With an abundance of natural beauty, fascinating cultural touchstones and a buzz-worthy food and wine scene, travelers are enthusiastically discovering a world beyond safari in South Africa.
We invite you to look past simply spotting the country’s famous wildlife and create an exclusive itinerary of diverse South African experiences.
To help you get started, we’re listing a sample of options that can only be found in this special corner of the globe, ensuring that your adventure surpasses your wildest dreams.
Hike Table Mountain
Table mountain is the ideal choice for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are various trails for all levels of experience and fitness. For those that can make it, the view from the top of Cable Mountain is unbelievable.
Cage Dive with Sharks
Engage in a pulse-quickening encounter with Great White Sharks in the Western Cape of South Africa. The most popular places to cage dive with sharks are the famous Dyer Islands and Shark Alley, where you’ll be lowered into the water in a safe and secure cage to observe these awe-inspiring predators up close in their natural habitat.
Witness the Cradle of Humankind
Explore the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage valley in Gauteng where fossils from the dawn of humanity have been found within the limestone cavers – along with the faous “Mrs. Ples,” a 2.1 million year old skull.
Go Glamping
Glamour meets camping during the ultimate “glamping” trip at &Beyond Phinda Private Reserve; six exclusive and luxurious lodges boast a variety of amenities – majestic views, private plunge pools, floor to ceiling glass walls, a full kitchen and cozy fireplaces. Or, indulge in an open-air massage in the riverside Spa Gazebo at Bushmans Kloof, a wellness retreat at the foothills of the Cederberg mountains, where treatments feature African healing traditions using Rooibos and Fynbos plant oils.
Meet Ostrich Jockeys in Oudtshoorn
The Western Cape’s Oudtshoorn is the world’s ostrich capital. Feed, pet and even pose for pictures n the back of an ostrich at the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm and stick around for the ostrich race by local jockeys that ends each tour.
Tour Stellenbosch Vineyards
The spotlight is increasingly shining on South African wines. A visit wouldn’t be complete without sipping your way along the wine trail in Stellenbosch (the 2nd oldest town in South Africa). Sample unusual varietals, like the Bordeaux-style Rubicon blend at Meerlust winery, or take home a hand-crafted bottle of Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia, the wine favored by both Napolean Bonaparte and Jane Austen.
Try Extreme Golfing
Play the longest par 3 in the world at the Legend Golf & Safari Resort in the Limpopo region, where golfers both professional and amateur have tested themselves against the famous “Extreme 19th” accessible only by helicopter, with the tee set on majestic Hanglip Mountains, the hole is on a green like Africa some 1,300 ft. below.
Go on a cooking safari
Embark upon a unique culinary experience like the Cape Malay Cooking Safari at Cape Town’s Malay Quarter, you’ll lern how to mix masala, fold samosas and create a distinctive Cape Malay curry, then enjoy the traditional Malay meal in a local family home.
Travel to Robben Island
The legacy of Nelson Mandela is everywhere in South Africa, but nowhere more so than Robben Island where the former president and many other leaders, activists and anti-apartheid civilians were imprisoned. A museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the 3.5 hour tours here are often conducted by former political prisoners, adding a poignant layer to the already thought-provoking monument.
Visit the Apartheid Museum
Opened in 2001, the Apartheid Museum is considered the world’s essential institution devoted to the apartheid era. Visitors are arbitrarily assigned a racial classification and enter the museum through the door marked with their race. This, and other exhibits are a stark reminder of apartheid’s divisions while also providing a moving testament to the power of forgiveness and the importance of remembering the past.
Drive the Zululand Heritage Route
Immerse yourself in indigenous culture during a journey into the heart of Zululand. Tracing Route 66, the Zululand Heritage route begins near the pristine Siyaya Coastal Park in Mtunzini and ends at the bustling town of Pongola. Along the way, learn about the battles of the Anglo-Zulu War and experience the famous annual Royal Reed Dance, a centuries-old tradition that’s an important rite of passage for young Zulu women. Be sure to take home some Zulu love letter beads, messages of affection coded into intricate creations.
We will help tailor your perfect journey to South Africa, whether that’s imbibing in Stellenbosch wines, swimming with sharks or meeting local residents. With access to the finest local experts and exclusive amenities at the top safari lodges, we can make certain that your South African experiences are one-of-a-kind.
