Why Do Tourists Constantly Visit South Africa?

For adventure seekers, South Africa is always on top of the bucket list. This country combines diverse culture, incredible wildlife, beautiful scenery, and rich history. Apart from its location on the tip of Africa, let’s explore some of the reasons why tourists constantly visit South Africa. 

Budget Friendly 

Tourists visit South Africa regularly because travel here is cheaper than you think. Apart from the weakness of the South African Rand against the US dollar, Euro, UK Pound, and other foreign currency. Besides giving you more spending power, various travel experiences won’t make you break the bank. 

Game lodges like Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa offer 5-star accommodation, including self-catering options in the middle of the wilderness. You can enjoy wonderful meals without worrying about the bitter aftertaste of hefty bills. There’s also an opportunity to book an all-inclusive package, so you know your budget upfront. 

Wonderful Wildlife

For wildlife lovers, South Africa is an ideal destination. There are various species, including endemic options, including the Cape Horseshoe Ba, Bontebok, and Cape Elephant Shrew. The country is among the best to catch glimpses of the Big Five animals. You can watch the majestic lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos in one day. 

You can also see the Little Five animals in one conservation area, like Welgevonden Game Reserve. The Little Five animals include the elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, buffalo weaver, and rhino beetle. You can watch all of these during your stay at Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa, situated in the malaria-free game reserve. 

Scenic Beauty

South Africa has some of the world’s best landscapes evident all over the 1,219, 090 sq km land area. These include the wild African bushveld, monumental mountains, spectacular landscapes, and untouched countryside. 

The country has diverse scenery that satisfies all preferences, from the St Lucia Wetlands to Cape Point’s incredible views. Some of the crowd-pulling scenic locations include:

• Panoramic views of the Lowveld from God’s Window
• Driving along Clarens Drive, one of the most beautiful roads in the world 
• Hole in the Wall, locally known as Izi Khaleni at Coffee Bay
• Taking a drive along the Garden Route dotted with alluring beaches, headlands, and dramatic gorges 

Beautiful Beaches

Away from the wilderness, South Africa is endowed with breathtaking beaches. You’ll be fascinated by the raw beauty and mystery that will captivate all your experiences. This country has an enviable coastline stretching over 2500 km. 

The coastline is punctuated with coves, sandy stretches, and rocky cliffs. Tourists are spoilt for choice, with over 41 beaches with Blue Flag status. These include Cape Town’s picturesque beaches, KwaZulu Natal’s warm water beaches, and the wide sandy beaches lining the Garden Route. 

No Language Barrier

Despite having eleven official languages, visitors don’t face any communication challenges. The official languages here include Southern Sotho, Afrikaans, Sawi, Venda, Ndebele, Tsonga, Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana, Northern Sotho, and English. 

Of the population, 4,892,623 speak English as a first language. It accounts for the fourth most common language in the country. English is the language in public places and urban areas.  

All people you’ll meet in South Africa will likely speak good English with a good accent. If you’re up to a challenge, you can try learning some basic phrases in other popular languages like Zulu, Afrikaans, or Xhosa. 

Friendly People

Visitors regularly come to South Africa because the locals are hospitable. The locals are incredibly welcoming, which makes visitors feel safe. South Africans are genuinely friendly people and warm-hearted towards foreigners. You’ll be greeted with a smile wherever you go and will surely get a helping hand wherever you need it. 

Family-Friendly Experiences 

People who enjoy travelling with kids don’t get second thoughts when thinking about South Africa. Travelling with kids requires considering various things, but this country is awesome enough. 

There are various child-friendly activities, including the penguins on Boulders Beach or an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn. Other child-friendly activities include target shooting for children and kiddies bushwalk at Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa, located in the Malaria-free Welgevonden Game Reserve.   

Rich History

South Africa has a rich history that dates back millions of years. Among the various hominin fossils here is the Cradle of Humankind in Maropeng. This is where the Australopithecus Africanus fossil, nicknamed Mrs Ples, presumed to be 2.3 million years old, was discovered in 1947.

Other historical monuments that attract hordes of tourists include:

• Robben Island in Cape Town, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years out of the 27 years sentence.
• Big Hole on Kimberley, a result of diamond excavations in the 1870s.
• Cape of Good Hope is a reminiscence of the Dutch East India Company from the 17th century.
• Battle of Isandlwana Battlefield where the Zulu under King Cetshwayo defeated the British army.

Amazing Food and Wine

South Africa is a beautiful travel destination with endless opportunities to take your taste buds on a rollercoaster. From fresh seafood to tasty meat, including Boerewors, the local sausage. You can even go an extra mile and try beef alternatives like crocodile, ostrich, and kudu meat.

You can also go wine tasting across the country from the various wine states with beautiful sceneries. The country has some of the best wines in the world. Local soils support various grape varieties to thrive, allowing the production of a wide range of wines, including:

• Shiraz
• Chardonnay
• Marriott
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Chenin Blanc
• Pinotage

Responsible Tourism

The tourism sector in the country operates on the principle of responsible activities. This ensures no negative impact on the environment, society, and economy. The sector operates by generating great economic benefits for the locals and the environment.

Additionally, local people get involved in decision-making since the activity affects their lives in many ways. Tourism gives visitors a more enjoyable experience by creating meaningful connections with local people. This is through a better appreciation of local culture, languages, and customs. 

South Africa is undoubtedly a great travel destination whether you’re on a honeymoon, solo traveller, or with family. The country has something for everyone, from being budget-friendly to amazing wildlife and beautiful scenery. There are enough reasons why anyone would choose Mzansi for their travel destination.