When people think of South Africa, there are a lot of things that spring to mind, but one thing that doesn’t tend to spring to mind is the idea of it as a travel destination. Sadly, people have a lot of more preconceived notions about what South Africa is like, and many of those notions are pretty inaccurate. The image that many people have in their heads of a poverty-stricken desert filled with tribes barely scraping by is actually an incredibly small minority and the majority of South Africa is a thriving and exciting place with huge amounts to offer travellers from all over the world. With that in mind, here are just a few reasons why South Africa should be right at the top of your list of future travel destinations.
The landscape
If you have an image in your mind of South Africa as a barren wasteland of desert, then you’re dead wrong. Sure, there are a lot of deserts in that part of the world, but South Africa is also famed for its beautiful beaches, lush vineyards, and breathtaking mountain ranges. Whether you’re planning on taking a sightseeing tour of some of the most amazing natural beauty in the world, or you’re looking to climb some of the region’s highest peaks, South Africa has enough beautiful landscapes to satisfy even the most seasoned traveller.
The wildlife
If there’s one thing that most people are aware of, it’s that South Africa is pretty abundant in remarkable wildlife. Taking the chance to head out on safari is one of those things that you literally cannot afford to miss out on. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in the world, stretching into both Mozambique and Zimbabwe, offering travellers the chance to see some of the regions most majestic creatures. Not only that but if you head over to Boulder Beach in Cape Town then you can see a colony of over 3000 penguins playing in the sand!
The culture
If you think that South Africa is nothing but tribespeople trying to get by then you’re sorely mistaken. Sure, there are still tribes in South Africa, but there are also cities with sprawling and multilayered cultures for your to explore. There are so many things to do in Cape Town alone that you could spend your entire trip just in the capital. From museums showing the nation’s history to street art displaying its vibrant, present-day culture to the delicious local food, the capital city is packed so full of life that many people fall in love with the pure level of energy that it has almost immediately.
Of course, it’s also important to remember that South Africa isn’t the only part of the continent worth visiting. There are places all over Africa that are filled with incredible and vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes and amazing experiences for any travellers. Don’t let your preconceptions of a place get in the way of you discovering some truly incredible parts of the world.
