South Africa is a country of extraordinary variety. Whether you’re after beaches, mountains, forests, valleys, or busy city centres, this is the place to find them. And, as a destination, there is no shortage of world-renowned attractions in South Africa. But, there are also loads of gems that may not be as well known but are every bit as beautiful and exciting to explore. These have the advantage of (often) being quieter and easier on the budget.
Six Underrated Attractions in South Africa
1. The Klein Karoo
There’s an ethereal kind of beauty about the Klein Karoo. It’s different, unassuming, and a little mysterious. A little town like Graaff-Reinet has loads of history (it’s the oldest town in the Eastern Cape), friendly people, and plenty of character. It’s surrounded by the Camdeboo Park, which has incredible populations of plants and animals and is home to the breathtaking Valley of Desolation. Other Klein Karoo towns with unique appeal include Nieu Bethesda and Cradock.
2. The Bavianskloof Mega-Reserve
More than being a World Heritage Site, the Baviaanskloof is spectacularly beautiful. Walk, hike, cycle and 4 x 4 your way through the rugged terrain to get the most out of it. This is all about steep mountain passes, deep gorges, incredible rock formations, lush greenery, and unspoilt plains. Animals that call this home include the leopard, baboon, vervet monkey, zebra, eland, kudu, and buffalo. There are also loads of raptors and other exciting bird species.
3. Mossel Bay
This seaside Garden Route town is another gem. Although tourists sometimes pass through it en route to or from Cape Town, it remains fairly quiet. But, it has so much to see and do. This is a hotspot for shark cage diving, fishing, surfing, swimming, whale watching, SCUBA diving, cycling, shopping, and sampling some excellent seafood. Mossel Bay has a stunning climate, and is only 1.5 hours from Knysna and about 4.5 hours from Cape Town.
4. The Lake District of Mpumalanga
Seeing the glimmering blue of the Mpumalanga lakes is soothing to your soul. Around Lake Chrissie, which is the main lake of the district, there are 320 more lakes and pans of different sizes and shapes. And, where there’s water, there’s life. Find an amazing variety of birds, frogs, and butterflies. Or, just relax while you drink in the views, which are nothing short of humbling.
5. Tulbagh
Tulbagh stirs up all kinds of nostalgia with its old farmhouses, views of the mountain behind a haze of summer heat (or, very rarely, topped with snow in the winter), and quirky locals. Go on wine tastings, visit the museums, cycle through vineyards, hike through mountain fynbos, or explore the orchards on the back of a horse. This little town in the Cape Winelands is a very special retreat, just 1.5 hours from Cape Town.
6. Tsitsikamma
This part of the Garden Route is lush, green, and filled to the brim with adventure. When visiting Tsitsikamma, you can choose from ziplining over the spectacular forests, ziplining over tannin-stained waterfalls, segwaying through the Storms River village and forests, horse riding along the streets and country trails, and tubing down Storms River. This is one of the most awesome holiday attractions in South Africa for the family.
Accommodation
These attractions may be quieter than the mainstream South African hotspots, but they offer all of the necessary facilities, including accommodation to suit your budget and needs. Have a look at SA-Venues.com to book guesthouses, lodges, B&B’s, or hotels on one easy platform.
