Well-traveled individuals from all over often say their favourite holiday was in South Africa. Living here, we can see why people love it. South Africa is a land of big skies where people live knowing we are surrounded by the natural beauty of the land and animals. We cannot control the wild thunderstorms and heavy rains, the strong Cape winds, or the thundering of the elephants in the bush. We cannot change history and pretend there was no long struggle for freedom. But we can learn the stories of all the different people, tribes, animals and places of South Africa, and celebrate the diversity that makes this place so uniquely beautiful.

Read below for more about the difference provinces below. We review the environment, climate, and highlights that each area has to offer, so you can help narrow in on what you’d like to see during your time in South Africa!

(Note- if you are traveling in the Northern provinces and are concerned about Malaria, do ask your doctor for prevention pills. But always carry sun block and bug spray with you, just in case!)

Map from http://www.southafricanholidays.info/

GAUTENG

Gauteng (Pronounced ‘how-teng’) is the smallest but most populated province. Most people leave the city on holidays. However, Joburg in December is quiet, which is also a nice change. With so much to see here, don’t let your family come to visit but only see Cape Town!

Gauteng falls into the bushveld or grassland biome, which means that the province is largely flat, with rolling hills. The exception is the Magaliesberg mountain range about an hour outside of Johannesburg which is known for its beautiful hiking trails and natural pools.

With a very temperate climate, Gauteng is considered to have some of the best weather in the world, with sun almost every day of the year, summer thunderstorms, dry and only mildly cold winters. (The coldest place will be your house, as the sun will warm you quickly in winter!)

PRETORIA: As the capital city, Pretoria is an interesting place to visit to get a sense of the country’s history, with many historical attractions and museums. Pretoria is also a bit more laid back than Joburg, and has a number of outdoor markets and restaurants. Day Trip Idea: Take the Gautrain to Pretoria and then an Uber to the city’s weekend market at 012 Central.
JOHANNESBURG: As you’ll soon discover, Joburg is known for its busy nightlife, many restaurants, and art and cultural events. Check out our calendar for what’s going on.
SOWETO: An acronym for South Western Townships, Soweto is one of South Africa’s largest and most established townships, and is a popular tourist attraction for its many historical sites, including Nelson Mandela House. Other things to do: Lebos Backpackers Cycle Tour; Chisa Nyama in Soweto; Bridge Swing; Mandela’s House, Tour with Thami
Magalies Meander: One of the country’s many tourist routes, follow the Magaliesberg Meander for restaurants, hikes, getaways and other places to visit.
Dinokeng: The only Big 5 reserve within city limits in the whole world, Dinokeng is just past Pretoria and an accessible option for game viewing, with a number of self-drive routes and accommodation options.
Cullinan: Close to Dinokeng is the old mining town of Cullinan, where you can visit a mining hole enjoy the town’s many restaurants.
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve: South of Johannesburg you’ll find open spaces and nature reserves like Suikerbosrand where you can go for walks and escape the city buzz.
Cradle of Humankind: This area of the province is where the oldest hominid fossils have been found, which you can learn more about at the Maropeng Visitors Centre and Sterkfontein Caves. There are a number of restaurants and outdoor activities in the Muldersdrift area. More places to visit in the Cradle of Humankind are the Monaghan Farm, Walk Haven, Forum Homini, Nirox Sculpture Park

2. WESTERN CAPE

The Western Cape is South Africa’s top tourist destination, with Cape Town at the hub. Not only is Cape Town a center of food, art, and culture, but is full of historic landmarks from the spice trade. The area is world renowned for the wine industry, and the unique natural beauty of the land, flora and fauna.

