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.
The Animal Magnetism Of Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is famous for a few things – friendly people, gorgeous beaches, excellent hotels, massive sand dunes, and a (very generous and consistent) breeze. But, few people realise that Port Elizabeth is also teeming with wildlife. And, not just wildlife that you have to go on a game drive to see (although it has that wildlife too) - but also animals that you can feed, touch and photograph from up close.
Places to See and Touch Animals in Port Elizabeth
Homeleigh Farmyard
This animal petting farm is a favourite for families with little ones, but is also popular for anyone that loves th...
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Cape Town Has Been Winning Awards Since 1580
If you’ve ever enjoyed a holiday in Cape Town, you’ll know that it’s special. There’s something magical about this city. It could be the massive Table Mountain that looms over the City Bowl, the ocean on the doorstep of suburbs like Sea Point and Camps Bay, the non-stop shopping, or the distinct African rhythm that permeates it like a heartbeat.
It's no secret that Cape Town is a multi-award-winning destination. In fact, it's been receiving coveted awards and accolades since 1580, when Sir Francis Drake said of this city, "This Cape is the most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the...
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Gouritsmond – When You Want To Do Nothing At All
Staying in Gouritsmond is ideal for travellers that don’t want to make any decision that’s bigger than, “Do I want to do my crossword now or after my snooze?” This is the place you go to when the thrill of city life has worn thin and you’re done with traffic, noise, malls, people, lights, and chores. When you’re just done and you need to regroup...
About Gouritsmond
This little town is about 40 kilometres from Mossel Bay (towards Cape Town) on the Garden Route. After leaving the N2, there are tar roads flanked by sprawling farmlands all the way to the town. The grass is luminous green i...
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Who needs Thailand? Just go to Gerickes Point
If you booked your accommodation on the Garden Route and you’re after some pure sun-, sea- and sand-style bliss, Gerickes is South Africa’s answer to Thailand. And, we all need a little Thailand in our lives. Actually, when it comes to pristine beaches, dramatic mountains, sea life, and world-class surfing; Gerickes takes the seaside cake – beating Thailand hands-down...
Why Gerickes Point?
Gerickes Point on Swartvlei Beach, just outside Sedgefield and about 25 minutes from Knysna, has a unique combination of pros that set it apart.
The Rock Pools
Gerickes gives “rock pools” a whole ne...
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Top Hiking Trails in Limpopo and Mpumalanga – Hike the North Eastern Corner of South Africa
The outdoor lifestyle of South Africa only expands the further north east you go, so it isn’t difficult to find top hiking trails in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Dominated by far more than the Kruger National Park, the north eastern corner of South Africa is a patchwork quilt of game and nature reserves where largely uncharted mountain ranges (Waterberg, Blouberg, Wolkberg) give rise to wide regions of wilderness, winding rivers, lakes, lush indigenous forests (particularly in the Magoebaskloof), rugged kloofs and plenty of game.
To experience the wildness at the heart of South Africa take ad...
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Lagoon Loving and Featherbed Fun at the Featherbed Nature Reserve
Knysna is famous for a few things – the Heads, the Knysna Lagoon, the elephants in the forest, and the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
Well, there are loads more (loads!), but these are probably the most postcard-worthy of them. And, if you're planning to stay overnight in the Garden Route, they're a must for your itinerary.
I’ve lived in Knysna along the Garden Route for four years and I’ve given the heads (two mountain pillars that guard the entry from the ocean to the lagoon) and the lagoon a proverbial run for their money in terms of seeing them, loving them, and showing them off to my fr...
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Everything You Need to Know to See the Madikwe Game Reserve Properly
See the Madikwe Game Reserve properly - Nudging up against the border with Botswana and the Kalahari, four to five hours drive north west of Johannesburg, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve provides some of the greatest game viewing in South Africa.
Madikwe’s authentic people-based wildlife conservation has been wooing visitors for over 20 years yet it remains an all-time favourite safari experience.
It's acacia bushveld, open woodlands and purple hills are home not only to the Big Five but 350 bird species, unusual sightings of animals like the bat-eared fox, aardwolf and honey badger, and p...
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Swimming with Seals & 15 Other Unusual Things to Do in South Africa
There are many unusual things to do in South Africa, if you look beyond the essential attractions high on any visitor’s list.
