MUST SEE PLACES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA THAT YOU CAN’T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE
Whether you are a seasoned traveller or just starting your journey in Southern Africa, there are so many marvels that you’ll never get bored of things to see and do. The accessibility of these places on this list vary from all year round to barely a few days, but we assure you that there is something for every type of traveller to love.
If any of these places are bucket list items, check out our tours – we cover many of these unique locations and offer tailormade tours if we don’t. We’ll take the worry of transport and booking off your plate so you can just enjoy the views.
PANORAMA ROUTE - South Africa, Mpumalanga
There’s no question why this area has been named the Panorama Route, nor why it’s a must see when planning a trip in South Africa.
The amount of exceptional geological phenomena and views makes the area any traveller’s delight. Blyde River Canyon is known for the Wonder Viewpoint. It features the “Pinnical” and “Three Rondavels” peaks, made from dolomite and blanketed with the lush forest that surrounds it. The greenery supports several species, and presents plenty of birding opportunities. Further upstream, the Blyde river begins with “Bourke’s Luck Potholes”, a series of cylindrical stone structures carved from centuries of swirling water falling from the Treur river and into the Blyde. This is only a taste of the Panorama Route and comes highly recommended for photographers and nature lovers.
DEADVLEI - Namibia, Namib-Naukluft Park
An iconic area of the Namib Naukluft National Park, Deadvlei is a white clay pan located amongst towering red dunes. Formed from an overflow from the Tsauchab river, the camel thorn trees that used to survive off the floods were cut off by the dunes around 600-700 years ago. The dead remains of these trees have been baked into its image and remain due to the heat, creating a striking sight for any visitor. Despite the name, several creatures live in and around the area, including many smaller endemic creatures like lizards and insects. The contrast between sand, sky and the dead trees make it a photography hot spot.
NAMAQUA NATIONAL PARK - South Africa, Namaqualand
The West Coast National Park may be famous for its flower season, but Namaqua National Park is the transformation spectacle that takes first place. The brown dusty hills of the area turn neon orange with speckles of pink, yellow and purple as flowers sprout to seed in the thousands. This park contains an estimated 3 500 plant species that are found nowhere else on earth and it has the richest bulb flora of any arid region in the world. There are plenty of hikes and picnic spots in the park to admire the many shades of colour and abundant birdlife. Bring a book, pack a big bottle of water, and come frolic amongst one of nature’s wonders!
CANGO CAVES - South Africa, Oudtschoorn
Stepping into a piece of Earth’s history that is older than the dinosaurs, the Cango Caves are one of Southern Africa’s most unusual destinations. Hollowed out from limestone, the caves feature magnificent, natural sculptures of stalagmites and stalactites and several geological features.
On top of this, the caves have significant cultural and historical significance, being South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction and being a spiritual site for the indigenous Khoikhoi people. There are two tour options: The Heritage Tour and the Adventure Tour. If you are feeling daring, the Adventure Tour takes you deeper into the cave system, through tight passages and squeezes to see other parts of the cave.
KOLMANSKOP MINING TOWN - Namibia, Lüderitz
In terms of ghost towns, Kolmanskop is noted as being a spectacular example. Built by German settlers, Kolmanskop was a diamond mining town before being abandoned in favour of a larger diamond deposit 270 kilometers away. The town was left to be reclaimed by the Namib Desert in the frenzy. It has featured in several TV shows and movies due to the striking and eerie picture of sand pouring into the homes. This surreal sight has become a favourite for photographers and travellers all over the world.
OKAVANGO DELTA - Botswana
The Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s natural wonders, sustaining a dense amount of wildlife and endangered animals. Every year, the dry grass becomes marshland due to flooding from rains travelling down the Okavango river from Angola. The abundance of water draws in animals from all over, including large herds of elephants and carnivores following their food source. There are so many activities to do in and around the area, such as boat cruises, fishing and travelling the waterways in a traditional dugout canoe. The area is a highlight of many of our tours and a fan favourite experience!
QUIVER TREE FOREST - Namibia, Keetmanshoop
Aloe dichotoma trees cluster the landscape of this special area. It is the largest and only naturally occurring forest of its kind, serving a large role in San culture. The Quiver Tree forest coined its name from the San hunters who used hollowed branches from these trees as quivers for their arrows. Despite the dry biome, it sustains a micro-ecosystem of reptiles, birds and many rock hyraxes (also known as dassies). The trees can grow to 400 years old and flower during the months of May, June and July. This creates bursts of yellow against an arid backdrop and is a gorgeous reminder of the resilience of life.
MAKGADIKGADI SALT PAN - Botswana, Nata
While it is not as grand as some areas on this list, the Nata Makgadikgai salt pan is awe-inspiring in its own unique way. The salt pan stretches far into the horizon and coupled with the coarse white sand, the sunsets and photo opportunities are fantastic. During the rainy season, the flat areas become massive stretches of shallow water which is home to one of only two breeding populations of greater flamingos in southern Africa. The site is also home to several archaeological discoveries, mainly stone tools dating back to prehistoric humans.
SANDHOF FARM - Namibia, Maltahohe
Sometimes nature is magical, but Sandhof Farm’s marsh lily bloom is something straight out of a fantasy book. As Namibia’s first heavy rains hit, around February, the dry clay pan fills with water. From the silt, thousands of lilies cover the land for kilometers, accenting the air with a subtle sweetness. This is the only pan this spectacular sight occurs, and the lilies last around a week before they begin to wilt. They have been known to have repeat blooms, but it is rare. This unique event draws thousands of people from all over the world despite its short viewing period. The best way to plan a visit is to monitor the Farm Sandhof Lilies Facebook group, where the owners regularly post updates and keep excited travellers informed.
GREAT ZIMBABWE RUINS - Zimbabwe, Masvingo
It’s not everyday that you get to see a building, still standing, that dates back to the 14th century. These ruins are a testament to the craftsmanship and resilience of the Shona people who resided there from 1100 and 1450 AD. This site is a historical masterpiece, having been considered a ‘royal city’ and surviving several generations despite its sparse location, including archaeological finds of trading with countries that were continents away! The locale lives on as a powerful symbol of the socio-economic significance of African nations, and has a deeply fascinating place in world history.
THE OWL HOUSE - South Africa, Nieu-Bethesda
A childhood home transformed by 300 sculptures, ground glass, cement and creativity, the Owl House is a whimsical glimpse into the world of the late artist Helen Martins. The home is decorated with statues of primarily owls, peacocks, people and camels, glass used at every opportunity to reflect light and bring colour where it can. It is a bizarre space, but leaves an impression on every visitor it invites. This is a definite visit for any creative or eccentric traveller.
CEDERBERG WILDERNESS - South Africa, West Coast
The Cederberg Wilderness, home to the critically endangered Clanwilliam cedar, is a region that has a sense of wonder that is difficult to compare. The rock formations throughout the mountains are as unique as they are steeped in historical and cultural significance, such as the Wolfberg arch. Between the orange archways of stones, there are many sites with rock paintings made by the San people. There are hikes of all difficulty levels and every one of them takes you through the stark beauty of caves, towers, tunnels and cracks of sandstone. All of this, plus a crystal-clear view of the stars at night. If you enjoy fun photo opportunities, hiking or rock climbing, this is a must see region.