The food, the beaches, the culture. Everything about South Africa screams excitement and we’re loving it. Whether you’re after a day out spotting leopards or want to explore the big cities like Johannesburg, it’s a country that doesn’t disappoint.
We'll Let You In On A Lil' Beach-cret...
With a coastline stretching to more than 2,500km in length, South Africa has its fair share of beaches. Don’t be fooled into thinking their all the same though, with the East Coast bordering the warm Indian Ocean and the West being met with the Atlantic.
Golden Mile - a popular and beautiful stretch of shore great for sunbathing and surfing.
Muizenberg Beach - nestled within False Bay on the west coast this is deffo one to visit, holding a blue-flag award and featuring the famous colourful beach huts.
Boulders Beach - further along the coast in Simon’s Town is this absolute gem that lives up to its name with large boulders between the white sand, oh, and it's home to the adorable African Penguins - just incase you needed more reason to visit.
Llandudno Beach - don't get confused by the name, we aren't zipping you back to North Wales for this one - it's a secluded cove beach perfect for photo ops. Make sure you bring a picnic, it's a lil secluded, but that just means it's even more tranquil.
Clifton Beaches - we're giving you four for one with these swanky shorelines, we're talking white sands, blue waters and lush cliffs to stop that pesky wind blowing your towels - take your pick of the litter, or make a return trip and try all four!
Bloubergstrand Beach - if you're down in Cape Town and are looking for your next fix of sand and sea, then make sure you've got this spot on your radar, it's low-key known for it's excellent windsurfing and kite surfing conditions and it has stun views of Table Mountain - what's not to love?
How About These Swanky Hotels?
We've offered the beachy goods, but we can't leave it at that, where are you all gonna rest your pretty, lil' heads at night? Well, we have some thoughts for you're South Africa beach holiday that you should deffo keep in mind:
The Table Bay Hotel - a five-star slice of paradise complete with delish dining offering views of Cape Town, an oxygenated swimming-pool and lush spa facilities.
Lagoon Beach - right along the Atlantic coast, this beachfront hotel boasts prime position to soak up the sun on the beach or by the rooftop pool - that got your attention.
Doubletree by Hilton Cape Town - smackdab in the middle of a tonne of excursions but boasting its own gym, restaurants and plush rooms - this four-star hotels got the goods.
Waterfront Village - set on the Marina of the Victoria and Alfred waterfront, you can take your pick from five swimming pools, need we say more?
President Hotel - the perfect blend of a city break and a beachside retreat in Cape Town complete with delish dining spots, an infinity pool, spa and wellness facilities and transport links to the see the city right outside too, you don't get much better than this.
Your Handy South Africa Holidays 2024 Travel Guide
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Things to do in South Africa for Families
If you've never heard of Kloofing before, then you're in for a treat and a half - this family-friendly adventure sport is a thrilling blend of walking, climbing, jumping, abseiling, swimming and bouldering to descend through a canyon. This blend of activities is usually a hit with the teens, but that's not to say the little ones won't find it just as thrilling, so if you happen to be near Plettenberg Bay, maybe give something new a go and see how you fare... it'll certainly make it a holiday to South Africa to remember.
Sandboarding cis a super-fun activity for the whole fam, so why not add it to the itinerary, we reckon if you head over to Mossel Bay during your South Africa holidays then you can make full use of the biggest sand dune in South Africa to shred some serious sand. Sometimes having the gang in tow can make planning day trips difficult, but this is one of those activities you'll rarely get chance to do anywhere else, so make the most of it!
👩🏼❤️👨🏾 Things to do in South Africa for Couples
Part hike, part eye candy, the Kristnebosch Botanical Gardens is the perfect place for you and your partner to get immersed in nature as you stroll through fields of flowers, cross bridges, traipse through forest pathways and enjoy sweeping hillside views. Sometimes it's the simplest days out that have the biggest impact, and we think this is a surefire way to level up your couples holiday to South Africa.
Take a cool, refreshing dip in crystal pools after hiking through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve trail. We know, we've made this section hike heavy, but honestly, these pools are well worth the walk for a romantic day out for the two of you. It's an easy trek, the trails are never normally too busy, and the pools at the end are a rewarding treat after the heat of the walk. This is definitely one to keep on your radar if you or your partner are looking to get away from the crowds on your South Africa holidays.
🦁 Things to do in South Africa for Nature Lovers
If you're looking for a Safari experience that includes self-driving opportunities then look no further than Kruger. You can catch a glimpse of lions, elephants, hippos, leopards and crocodiles in their natural habitat at this national park, snap a tonne of pics to have your Insta-followers well jell and explore more of what South Africa has to offer. We're still not over the part where you can drive your own safari jeep to be honest, that's so cool!
What better way to spend a day than keeping your eyes peeled for elephants, rhinos and African buffalo in their natural habitat, the Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest-national park in South Africa. You can trundle around the park in the back of a jeep then stop off for snacks and tipples while the sun sets, it's kinda the perfect plan for your South Africa holidays.
🍷 Things to do in South Africa for Foodies
If you're prone to a cheeky glass of wine or three, then you're gonna wanna head on over to the Jordan Winery - you can kick back with a picnic, the rolling vineyards before you and soak up the sun, there's even picnic pods along the river if you fancy some privacy. However you wanna picnic on your South Africa holidays, you'll be in for a treat with baked breads, charcuterie, cheeses, fruit salads, estate-grown olives, pastries and a tonne more.
Sometimes you're craving a banging brunch to start your day off right, or your afternoon, maybe you're a light riser, we don't judge. The Kloof Street House is the place to be in Cape Town for a luxurious breakfast with hot menu items such as eggs with truffle mash or smoked salmon on toast with wasabi cream - to top it off, if you're here on a Sunday, you can enjoy local musicians playing live jazz music to go hand-in-hand with your food.
