PaylessFlights.com

Send to friend

Whether it is because you have been taken over by a soccer frenzy or you just want to experience an unforgettable holiday in one of the most breathtaking places on Earth, South Africa will definitely leave its permanent mark on you. This is a land of plodding hippos and playful penguins, warm beaches and snowy mountains, green plains and arid deserts. Here are some of South Africa’s highlights which every tourist should visit in order to obtain a full sense of this wonderful country.

Cape Town is the second-most populated city in South Africa and the provincial capital of the Western Cape. This city is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations with its laid-back beach culture mixed with modernity and sophistication. You can take the cableway and embark on a journey to Table Mountain to get a glimpse of the famous 360-degree view of Robben Island and the picturesque Table Bay.

After taking some photos and enjoying the seascape you can go down to Victoria and Alfred waterfront where most of Cape Town’s luxurious hotels are. Shopping sprees, delicious food, entertainment- you name it- there is a little something for everyone at Victoria and Alfred waterfront. There you will also find Nobel Square where the statues of four Nobel Peace Prize winners are displayed- those of Luthuli, Tutu, de Klerk and Mandela.

Visitors can take a ferry to the aforementioned Robben Island famous for being used as a political prison during the apartheid period. This is where Mandela was held at one point in his life. Today Cape Town takes pride in being an international city of racial diversity and tolerance. An example of such tolerance is the Muslim area of Bo-Kapp which happens to be one of the most popular sites for taking pictures with its brightly colored homes.

One of Cape Town’s oldest streets is Long Street- full of small ethnic restaurants, shops, clubs and art galleries. A point of interest on this street is also Greenmarket Square- a huge market where myriads of different products are sold.

It is very important to remember that people in Cape Town are never in a hurry, so tourists need to attune to Africa’s leisurely pace of life. A must-see site is Cape Point- the place where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. The restaurant “Two Oceans” is there for you in case the journey has excited your appetite- the restaurant offers a wide range of local cuisine dishes and you can dine under the sounds of South African songs sung by the staff, while observing the unearthly sight of the collision of the two oceans. In the area you can also visit the picturesque Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach- a place inhabited by the charming penguins.

From there you can have a walk on the beach of Camps Bay and feast your eyes on one of South Africa’s sexiest seashores- a combination of the French Riviera with a hint of African exoticism. The area is also perfect for shopping, having a delectable meal or dancing the night away in one of the nightclubs.

However, South Africa’s beauty does not lie only in its tourists sites but also in the friendly locals. You have to visit the informal township of Khayelitsha on the outskirts of Cape Town in the Cape Flats. Local community centers sell hand-made crafts and you can support communities by buying a souvenir for your family and friends. Because of 2010 FIFA World Cup a Football for Hope Center was constructed and in December it was visited by the football idol- Beckham who played some soccer with the locals.

The largest city in South Africa is Johannesburg- it is also the country’s wealthiest province and home to Tambo International Airport, so regardless of their final destination, tourists in South Africa usually visit the town upon their arrival or departure. Even if you are not particularly headed for the city of Johannesburg, you should definitely spend several hours there as the city certainly has a lot to show. Johannesburg’s soul is Soweto (the name stands for South Western Townships). The place is perfect for an informal lunch with the locals or for buying hand-made jewelry at affordable prices. The Nelson Mandela Museum, the Madiba Freedom Museum, and the Hector Peterson Museum are also worth visiting as they preserve different aspects of South Africa’s rich historical heritage. Many visitors come to Johannesburg only to see the Apartheid Museum- this is one of the most emotionally charged displays of Apartheid history.

16 miles northwest from the city you can find The Cradle of Humankind- a UNESCO World Heritage site where the 2.3 million-year-old Australopithecus africanus skull was discovered.

An intrinsic part of South Africa’s charm is its wildlife. Safaris have been the sole reason for some tourists to visit Africa’s most southern country. Kruger National Park is one of the most famous places for safari but there are many other game reserves spread around the country. No matter where you choose to go, you will always be accompanied by experienced rangers who will make your unforgettable trip safe, informative and exciting. You will be given the freedom to choose your means of transportation- by jeep, on foot, by boat or by helicopter. Your accommodation can also vary, depending on your preferences- from luxurious to basic camping conditions. However, wherever it is that you’re sleeping- make sure you have locked the doors and windows as cute local monkeys can turn into real trouble-makers stealing your belongings and making a mess. Safaris will give you memorable close encounters with lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, leopards, and other animals.

South Africa has nine soccer cities. There is one venue in each one of them, apart from Johannesburg where there are two venues. Johannesburg’s soccer city can hold up to 91 141 people. All soccer cities are built with great attention to details, aesthetics and architecture.

PaylessFlights.com hopes this quick tour has incited your interest in this magnificent country and wishes you many happy moments exploring the magic of South Africa!