strolling along Sea Point’s wide, paved and grassy promenade is a pleasure shared by Capetonians from all walks of life. Once a white-only area, it’s now…

  • Valley of Desolation, Camdeboo National Park, South Africa.

    Valley of Desolation

    Eastern Cape

    The park’s most popular sight, the Valley of Desolation is a hauntingly beautiful valley with outstanding views – the rugged, piled dolerite columns are…

  • Buitenverwachting Wine Estate, Constantia, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
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    Buitenverwachting

    Cape Town

    Buitenverwachting means ‘beyond expectation’, which is certainly the feeling one gets on visiting this Cape Dutch estate. It's a lovely estate to visit…

  • Exterior view of Klipgat Cave in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve.

    Walker Bay Nature Reserve

    Western Cape

    This coastal reserve has excellent hikes and is a prime birdwatching spot. The main attractions though, other than the ocean vistas, are the impressive…

  • Restaurant and picnic area at Spice Route.

    Spice Route

    Winelands

    Spice Route is known for its complex red wines, particularly the Flagship syrah. Aside from wine there is a lot going on, including glass-blowing…

  • Lake at Spier Wine Farm.

    Spier Hotel and Wine Farm

    Stellenbosch

    Spier has some excellent shiraz, cabernet and red blends, though a visit to this vast winery is less about wine and more about the other activities…

  • Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa.

    Sterkfontein Caves

    Gauteng

    One of the most significant archaeological sites in the world, Sterkfontein Caves include a permanent hominid exhibit and a walkway down into the…