As far as natural splendour goes, South Africa is nothing short of spectacular. The southernmost country on the African continent, it has long been a magnet for travellers seeking to spot wildlife. But while sighting the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – on safari often tops the wish list, there’s so much more to discover across the country. South Africa is home to more than 100,000 species of plants, animals and fungi and the country’s unique culture is woven into its museums, art and food scenes. From Australia, you’ll land in Johannesburg and from there, it’s just a short two-hour flight to Cape Town, the legislative capital. Not sure where to start? Here’s our guide to the best things to do in South Africa, from experiencing a traditional braai (barbecue) to visiting one of the tallest waterfalls in the world.

Camp out with the four-legged residents

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A sleepout in the bush at Phinda Private Game Reserve will take your wildlife encounter to a new level. With nothing but a mosquito net separating you and the stars above, you’ll enjoy a restaurant-quality meal by the campfire before retiring on an ultra-plush bed listening to the distant cry of hyenas. The experience is offered by Phinda Forest Lodge, a luxury eco-retreat located in the country’s last remaining dry sand forest, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Durban or a one-hour private flight from Johannesburg. Camp outs aside, most of your time here will be spent watching the local fauna roam across the 30,000-hectare game reserve from the comfort of your treehouse-inspired accommodation or an open-top land cruiser.

Image credit: Tozart & Tours

Explore the street art of a historic township

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The abstract graffiti works of Tozamile Mnapu, a talented South African artist, adorn the streets of Langa, one of the country’s oldest townships, about 15 kilometres east of central Cape Town. Art is an integral part of the history of the area and Mnapu himself will guide you on an intimate group walking tour that starts at the local community centre, where he also hosts workshops with his company, Tozart & Tours. During your journey you’ll learn the story behind key examples of the town’s street art and visit various small galleries, including one nestled atop a tiny home.

Image credit: andBeyond: Luxury African Safaris

Swim with the locals

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Boulders Beach is one of South Africa’s best known stretches of sand, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town on the Cape Peninsula. With its namesake granite boulders protecting the inlets from the wind and large waves, it’s an ideal spot for families and the 3000-odd African penguins – a species now considered critically endangered – who call the area home. The flightless birds are protected and visitors are encouraged to observe them from a distance, although it's not uncommon to see a fluffy black tail floating by you in the water. Before making their way from the carpark to the pearl-white sand, guests are required to pay an entrance fee of approximately R190 (about $16) for adults and R95 (about $8) for children under 12, which goes towards maintaining the beach and preserving its natural beauty.

Take a scenic drive along a rugged mountain

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Chapman’s Peak Drive, a nine-kilometre road that starts roughly 40 minutes south of Cape Town by car, is considered one of the most scenic routes in the world. It winds along the edge of rugged Chapman’s Peak, stretching from Hout Bay on the Atlantic seaboard to the seaside town of Noordhoek. With about 114 curves, each bend reveals a new vista of turquoise waters or dramatic mountain landscapes. Keep an eye out for designated stopping points along the way where you can safely pull over to take photos – just be sure to hold on to your hat before stepping out of the car as it can get windy.

Image credit: @unexplored_capetown

Taste your way through Cape Town

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When it comes to trying the local cuisine, bobotie – a hearty South African take on a curried mince pie – is one of the country’s national dishes. Try this and more on a guided three-hour tour of Cape Town hosted by food and culture writer Dennis Molewa. Starting at the heart of the city, you’ll make about 12 stops and dine at three neighbourhood restaurants serving Somali, West African and Ethiopian food. Discover local spices including green elachi, methi seeds and alcha used in traditional dishes such as tripe, umngqusho (samp and beans) and spicy chakalaka. Along the way, Molewa will introduce you to friendly locals – think a second-hand bookseller, a tailor, a food entrepreneur – who will share stories about the city’s past and their efforts to preserve it.

Travel slow and scenic

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The most common way to travel from Cape Town in the south-west to central Pretoria is via plane, where you’ll touch down just two hours after take-off. But if you’re in no rush, book a ticket on The Blue Train. Running since 1946, this two-night journey mixes old-world hospitality with modern comforts. Each suite features your choice of twin beds or a double bed, a private bathroom – some with a deep tub for soaking – a big screen with a selection of movies and a desk neatly positioned by the window so you can gaze at the passing countryside. When hunger calls, meals and snacks can be delivered directly to your suite by a personal butler on request or you can venture to the gold-accented dining car for a South African feast that might include Karoo lamb, kabeljou (a fish also known as cape kob or silver kob) or Knysna oysters.

Check into an architectural marvel towering over the harbour

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Housed in a former grain silo complex, the Silo Hotel blends industrial architecture with contemporary South African design. Towering over Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront district, the property’s original silo tubes have been transformed into 28 futuristic rooms that feature geometric floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the city, Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel occupies the top six stories of the building, while the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa occupies the remaining floors and has one of South Africa’s largest collections of cutting-edge art from across the continent.

