Things to do in 

South Africa

Find alternative things to do across South Africa, from coastal craft workshops to township food routes and mountain trails that put you close to daily life without the crowds.

Cultural experiences: In Cape Town, learn to blend masala in Bo-Kaap with a home cook, then join a gumboot rhythm session in Langa that kids and grandparents enjoy together. In Johannesburg, visit a Soweto backyard jazz lounge after a street-art walk in Maboneng, or meet beadwork artists in nearby Alexandra. In Durban, grind spices in a Chatsworth kitchen and sample bunny chow at family-run canteens; couples who love flavor-packed dates will be happy. In Stellenbosch, spend an afternoon in Kayamandi meeting entrepreneurs over vetkoek; private tastings suit luxury travelers who like unhurried conversations.

Day trip ideas: From Cape Town, hop the train to Kalk Bay for a morning with fishermen on the harbor, then continue to Simon’s Town for a coastal walk near the penguin boardwalk. From Johannesburg, explore the Cradle Of Humankind at Sterkfontein Caves, then head to the Magaliesberg for a gentle ridge hike an hour away. From Durban, follow the Midlands Meander past potters and cheesemakers, or visit the Valley Of A Thousand Hills for village craft studios and sweeping views. From Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), drive to the Sundays River dunes for sandboarding and a quiet picnic by the water.

Explore South Africa’s regions: Around Cape Town, mix city time with the Winelands in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, then trace coastal paths on the Cape Peninsula. Along the Garden Route from Mossel Bay through Knysna to Tsitsikamma, walk forest boardwalks, kayak lagoons, and sample farm stalls. In Gauteng, Johannesburg and Pretoria anchor urban art, heritage, and vibrant markets. In KwaZulu-Natal, split days between Durban’s surf, the Valley Of A Thousand Hills, and the Drakensberg rock art sites. In Mpumalanga near Nelspruit, drive the Panorama Route to Blyde River Canyon and link a private bush walk outside Kruger. On the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape, base in Coffee Bay or Port St Johns for cliff paths and Xhosa village visits; in the Northern Cape, time Namaqualand’s spring bloom from Springbok if you’re visiting late winter into spring.

Travel tip: Give South Africa 10–14 days to dig into two regions, like Cape Town plus the Garden Route, or Johannesburg with the Panorama Route and a private reserve near Kruger. To loop Cape Town, the Winelands, and the Garden Route at a relaxed pace, plan 7–10 days; a coast-to-coast trip needs 3–4 weeks.

More places to see in South Africa

Cape Town shines on every list, but the routes and reserves beyond it show how wide South Africa feels once you start moving.

Stellenbosch & Franschhoek: Ease into the day with coffee on Dorp Street, then spread out a picnic under the oaks at Boschendal around lunchtime. Spend the afternoon on the Franschhoek Wine Tram, hopping off for tastings at places like Rickety Bridge and Haute Cabrière.

Garden Route: Walk the suspension bridges at Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma mid-morning and feel the sea air in the gorge. Roll into Knysna for oysters on the waterfront at lunch, then take the lookout path above the Knysna Heads or a late-day stroll on Wilderness Beach before dinner.

Drakensberg: Set out early on the Tugela Gorge trail in Royal Natal to keep cool and watch the Amphitheatre come into view. After lunch, join a guided rock art walk at Kamberg to see San paintings at the Game Pass Shelter. Settle near Cathedral Peak as the cliffs shift color and tuck into a hearty curry at the lodge pub.

Greater Kruger: Head out with a ranger at first light in a private reserve near Hoedspruit and pause for coffee by a waterhole as the bush wakes up. Spend the hot hours at the Letaba Elephant Hall inside Kruger, then join an evening drive when the air cools and animals start to move again.

Seasonal activities

Spring: See carpets of wildflowers unfurl across the West Coast and Namaqualand from late August to September, then follow whale spouts along the Overberg where sightings peak around Hermanus. Mild days and fresh breezes make this a best time to visit Cape Town for hikes, coastal drives and easy family walks.

Summer: Claim a morning spot on Cape Town’s beaches, paddle the Garden Route’s lagoons, or trek shady Drakensberg gorges before the afternoon heat builds. Rain greens the bush in Kruger, great for birding and photography, and Christmas in South Africa plays out as braais, beach days and long golden evenings that couples and families savour.

Fall: Wander the Cape Winelands during harvest for cellar tastings and vineyard picnics, then head north as safari conditions sharpen with thinning bush and clearer sightings. Cooler days and fewer crowds suit seniors and slow travellers, while couples slip into tucked-away farm stays and sunset viewpoints without the rush.

Winter: Count on crisp, dry air for standout game drives in the Kruger and private reserves, with big cats moving in the cool of early mornings. In the Cape, settle into museums, neighbourhood eateries and cosy wine bars between storm-watching walks, as the whale season along the south coast gets underway.

Across the year, street culture and community gatherings set the tone: the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival splashes colour through the city each early January, Heritage Day in September sparks neighbourhood braais nationwide, and Pride parades in Cape Town and Johannesburg bring music-filled marches. Monthly First Thursdays turn city centres into after-hours art walks, easy to fold into an evening with a local guide.