10 Spectacular Sites You Can Explore in South Africa

South Africa: An Explorer's Paradise

South Africa is a country rich in all that nature has to offer. With sites ranging from plummeting waterfalls to expansive national parks and awe- inspiring escarpments, South Africa contains some of the most breathtaking locations in the world.

1. The Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal

Declared a world heritage site in 2000, the Drakensberg is one of South Africa's most exquisite mountain ranges. Part of the magic of these mountains is in their names, given to them for their shapes, sculpted by water and weather: Cathedral's Peak, Devil's Tooth, Champagne Castle, Monk's Cowl, and the Sentinel, to name a few.

3. Lisbon Falls, Mpumalanga

Part of South Africa's impressive Panorama Route, the Lisbon Falls, named by Portuguese miners who panned for gold in the area in the late 1800s, crash down 94 metres to the gorge below.

4. The Wild Flower Route, Northern Cape

The Wild Flower Route in South Africa’s Northern Cape encompasses more than 3,500 floral species. During spring, the area bursts into vibrant colours as the wild flowers native to the area bloom.

5. The Kruger National Park, Limpopo & Mpumalanga

South Africa's Kruger National Park is one of the largest in the country. This expansive park is home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino.

6. God's Window, Mpumalanga

God’s Window is one of the Blyde River Canyon's most spectacular viewpoints, with astonishing views over the lowveld. Majestic cliffs plunge down 700m and on a clear day, one can see over the famous Kruger National Park to the Lebombo Mountains on South Africa’s border with Mozambique.

7. The Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State

This exquisite national park rests at the foothills of the Maluti mountains, geological wonders which provide a dramatic backdrop to the beautiful eastern Free State.

8. Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga

Known as the largest 'green canyon' in the world, the Blyde River Canyon is a 33km-long gorge that stretches from Bourke’s Luck Potholes to the Three Rondavels near Blydepoort Dam. Aside from its spectacular scenery, the canyon is one of the best birding spots in the country.

9. Bourke's Luck Potholes, Mpumalanga

A Blyde River visit is not complete without a visit to Bourke’s Luck Potholes. This geological marvel is a result of the meeting of the Blyde River (river of joy) and the Treur River (river of sorrow). Thousands of years of water erosion have carved cylindrical rock formations.

10. The Sudwala Caves, Mpumalanga

The Sudwala Caves are the oldest known caves in the world. Visitors can venture 600m into the caves and travel 150m underground. The central chamber is as big as a 500-seater concert hall. To this day, no one has discovered the source of the steady stream of fresh air that keeps the chamber’s temperature at a constant 17⁰C.