The Western Cape is the fynbos biome, or the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is entirely located in South Africa and you won’t see anything like it anywhere else in the world. There are more than 8,000 species of plants, and nearly 70% can only be found here. But the soil isn’t great, and the mountains are vast, and the winds are heavy... This all means the plants here are hardy, tough, and short. There are not a lot of big game animals naturally, but the birds, insects, small mammals and lizards are many! The Fynbos is where the protea thrives (the national flower), and where the rooibos is native (used mainly in tea). Inland, the valleys between mountains have fertile grounds, where settlers found amazing soils for vineyards centuries back.

As the Western Cape is the Southern most area of Africa (Cape Agulhas being the most Southern point), you’ll have a mix of the two currents from the oceans meeting. This means amazing viewing of sea life at certain times of year. It can be very windy and wet in the winter, but long dry spells of summer make for an almost desert-like scene in some areas. Its often likened to the climate in the Mediterranean.

CAPE TOWN: The “Mother City” as it’s known is a very popular tourist destination with beaches, winelands, world renowned restaurants, and nature reserves. Do not miss Table Mountain and the Cape Point. (Often done with a tour guide to make sure you see it all within your time frame.)
GARDEN ROUTE: East along the N2 from Cape Town you’ll be spoilt with mountain ranges, winelands, and even whale sightings in season.
Train trips: Although it is possible to travel on Shosholoza Meyl from Johannesburg to Cape Town, there are some luxury options including The Blue Train and Rovos Rail.
Paternoster: North West outside of Cape Town, the town of Paternoster is a popular holiday destination along the coast, known for its fresh seafood and white-washed houses.
Some online resources to plan your trip: Route 62, Cape Town Travel, West Coast Way, Garden Route

3. KWAZULU-NATAL

A diverse province that has everything from rolling hills, mountain ranges, and coastal forests, KwaZulu-Natal (often referred to as KZN) offers a number of different kinds of holidays, only limited by the time you have to spend! Durban is the heart of KZN, but you’ll find great destinations all around the busy metro area that will amaze you.

KZN is part of the savanna, or bushveld, though the sub tropical climate along the beaches will vary differently from the mountain sides, especially in winter where you may find snowy ski resorts! In summer, it is very lush and beautiful in many areas and feels more like a jungle than the savannah!

Very humid in the summer, but more temperate year round due to the warm ocean currents. It is a great option for a winter break from Joburg.

DURBAN: A popular holiday destination year-round, Durban is popular for a beach get-away. Many resorts are North and South of the city center.
LESOTHO (Sani Pass): Accessible as a day trip from Durban, the Sani Pass is a rugged pathway into the Drakensberg Mountains, and an off road adventure for anyone who’s into 4 x 4’s.
DRAKENSBERG: This extensive mountain range has a number of different peaks to climb and lodges to stay in at all times of the year.
Battlefields (Rorke’s Drift, Spitskop): in the early years of British colonialism in South Africa, there were many epic battles between the Zulu and the British in the interior KwaZulu-Natal region. With a knowledgeable guide, exploring this region is like taking a step back into the past, and gives a insight into the early beginnings of South Africa as a country. (We highly recommend a stay at Fugitives Drift - its a once in a life time experience!)
Hluhluwe: A park famous for its rhino conservation, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is a private reserve well known for its variety of animals.
iSimangaliso: a wetland park and UNESCO heritage site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (also known as La Lucia), is home to a number of endangered species and wonderful place to learn more about South Africa’s marine life.
For more information and travel resources: Zulu.org, Durban Experience, Battlefields Route

4. MPUMALANGA

A diverse province when it comes to scenery, and has everything from misty, fly-fishing getaways to your prized 5-star luxury wildlife safari getaways around Kruger.

Mpumalanga is a mix between the grassland and bushveld, with some mountainous areas. The area does have a lot of farms and plantations you’ll see on the roads. To learn more about the land, visit the Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Nelspruit.

When visiting, prepare for rains and mosquitos in the summer but the winter will be colder and dry, though the sun will warm you during the day. If you plan on a safari to see animals, prepare to start before sunrise and bring warm clothes and hats for open-air safari rides!

