With 9 unique provinces and 11 official languages, South Africa is one of the most diverse countries on Earth. Here you will find a wealth of landscapes from arid savannahs to lush forests and a wide range of cultures to welcome you.
For international tourists, South Africa is a budget-friendly destination with a low-cost of living and favourable exchange rate. Cheap flights to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and many other cities in the country are easy to come by and easily booked with SA-Airlines.
Let’s explore the world in one country that is South Africa.
Cultural Sights
One of the most striking aspects of a trip to South Africa is the huge range of cultures you will encounter here.
All over the country, you will find skin tones of every shade, hailing from descendants who arrived from Africa and the world. Over the ages, South Africa has become the meeting place of pilgrims arriving from all over in search of something better.
These origins are commemorated in traditional villages and museums commemorating the past. From the poignant Slave Museum in Cape Town to the imposing Voortrekker Monument in Tshwane just south of Pretoria, every culture has left its mark on the history of this country.
Choose Your View
Regardless of where they started out, you can be assured that South Africans have arrived at the same point when it comes to tourists – South Africans are well-known for their welcoming hospitality.
You will experience this yourself wherever you choose to lay your hat during your visit.
From 5-star establishments along the 3000 km coastline, to cosy hideaways in the heart of the hinterland. When you visit South Africa you will find accommodation to suit any budget, whether you’re a DIY camper or an all-inclusive luxury lodge kind of traveller.
Most tourists begin their journey in the Mediterranean surroundings of Cape Town. Known as the Mother City, this metropolis is overlooked by glorious mountains and surrounded by lush Winelands.
Depending which direction you head in. As you travel out of the city you will find the dense forests of the Garden Route or the savannah of the Karoo.
Up the coast, Cape Town’s white sand beaches turn into the gold-rimmed coasts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Inland you will find every environment from the dry expanses of the Highveld to lush bushveld and mopane scrub.
The massive Drakensberg and escarpment slice the country in two, dividing low-lying sea- and countryside attractions from higher altitude safari offerings.
Non-Stop Action
As if viewing the Big Five from up close wasn’t enough excitement for the average traveller, South Africa offers a vast bouquet of things to do.
You can head out to sea on a charter to watch the whales at Hermanus or go deep sea fishing from any seaside destination. Get airborne with helicopter flips, hot air balloon rides, skydiving or hang gliding.
The ocean offers boundless chances for enjoyment, from the exhilaration of shark cage diving and kite-, wind- or wave surfing to the wonder of scuba diving among marine specimens.
Dams and rivers are perfect for water skiing, angling, fly fishing or sunset cruises.
You can admire the landscapes on foot or horseback, by bike, tram and motorcycle, or kick back on a tour bus and let your guide do all the work for you. Perhaps a train ride does the trick for you? No problem. The Blue Train, Rovos Rail and numerous local steam trains have got that covered.
Mountains offer the chance to climb, abseil and boulder, or snow ski in the winter at selected spots in the southern Drakensberg.
Filling Up
You are bound to be hungry after every busy day in South Africa. End the day with a uniquely South African meal under the bright African stars in the form of a barbecue (called a braai by locals), where men gather round the fire to cook while the women have an evening off! Or head for a local food market for a bunny chow,
some biltong or a koeksister or two.
Although local is certainly ‘lekker’ (nice), you will find no shortage of familiar dishes either and if you really must, all the big name fast food franchises can help you out with a quick bite.
Gourmands will prefer the numerous highly-rated restaurants found all over the country. Cape Town and the surrounding Winelands have the highest concentration of these. In some cases, you can even watch the chefs at work while they prepare you world-class continental cuisine.
Cape wines are renowned as some of the best worldwide and what you don’t get to enjoy during meal time, you can try out on wine tasting expeditions all around the city. If you don’t know what goes with what in the culinary world, try matching wines with nougat, chocolate, charcuterie and more at a wine pairing event.
The List Goes On
It would take a lifetime or more to discover all the unique delights of this incredible southern African country. Why not get started by booking your cheap flights to South Africa right away and experience a diversity that is uniquely South African.