South Africa is a nation of mountain vineyards, white-sand beaches, windswept canyons, wide grasslands and vibrant cities. You could easily spend a month exploring the country and never run out of things to do.

South Africa welcomes tourists, but the U.S. State Department advises caution — both in cities, which have a high level of crime, and in wildlife reserves, where tourists must keep a safe distance from wild animals. In this quick travel guide, we explore some of the best ways to enjoy stunning South Africa.

Five Things to Do In South Africa

1. Go on safari in Kruger National Park.

Kruger is one of the world’s most spectacular national parks. “The diversity, density and sheer numbers of animals is almost unparalleled, and all of Africa's iconic safari species – elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, hippo and zebra – live out their dramatic days here,” Lonely Planet says.¹ You can go on a guided safari, take a shorter tour, stay at a luxury lodge.

2. Hike the Cape of Good Hope trail.

On South Africa’s Atlantic Coast are Table Mountain National Park and the Cape of Good Hope, once thought by sailors to be the southernmost tip of Africa. It’s not; but the two-day hike through the park is a wondrous experience you won’t soon forget. Enjoy the views, then stay the night at a solar-powered cabin. Just watch out for baboons: “When given the opportunity they will enter the hut and destroy property and personal belongings,” the park warns.²

3. Leisurely enjoy scenery – and wine.

One of the easiest ways to view the stunning landscapes and learn more of the rich history (and taste wine) is to board the Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tours. The tour takes you door-to-door, taking you to some of South Africa’s finest wine estates at your pace.

4. See the Cradle of Humankind.

A World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind is the place where a tremendous number of early hominid fossils have been found, dating back more than 3 million years.³ Visit the on-site museum and tour the Sterkfontein Caves. Nearby is aha Lesedi, a cultural village where you can spent the night in a traditional homestead hosted by a family from the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho or Ndebele tribe.

5. Visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

From 1948 through 1991, South Africa legally adopted a brutal system of apartheid, which involved the segregation and abuse of non-white South Africans in every sphere. This included forced relocation to black-only townships, prohibition of mixed-race marriage, and whites-only bathrooms and facilities.⁴ The Apartheid Museum powerfully tells the story of the rise and fall of apartheid, and shows how South Africa is overcoming its past to create a more just society.

Four Great Hotels in South Africa

Travelers who stay in beautiful, coastal Cape Town have their pick of hotels, from luxurious to quaint. Cape Grace Hotel on the waterfront is one of Conde Nast Traveler’s top picks: all the rooms have breathtaking views, and “service is very accommodating, with a chauffeur who will drive guests anywhere within a 20km radius of the hotel; guests also have access to the hotel's luxury yacht.”⁵ Looking for something a little less posh? South Beach Camps Bay is one of the best mid-range hotels in Cape Town, with 19 oceanview suites that include kitchenettes.

If you prefer savanna to sand, South Africa has numerous safari camps and lodges. Look for one with a stated policy of conservation and wildlife protection. Singita Lebombo Lodge is the opposite of rustic, with two pools, a wine bar, and contemporary suites that hover above the N’Wanetsi River. A more traditional safari experience can be had at Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps, where you may meet an elephant on your way to breakfast. 

Three of the Best Restaurants in Cape

There are fantastic restaurants everywhere in South Africa, of course, but Cape Town shines as a culinary destination. Conde Nast Traveler named it the world’s top food city in 2015. One of the best restaurants in Cape Town is Gold Restaurant, which offers a lavish, multi-course tour of traditional African flavors: benne chicken, tomato bredie with springbok, and ostrich babotie samosas.  Kloof Street House is a romantic brasserie in a Victorian house that serves great steaks as well as inventive vegetarian fare. And for a relaxed lunch by the harbor, try Kalky’s on Kalk Bay, a favorite destination for South African-style fish and chips.

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What Do I Need to Travel to South Africa?

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