Kruger National Park: the world renowned park spans a wide area of the north eastern part of the country and extends into the Limpopo province, so here there are various types of terrain, from bushy shrub to more sparse, Baobab dotted landscapes. With so many different kinds of accommodation available, you’re likely to see all of the Big 5 here, and more.
In addition to Kruger, there are so many other different game parks and private reserves to visit, from luxury Londolozi to more affordable family-getaways. One of the most popular tourism routes is the Panorama Route, which will take you to all of the most popular destinations in the area, including God’s Window.
Dullstroom: A popular getaway for people living in Gauteng, Dullstroom is known for its fly-fishing, outdoor activities and it’s variety of restaurants.
Some resources to use to plan your trip: Bush Breaks, Mpumalanga.com, South Africa.net

5. NORTH WEST

The North-West province is best known for its platinum mines and its main tourist attraction: Sun City, only a couple hours drive from Joburg.

With rolling savanna and bushveld, the North-West province has some of the country’s best known game reserves.

The climate here is much like Joburg in Gauteng. You’ll have plenty of sun all year with colder winters and hot summers.

Hartebeespoort Dam: take a day trip out to the dam to eat at one of the area’s popular restaurants (Silver Orange Bistro and Orient- one of the top 10 restaurants in the country), or go up the newly built cable car to get a view over the surrounding area. There is also an elephant rehabilitation centre where you can walk “trunk-in-hand” with elephants.
Pilanesberg: Pilanesberg is easily one of the country’s most underrated game reserves. Easily accessible from Joburg, this Big 5 reserve offers a range of accommodation options, and is also very close to Sun City.
Sun City: a gambling mecca, Sun City is an expansive resort that hosts an annual golf tournament and a popular outdoor water park and outdoor activities centre- great for kids!
Madikwe: One of the most famous and luxurious game reserves in the country Madikwe is close to the Botswana border.
Groot Marico: a historic area famous for the stories about it written by South African author Herman Charles Bosman, the Groot Marico is a quirky, off-the-beaten path literary and cultural destination.

6. LIMPOPO

Previously known as the Northern Province, Limpopo is named after the river that forms the boundary between South Africa and its neighbouring countries. It is less populated by large modern cities, but boasts much larger influence from traditional African tribes. You can drive here from Joburg or Kruger within a few hours.

Made up of a variety of different landscapes, from savanna to forests, a section of the province is the Kruger National Park, with the rest of the province home to a number of other wilderness areas. You’ll find a lot of Baobab trees in this area.

Limpopo can get very hot, and is a welcome escape from Gauteng in the winter because it will still be cold only at night here.

Waterberg: An accessible getaway from Joburg, there are a number of private game reserves in the Waterberg area, which is malaria-free.
Venda: a lush and fertile area, Venda is one of South Africa’s official languages, but one of the less well known tribes, but high in cultural significance.
Mapungubwe: The ruins of Mapungubwe show evidence of an advanced civilisation, which wasn’t given credit until recently, which makes it an important cultural destination.
National Parks: Marekele National Park is one of South Africa’s national parks, with a variety of accommodation options available.
Magoebaskloof: known for its forests and famous cluster of cycads, Magoebaskloof is a beautiful escape from the surrounding bushveld.
Some ideas of things to do and where to stay in Limpopo: Leshiba, African Ivory Route, Go Limpopo, Limpopo Overview

7. EASTERN CAPE

The Eastern Cape is a bit of a drive from Joburg, but for an extended getaway a road trip down to the Eastern Cape will be well worth your time, with lots of stops to make along the way. Or, you can opt to fly to Port Elizabeth and then rent a car.

The Eastern Cape landscape ranges from semi-desert Karoo to rolling grasslands, savanna and coastal thicket. You’ll find beautiful forests and amazing beaches. You’ll easily fall in love with the landscape here!

The climate can be windy and cooler on the coast and hotter inland, much like the Mediterranean feel. You might see a lot of surfers enjoying the water!

