Activities

South Africa is a versatile country - in every respect. There are plenty of opportunities to combine a trip to South Africa with your favorite activities. We present the most important ones here. We will be happy to put together an individual offer for your personal active vacation.

Animal observations "
Hiking "
Swimming "
Diving "
Surfing "
Adventure sports "
Golfing "
Wellness "
Shopping "
Wine & Dine "
Culture "

Animal observations

No trip to South Africa is complete without a safari: countless nature and wildlife parks provide unadulterated insights into the African flora and fauna. Game viewing is not just limited to the famous Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino - birdwatchers, for example, will also get their money's worth. In the South African winter (June to November), whales can be spotted along the coast.

When it comes to game viewing in South Africa, you will come across the word "game" again and again. In this case, it does not mean "game", but "wild". A game drive is a game drive, a game reserve is a game reserve and a game lodge is accommodation in a game reserve. If you see the word "game" on a menu, it means a game dish, usually springbok, kudu, impala or ostrich.

The country's largest and most famous national park is Kruger Park in the subtropical north-east of the country. The oldest and perhaps most beautiful national park is the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in the equally subtropical northern Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Both parks are home to the Big Five, but are also malaria-prone areas, especially during the rainy season from November to March. It is more advisable to visit these parks in the dry season from June to September, as the grass is low then and the animals need to get to the waterholes to drink.

Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth, on the other hand, is malaria-free. It is also home to the Big Five, although the big cats are only present in very small numbers. However, the park stretches all the way to the coast, so it is known as the "Big Seven" National Park, as whale and shark sightings are also possible here. The Big Five National Parks of Marakele and Pilanesberg northwest of Johannesburg are also malaria-free.

These national parks are under state, sub-state or regional state administration. Simple rest camps with self-catering bungalows are usually available for overnight stays. Larger camps also have a campsite, a small supermarket, a restaurant and a petrol station. The overnight price usually only includes accommodation without meals and game viewing activities. Entrance fees, known as conservation fees, are also charged. However, there are also private concessions within the parks, where expensive to very expensive luxury lodges attract a wealthy clientele and offer an all-inclusive package (full board, activities).

There are also a large number of small and large private game reserves, some of which are also home to the Big Five. As a rule, only overnight guests have access to these reserves, although some reserves also offer safaris to day visitors on a very small scale. The accommodation in these private reserves ranges from solid three-star camps to five-star luxury lodges. The accommodation price usually includes half or full board and game viewing activities. Well-known private Big Five game reserves include Sabi Sand, Karongwe, Balule, Timbavati and Kapama in the Kruger Park. Like the Kruger Park, these reserves also have a malaria risk. The private Big Five game reserves of Pumba, Kariega, Amakhala or Lalibela in Addo Elephant Park, Nambiti near the Drakensberg and Entabeni or Welgevonden in the Waterberg north of Johannesburg are malaria-free. The only serious private game reserve in the Cape region (also malaria-free) is the very expensive Sanbona Wildlife Reserve.

There are many ways to observe animals. In the state national parks, you can go on safari in your own (rental) car on tarred and unpaved roads. However, you are not allowed to drive off these roads, so game viewing is only possible along the road. You can venture deeper into the bush on a guided game drive in an open off-road vehicle. An experienced ranger will drive you much closer to the animals. The rangers also always know which animals are currently where. Guided game drives are available in the state national parks as well as in the private game reserves. If you want to do some good game viewing within a short time (two to three days), you should take part in guided game drives, especially in the private game reserves, as there are usually more animals in a smaller area than in the state national parks. Other guided game viewing opportunities are available on foot, by boat, by bike or on horseback.

Hiking

South Africa's diverse landscapes offer hiking enthusiasts a wide range of options, for example up Table Mountain, along the coast, through pristine forests, over high mountain ranges or into the African bush. There are hiking trails ranging from a few hours for occasional hikers to multi-day hikes including overnight stays for hiking enthusiasts.

Good mountain hikes are possible in the northern and southern Drakensberg Mountains, for example in the Golden Gate National Park, Royal Natal National Park, Giants Castle Game Reserve and Drakensberg Gardens. The Amatola Mountains in the Eastern Cape, around 200 km north-east of Port Elizabeth, are an insider tip. Table Mountain can also be climbed via various routes, without any special climbing experience.

The Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape is recommended for those who want to hike along lonely and pristine stretches of coastline. Great beaches and dense forests can be found in the Tsitsikamma National Park. You can even go on hikes with armed rangers in the wildlife reserves, for example in Kruger Park or Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Many private game reserves also offer game walks.

Bathing

South Africa is bordered by the cool Atlantic Ocean to the west and the warm Indian Ocean to the east. A dip in the Atlantic is reserved for the very brave, as it is never warmer than 14°C to 16°C. Along the Garden Route, the Indian Ocean offers good bathing opportunities in the South African summer. North of Durban, the bathing temperatures are pleasant all year round.

Many beaches in the vacation resorts are guarded and the lifeguards usually release a section marked with flags for swimming. These guarded beaches are usually also secured with shark nets. In 2020, a total of 48 particularly clean beaches were awarded the Blue Flag.

Caution is advised when bathing on unguarded beaches, as shark nets may be missing and the currents can be very strong. Swimming in rivers or lakes is only recommended after consulting the locals, as crocodiles or hippos may be lurking there. Some particularly stagnant waters in the north-east of the country harbor another danger: schistosomiasis is a pathogen that penetrates through the skin.