Not only is South Africa one of the most diverse and vibrant countries on the African continent but it’s gone all out to create travel ‘experiences’ worth sharing.
Don’t believe us? Take a quick glance through these unusual things to do South Africa:
1. Swim with seals
It’s only fair to warn you that snorkelling with Cape fur seals just off the coast of the republic of Hout Bay does necessitate your competence as a swimmer. You won’t need snorkel gear or experie...
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Stunning South African Film Locations of Hollywood Movies – Stay There Too!
Ever wondered where the spectacular scenes you see in movies actually are? South African film locations blow movie producers away with their beauty.
They’d have to be ridiculously short sighted not to take advantage of the varied and appealing landscapes or the current Rand Dollar exchange rate.
But what makes South African film locations even more attractive is the government’s tax rebate for movie makers - 20% of everything shot in the country (as long as 50% of the film is shot in the country).
Because of this our shores are practically dripping celebs...
Kate Beckinsale...
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10 Beaches Outside Cape Town You Need to Visit
It’s hard to imagine that one needs beaches outside Cape Town, when so many of the beaches in Cape Town are so beautiful.
But come the end of the year when the traffic along Main Road reaches gridlock (and you’d be faster cycling or walking) for a kilometre either side of Kalk Bay, and you begin to imagine vast, sandy, less popular beaches where the wind can whip your hair and the balmy waters beckon…
This list of 10 beaches outside Cape Town entail an hour or two’s drive, some of them further than others, all an easy day trip (leave early, take a picnic).
Beaches Outside Cape Town .......
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6 of the Top Ecotourism Destinations in South Africa
Ecotourism destinations in South Africa are some of the most beautiful in the world.
The country’s natural areas are conserved in a series of UNESCO world heritage sites, nature reserves and national parks, which is why South Africa makes it onto the list of the 17 most megadiverse countries in the world.
Fact: South Africa is the 3rd most biodiverse place on Earth.
The country boasts 10% of the world’s plant species whilst 65% of these are found only in South Africa. It’s the only country in the world with an entire floristic kingdom within its border (Cape Floristic Region, better kno...
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South Africas Most Underrated Wine Regions
South Africa's most Underrated Wine Regions - Anyone worth their salt knows that the bulk of South Africa's top wine producers lie on the Cape South Western Coast within 145 km of Cape Town.
Something about the combination of folded mountains and crisp ocean air mean that this 'new world' region (despite having produced wine for centuries, South African wines have only begun to make a dent on the average overseas grocery store shelf in the last 10 years) has emerged as a high quality producer of both red and white wines.
Forty years ago South Africa had about 200 local wine labels. Most ...
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10 Epic South African Highlights You Can’t Ignore
First time visitor to South Africa? These South African highlights are for you. Because whilst there are many other attractions and beautiful places, it’s these 10 South African highlights that will give you a real taste for the country.
Exploring South Africa can take you from hip and trendy cities to deep into the star-studded Karoo; from beaches washed by two oceans to red dunes of the Kalahari; from mountains thick with mist to the bushveld where drives and walks bring you as close as you can get to wildlife...
South African highlights are as diverse, filled with energy and beauty as...
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Memorable Staycation Ideas in South Africa city-by-city
Memorable Staycation Ideas in South Africa city-by-city - Have a Holiday Without Straying too Far from Home.
/steɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ - the cheeky blend of ‘vacation’ and ‘stay at home’ describes the idea that rather than going overseas one takes a holiday in one’s home country. Staycation ideas in South Africa mean you holiday without venturing too far from home.
Going on holiday without leaving the country is something South Africans do well.
But we’ve gone a step further with our staycation ideas in South Africa. We’ve found escapes within 2 hours of your city.
How many of these staycation i...
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Everything You Need to Know to See the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa Properly
When it comes to outstanding beauty the viewpoint overlooking the 16 km long, 800m deep, the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa is going to leave you nothing less than overwhelmed - the sheer scale and refined symmetry of the scene makes a trip here unforgettable.
After Table Mountain, the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa is the country’s most-visited natural attraction.
Splayed out before you are the impressive northerly reaches of the Drakensberg Escarpment where it meets the lowveld, including the famous Three Rondavels, whilst below is the startling blue and irregular shape of the ...
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