Attractions
This category includes posts about featured and new attractions throughout South Africa as well as editors’ reviews of popular towns and holiday resorts. Need more info? Visit SA-Venues.com for comprehensive information about all our towns and South Africa’s Attractions.
Get Your Glitz On – The Diamond Works Launches CT Showroom
As one of the hottest tourist destinations of the world, Cape Town promises something for everyone. And, for visitors and locals that want an experience that’s really quite special, there’s great news – The Diamond Works has launched their showroom in the heart of Cape Town’s City Bowl.
About The Diamond Works Experience
This is an established diamond institute in southern Africa that celebrates the pure, uncomplicated beauty of the diamond. In addition, tanzanite gemstones (which are 1 000 times rarer than diamonds) are showcased here in their magnificent violet-hued v...
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Things You Probably Didn’t Know About South Africa
The magic that makes South Africa such a fantastic destination is multi-faceted and full of surprises.
It’s probably best known for its safaris and wildlife, its culture and absolutely breath-taking landscapes. But, there are also so many awesome things that most visitors probably don’t know about South Africa, which combine to make it even more fun and interesting to visit.
Things You Probably Didn’t Know About South Africa
Here are some of our favourite lesser-known facts of this magnificent country:
1. Our cities are modern and well-equipped
Some people visit expecting mud huts and trib...
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Eat Sleep Do In Mossel Bay
Despite the fact that Mossel Bay is pretty perfectly positioned and offers the trifecta of gorgeous beaches, convenient locale and plenty of accommodation; it actually remains fairly quiet for most of the year.
This is great news, if a little surprising.
Mossel Bay has grown a lot but has managed to retain the laid-back vibe so typical of the seaside villages of yesteryear. This, coupled with the fact that it is along the Garden Route, where there is just so much to see and do, make it an idyllic getaway for the whole family. The Garden Route is also known for its stunning climate. So, e...
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Eat Sleep Do In Paternoster on the Cape West Coast
Paternoster is a village on the Cape West Coast that just oozes charm and a quaint appeal. Maybe it’s the white-washed houses; maybe it’s the long stretches of sandy beaches. Maybe it’s just the pace, which never seems to pick up beyond a gentle amble to match the rhythm of a seaside stroll.
Whatever it is, there’s no doubt that Paternoster is a gorgeous destination for a weekend getaway. It’s one of the oldest towns on this stretch of the South African shores and, although it has a laid-back vibe and quiet setting, offers a fair amount of things to do and see.
Here are some of our favou...
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Eat, Sleep, Do In Hermanus
Hermanus is one of those idyllic destinations – it combines a quiet fishing village vibe with loads of wildlife, gorgeous wine farms, and close proximity to Cape Town.
Hermanus is world-renowned for its whale-watching between around July and December. It’s at this time when the southern rights, humpbacks and, sometimes, Minke whales visit the coastline and entertain their spectators. Whales are just about as curious as we are. So, they may approach whale-watching boats, peek out of the water at the humans, or even leap out in powerful displays of their playfulness.
More than this, Herman...
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The Camdeboo’s Cathedral Of Mountains
The Camdeboo’s Cathedral Of Mountains ~ One of South Africa’s oldest towns, Graaff-Reinet, is known for its quaint collection of 19th century historical Cape Dutch and Karoo architecture and as you navigate your way through the quiet streets, a big stoep, shutter-covered windows and charming broekie lace fretwork, are always up for admiration.
But when you travel about 15 km north from the town another architectural style beckons you closer while the wind whispers, ‘come have a look’.
The Camdeboo’s Cathedral Of Mountains
It is a type of architecture that has its roots firmly planted ...
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Sleep, Eat, Do In Ballito
Ballito and summer holidays go together like fish and chips, gin and tonic, or milk and cookies.
This little town in KwaZulu Natal sees almost year-round sunshine and is home to some gorgeous beaches. This makes it a stunning spot for a family vacation, a honeymoon to remember, or a beach getaway after a very busy year. The dolphins can be spotted all year round as they surf the waves and jump out to spy on the human visitors inquisitively. Whales can also sometimes be seen during the latter half of the year.
But, this is more than just a beach destination. It is close to the rolling hil...
