The Republic of South Africa is one of the best places to spend a vacation. Nature is its best asset and this is best exemplified by its natural and game reserves. The country has scenery and landscape that go one for miles, with gorges, mountain ranges, and savannahs dominating its land. With water covering a good portion of its coast, South Africa has an impressive selection of beaches, coral reefs, and surf spots. It also has a long line of modern attractions too. If you want to learn more about this country, check out our list of the top things South Africa is famous for, listed below.
1. Cape Town (from USD 16.0)
Cape Town was established back in 1652 and it is South Africa’s original city. It is also acknowledged as the Mother of South Africa because this is where the country’s civilization started. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its astounding natural formations lying beside buildings designed in both modern and cultural architecture. Its coast is a stunning showcase of pristine beaches and majestic cliffs that appear straight up from the water. This hop-on hop-off tour takes you on a fun adventure of the city where you can take in some of its popular sites for a day or two.
Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise
2. Three capital cities
A country normally has one capital. A handful has two. But South Africa pushed it further by having three capitals which are Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. Pretoria is the executive capital and is where the President and his cabinet hold office. Bloemfontein is the judicial capital and is where people can find South Africa’s Supreme Court. Only the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg is higher in stature. Cape Town serves as the legislative capital where one can find the country’s parliament, which includes the National Council of Provinces and the National Assembly. The reason why it has three capitals is its tumultuous past.
3. Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was one of the most esteemed political figures that South Africa and the whole world has known. Mandela once served as the president of the country from 1994 to 1999. His rise to power was marked by a constant struggle against apartheid, where laws were implemented to segregate people based on race, gender, etc. He was released in 1990 after spending almost 28 years in prison when then ‘state’ president, F.W. de Klerk, ordered his release, to work with Mandela and end apartheid. Most South Africans refer to him as the face of freedom, democracy, and social justice.
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4. Fossils of early dinosaurs
Because of the antiquity of the rocks in South Africa, this country’s land is filled with dinosaur fossils from the Mesozoic Era. There were some found in complete form while others are just fragments of their bone structure. Fossil hunters from around the world often make their way to South Africa and search for bones entombed within the landscape of this country. To this day, there are seven dinosaurs identified through their fossil remains dug from the grounds of South Africa. These are nqwebasaurus, melanorosaurus, massospondylus, lychorinus, heterodontosaurus, coelophysis, and aardonyx. The nqwebasaurus lived during the Cretaceous period, the melanorosaurus during the Triassic, and the rest lived during the Jurassic.
South Africa Tour Guide
Jakes
Jakes is registered and accredited with FET Certificate Tourist Guiding. He is competent to advise clients on all essential aspects of travel in South Africa having passed the SA Specialist course from South African Tourism. As a good story teller, he makes any historical situation or site come to life; and this is what makes him to stand out as a knowledgeable and exciting guide. “I’m always attempting to assist and improve the environment, motivating communities to protect nature in order to create a sustainable eco-system, and to protect all species for future generations. My love for nature and history brought me to the most beautiful and spectacular places in South Africa, and that is where I want to take my tourists as well.”
Tours by Jakes
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South Africa Tour Guide
Thabang Molefe
My name is Thabang Molefe, Director/ Owner of Tsalanang Travel & Tours. I’m a qualified National Tourist Guide in South Africa, born and breast fed in Johannesburg. I have worked in the sports & events industry where I discovered my passion for traveling, and later worked with some of the TOP destination management/operators in South Africa. I love meeting people, and exchanging knowledge, I’m an outgoing person who loves discovering and learning about history, culture and nature. As part of my value standard, I always try to change the way “the world” perceive certain parts of South Africa and Africa as a hole. I have traveled the southern African region extensively and speak various South African languages. Looking forward to meet you on one of my tours.
Tours by Thabang
South Africa Tour Guide
Denis Kilumbila
5. Mining (from USD 121.67)
One of the biggest industries that boosts the South African economy is its mining sector. This also has a positive effect on other countries’ economies because it is one of the largest exporters of minerals in the world. Today, more South Africans rely on mining to put food on the table for their families. Aside from minerals, they also process these primary products and create ancillary services like soap, diamonds, and jewelry, to name a few. Coal, diamonds, gold, and platinum are considered the big four minerals mined in South Africa. The country is also known to dig up vanadium, titanium, and chrome. Spend a few hours by taking this tour and learn more about South Africa’s diamond mining industry.
Cullinan Diamond Mine Tour
Duration: 5.0 hour
6. One of the largest fruit producers in the world
The agriculture industry is one of the main movers of the South African economy. In this sector, more than half is fruit production. Research shows that 4.7 million tons of fruits are produced every year and about 59% is for export. Only 12% is sold in the local markets and the remaining 28% is used for other purposes. Not only that, these immense numbers are supported by the vast variant of fruits produced here. This makes the country self-sufficient and self-sustaining in fruit agriculture. Leading the way are apples, citrus, and grapes, with these three combining to 77% of the total production in recent years.
7. official languages
The constitution of South Africa formally acknowledges no less than 11 official languages. These are isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, English, Afrikaans, Xitsonga, Tshivenda, siSwati, Setswana, Sesotho, and Sepedi. All these replaced Dutch while retaining English and Afrikaans and adding the remaining nine in 1996 when the new constitution included the protection of all major South African languages. History shows that the country has had 34 languages in its entire history, and only four are extinct. Among the 11 languages, isiZulu is the one spoken by most with isiXhosa being the second. The former is spoken by 23% of the people while the latter is at 16%.
8. The Palace of the Lost City
Visitors who long for a luxurious vacation in South Africa should check out the amazing Palace of the Lost City. Located in Sun City, Rustenberg, the luxury hotel sits on an extinct volcano, making it a place of wonder and intrigue. Aside from offering accommodations to travelers, the Palace of the Lost City is known for mirroring the heritage of the country in which it stands through its design and architecture. South Africa is represented in every detail and this place was inspired by the folklore of a lost kingdom. Non-visitors of the hotel can go around Sun City Complex with its golf course, rushing streams, waterfalls, and the Valley of Waves beach below.
The Palace of the Lost City
Address: Sun City, Rustenburg, 0316, South Africa
Website: The Palace of the Lost City
9. Kruger National Park (from USD 70.02)
Incomparable sites and wildlife await you once you step onto the revered grounds of Kruger National Park. Its vastness stretches to 19,485 sq. kilometers (7523 sq. miles) where visitors can immerse themselves in the volatility of an African jungle. Straddling the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, it is now linked to several national parks in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Fences are being taken down to allow wildlife to run at will. This includes Africa’s big five, namely the lion, the elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard, and the rhinoceros, which has two species in South Africa. This whole-day tour allows you to witness these animals and some of the lushest vegetation around.
Kruger National Park Full-Day Game Drive
Duration: 10 hour
10. Ostrich (from USD 8.38)
One of the biggest and easily identifiable birds on the planet is the ostrich. These are endemic to Africa, with South Africa having a great number of them in its virginal land. More often than not, visitors can find these gigantic animals gathering in savannahs all over the country. Classified as ratites or flightless birds, ostriches are known to be quiet in nature, and the only thing that opposes this is the loud sound they make when intruders try to penetrate their territory. Most males have black bodies with white wing feathers and tails, while females have a dominant grey color. For 45 minutes, this tour allows visitors to interact with a bunch of friendly ostriches.
Oudtshoorn: Guided Ostrich Farm Tour
Experience the magic of South Africa
What does South Africa have to offer a visitor like you? The answer is, a lot! Its magic transcends beauty and marries heritage, modernity, and nature all in one place. These famous things are just some of the reasons why you should spend your vacation here.
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