By a Nina.care au pair ambassador
If you are looking for a country full of diversity, delicious food, and people with a heart of gold, South Africa should be the next country you visit. I am a South African born and raised and I just adore my country and all it has to offer. South Africa has nine provinces offering something unique, but this blog will highlight my favourite places to visit.
Cape Town
At the top of my list would be Cape Town. Cape Town is situated in the Western Province and is full of vibrance, beautiful scenery, and many attractions to see and do. Table Mountain is an excellent option if you want to see a magnificent view from high above. You can either use the cable car to the top of the mountain or if you are feeling adventurous, hike up to the top. At the top of the mountain, you will find beautiful paths spanning the mountain, and can have a drink and a snack while admiring the beauty around you.
Another great place to visit, albeit sad, is Robben Island. Robben Island is now a museum where you will be taken via boat to an island that used to hold prisoners during Apartheid in South Africa. It is a gut-wrenching tour that will no doubt influence you a lot, but I left Robben Island with a sense of purpose to never allow such injustices to occur again. Another beautiful spot in Cape Town is Boulders Beach. Here you will be able to see the vast number of penguins that live on the beach, and it is definitely an experience to be had.
Mpumalanga
The next province would be Mpumalanga. This province is situated in the north of South Africa and is home to the famous Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is our biggest game reserve, and it allows for some incredible sightings of wildlife. Seeing the big five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino) is a high probability while you are here. You can either hire a car and drive on your own through the park or you can pay to go on game drives where a tour guide will take you around and help provide knowledge on all the animals you encounter. The sunsets here are also always a sight to behold!
Pretoria
If you want to visit one of our capital cities, Pretoria is a great option. Pretoria is situated in Gauteng and is home to our Union Buildings. The Union buildings form the official seat of the South African Government and house the offices of the President of South Africa. Pack a picnic and sit in the beautiful gardens surrounding the buildings.
Kwa-Zulu Natal
The last province is Kwa-Zulu Natal. Here there are two places that I love going to. Firstly, we have Durban which boasts the most beautiful beaches, great for surfing or swimming. And a bonus is that the water is super warm due to it being part of the Indian Ocean. Another great place to visit in Kwa-Zulu Natal is the Natal Midlands. This is an inland attraction that is so serene and filled with breathtaking views. You can opt to do the Midlands Meander which is driven by car. On this route, you can stop off at quaint little shops within the countryside or partake in adventures such as go-karting, ziplining, and the Karkloof Canopy Tours are a MUST.
I really hope that you are one day able to visit my beautiful country and witness all the
joy and beauty it has to offer.
Some fun facts about South Africa…
- South Africa is the largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world.
- The first heart transplant in the world took place in 1967. It was performed by Dr
Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.