Looking for an Epic Adventure? Here’s 100 Things to Do in South Africa!

There are thousands of ways to have an adventure in South Africa; we gathered the Good Things Guy team to list all our favourites.

South Africa (10 February 2025) – Our wish for you this year is to fill your life with every adventure you can dream up. So, we gathered the team and had everyone share some of their must-see destinations and must-do activities. Is it a bucket list? It can be that you aim to do and see all these things, or you can just use it as inspiration for your own travels and adventures.

We got the whole Good Things Guy team to share some of their favourite things to in South Africa. Each person shared what they love to do most, what is still on their to-do lists plus some must-see sights from their hometowns.

Nothando Mthembu, our journalist based in KwaZulu-Natal, shared that hot air ballooning is a big one on her travel bucket list; her family-friendly recommendation is afternoons spent at Shongweni Farmer’s Market. For those looking for spectacular outdoor activities, Nothando says that Giba Gorge is a must!

“The gorge is a natural valley carved by the Giba River, with steep rocky cliffs and natural grassland slopes. There are also hiking trails and zip-lining activities available.”

Brent Lindeque, our founder, has travelled South Africa extensively and had an incredible list, including drinks at the Lighthouse Bar at the Oyster Box, bungee jumping at the Orlando Towers and a trip to Sun City Resort. We asked him which was his favourite of all time but he said he simply couldn’t pick one spot as there are so many good gems in South Africa.

Our Cape Town-based journalist Ashleigh Nefdt has the benefit of exploring the Mother City and beyond. She shares that a day spent at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is always a win, including “the Boomslang Canopy Trail, which is a must!” Ashleigh adds that one should stay for the evening when the travelling Open Air Cinema comes to the gardens. Or you can go kayaking in Simon’e Town to watch the penguins hunting for their supper.

Tayla Castle, Brent’s assistant and right-hand gal shared that her must-see spots in Gauteng, including visiting her local escape room, The Gr8 Escape or getting crafty at one of the local Clay Cafe’s. Tayla is all about diving into creative, quirky adventures you wouldn’t typically think of because why settle for ordinary when life’s all about epic experiences and unforgettable memories? She’s all in for ticking off those “bucket list” moments that make your day feel like an adventure.

Lastly, Tyler Leigh Vivier, our safari-obsessed editor is down for all things Kruger National Park. If you are heading park side, she highly recommends a stay at Shingwedzi where you will get to see an array of wildlife without the notorious “traffic” that affects the parks during holiday seasons. This route also let’s you cross the Tropic of Capricorn where you can get out of your car and stand on it (just watch out for sleeping lions!).

So, with those recommendations in mind, let’s give you 100 things to do in SA. In no particular order, here we go…

100 Things to Do in South Africa

1. 1. Stand on top of Table Mountain (how you get up there is up to you; you can walk or ride the Cableway).
   2. Spot the big 5 in Kruger National Park (KNP).
   3. Stand on the edge of the Blyde River Canyon and overlook Mpumalanga.
   4. Go wine tasting in the Western Cape.
   5. Stand at Crook’s Corner and look over the Limpopo River at the Mozambique and Zimbabwe borders.
   6. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn (there are several points in SA where you can do this, but KNP have a pretty solid line to stand on).
   7. Climb Lions Head.
   8. Walk along The Bloukrans River Bridge (and for those brave enough, do the jump).
   9. Watch a South African choir live (we have so many incredible choirs to choose from throughout South Africa).⁠
   10. Take a tour around Vilakazi Street.
   11. Have a beer at the Sani Pass Pub.
   12. Wind down your windows and cruise Chapman’s Peak Drive.
   13. Make all the breathtaking stops along the Panorama Route (Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window included).
   14. Find the Giant Baobab in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
   15. Spot the wandering hippos in St Lucia.
   16. Turn your world upside-down at the Upside Down House in Hartbeespoort.
   17. Go on all the rides at Gold Reef City!
   18. Take an Instagram photo in the bright Bo-Kaap and enjoy some Cape Malay snacks while you walk the streets.
   19. Spot the Big Pineapple in the Eastern Cape, the Big Shoe in Mpumalanga and the Giant Strawberry in the Western Cape.
   20. Lose an item of clothing at Ronnie’s Sex Shop…

       

   21. Meet the penguins at Bolder’s Bay and spend the day lounging on the beach and paddling in the icy water.
   22. Go hot air ballooning in KZN, Gauteng, North West and the Western Cape.
   23. Bungee Jumping at the Orlando Towers.
   24. Take a pre-historic trip down memory lane at the Cradle of Humankind.
   25. Go for a walk in The Wilds, the park space has a host of stunning sculptures and places to spend the day.
   26. Visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, there is a museum that shares all the details about the site and a stunning sculpture you need to see, to understand.
   27. Watch the Augrabie Falls flowing – the thunderous falls are spectacular when the river fills up.
   28. Stand over the Big Hole in Kimberly, learning all about the diamonds found there.
   29. Visit the West Coast or ⁠Namaqualand for the spring flowers.
   30. Tour the the Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg.
   31. Visit the Drakensburg, the views are breathtaking and if you have the stamina, the hikes are out of this world!
   32. Take a tour of the Cango Caves, and you might even get treated to the guide’s stunning singing.
   33. Attend a local sports game at any of the stadiums around the country.
   34. Have brunch (with mimosas) at The Westcliff (Brent totally recommended this one!)
   35. Browse the art at the Nirox Sculpture Park.
   36. Get crafty at a Clay Cafe in your area.
   37. Take a stroll through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, including the stunning Boomslang Canopy Trail.
   38. Spend the day at the hidden gem, Bali Beach, on the Atlantic Seaboard.
   39. Take a step back in time and track the dinosaurs in Clarens.
   40. Dine at the Lesedi Cultural Village, soaking in a traditional cultural experience.

