Under the canopy of an indigenous South African forest, more than 700 primates live in the world’s first free-range, multi-species primate sanctuary. Tours of Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary offer no species sighting guarantees, but you will see primates from around the world, while learning about their patterns, habitats, and threats.
Part jewelry store, part diamond workshop, the Cape Town location of The Diamond Works has been wowing visitors to South Africa since 2001. The shop offers diamond, tanzanite, and gold jewelry, plus polished stones and the option to design your own bespoke pieces. But it’s the workshop that’s the star attraction for most travelers.
One of the oldest museums in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Iziko South African Museum is home to more than half a million unique artifacts. Visitors can explore the halls of this historic place, which was founded in 1897, and learn more about the history and the people of the African continent’s southernmost country.
Tenikwa Wildlife Centre sits along South Africa’s southern coast—the region known as the Garden Route is one of the country’s most beautiful areas. Scenic roads look over windswept beaches, with craggy hills rising in the background. At the center, learn about the area’s biodiversity as you watch big cats at play.
The Iziko South African National Gallery is the premier public art museum in Cape Town. Housed in a grand Cape Dutch-style building, the museum offers a collection of South African, Dutch, Flemish, French, and British works from the 17th century to the modern day, along with temporary exhibits by local and emerging artists.
A converted biscuit factory, the Old Biscuit Mill is now a cutting-edge shopping, dining, and arts hub in Cape Town’s Woodstock suburb, adorned with street art from local and international artists. A wide range of boutiques and stores, plus the Neighbourgoods Market on the weekends, makes it a cool destination for both shopping and events.
The Cango Wildlife Ranch, home to endangered species from across South Africa and beyond, is dedicated to wildlife conservation and educating visitors about the challenges facing everything from its majestic big cats to prized Cape Vultures. In addition to viewing wildlife in their natural habitats, you can see big cats from an elevated boardwalk and have personal encounters with select animals in separate enclosures.
Cutting through the towering Swartberg mountain range, the Swartberg Pass climbs steeply through a set of hairpin turns, which display the vibrant color of the rocks. Construction of the pass began in 1881 but wasn't finished until 1888. Today, it’s known for its dramatic vistas and as the access point for the Gamkaskloof—a remote valley that makes up part of the Swartberg Nature Reserve.
This Cape Town museum is at the site of the first human heart transplant, Groote Schuur Hospital. The Heart of Cape Town Museum is in the still-working hospital, in the actual rooms where that heart transplant took place in December 1967.
The lush forests, streams, and trails of Birds of Eden provide a natural, free-flight sanctuary for more than 200 different bird species from across the world. Wander the vast 5.6-acre (2.3-hectare) aviary dome set in the mountains outside of Plettenberg Bay while observing rehabilitated birds in their natural habitats.
An important naval base for more than 200 years, Simon's Town is located on the shores of False Bay, not far from Cape Town, and is a popular tourist destination. The most popular attraction in Simon's Town is the penguin colony at Boulders Beach: one of only three mainland colonies of African penguins in the country.
Cape Town’s South African Jewish Museum (SAJM) honors the Jewish history of South Africa through interactive displays, audio-visual presentations, and fascinating artifacts. Visitors can see part of Cape Town's Old Synagogue, built in 1863 and situated on the same grounds as the museum, as well as the richly decorated 1905 Great Synagogue.
Part of sprawling Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine Nature Reserve near Cape Town takes its name from the 1898 Silvermine Reservoir at its heart, a scenic body of water that’s not meant for swimming. Dutch settlers in the 17th-century thought they would find silver in the area; they were wrong, but the name stuck.
A stop at the formidable Rhodes Memorial, perched on Table Mountain, rewards with classical architecture, views, and a reminder of British influence on Cape Town. Dedicated in 1912, the memorial honors British Cape Colony prime minister, Cecil Rhodes. For lunch with a view, try the restaurant and tea garden behind the memorial.
A historic town in the Cape Winelands, Paarl is often overlooked in favor of more photogenic Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. But there’s plenty to do here, from wine tastings, farm tours, and winery tours, to paragliding, hiking, abseiling, climbing, and even off-road motorbiking in Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve.
