Attractions of South Africa

To help inspire or plan your trip to South Africa, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for South Africa which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Go to Region of South Africa-> Eastern Provinces of South Africa - Garden Route - North-western South Africa

Eastern Provinces of South Africa - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

iSimangaliso Wetland Park
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known as St. Lucia Wetlands Park, is the largest estuarine lake system in Africa, comprising coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands. It is a site of spectacular scenery and great species diversity and is a crucial habitat for species from Africa's marine, wetland and savannah environments. UNESCO World Heritage Site: iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known as St. Lucia Wetlands Park, is the largest estuarine lake system in Africa, comprising coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands. It is a site of spectacular scenery and great species diversity and is a crucial habitat for species from Africa's marine, wetland and savannah environments.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: iSimangaliso Wetland Park

uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park
uKhahlamba or Drakensberg Park is a dramatic and spectacular mountain landscape. With deep river valleys. Rocky gorges, waterfalls, grasslands and forests, it's an area of exceptional natural beauty and a great destination for hiking and trekking. The park is also home to the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the now extinct San people over 4,000 years. UNESCO World Heritage Site: uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

uKhahlamba or Drakensberg Park is a dramatic and spectacular mountain landscape. With deep river valleys. Rocky gorges, waterfalls, grasslands and forests, it's an area of exceptional natural beauty and a great destination for hiking and trekking. The park is also home to the largest and most concentrated group of rock paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the now extinct San people over 4,000 years.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park

Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs
These archaeological sites have provided important insights into human evolution, enabling the identification of several specimens of early hominids dating backs millions of years, including the Taung Skull – a specimen of the species Australopithecus africanus. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs

Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs

These archaeological sites have provided important insights into human evolution, enabling the identification of several specimens of early hominids dating backs millions of years, including the Taung Skull – a specimen of the species Australopithecus africanus.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
Mapungubwe, near the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana, was the site of the largest and wealthiest kingdom in southern Africa which traded with India, China and Arabia. It was abandoned in the 14th century due to climactic changes. Today, the remains of palace sites and other settlements provide insight into this civilisation. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

Mapungubwe, near the border with Zimbabwe and Botswana, was the site of the largest and wealthiest kingdom in southern Africa which traded with India, China and Arabia. It was abandoned in the 14th century due to climactic changes. Today, the remains of palace sites and other settlements provide insight into this civilisation.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

Vredefort Dome
Vredefort Dome is part of a huge meteorite impact structure, or astrobleme, which occurred 2 billion years ago, the oldest yet found on Earth which scientists believe caused major evolutionary changes. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Vredefort Dome

Vredefort Dome

Vredefort Dome is part of a huge meteorite impact structure, or astrobleme, which occurred 2 billion years ago, the oldest yet found on Earth which scientists believe caused major evolutionary changes.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Vredefort Dome

Garden Route - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Robben Island
Robben Island Robben Island was used as a prison between the 17th and 20th centuries, most infamously when incarcerating Nelson Mandela and fellow anti-apartheid campaigners. These days, the island acts as a museum offering tours of the island and prison buildings. Visits guided by former prisoners offer a fascinating insight to the brutal regime. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Robben Island

Robben Island

Robben Island was used as a prison between the 17th and 20th centuries, most infamously when incarcerating Nelson Mandela and fellow anti-apartheid campaigners. These days, the island acts as a museum offering tours of the island and prison buildings. Visits guided by former prisoners offer a fascinating insight to the brutal regime.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Robben Island

Cape Floral Region
The Cape Floral Region in Cape Province represents less than 0.5% of the area of Africa but is home to nearly 20% of the continent’s flora thanks to the unique Fynbos vegetation which is endemic to the area. The density and diversity of plant species are astonishing and they display some unique biological processes which are of great value to science. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cape Floral Region Protected Areas

Cape Floral Region

The Cape Floral Region in Cape Province represents less than 0.5% of the area of Africa but is home to nearly 20% of the continent’s flora thanks to the unique Fynbos vegetation which is endemic to the area. The density and diversity of plant species are astonishing and they display some unique biological processes which are of great value to science.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cape Floral Region Protected Areas

North-western South Africa - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape in north-western South Africa is a region of 1,600 km² that is communally owned and managed by the Nama, a semi-nomadic pastoralist people. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape

The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape in north-western South Africa is a region of 1,600 km² that is communally owned and managed by the Nama, a semi-nomadic pastoralist people.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape