South Africa is one of my favorite countries. For those who are planning to go to this beautiful country Must-see places in South Africa You will find my suggestions on the subject in this article, enjoyable reading.
Think of a country; One side of the country overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and the other the Indian Ocean. There are places where you can see warm climate penguins, great white whale, elephants and giraffes in their natural habitats, there are tropical forests, wide safari plains, a wine route where they produce the most beautiful wines in the world. There are also tin slums where people live in poverty. Here we are going to a country where you can see all this in a few hours' distance: South Africa, the southernmost tip of the African continent!
How to Get to South Africa
There are direct flights from Turkey to Cape Town and Johannesburg, the largest cities in South Africa. Another advantage of the Republic of South Africa is that it does not require a visa from Turkish citizens. So all you have to do is buy your ticket.
List of Must-See Places in South Africa
If you are planning to go to South Africa, I suggest you to spare at least 2 weeks. The country has a large number of places to see. Instead of seeing only a limited area and returning, give this beautiful country its due. Now let's take a look at the places you should see:
1. Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is perhaps the first place that comes to mind when South Africa is mentioned. This park is among the most famous safari parks in the world. Located 4 hours' drive from Johannesburg, the park is one of the rare parks where you can see the Big Five in one place. You can visit the park by choosing the one that suits your budget and taste among many accommodation options and safari options, from simple camping areas to luxury hotels.
2.Cape Town
It is rightfully the most popular city in South Africa. I have yet to meet anyone who has not wanted to go to Cape Town and live there. This is also South Africa's most European city. European rules and order dominate the country, which was colonized by the British and later the Dutch. Cape Town is the best example of this.
It is a stunning city with its natural beauties and city life. The magnificent Table Mountain, the Botanical Garden with its rich diversity, Lion's Head Hill for the wonderful sunset, Roben Island where Mandela was also imprisoned, Bo-Kaap, the muslim quarter, Boulder Beach to see the penguins, Cape Point, the nose of Africa, its harbor, beaches and with many more places to be counted, it should definitely be at the top of the list.
3.Stellenbosch
The region, which is the wine producer of South Africa, draws attention with its wonderful wine routes and, of course, its wines. You can visit many vineyards individually or by participating in tours, and have a wine tasting. I guess I don't need to mention the glamorous beauty of the vineyards.
4. Garden Route
One of the most popular routes in South Africa is the Garden Route. Travelers who rent a car from Cape Town make this 200-kilometer route, passing through beautiful towns along the ocean coast. By the way, let me remind you that the traffic in South Africa flows backwards for us. My favorite town on the Garden Route is Storms River, there is also a national park here. In the park, there is Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bridge jumping point in the world. The romantic city of Knysna, Oudtshoorn, famous for its ostriches, and Cango Caves, the most famous cave in the country, and Plettenberg, a frequent destination for surfers, are other important stops on the route.
5.Hermanus
Hermanus is one of the most interesting cities in South Africa, and one of my favorite cities. In addition to the city's own beauty, this is one of the rare places in the world where you can watch the great white whale, the largest creature in the world, which migrates between June and December every year, from the beach or by boat tours.
6. Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas, another rare experience point in the world, is the place where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet or intersect. I strongly recommend you to see this place before you start your Garden Route route.
7. Johannesburg
I thought twice whether to put Johannesburg on this list or not. But I think the true South African spirit lies here too. The neighborhoods where Nelson Mandela grew up are the flamboyant Sun City.
South Africa has many national parks, safari parks, crazy activities like diving with sharks, seaside towns where you can relax, bustling cities like Durban and much more. If you want to see a few more countries while you're there, there are also 2 independent countries called Lesotho and Swaziland within the borders of the country.
What is the Best Season to Go to South Africa?
Now that you've put together your list of must-see places in South Africa, it's time to determine the best season. South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, while it is winter in us, it is summer there. One of the good alternatives to experience summer in winter. However, my suggestion is that you go there during the spring and autumn seasons in order not to miss the rare events such as whale migration.
If you want to travel at European standards while experiencing all the natural and cultural beauties of Africa, I can't think of a better option than South Africa.
A short version of this article was published in the January 2020 issue of Skyroad Magazine.
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