Travel enthusiasts always seem to be daydreaming of their next international adventure, but isn’t it time we sought out adventure in our own country?South Africa has 10 world heritage sites and to get you there, we have just the cheap SAA flight for you.
A World Heritage Site? What’s That?
First and foremost, what exactly is a “world heritage site”? Wikipedia describes it as follows: “a natural or man-made site, area, or structure recognised as being of outstanding international importance and therefore as deserving special protection. Sites are nominated to and designated by the World Heritage Convention (an organisation of UNESCO)”.
SA has 10 officially recognised world heritage sites which is a great number when you consider that there are only 1100 heritage sites across the globe.
Enter SA’s 10 Masterpieces
South Africa is truly blessed to have the world heritage sites that it does. These sites aren’t your run of the mill natural attractions either. They range from the likes of Robben Island, which holds great historical and cultural importance for the country, to beautiful natural masterpieces, including the Cape Floral Region, the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, a recent addition, and even Vredefort Dome.
For a cultural, natural and historical holiday of a lifetime, place SA’s best world heritage sites on the top of your travel bucket list.
Board an SAA Flight & Find Out What Makes SA’s World Heritage Sites Worth a Visit
If you are wondering whether South Africa’s world heritage sites are worth your time and money, the simple truth is that you would be doing yourself an injustice living in a country blessed with so many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and not checking them out for yourself. And to put your mind at ease, each and every one of them is more than worth it. If you haven’t booked your SAA flight yet, here’s 10 reasons why you should!
1. Baberton Makhonjwa Mountains aka “Genesis of Life”
The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountainsis a newcomer to the list of South Africa’s world heritage sites, included only in 2018.
The mountain range is a splendid stretch of greenstone belt found on the outskirts of Barberton in Mpumalanga. The mountains proudly claim a space of 120km by 60km. About 20% of the mountain juts into the neighbouring country of Swaziland.
What makes these mountains so valuable is that they protect ancient preserved rocks and the greenbelt is home to one of the oldest structures in the world. Some of the volcanic rock found at the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains dates back billions of years…and we are talking about over 3.6 billion years! There is a 38 km self-drive route that is worth every minute spent on it.
2. Khomani Cultural Landscape
The Khomani Cultural Landscape runs alongside the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and borders on both Botswana and Namibia. This landscape is the great protector of the San people, called The Saasi, still inhabiting the area. The Saasi living in the area are the only group left still living a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Experiencing the lifestyle and witnessing the gorgeous landscape will prove well worth your time and attention.
3. Richtersveld Cultural & Botanical Landscape
A whopping 160 000 hectares of Karoo vegetation and desert mountain make up the Richtersveld Landscape. The landscape, which contributes to sustaining the semi-nomadic lifestyle of the local Nama people (descendants of the Khoisan), is owned and managed by the locals. Those who visit the area can see the Nama people carrying out a somewhat gentle relationship with nature.
It wasn’t always that way though as the Nama people have only returned to inhabit the area in recent years. When you visit the Richtersveld Landscape, you get the unique opportunity to see authentic traditional Nama homes, their base points for herdsmen, as well as catch a glimpse of their peaceful, humble lifestyle.
4. Isimangaliso Wetland Park
This was one of SA’s very first world heritage sites and has rightfully earned its reputation for being one of Africa’s most exceptional natural wetland and coastal areas. What sets this wetland apart from others is that it’s mostly untouched and the natural beauty that you will witness is quite simply breathtaking.
The wetland stretches over 234km of KZNs coastline. Untouched beaches, wetlands, forests, lakes, grasslands and Savannah merge to form the pristine Isimangaliso Wetland Park. The Park has something for everyone with its nesting turtles, dolphins, whales, and breeding water birds. For visitors, there’s game viewing opportunities, whale and dolphin watching and of course, bird viewing.
5. Robben Island
Many a travellerhas booked an SAA flight just to see Robben Island. It is most famously known as the place where Nelson Mandela was kept prisoner for 18 years, but there’s a lot more to it.
Robben Island is a small piece of land that lies just offshore from Cape Town. It hosts a museum that tells of the history of the country and of course the island, which in the past was more than only a prison. It also served as a hospital for ‘socially unacceptable people” and a military base. Those who visit Robben Island walk in the footsteps of the nation’s “father” and get a front row seat to what it must have been like to be imprisoned during the dark apartheid era
6. The Cradle of Humankind
The 47 000 hectares that envelop Sterkfontein, Kromdraai, Swartkrans and Environs make up this world heritage site. The Cradle of Humankind stretches over Gauteng and North West Province. Excavations have revealed dense concentrations of hominid fossils proving the existence and evolution of humans dating back 3.5 million years.
Visiting The Cradle of Humankind is somewhat of an adventure as all the best sites are inside caves, on rocky peaks or along the water’s edge.
7. UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park
This world heritage site is one that stands proud. It features the highest mountain range in Africa and incorporates rivers, valleys, gorges and grassland. If you haven’t been here before, expect it to be a sight to behold. As the park’s flora is so diverse, it provides protection of many species of birds and plants. There’s also a handful of rock shelters and caves featuring San rock paintings that date back many years. Hikes and nature trails are available to visitors to the park.
8. Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape aka “Place of the Stone of Wisdom”
This landscape, nestled in the Limpopo province, is thought to be SA’s first kingdom where locals traded gold with China, Egypt, and India. Near the Zimbabwean border, where the Shahe River and Limpopo River meet, the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape can be found. Visitors can see for themselves the remains of the palace sites and settlements.
The area is no longer inhabited as it once was, with climate change resulting in a landscape unsuitable for the people’s way of farming. Those who visit the area can expect to have a truly historic and cultural experience.
9. The Cape Floral Region
When you find a cheap SAA flight to Cape Town, it’s strongly suggested that you bookthe opportunity to take in the Cape Floral Region. There’s something to be said for the sheer beauty of the area which is one of the world’s richest plant regions. An astounding 553 000 hectares make up the area, which stretches from the Cape Peninsula to the Eastern Cape.
Scientists have found that as much as 20% of Africa’s total flora can be found in the Cape Floral Region! If you choose to travel the entire area, you will visit the following already-popular tourist spots:
- Table Mountain
- De Hoop Nature Reserve
- Boland Mountain Complex
- Groot Winterhoek Wilderness
- Swartberg Mountains
- Boosmansbos Wilderness
- Cedarberg Wilderness
- Baviaanskloof
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
The wow-factor of this world heritage site alone is enough reason to get on a flight and experience it for yourself.
10. Vredefort Dome
2023 million years ago, a meteorite struck the earth and the result? The formation of the Vredefort Dome! Not only is it a geological phenomenon, it is also the largest meteorite impact site in the world!
Need a reason to visit? The fact that it’s the biggest meteorite (and oldest too) in the world is reason enough, isn’t it?
Book Your Cheap SAA Flight & Explore Your Own Country! It’s Worth It!
For those who have been viewing international destinations with stars in their eyes, we hope that this has brought your attention to all that you could be missing out on right here in South Africa. If you haven’t booked your SAA flight yet, we encourage you to make use of our flight search feature to find, compare, book and securely pay for your next flight to discover at least one of South Africa’s 10 world heritage sites.