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Crocs, Cats And Megabats – All In A Day’s Work At Cango Wildlife Ranch
Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That's the problem. ― A.A. Milne
Interacting with animals naturally appeals to humans. Petting a puppy is irresistible; a wild bird getting unusually close to us is fascinating. Their soulful gaze, elegant physiques and innocent acceptance of uninvited human guests is always deeply moving to me.
We recently spent a night in Oudtshoorn and visiting the Cango Wildlife Ranch was at the very top of my list of things I absolutely had to do there. Actually, if I’m entirely honest, it was the only thing on my list. I’d been there years ago as a...
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Sleep, Eat, Do In Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay may have the distinct vibe of a sleepy surfing village, but this little Garden Route gem still offers loads to see and do. Of course, its endless beaches and awesome waves put it firmly on the map for watersports and some serious body-bronzing. But Plett, as it’s affectionately known, is a humming little hub with plenty of variety.
It is also conveniently perched about 20 minutes from Knysna in one direction, and two hours from Jeffrey’s Bay in the other. Cape Town is roughly six hours away. This means that Plett is close enough to the big city for a weekend getaway and far ...
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The Valley Of Mystery – Gamkaskloof
Vertical slabs of rocky layers echo against one hairpin bend after the next as the road to hell zigzags below and disappears into the distance. Millions of years ago these mountains were a seabed, a century ago this road did not exist, but now there are creases to your left, folds to your right and peaks towering above while sheer drops grab the absence of your acrophobia into trembling existence.
A klipspringer surefootedly leaps down while the wind tickles pink proteas into a silent sway; the phone has given up its quest for signal and isolation sets in as you meander and manoeuvre along ...
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Whale Watching with Ocean Odyssey in the Garden Route
Do you know that humpback calves weigh a ton at birth or that whale mother’s milk is so high in fat that it’s the consistency of toothpaste?
Do you know that some of the whales that visit the South African coast every year have come all the way from Antarctica to breed in our warm waters?
These gentle giants are mysterious, inquisitive, graceful and playful. And, thank goodness, they’re visiting our coastline at the moment! So, I headed out with Ocean Odyssey in Knysna to get up close and personal with my cetacean friends.
Whale-Watching on the Garden Route
The most commonly seen whale...
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Impressive Views of The Garden Route
Impressive Views of The Garden Route ~ The Garden Route is one of the most scenic stretches in South Africa (and the world, in the humble opinion of almost everyone that’s been there). It’s not hard to get breath-taking photos of gorgeous vistas at just about every turn.
Still, there are some places that are that much more beautiful. They promise exquisite views – whether they are from high mountains, across vast lakes, or from the secluded vantage point of a cave. So, to make sure that you get the absolute best of the Garden Route beauty, we recommend a few spots that promise particularly ...
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Going Wild On The Spore Of Cradock’s Cheetahs in Mountain Zebra National Park
Going Wild On The Spore Of Cradock's Cheetahs in Mountain Zebra National Park ~ In the distance stands a lone wind pump. Its time-worn steel blades turn slowly as the Karoo air gently breathes in and out. Squeak, squeak, squeak, it breaks the silence spanning across the dry semi-arid landscape of dust, grassland, open vistas and flat-topped hills peeking out – one behind the other - in degrees of flat-flatter-flattest comparison.
And then, on the dirt road something appears in front of you – clothed in the black and white stripes – you spot more: zebras, black wildebeest, red hartebeest an...
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A Journey from Yesteryear to Tomorrow: Long March to Freedom
From a distance you see them, all lined up on the grass as you approach the Maropeng Visitor Centre at the Cradle of Humankind. You squint your eyes and look again before you ask yourself "what’s going on here, who are these people, where are they going?"
You try to count.
Is it 50? 60? No it must certainly be more...
The closer you get, the more intense the presence and goal-driven stature of 100-odd people fills the space that is just 50 km from the City of Johannesburg.
It is tangible. Visceral. Real.
And then it hits you that these are not just people, but heroes; all c...
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Rock and Roll around the Cederberg Mountains
A cloud of dust puffs up mid-air behind your wheels as you meander along the dirt road, above a lone jackal buzzard’s glides into the distance and to your sides rock formations – stacked by Mother Nature herself – grab your attention with an "oh, look here" and an "oh, look there".
This is the Cederberg Wilderness Area, and in that moment of dust and flying birds you realise how unique South Africa’s natural environment is, and on top of that, how unique the sense of exploration is among travellers, because here you are, about 230 km away from Cape Town, stopping to admire rocks...
Y...
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