Kenton: A popular seaside holiday destination for families, Kenton-on-Sea has both a large beach and a river nearby, if you’re looking to ski or take part in watersports, and have access to a boat. There are also some game reserves nearby which make this a destination with lots to see and do in the area.
Wild Coast: A largely underdeveloped part of the country (and formerly an “independent” country), the Wild Coast is an idyllic getaway for those looking for something more rustic, although there are a number of luxury resorts and lodges as well.
Graaff Reinet: A Karoo town with beautiful historic architecture, Graaff Reinet is an ideal stopover on the way to the Eastern Cape coast, for its history and nearby game reserves, the most famous of which is the Valley of Desolation. The town also hosts an annual wine festival called Stoep (Porch) Tasting.
Addo Elephant Park: One of South Africa’s most diverse national parks in terms of terrain, Addo covers everything from dunes to forest, and is most famous for its elephants, although you’ll also see a variety of other animals as well.
Port Elizabeth (PE): a thriving port city, PE infrastructure got a substantial upgrade before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and has several historic sites worth visiting, as well as an underrated variety of restaurants and coffee shops.
Jeffrey’s Bay: A surfing town made famous by the movie The Endless Summer for its right break wave, Jeffrey’s Bay is still a surf mecca, and a popular tourism destination along the N2.
Mahkanda (formerly Grahamstown): Historic and beautiful. Famous for its annual arts festival, which takes place in July.
East London: Another coastal hub along the N2, East London is South Africa’s only river port, and also a gateway to many of the province’s tourist attractions. Nearby Chintsa is a popular holiday destination.
Another resource to help plan your trip: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/mountain_zebra/

8. FREE STATE

A largely agricultural area, the Free State is known for several agricultural fairs, it’s history, and Bloemfontein- the judicial capital of the country.

The interior of South Africa has wide open grassland spaces, and moves towards mountainous terrain closer to the Lesotho border.

The continental climate will bring hot summer suns, and maybe even snow in the winter time in the mountainous areas.

Bloemfontein: the judicial capital is also a convenient stop over along the N1 highway. An administrative hub for the surrounding region, Bloemfontein has a number of historic buildings.
Clarens: right next the beautiful Golden Gate Park (named for the range of sculpted sandstone mountains), Clarens has become a popular getaway only 4-5 hours away from Joburg. The town has an annual craft beer festival in February.
Ficksburg: right next to the Lesotho border, the town of Ficksburg hosts an annual cherry festival.
Gariep Dam: a prominent water source for the rest of the country, the Gariep Dam is an impressive structure to see, and there are a number of resorts and places to stay nearby, as its also a convenient N1 stopover.

9. NORTHERN CAPE

The area is mostly semi-desert Karoo vegetation, made up of two different areas: Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo. Seeing the desert flowers in this area is one of the truly beautiful experiences you will ever have.

As it is mostly desert, there is not much rain, colder nights, and hot summers.

Kimberley: the place where the South African diamond rush took place, Kimberley is an administrative hub for the surrounding region and a historic centre, with the Big Hole a prominent tourist attraction. We reocmmend staying over at the Kimberley Country Club.
Upington: A prominent agricultural and miningcentre, Upington is a gateway for further travel in the area.
Richtersveld: a reserve famous for its “halfmens” plants and quiver trees, this rugged terrain is popular for those looking to experience a different kind of wilderness.
Namaqualand: famous for its annual bloom of desert flowers, you’ll need to plan ahead to make the most of this natural event. The coastal Groenspoeg area is a recent addition to the national park in the area.
Tankwa Karoo: an area known for its stargazing, there is another national park in this area as well as the annual Afrikaburn festival.
Sutherland: one of the coldest places in the country during winter, Sutherland is the best place to go stargazing, and the home of SALT, an internationally run astronomical telescope and centre.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: An international collaboration between South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, the Kgalagadi is a large expanse of wilderness with a lot to see and do within it.