The Aquila Private Game Reserve, located in the Southern Karoo Highlands outside Cape Town, offers a Big Five African safari experience in a malaria-free region. Look out for South African birds such as the sacred ibis, black eagle, and buzzard, and make the most of spotting wildlife in its natural environment while touring on horseback, quad bike, or 4WD.
Located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront), the Cape Wheel offers panoramic views of Table Mountain, Robben Island, Pearl Mountain, and the Cape Town skyline from 131 feet (40 meters) up. Built in 2010 for the FIFA World Cup, the wheel offers 30 fully enclosed cabins (or gondolas), with room for up to six adults each.
On the grounds of the Anthonij Rupert Wyne Estate, L’Ormarins, the Franschhoek Motor Museum is a tribute to founder Anthonij Rupert’s passion for cars. Home to well over 200 heritage vehicles, from a 19th-century motor tricycle to a 2003 Ferrari supercar and a 1950 Norton motorbike, it’s a must for any car lover visiting the Western Cape.
Towering over the town of Paarl, the granite structure of the Afrikaans Language Monument is a reminder of how Afrikaans has impacted Southern Africa. With swooping curves and soaring peaks that indicate the heritage and influence of the language, the monument invites visitors to learn about Afrikaans’ complex legacy.
South African golfer Ernie Els took a big swing with his winery, but it paid off in spades. Known for their full-bodied red wines which include Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends, the winery is home to a stylishly cozy tasting room that looks out over Table Mountain and the Helderberg Mountains.
Victorian-style buildings with wrought-iron balconies and 24/7 street life make Long Street Cape Town’s answer to New Orleans’ French Quarter. It’s where locals go to party and backpackers go to sleep. Expect everything from late-night clubs, cocktail bars, and pool halls to cafés, restaurants, vintage stores, and even an antique arcade.
The Chavonnes Battery Museum in Cape Town houses the remains of an old cannon battery, one of the fortifications the Dutch East India Company (VOC) built at the beginning of the 18th century to protect against seaborne aggressors. It is said to have taken over a decade to complete the battery, which stood at what is now the V&A Waterfront.
A pair of headlands that separate the Knysna River Estuary (or Knysna Lagoon) from the Indian Ocean, the Knysna Heads are an iconic landmark along South Africa’s Garden Route. Home to residences, hotels, restaurants, a golf course, and a nature reserve, the Knysna Heads offers truly stunning views.
Just outside of Stellenbosch, Spier Wine Farm is one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa, dating back to 1692. Offering a wide range of wines and wine-tasting experiences, Spier is also home to several restaurants, shops, a hotel, and an extensive contemporary art collection. There are numerous ways to experience the estate.
Located on the slopes of Helderberg Mountain within Stellenbosch’s Blaauwklippen Valley, Waterford Estate is best known for its cabernet sauvignon. Visitors to the undeniably scenic winery can enjoy a variety of tastings in a relaxed outdoor setting, dine at its restaurant, experience a special event, and explore the 297-acre (120-hectare) estate on foot and by safari vehicle.
Located in Kleinbaai in the Western Cape, the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary provides rehabilitation for injured seabirds, especially endangered African penguins. In addition to the rescue, care, and release of birds, the center also conducts research and provides programs to help increase education and awareness.
See lions, leopards, cheetahs, caracals, and tigers in their natural habitats at the Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary. Set in South Africa’s scenic Western Cape, the sanctuary is dedicated to reducing inhumane treatment of big cats and focuses not only on rehabilitation and protection but also on visitor education.
Located in the southwestern Cape near Stellenbosch, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve is home to the Jonkershoek Mountains and parts of the Jonkershoek Valley. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reserve offers stunning scenery, wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, swimming, and mountain biking.
Located on the edge of the Bot River Lagoon in the Western Cape Winelands between Hermanus and Cape Town, Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate is known for its cool-climate Walker Bay wines. In addition to the vineyard, the estate also offers restaurants, villas, and a wide range of activities for the whole family.
Stretching for around 6.8 miles (12 kilometers) From Hew Harbour to Grotto Beach, the Hermanus Cliff Path winds its way over the cliffs that front the town of Hermanus. Overlooking Walker Bay, the path hugs the coast and offers spectacular views. It is one of the best land-based whale-watching spots in the world (in season).
