What to do and see in South Africa, South Africa: The Best Things to do Adventurous

May 9, 2022 Toi Mattera

in the African Union  (light blue)
Restaurants in South Africa

1. Table Mountain

Table Mountain National Park 8001 South Africa +27 (0)21 712 7471 [email protected] http://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/tourism/attractions.php#tablemountain
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 18,347 reviews

Table Mountain

The mountain in the middle of Cape Town offers many hikes and magnificent views in all directions.

Reviewed By paul19602013 - Brighton, United Kingdom

One of the highlights of our trip with amazing views over the city and further a field.Some choose the option to hike which takes 2 hours to do but we opted for the cable car. Be aware of the cloud so dont leave the visit to the end of the holiday in case its cloudy. Once at the top apart from the amazing views there is plenty to do including hiking trails, free walking tours , restaurant, waterworks and you can even abseil down the mountain.A must visit place if in Cape town.

2. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Btwn Montagu & Barrydale between Montagu & Barrydale, Montagu 6720 South Africa +27 21 010 0028 [email protected] http://www.sanbona.com/
Excellent
83%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 351 reviews

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve

Welcome to the malaria-free Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a three-hour scenic drive from Cape Town to the heart of the Little Karoo, along the Route 62 – the world’s longest wine route. At the foot of the towering Warmwaterberg Mountains, Sanbona boasts 58, 000 hectares of sculpted Cape Fold Mountains, wide-open Karoo plains, indigenous flora and fauna and rare examples of San rock art, some dating back more than 3, 500 years, plus a unique boat safari. More than a Big 5 wilderness reserve, it’s the vastness of the landscape, the alluring stillness and isolation amid raw beauty and boundless plains that make Sanbona unique. Explore a wilderness sanctuary in the Western Cape while staying at your choice of three luxurious lodges or a back-to-nature Explorer Camp adventure, each of which is surrounded by ancient folded mountains and endless vistas. Please note that Sanbona is a private reserve and booking in advance is essential.

Reviewed By ursulab911 - Johannesburg, South Africa

Depart from Mother City, head out on the long and winding road (3 hours), ROUTE 62, voted by CNN Travel as the world’s best road trip destination. At the foot of towering Warmwaterberg Mountains in the Little Karoo lies the unique safari destination of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. Three Luxury Lodges and an adventurous Explorer Camp nestle in 58, 000 hectares of sculpted Cape Fold Mountains and wide-open plains. Experience a huge diversity of indigenous flora and fauna and rare examples of San rock art, some dating back more than 3,500 years, plus a unique boat safari and thrilling game drives. Conservation is paramount at Sanbona and every guest contributes to preserving this wilderness for future generations. More than a Big 5 wilderness reserve, it’s the vastness of the landscape, the alluring stillness and isolation amid raw beauty and boundless plains that make Sanbona unique.

3. Robberg Nature Reserve

8 Plettenberg Street, Plettenberg Bay 6600 South Africa +27 44 533 2125 http://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/robberg-nature-reserve
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,524 reviews

Robberg Nature Reserve

Reviewed By FoodorArt - Polokwane, South Africa

Wow Wow Wow loved my little hike to the gap and sitting on the rocks looking out over Plettenberg Bay... Amazing!

4. Wolhuter Wilderness Trail

Berg-en-Dal, Kruger National Park 6560 South Africa http://www.krugerpark.co.za/Specialist_Safari_Tours-travel/wilderness-trails-kruger.html
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 52 reviews

Wolhuter Wilderness Trail

Reviewed By AfricaLinx - Pretoria, South Africa

40mins drive from Berg en Dal in southern Kruger Park is the base camp for the Wolhuter Trail. The A frame huts sleeps 2 under thatch. Not spacious with thatch roof and mesh windows. A short walk to the shower with hot water and seperate flush toilet. The camp is shaded with large trees and the waterhole next to the camp will attrack some wildlife in dry season. Our visit was in the peak of an extraordinary rain season. The bush was bursting with energy and water in obscene abundance. Every stream was flowing and dams were full. Stephen, our guide took us along the streams, game viewing was a challenge but the lush bush and water made up for that. We select to swop the afternoon walk for a game drive exploring the valleys and rivers in the area. Afternoon sundowners was at the Stollsnek Dam where we shared the sunset with hippos, elephants, buffalo, fish eagle and many more. Great experience in the bush, supported by our guide Stephen that shared 20yrs of stories from ranger experience.

5. Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari Game Reserve N2 between Port Elizabeth & Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth South Africa +27 42 203 1111 [email protected] http://www.shamwari.com
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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5.0 based on 434 reviews

Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Please visit the official Shamwari Game Reserve Lodges page on TripAdvisor for more info, images, video & slideshow. Search "Shamwari Game Reserve lodges".Shamwari is the best private game reserve situated in the malaria free Eastern Cape,South Africa.This privately owned 25 000 hectares of prime natural terrain has received numerous international awards.Shamwari is an exploration of nature with close encounters of free roaming wildlife and the coveted big five with a choice of unique luxury lodges, an exclusive private villa and the adventurous Explorer Camp.Luxury accommodation is offered in 7 different game lodges at Shamwari Game Reserve, all of which are 5 Star graded. Choose a game lodge that perfectly compliments your ideal African experience

Reviewed By laurdan - London, United Kingdom

Hey guys you stole a part of my heart that will stay with you forever! From the moment we drove onto Shamwari land I was in heaven I couldn't believe after all the years waiting that I was going on Safari and would enter what to me is sacred land "Born Free Foundation" We stayed at Bayethe lodge and loved every minute of it, the sounds in the morning were amazing of the animals waking up and we would stand on our terrace to breathe in the bush and just look out at the reserve and say hello to the little monkeys that would stop by on the off chance of something to eat. The food is amazing from breakfast to dinner and nothing is too much trouble, the staff really looked after us and treated us like royalty. They always greeted us with a smile. Our spa treatments were relaxing and listening to the animals outside at the same time was just perfect. Our ranger was JB who was so much fun and made the four day trip so enjoyable sharing his experiences and knowledge with us, we adopted him as our South African son and we were so sad to leave him when our time came to go. He really enjoys his work and I can honestly say he loves driving that jeep! He made sure we saw so much on Safari, all of the big 5 and more. We had cocktails in the bush one afternoon and then a picnic another day and the most fabulous coffee and hot chocolate one cold morning. Many thanks for all of the little special surprises JB x On our last day we went to the Born Free Foundation within Shamwari, which is a bitter sweet experience.....but not to be missed. I loved everything about my trip to Shamwari and it will stay in my heart forever. I often think of them all there and hope one day I can return xx

6. Adventures with Elephants

Bela Bela 0480 South Africa +27 14 734 7730 [email protected] http://www.adventureswithelephants.co.za/
Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 500 reviews

Adventures with Elephants

Located on a beautiful wildlife reserve just an hour and a half's drive from Pretoria and adjacent to the Zebula Golf Estate & Spa, Adventures with Elephants invites you into the elephant’s world for an unrivaled hands-on educational interaction that introduces you to our gentle giants! Learn from the team’s in-depth knowledge and share in their passion for this special herd of elephants. Join us for this unique and extraordinary experience that will leave you humbled and moved. Please contact us for information on our educational interactions, additional activities such as Bathing & Nature walks with elephants, elephant game viewing experience, romance in the bush, photography, filming and other tailor-made activities.

Reviewed By Travel817677 - Greater Johannesburg, South Africa

I can't explain in words the feeling to be so close and touch and interact with these majestic animals,Amazing , Awesome , Unreal does not even compare. The most important thing is that these are elephants that was rescued from certain death,They are not wild elephants tamed for monetary purposes.There is 7 elephants in total.They are so friendly and calm , you can see they have been treated well, when you hear each one's story ,it's heartbreaking.The guide was very informative.The staff was friendly and well organized.The elephant's memory is amazing,We got to hug them , play ball with them , play a memory game with them and had lots of photo opportunities.We took our own photos and also ended up buying the DVD (quality of photos was amazing) Off season is the best time to go , fewer people ,more time with the elephants. I got to place my hand inside the elephant's mouth and feel his tongue while feeding it.I also got kissed twice by the elephant :) This visit was to celebrate my 30th wedding anniversary.This is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I want to take my children there soon.