Despite the countless beautiful stretches of beach, you won't find typical beach resorts in South Africa, such as those found in the Caribbean or Asia. These are mostly hotels in the cities or guest houses in the countryside, which are located on or near the beach. For those who don't want to miss out on the classic beach resort under palm trees, a stopover in Mauritius after a successful safari is a good idea.

Diving

South Africa's diving areas are certainly not comparable to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or the Red Sea in Egypt. Nevertheless, there are also interesting areas here that invite you to dive or snorkel. The Mecca for South African divers is Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, around three hours' drive north of Durban. Here, just before the Mozambican border, the Indian Ocean has warm temperatures all year round. But there are also some good reefs and shipwrecks around Durban that are just waiting to be dived.

Surfing

South Africa is one of the most sought-after surfing spots in the world. Cape Town's cool Atlantic coast (Table View, Kommetjie, Nordhoek) is ideal for windsurfers and kite surfers. Waterboarders and surfers prefer the warmer Indian Ocean near Durban.

The surfing season starts in the South African winter around May, when it is just coming to an end at most of the world's famous surf spots (e.g. Maui). For kiters, the South African summer around Cape Town is more interesting, when the infamous South Easter blows, a strong wind from the south-east.

Adventure sports

Adrenaline junkies will also get their money's worth in South Africa. The 216m high Bloukrans Bridge in Tsitsikamma National Park, for example, offers the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. White water rafting is offered on many of the country's rivers, as is canoeing. Abseiling is a big thing in the mountains and gorges.

Rides along the coast, through the national parks or into the mountains are somewhat more tranquil. Cycling tours are also becoming increasingly popular. Or how about a hot air balloon ride over a game reserve?

Golfing

South Africa is a paradise for golfers. No other country offers more golf courses per inhabitant, because golf is a mass sport here. There are courses for every level of difficulty, courses on the coast, in the vineyards and even in Kruger Park.

Some courses are open to all visitors, some can only be played if you are staying at the course's own hotel. Some of the best and most famous courses are the Pearl Valley Golf Club in the Winelands, the Arabella Country Club near Hermanus, the Fancourt Country Club near George with four 18-hole courses and the Simola Golf Estate in Knysna.

Wellness

There are a large number of wellness and spa hotels throughout the country that entice guests with good offers, as the overall lower price level in South Africa means that you often pay a lower price for treatments than in comparable hotels in Europe. Many wellness oases also have a fantastic location, for example on the coast, in the mountains or deep in the African bush, where you will find plenty of peace and relaxation.

Shopping

The lower price level and the weak South African currency make South Africa a shopper's paradise. There are many American-style shopping malls, especially in the big cities, where you can buy virtually anything. In Cape Town, these include the V&A Waterfront and the Canal Walk Shopping Center. In Port Elizabeth there is the Boardwalk Casino & Shopping Complex. In Umhlanga near Durban, the Gateway Shopping Center is supposedly the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Sandton near Johannesburg boasts the Sandton City Shopping Center.

The many small food markets, wine festivals, art and cultural festivals where you can buy and enjoy local products are also exciting. The famous Oyster Festival takes place in Knysna every year in July. Oudshoorn shines with the annual National Arts Festival. The wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Robertson all have their own markets and festivals during the grape harvest. In Johannesburg and Cape Town, the famous Neighbourgoods Market takes place every week. On the Garden Route, the Saturday Wild Oats Farmers Market brings together people from all over the region.

Of interest to foreign tourists is the VAT refund for all goods that are taken home. However, there are rules that must be adhered to, otherwise a refund will be refused on departure. Information on this is available at all South African airports, most shopping centers and tourist information offices. Please note, however, that most tourists only have a baggage allowance of 20kg to 23kg. Many stores therefore offer to send goods or souvenirs as parcels.

Wine & Dine

The wine regions of the Western Cape around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer the highest density of top wine estates and top restaurants in the entire country. Gourmets will find an incredibly good price-performance ratio here, also thanks to the weak South African currency. Even the flagship wines from the best wineries, at 40 to 50 euros per bottle, cost only a fraction of what you are used to from well-known wine regions such as Bordelaise or Napa Valley. But you can also get some real delicacies for just 10 euros. A multi-course meal in the country's top restaurants is also available for 40 to 50 euros, including wine pairing. Top restaurants such as Test Kitchen or La Colombe can easily compete with the three-star gourmet temples of this world.

South African cuisine is extremely diverse. European, Indian, Asian and African styles mingle here and offer something for every taste. You won't miss burgers and pizza either. The game dishes are particularly recommended, as impala, springbok or ostrich are hard to come by here. You can get dinner in a typical local restaurant for ten to 15 euros, and drinks rarely cost more than two euros per glass.

Whether "haute cuisine" or "down to earth": Food is very important in South Africa and is of incredibly high quality.

Culture

South Africa is a melting pot of cultures. African lifestyles have been complemented by European, Indian and Asian influences. The cultural offerings are as diverse and contradictory as the country itself: Traditional Zulu villages, nightlife in the townships, countless wine, food and art markets as well as seven UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage awards are impressive proof of this.

Many museums are dedicated to the country's vibrant history, in particular the battles between the Boers, British and Zulus and the fight against apartheid. In Cape Town, for example, there is the District Six Museum, where the forced resettlement of the colored population of an entire district in the inner city in the 1960s was documented. Robben Island, the former prison island in Table Bay, has been declared a museum in its entirety, including the prison barracks and the guards' homes. The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg shows the decades-long journey from oppression to freedom for all South Africans. The Nelson Mandela Museum complex is located on the Wild Coast near Mthatha. South Africa's first black president is also buried nearby.

Of course, there are also countless bars, live clubs, discos, cinemas, theaters and galleries in South Africa, especially in the larger cities.