Trek to new heights

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Plunging over 400 metres, Tugela Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in the world and is situated in the Royal Natal National Park in the Drakensberg mountains, about a four-hour drive from Johannesburg. One of the best ways to take in its impressive scale is on foot. The Amphitheatre Hike can be anywhere from a four to eight-kilometre trail depending on where you start, so wear appropriate footwear and be sure to take some water and snacks with you. Along the way, you'll journey through scenic valleys, grasslands and towering cliffs before reaching a spot that offers a worthy spectacular viewpoint of the thundering falls.

Dance from day into night to live Amapiano music

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Konka isn’t your typical club. Set in an open parking lot, this vibrant day-to-night venue in Soweto – about 30 minutes from Johannesburg – is a celebration of the locals’ love for fancy cars, catchy Amapiano music (a blend of house, jazz and South African music styles such as kwaito and Afrobeat) and barbecues. Linger outside to admire the street style, where high-end streetwear meets garments crafted from traditional fabrics such as shweshwe or shweshwe-inspired prints, and see the sunset over a glass of bubbles before heading inside where synth-heavy beats of homegrown house music pulse from 10am into the night. Konka attracts emerging artists from across the nation and has long been a stomping ground for Grammy award-winning DJ Black Coffee.

Escape to a vineyard on a 17th century farm

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Journey roughly 30 kilometres south of Cape Town and you'll arrive at Steenberg Wine Farm, a historic 17th-century estate where some of South Africa's finest sauvignon blanc awaits. The property houses a five-star boutique hotel, a spa and two restaurants – fine-diner Tryn and tapas-style Bistro Sixteen82 – both overlooking a tranquil water feature and the sprawling vineyard. Stroll the winery’s vineyards then sample the award-winning drops. Afterwards, book in for a Vinotherapy Facial, which takes advantage of the farm’s wine-making heritage – the treatment uses grape-based products to detoxify and hydrate.

Dine at one of the world’s best restaurants

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Asian flavours meet modern French cooking techniques at La Colombe Restaurant, a fine-dining institution perched atop a mountain in Cape Town’s Silvermist Estate. Ranked 49th in the Top 50 Restaurants of the World Awards in 2024 and the best restaurant in Africa, the menu celebrates local ingredients such as Namibian crab, though the dishes change with the seasons. In addition to a formidable wine list, one thing guests can count on is creative presentation and a theatrical experience (expect smoky dry ice and opulent florals), hallmarks of the restaurant under the leadership of executive chef James Gaag. The culinary artist honed his skills working under top French chef Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford.

Safari in (eco-)style

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For an eco-adventure, nThambo Tree Camp offers a luxury escape in the Klaserie Nature Reserve, which borders Kruger National Park. Fly from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport then a 45-minute chauffeured drive will take you to one of the camp’s five solar-powered treehouse-style chalets, each towering on stilts. Private decks offer front-row views of the passing animal parade, particularly elephants and, if you’re lucky, nyalas (medium-sized antelopes). Take off on a game drive in the morning and again in the evening, before winding down over a bush dinner made from sustainably foraged ingredients including bush tomatoes and wild garlic.

Meet local makers

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On the first Saturday of every month, Northlands Primary School in Durban, on the country’s east coast, is transformed into a vibrant artisanal market. The air fills with the scent of woodfire as local food vendors set up shop and racks of colourful fabrics and handmade clothing line the hall. For the past 15 years, I Heart Durban Market has been the go-to spot for specialty souvenirs, from handcrafted straw bags to upcycled home décor and eco-friendly kids’ toys. Connect with the makers behind the crafts before joining the braai (barbecue) and enjoying sosaties (lamb, chicken or beef marinated skewers) to the soundtrack of live music.

Learn the history of District Six

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Gain a deeper insight into Cape Town’s history at the District Six Museum. Once a lively neighbourhood and home to a diverse community, District Six was cleared and partly rebuilt, its original residents displaced, in 1966 by the then apartheid government. Today it’s a modern suburb with bustling cafés and shops on its shaded streets but vast swathes remain vacant lots, speaking to its past. The museum is a moving tribute to the residents who were forcibly removed, with exhibits showcasing their personal stories, photographs and mementos of the area.

Reconnect with nature at a wilderness reserve and wellness retreat

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Nestled in the foothills of Cederberg Mountain, Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat offers a serene escape on a private 7500-hectare reserve. Located three hours north of Cape Town, this secluded lodge features 18 luxurious rooms, suites and villas with crisp linen bedding, private patios and sumptuous bathrooms. Start your day with a gentle yoga session surrounded by ancient rock formations then embark on a guided bush walk to spot mountain zebras and antelope. Afterwards you can wind down with a holistic massage at the spa or have a glass of local wine at the onsite restaurant, where organic and locally sourced ingredients, such as butternut squash, Kalahari truffles and sweet potatoes, take centre stage. As night falls, turn your gaze up to the Milky Way – the remote property’s minimal light pollution puts the stars in sharp focus.