Things to Do in South Africa

When people talk about wildlife in Africa, they usually mean the Big Five: Elephants, rhino, buffalo, lions and leopards. But World of Birds, a unique park just outside Cape Town that’s home to more than 400 different species of wild birds, proves there’s more to this diverse continent than just its massive mammals.

More than 3,000 birds and other small animals call this aviary home. Visitors can explore their well-kept habitats, which spread over a generous four hectares of land. The scenic backdrop of Table Mountain, Little Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles makes it an ideal spot for photos, too.

Since 2006 this rustic sanctuary stationed in the picturesque Umhloti Nature Reserve just outside Neispruit, has been a hub for conservation, education and eco-tourism. Chimpanzees that have been orphaned, displaced from natural habitats or survived the bush meat trade find a new home in Chimp Eden's semi-wild enclosures. Three groups of primates currently reside at the sanctuary, and easy to access viewpoints make it easy for visitors to observe their interactions. Travelers can book an institute tour and enjoy lunch at the Chimp Eden restaurant before exploring the locally sourced crafts in the sanctuary shop.

Before the English, before the Boers and well before the Dutch, indigenous San people roamed the desert plains of Southern Africa. Following herds and living off the land in the ways of their ancestors before them, the San existed as one Africa’s most noble, successful tribes. Centuries of subjugation, however, threatened the culture, leading to its preservation and educational display in South Africa’s Western Cape at the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Center, which acts as a modern way to empower and educate San, with funds being used to not only foster traditional African culture, but also help young generations of San to prosper and thrive.

The Garden Route offers visitors one of the most smooth and scenic drives in all of South Africa. The well-paved road winds through rolling hills, densely populated towns and small, subsistent farms. It’s a look at African life in the vast open countryside, with plenty of stopping options for destinations off the beaten path—like Wilderness National Park.

The rivers, lakes and beaches of this popular spot are protected by thick forests marked by hiking trails and nature paths. As its name suggests, this rugged town attracts mostly outdoor enthusiasts eager to enjoy the unspoiled coast. Spend an afternoon canoeing Dolphin Point, where the playful mammals and massive whales come to play, trek through overgrown wetland trails, paraglide from nearby mountain tops or rent a bike and explore the area on two wheels instead.

Since 1977 this Western Cape attraction has been offering visitors up close encounters with some of South Africa's most-loved animals. Take a guided tour through the award-winning grounds for a look at flying foxes, exotic birds and water monitors. Cheetahland, an elevated catwalk that made this ranch famous, is also home to tigers, cheetahs and even a white lion. But despite the wide variety of animals here, Cango Wildlife Ranch is not a zoo. The popular attraction takes conservation and community education seriously, which means visitors see the wildlife that makes this country unique, and get a lesson in preserving it, too.