For those who love summer and run away from winter, the southern hemisphere of South Africa has lots of things for them. This part has become a most traveled region over the past. You can tune in with the vibes of many well-known cities, visiting spots, national parks, museums, and many others. Also, these places attract adventure-lovers huge in number every year.
South Africa is not enough to explain in a few words. Its giant size makes UK five times smaller and France two times smaller than its area. This continent has so many secret jewels that are yet to unveil.
Here is a list of the top five hidden gems in South Africa, only for you:
Tankwa National Park
Tankwa is a part of the Karoo’s semi-desert. Its sharp-defined landscape is not suitable for everyone, but if you love a clear starry sky with a brilliant night view, the Karoo will be the right destination. This solitary place will give you an undistracted environment. Its barren desert and scantily populated lands will give you a feel of serenity. So, a visit to Tankwa will take you to the deep root of the incredible geological sense.
Tankwa is famous for another reason, and that is Sutherland Observatory. This place houses the world’s giant optical telescope. So, this place is best loved by nature photographers and astronauts.
If you want to explore this Tankwa National Park, you can arrange a small night settlement in Lord Milner Hotel. It dates back to the time of Queen Victoria with antique decors and royal interior.
Coffee Bay
Though a portion of Wild Coast gets spoiled due to unmaintained roads and saggy countryside, the central part of the coast remains preserved. If you visit this place, you will explore Coffee Bay, a heavenly paradise under the sky.
This travel spot is named after a shipwreck carrying a voluminous quantity of coffee beans landwards. Moreover, this place will relax and rejuvenate your mind with the magnificent surroundings of the ocean and ridges.
Here, you can go for a short hike through arches on the wall, similar to the Durdle Door in England. Even you join the hiking tours to visit the Xhosa villages on the top of the green hills and know about their lifestyle and culture.
West Coast
You can discover the beauty of South Africa’s West Coast by road trip. At first glance, this place might not impress you, but gradually its natural wonders and historic places will begin to amaze you. In short, the West coast has variegated features that every traveler will fall for.
Cederberg Wilderness Area encloses a fascinating view of sandstone formations. This place is perfect for hiking. And for surfers, the undulation of the West Coast River appears as the roughest wave.
After experiencing these, you might want more on your trip. So you can drive around the city to explore other places like; nurseries, ancient churches, wineries, and unconventional museums. Although this West Coast district is suitable for visiting all year round, the best time to visit here is from August to September. During this flower season, you can see the vista of abundant wildflowers engulfing the enormous lands.
Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Game Reserve
We all know about Kruger National Park in South Africa. But that’s not the only park SA boasts for. There are so many other national parks in South Africa. Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal is a noteworthy national park.
It is not only the reserve forest that shelters the imperiled rhinoceros. But, it has a maximum number of exhibits of this beast. The park authority keeps attention on the perfect conservation measures to execute the highest number of exhibits of these valuable creatures.
Here you can visit rhinoceros through a game drive or bushwalk. Not only this, you can explore the natural forest by visiting other exhibits of big cats, elephants, and big cats.
Sterkfontein Caves, Gauteng
Sterkfontein Caves is an active mining site in South Africa and a fascinating gateway for tourists. It is a World Heritage spot that amateur antiquarians love to visit. Even history honors this place as one of the significant fossil sites in the world.
You will gain knowledge about the “Cradle of Humankind” when you are in Gauteng. This term denotes 4 million old fossils of animals and Hominids. It reflects the history of humankind and its development.
This Sterkfontein will gift you an unforgettable South African trip with its fascinating view. Also, it offers excellent guided tours and world-class exhibits. You only need to travel 40 min from Johannesburg to come here. It is a convenient distance so that anyone can visit this place. In addition, you should remember to wear perfect shoes for cave tours.
A visit to South Africa means visiting Cape Town and Johannesburg to the max percentage of people. But this country is not only about these two cities; there are many hidden treasures to discover. This beautiful country faces many incredible sites, adventures, and fascinating landscapes. So backpackers, make your bucket list ready for your South Africa trip. Read more about travel here.