       

   41. Head to the lighthouse at Cape Point.
   42. Soak up the wonders of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
   43. Spend a day in the Magaliesberg Mountains; there are untold treasures, venues and views to visit.
   44. Take a leisurely stroll along the Sea Point Promenade.
   45. Drive the Battlefields Route and make a few educational stops to learn about some of the biggest battles fought.
   46. Explore where the two oceans meet at Cape Aghalas and the southernmost tip of Africa.
   47. A stop at Coffee Bay’s Hole-in-the-Wall is a great way to spend the day and a chance to immerse in the local cultural spots, too.
   48. Drive the stunning Swartberg Pass, stopping for all the views.
   49. Do the Howick Falls Gorge Walk to see the falls.
   50. Visit some bespoke wine-tasting venues outside of the Western Cape—think the Midlands in KZN, the Drakensberg and Craighall Park in Gauteng!

       

   51. For the birders, visit the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to spot all the stunning birds that call the area home.
   52. Enjoy all the activities, views and stinky but super cute seals at the V&A Waterfront.
   53. Volunteer at one of the many charities in South Africa; find your perfect match here.
   54. Take a cultural cooking class to learn some of the incredible flavours that make up our delicious melting pot.
   55. Go on a river adventure; we have the Orange River, Vaal River and a whole bunch of smaller ones to enjoy.
   56. Spot a whale or three in Hermanus.
   57. Stay at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and spot the black-maned lions.
   58. Visit the artistic Owl House (Nieu-Bethesda) in the Eastern Cape.
   59. Take a trip to Robben Island.
   60. Stand atop the Valley of Desolation in Camdeboo National Park.
   61. Go fruit picking with the family; there are fun farms throughout South Africa that allow you to pick your own.
   62. You can also go flower-picking too!
   63. Float your boat on the largest dam in SA, Gariep Dam.
   64. Go for a drink at South Africa’s highest urban bar, Alto234.
   65. Have a picnic on Signal Hill.
   66. Soak up all the art on First Thursdays on Bree Street.
   67. Go horseriding on Noordhoek Beach.
   68. Enrich your mind by visiting one of the hundreds of museums in South Africa.

       

   69. Spot a rhino at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
   70. Visit the Cape of Good Hope Castle.
   71. Go hiking in the Kgaswane Nature Reserve.
   72. Brave the bridges hanging over the ocean at the Tsitsikamma National Park.
   73. Go stargazing in Sutherland and spot The South African Large Telescope (SALT).
   74. Visit Durban and go on a rickshaw ride along the beachfront.
   75. Find the wild horses in Kaapsehoop.
   76. Plan a small-town road trip where you only visit small towns.
   77. Visit the Muizenburg rainbow huts and grab an ice cream.
   78. Visit the Zeitz Mocca art gallery on your birthday and support the African art scene.
   79. Spend a day at a market. Most towns will have some kind of market, so hop on Google to see what’s happening near you.
   80. Visit the Addo Elephant National Park to see all the big (and little) elephants.
   81. Find “Africa’s Stonehenge”, known as Adams Calender, while hiking in Kaapsehoop.
   82. Spend a night with the stars at the South African Astronomical Observatory.
   83. Visit an ethical wildlife sanctuary that focuses on rehabilitation for release.
   84. Soak those muscles in one of the many hot springs dotted around South Africa.
   85. Go rock climbing in the Overberg.
   86. Visit the Pilanesberg National Park in the North West.
   87. Go 4×4 driving at one of many treks around South Africa – Just be sure to invite a support vehicle too.
   88. Take a boat ride to Seal Island, where the Cape Fur Seals breed.
   89. Get up close and personal with sea creatures at the Two Oceans Aquarium or Ushaka Marine World.
   90. Have fish and chips at the Hout Bay harbour.

       

   91. Hoot your hooter through every tunnel. You can find some iconic tunnels in South Africa; there are over 10 road tunnels to use.
   92. Take a township tour: Langa and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape and Alexandra and Soweto in Gauteng each have phenomenal guides who walk and talk you through township life, history and food hotspots.
   93. Stay at the coast during the Sardine Run, witness incredible sealife and support fishermen who rely on this natural phenomenon.
   94. Have a spicy, delicious bunny chow in Durban.
   95. Go for a stroll in the Knysna Forest and find the giant yellowwoods.
   96. If you are brave, you can get into the ocean with the sharks!
   97. Head for the skies, go paragliding, skydiving, or on a microlite ride.
   98. Spot the “Ugly Five” in South Africa—they are Warthogs, Vultures, Hyenas, Marabou Stalks, and Wildebeests.
   99. Find your way to one of the many Labyrinths scattered around South Africa.
   100. Visit the museum of Illusions.

So there you have it; it’s just a small sampling of things you can do in South Africa. If we missed something, let us know in the comment section.

Sources: The GTG Team

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by Good Things Guy Team

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