© Lauren Mulligan/Lonely Planet
South Africa
Check out this year's Best in Travel winners
Black-maned lions framed against desert dunes, powdery beaches lapped by two oceans, star-studded night skies, jagged mountains – South Africa is the place to go wild.
Leave the planning to a local expert
Experience the real South Africa. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.
Get startedAttractions
Must-see attractions for your itinerary
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…
Johannesburg
Do not leave Jo'burg without visiting Constitution Hill. One of South Africa's most important historical sites, the deeply moving and inspirational…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
This 77.5-sq-km section of Table Mountain National Park includes awesome scenery, fantastic walks, great birdwatching and often-deserted beaches. The…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
Durban
The somewhat sheltered beach at uShaka Marine World marks the southern end of the Golden Mile.
Green Point & Waterfront
Used as a prison from the early days of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) right up until 1996, this Unesco World Heritage site is preserved as a memorial…
Cape Town
The sister restaurant to Test Kitchen is a more affordable Luke Dale-Roberts option. Sitting at the top of an old silo, it offers panoramic views of the…
South African Astronomical Observatory
Northern Cape
During the day you can take a guided tour of the huge research telescopes, including the Southern African Large Telescope, but it's the two-hour night…
Gauteng
One of the most significant archaeological sites in the world, Sterkfontein Caves include a permanent hominid exhibit and a walkway down into the…
Gauteng
This powerful museum, named after the 12-year-old boy shot dead during the student protests in Soweto on 16 June 1976, illuminates the role of Sowetan…
Durban
At the heart of the beachfront along Durban's Golden Mile. Popular with sunbathers and beach-sports enthusiasts.
Durban
This playful beach once had a reputation for being dangerous, but after an extensive revamp it's now a haven for families. There are playgrounds, food…
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…
Cape Town
Luke Dale-Roberts creates inspired dishes with top-quality local ingredients at his flagship restaurant – generally agreed to be the best in Africa…
Cape Town
Star chef Luke Dale-Roberts' latest venture hides in plain sight on the street it is named after. It's a gorgeous attic space with a wall of paper…
The Elephant Coast
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is one of South Africa’s best-known, most evocative parks. Covering 960 sq km, it is best visited in the dry winter months (May to…
KwaZulu-Natal
Created as a set for the telemovie Shaka Zulu, the slightly Disney-fied Shakaland beats up a touristy blend of perma-grin performance and informative…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
This picturesque area, with enormous boulders dividing small, sandy coves, is home to a colony of some 3000 delightful African penguins. A boardwalk runs…
Northern Cape
This 150-sq-km semidesert reserve, 8km east of Springbok past the airstrip, supports some 600 indigenous plant species, 45 mammal species and 94 types of…
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…
Sunshine Coast
Located 70km north of Port Elizabeth, South Africa's third-largest national park protects the remnants of the huge elephant herds that once roamed the…
Northern Cape
Your experience at Namaqua National Park depends a lot on when you visit. From October to July it's an extremely quiet place to hike or spot birds against…
Gauteng
Nelson Mandela lived with his first wife, Evelyn, and later with his second wife, Winnie, in this four-room house, just off Vilakazi St. The museum…
Gauteng
Partly housed in a building that looks like a giant grassy mound on one side and shiny modern steel on the other, Maropeng is an all-in-one information…
The Wild Coast
One of South Africa's most remote and beautiful reserves, Dwesa Nature Reserve blends lush forests, winding rivers, open grassland and rugged coastline,…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
From safari to wine tasting, experience the best of South Africa with these top things to do.
Read articleThings to Know
Get excited but also be prepared for adventure. Here's what you need to know prior to your first South African safari.
Read articleTransportation
South Africa is twice the size of Texas, which can make getting around a little tricky. But don't worry – we've got everything you need to know.
Read articleVisa Requirements
Don't spoil your trip to sensational South Africa by not having your travel documents in order. Here's what you need to know about visas for South Africa.
Read articleMoney and Costs
No matter what your budget, get the most from your money while traveling in South Africa with these helpful tips.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
South Africa has plenty to offer families, from safari experiences to resort stays. Here are the best kid-friendly experiences.
Read articleBest Road Trips
South Africa is home to some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet – it's the perfect road-trip country. Here's our pick of the best.
Read articlePlan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from South Africa
Filter by interest:
Destination Practicalities10 things to know before traveling to South AfricaSep 4, 2023 • 9 min read
Destination PracticalitiesEverything you need to know about getting around South AfricaAug 27, 2023 • 6 min read
in partnership with getyourguide
Book popular activities in South Africa
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of South Africa with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