7. Knysna Elephant Park

1km Off the N2 Highway Between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, Knysna 6571 South Africa +27 44 532 7732 [email protected] http://www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za/
Excellent
70%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,837 reviews

Knysna Elephant Park

The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last 25 years, the park has cared for and raised more than 40 elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals. Some have become part of the resident herd, others have moved onto other reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, depending on their personalities, bonds with other animals and welfare needs. The present KEP herd numbers ten – the largest domesticated matriarchal herd in the country. Our style of management offers guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with our elephants, on elephant terms. Responsible and educational interactions allow guests to appreciate the awe-inspiring presence of these animals, but still give the elephants the space and freedom to choose where they want to move, what they want to eat and who they want to interact with.

Reviewed By carriannb2018

One for the bucket list, offers a intimate experience with these gentle giants where you can personally feed them and walk around with them and your personal guide. Will be back.

8. The Cango Caves

328 Approximately 30km (19 miles) from town on the R, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa +27 44 272 7410 http://www.cango-caves.co.za/adventure.php
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,151 reviews

The Cango Caves

Though damaged through shortsighted tourism schemes in the 1960s, these caves are still worth a visit for their eerie dark tunnels and stunning limestone formations.

Reviewed By magsboy - North Vancouver, Canada

The Cango Caves are well worth the visit to see to large underground caverns and the awesome geologic formations (we only did the Heritage Tour) and you can get some spectacular photos - we took the earliest available tour and glad we did because the tour buses were rolling up when we left and hordes of people were arriving - I do think they need to limit the numbers - and also enforce their requests for visitors not to sit and touch where they are asked not to!

9. uShaka Marine World

1 King Shaka Avenue Point, Durban 4001 South Africa +27 31 328 8000 [email protected] http://www.ushakamarineworld.co.za/
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,292 reviews

uShaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World is a 16-hectare theme park in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It comprises 8 attractions: uShaka Sea World, uShaka Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Sea Animal Encounters Island, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk, uShaka Kids World, uShaka Dangerous Creatures and Chimp & Zee. uShaka Sea World is the fifth largest aquarium in the world. uShaka Wet 'n Wild water park has the highest slide in Africa.

Reviewed By AbelThompson - Paarl, South Africa

i loved to watch the Seal and the dolphin shows at shaka marine, i also enjoyed the park walk, i loved the food and the sea creatures in the old Marine etc

10. Cango Wildlife Ranch

191 Baron Van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn 6625 South Africa +27 44 272 5593 [email protected] http://www.cango.co.za/
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,295 reviews

Cango Wildlife Ranch

Cango Wildlife Ranch is internationally recognised as one of South Africa’s premier tourism attractions. Conveniently situated en route to the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, the Ranch offers visitors a huge variety of awe-inspiring activities at one location for a value-packed price – suitable for the whole family and open 365 days a year! In addition to our wonderful encounter programs, where you can meet an ambassador cheetah, the ranch also offers two Firsts: Lemur Falls – the first interactive Lemur experience in Africa! - and Crocodile Cage Diving - a World First - where you can test your mettle against the dangerous gaze of a Nile Crocodile via a steel cage lowered into their watery domain! As a PAAZA (Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria) accredited facility, a proud member of WAZA(World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), and a multiple winner of TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence, Cango Wildlife Ranch remains a unique world-class facility which strives to provide conservation through education by means of various conservation projects, initiatives and informative guided tours! A significant percentage of all proceeds go straight back into our conservation initiatives providing you with ethical and unforgettable fun and memories. For unlimited adventure for the whole family – visit Cango Wildlife Ranch!

Reviewed By EllaMacrae

A few days ago my Husband and I visited the Cango Wildlife Ranch and it was such an amazing experience ! I highly recommend the guided tour, our guide Micah made our time there so much fun, she was really informative so a big thank you to her. we could see everybody on the facility really cares about the animals, it was so awesome to see some animals we have never seen before like the white tiger. We will definitely come back, thank you to everyone who made this experience great !

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