A WORLD IN ONE COUNTRY is the famous slogan used by South African Tourism (Satour) to market the wonders of this beautiful country to potential overseas visitors. A more apt description would be difficult to find.
South Africa is a country with a vast and diverse tourism product. Apart from the many scenic wonders, the rich variety of fauna and flora, plenty of sunshine, great infrastructure, and value for money, South Africa also has many different influences from the East and West as well as Africa, which together mirror many cultures of the world.
When a person thinks of South Africa as a tourist destination, many top tourist attractions (icons) spring to mind.
Western Cape
One of the most famous icons of the world is Table Mountain, at the southern-most tip of Africa in the city of Cape Town. Other icons in this province include Cape Town's Waterfront, Robben Island, the famous Winelands, the sixth mammal of the Big Six: Whales, the beautiful Garden Route, Cango Caves and Ostriches, a unique bird of South Africa, and of course Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, part of the floral kingdom of the world.
Mpumalanga
The Kruger National Park is also world renowned and is situated half in the province of Mpumalanga and half in the Northern Province. Here an amazing variety of animals and birds may be found, including the "Big Five". Also in Mpumalanga are a number of beautiful waterfalls, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window, and Blyde River Canyon (third largest canyon in the world).
Gauteng
The Gauteng province boasts the Sterkfontein Caves, where Mrs Ples (Plestiainthropus Transvaalenis) was found, Soweto and Gold Reef City.
The seat of Government, the Union Buildings, is situated in the administrative capital of South Africa, Pretoria.
North West Province
The North West province is famous for the Sun City resort, an oasis of immense proportions in the middle of an old volcano, and the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
Kwazulu-Natal
Aspects of interest in this province include the mighty Drakensberg Mountains and the rich cultural history of the Indian people, the British colonial era and the Zulu people. This province also has great beaches and a rich variety of animals and birds in the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe/St Lucia corridor. Sodwana Bay is renowned for great diving.
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape province is known for its vast open spaces, the Augrabies waterfall, the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, the incredible history of the San people (Bushmen), and the Big Hole in Kimberley. An unforgettable sight is the blanket of wild flowers which covers the Namaqualand area every spring.
Free State
The Free State boasts the Golden Gate National Park and spectacular scenery in the eastern Free State.
Eastern Cape
Icons of the Eastern Cape include the Addo Elephant National Park and the Tsitsikamma National Park, and the Wild Coast Sun where visitors can strike it lucky at the casino.
Northern Province
Among the attractions of the Northern Province are the amazing legends of the Venda people, Modjaji the Rain Queen, and incredible cycad forests.
Provincial Highlights