The Other South Africa: 7 Places Beyond the Familiar

South Africa is a travellers dream, from Kruger National Park to Cape Town and beyond. Enjoy the ease of a luxury safari in Kruger, climb Table Mountain or sample wines in Franschoek. But there is so much more to South Africa than the typical tourist route.

The Hidden Gems of South Africa

1.        The Garden Route With over 300km of coastline, the Garden Route offers the perfect road trip along some of the most scenic areas of South Africa. Stop off at Mossel Bay for stunning hiking trails, or Plettenbery Bay for beaches and Tsitsikamma National Park for a dramatic ocean park and forest hikes.

2.        The Valley of Desolation Set against the backdrop of the plains of the Great Karoo are the huge columns of rock making up the Valley of Desolation. Created over hundreds of millions of years, these dramatic features are now easily accessible with a tar road, parking and even several viewpoints.

3.        Addo National Park The third largest park in South Africa and home to the Big 7- elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, lion, southern right whale and great white shark! From self-drive safaris, to luxury lodges Addo National Park is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature and explore the wildlife.

4.        Whale Watching in Hermanus When you think of wildlife in South Africa images of lions, elephants and zebras come to mind- but Hermanus is actually one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. From June to October book onto a boat tour or take a pair of binoculars and see if you can spot them from the cliff path.

5.         Magwa Falls The second highest waterfalls in South Africa and taller than Victoria Falls! You can take a wander to the falls yourself or organise a tour including surrounding falls and tea plantations- you can even have a full weekend away around the falls.

6.        Witness the Sardine Run A natural phenomenon with thousands of sardines travelling from Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. With the sardines come hundreds of dolphins, Cape gannets and blacktip sharks- it really is a sight to behold!

7.        Tsitsikamma National Park Dramatic coastal scenery, reefs, rivers and lush forests create unforgettable views. Throw in suspension bridges, epic hikes and incredible wildlife and Tsitsikamma is definitely one to be on your list for exploring South Africa.