September is officially Tourism Month in South Africa, and every province in the country is worth including on your travel itinerary. In South Africa, the tourism sector plays an integral role in the economy, making up around 4.5 of employment and is vital in the nation’s sustainable development goals.
Moreover, every province and town has its own charm, a special allure that makes us want to come back and hit the road to discover more. Here’s a selection of nine destinations to celebrate this tourism month, one for every province.
1. Limpopo: Kruger Park
The world-renowned Kruger National Park is another visitor hotspot, inviting travellers to sink into the wildlife experiences of SA’s Big 5, as well as explore its vast birdlife of over 500 species. The 360km long park is the third-largest national park in the world, has five vegetation zones, and is regarded as the best place in the world to spot leopards.
If you want to try out one of the province’s less-known national parks, Mapungubwe National Park is a hidden gem that won’t disappoint.
Read: Five of Kruger National Park’s best picnic sites
2. North-West Province: Sun City
Sun City is often a popular destination for both domestic and international travellers, many of whom include the destination in their itineraries because of its collection of water resorts, Valley Of The Waves water park, and entertainment offerings. It is also surrounded by beautiful nature reserves including Kwena Gardens Crocodile Sanctuary, Madikwe Game Reserve, and Pilanesberg National Park.
3. Eastern Cape: The Wild Coast
Learning to surf on the Wild Coast at Coffee Bay.
From vibey backpackers, postcard beaches, and a landscape dotted with the most scenic rondavels and grazing nguni’s, there’s not much to say about the Wild Coast other than to just go there. It touches every visitor in its own way, and will keep you returning for more.
Read: 6 awesome Wild Coast backpackers for under R200 per person
4. Western Cape: Garden Route
Map of Africa viewpoint in Wilderness.
George in the Western Cape is the gateway to the beautiful Garden Route, with incredible destinations for tourists to experience the history and visual beauty of the city and its surrounds. From there, you have access to Wilderenss, Knysna, Plettenebrg Bay, Natures Valley and everything inbetween.
5. KwaZulu Natal: Saint Lucia
Kayaking on the St Lucia estuary, on the lookout for crocs. Photo by Tyson Jopson/ Getaway Gallery.
An intriguing destination, Saint Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal is a world heritage site and has the largest population of free-roaming hippos in South Africa. In addition to that, Saint Lucia is also known for the Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches in the summer months, as well as its breathtaking Humpback Whale and Whale Shark sightings.
6. Free State: Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Glen Reenen Rest Camp, Golden Gate National Park.
Situated close to the Lesotho border, this national park not only has picturesque mountains it is one of the last remaining refuges of the rare bearded vulture and offers guifed tours through the park on horseback.
Read: 6 things to do in Parys, the Free State’s adventure capital
7. Mpumalanga: Hoedspruit
Each Afri Camps Hoedspurit tent has a wood-fired ‘hot tub’ or splash pool in summer.
Hoedspruit is situated between the Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon, so is a perfect stop on a travel itinerary between the two. From horseback safaris and interactive elephant experiences, visitors can also enjoy hot air balloon safaris and some R&R at a wellness spa.
Read: Vacation in a Boeing? Hoedspruit Aerotel adds another plane to stay in
8. Northern Cape: Richtersveld
Home to some of the most remote mountains in South Africa, the Oemsberge, the Richtersveld is among the driest and most inhospitable areas of the country – and one of the most beautiful. If its peace and quiete, you want, with a full serving of raw,untouched nature, take the long gravel road up north.
Read: Rare encounters in the Richtersveld
9. Gauteng: Cradle of Humankind
The Maropeng Visitor Centre is a fascinating outing for kids and adults alike – you’ll come away having learnt something new. Image: Melanie van Zyl/ Getaway Gallery
Walk in the footsteps of our ancestors in what has proven to be the richest paleoanthropological site to date. Just 50km outside of Johannesburg, the Maropeng visitor centre is a world class exhibition that focuses on the evolution of humans over the past few million years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to 40% of the entire planet’s treasury of human ancestor fossils!
Read: The Getaway guide to the Cradle of Humankind
