The most beautiful natural sites to discover South Africa

Occupying over 55 hectares, this zoo has 600 mammals, 1 500 birds and many reptiles. If you don't stand up for pets, go down. We will advise this visit to families, those who want to observe more closely the Bush animals (zebras, lions, gazelles), and those who would like to see polar bears, red pandas, the Siberian tiger and the golden tamarind lion disappearing.

A wide strip of fine white sand and turquoise blue water. Closely watched by a team of spotters from the top of Boyes Drive. If sharks are landed, the alarm is sounded and a black flag with a shark on it is hoisted. We then have to get out of the water quickly. A red flag means that the sharks were here less than two hours ago or that the water is too murky to see very far. This is the beach for beginners and families, ideal for lessons. And let's not forget the brightly colored huts that make up the charm of the beach.

The must: Seal Island. 16 km from the coast, in the middle of the bay, the island is populated by thousands of birds and 75,000 playful seals. Sensitive souls should refrain, but in the morning, when squads of white sharks take a trip, we see these predators jumping to catch seals in flight. From March to November whales are also present. They improvise choreographies, spins and sometimes spectacular jumps. Then the dolphins love to follow the boats.

These dolomitiques caves of the Molapong valley were occupied in the middle of the stone age (51 000 to 10 000 BC). The entrance to the Cannibal Cave, closed to the public, houses a colonie colony. An adjacent Museum of Man has an interest in paleontology.

A wonderful, miraculous source tells some that produces 20 million litres of water per day (8 h -20 h). A chance for this dry region. Restaurant on site.

Specialising in the lion, 25 km northwest of Sandton, this park proposes you to approach the Fauves at an unusual distance. The visit begins with the enclos of the babies where it is possible to penetrate. The children and the larger ones will be happy to caresser the live toys under the watchful eye of a guard. Guaranteed collector photo! See also cheetahs and wild dogs. Then, take his vehicle for a cross-section of the antelopes before entering the lions'paddock. They are dozens to surround your car.

A broussarde plot in the heart of the Cape Peninsula, convenient for those who don't have time to go into Bush. Come to the encounter of antelopes and buffles buffles. Restaurant and shop.

Shamwari Game Reserve is a nature reserve offering an unforgettable wilderness experience. Visitors can enjoy game drives, bush walks, bird watching and even private villa stays. In addition to these activities, Shamwari Game Reserve is also home to conservation awareness centers, such as the Wildlife Rehab Centre and the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries, which enable visitors to learn about the reserve's conservation efforts.

A territory of 49 000 ha, located near the Swaziland border, which houses 45 species of mammals (elephants, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, leopards) and 345 bird species. Signs of human implantation dating back to 400 BC were found here. It is here in Songimvelo that Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer came to the film L'Shadow et la Proie. And in the movie we see two ferocious lions getting their teeth on about railway workers! A true story at the end of the last century in English East Africa on the Tsavo side.

This ghost city was the competitor of Barberton between 1885 and 1889. Follow the R 38 towards Kaapmuiden over 22 km. On the way, we will take a look at the Romantik's Retreat; The Hanging Tree, would be inhabited by some evil spirit, and Swazi gardeners refuse to miss. Turn right into Westport. See the cemetery at 3,5 km. Continue 1 km, then turn right 3 km to the Sheba gold mine. From here, to go to Eureka-City, you need to ask for a "Enabled" here.

This historic site at the foot of a natural butte illustrates the presence of the population of the iron age. A small museum presents the results of excavations carried out on the location of this village of blacksmiths.

For a young man of Italian origin, Mozambique of the th century felt the adventure. And even more so inside the land, largely unknown. João Albasini settled in 1845 in the vicinity of the Phabeni entrance, on the track of ivory and hides. Partially restored, the Magashulaskraal site, its counter, will give you an overview of the ambitions and the day-to-day harsh of the pioneers.

You probably did not come to Cape Town to tour the factories! But Koeberg has a little perfume of scandal that excites curiosity. By building these facilities in 1976, would the French companies Alstom and Framatome have contributed to the development of military nuclear power in South Africa? Was there actually in 1981 a secret contract that provides for Framatome's delivery of enriched uranium valued at $ 250 million? Today, Koeberg, the only nuclear power station in Africa, rotates like a clock (atomic) and it is… Electricité de France that monitors security! How diable the Greenpeace commando did to hang a band on the reactor at the Earth Summit in August 2002. You can walk through the wilderness reserve and take a look at the Visitors Centre to learn that Koeberg provides 6,5% of the country's energy needs.

A guide from the House of Mines will get you down over one kilometer underground, where you will see men working rock. An incredible body. In a strong room you can raise an bullion, a real one. Lunch is included. Experience of the same barrel, more accessible but less intense in the Gold Reef City mine.

On the left bank of the Tugela, a small reserve where one can meditate on the moral of the colonial history that lives in the fall of the Zulu Empire. John Dives, an employee of the Natal Parks Board, offers two interesting steps: the Remedies and Ritual Trail to discover, brochure in hand, traditional herbarium of the Zulu, and the Thukela Trail via the Ultimatum tree, a wild fig tree near which the English adressèrent their ultimatum to King Cetshwayo on December 11, 1878.

The Vrolijkheid reserve is located five minutes from the village of McGregor. In the midst of this vast nature, you can enjoy hiking on the 3 km Heron Trail or the 18 km Rooikat in the Elandsberg. The walk from McGregor to Greyton, about 15 kilometres, is a very pretty walk. You can walk to the waterfall halfway along the trail to get a cooler feeling in the hot South African sun, especially in the summer.

This provincial reserve 9 428 acres, located in the Gamka massif, was created to protect the zebra from mountain, a species of only a few hundreds of representatives in South Africa. It also has antelopes, monkeys and very rare leopards. The vegetation is typical of Petit Karoo: succulent plants and fynbos. No less than six easy hiking routes are available, Guarrie Walk (15 minutes) in Tierkloof Trail (6 hours), with picnic areas. Rustic accommodation under straw huts. Read more

There are many hiking trails from 15 km to 30 km. We recommend that you make a 3-hour loop (IGN card 3418 AB-AD - 1: 50 000; 10 R at the Park Office at Lakeside). The Offering Camp is a great place to go down, in rustic but luxurious wooden cabins hanging on the cliff. Barbecue areas also available.

A hike leads to Peers caves, where the bones and tools of an old 12 000-year-old gentleman are found in the Fish Hoek Valley Museum. Rock paintings, poorly preserved (tags don't hold anything), is still apparent.

A very pleasant walk between Muizenberg and Saint James, along a concrete walkway among the rocks. You'll see waves crashing on the rocks, fishermen, and whales in the bay, when they're around from late August to early October. Watch out for the shower - the waves can be very strong! When the sea calms down, the tops of the kelp forests appear on the surface. Then, as the sun sets, the colors shimmer and bring all the sweetness of a successful end to the day.

An isolated beautiful beach. To get there, follow the coastal road after Gansbaai.