South Africa is a huge country right on the southern tip of the African continent. It’s a place you can go to take in a safari or get lost in the bustling capital city of Johannesburg. While many people visiting South Africa will head right for the famous landmarks, we’re taking you off the beaten path to discover the country as you’ve never seen it before.
Riemvasmaak, Northern Cape
If you’re going to investigate the landscape of this huge country you’re probably going to go off the beaten path at some point. Riemvasmaak, in the Northern Cape region of the country will take you to something a little bit different than your typical safari trip.
You will need to hire a jeep to get through the dry rocks and canyons, but once you get to Riemvasmaak, you will discover some fantastic hot springs. You can join the locals in this well-kept secret all year round, but get there soon as the spot is getting more popular each year.
Spot the wildflowers, Namaqualand
South Africa is home to over 4,000 flower species, some of which cannot be spotted anywhere else in the world. Each year there are millions of flowers blooming along the 600 miles of plains and coastal deserts.
Namaqualand is a five-hour drive north of Cape Town, but along the route you will get to see some of the most spectacular flowers in bloom during August and September. The Namaqualand flower route will actually take you right into several national parks, so you can combine the major attractions with the lesser-spotted South African wonders.
Find the baobab trees
Baobab trees are unique to this part of the world and are named after the river that flows through the area. Over the past ten years the iconic South African trees have begun to wither, and there is a real fear they could disappear in the future. Perhaps due to the warming climate these trees are less common than before, so trekking to Limpopo and seeing them should be a priority for travelers.
The Ancient Trails, Cederberg Mountains
Just a few hours drive from Cape Town are the impressive Cederberg Mountains and the ancient walking trails among them. The Ancient Trails will give you a unique perspective of South Aria as you pass alongside tropical and vibrant vegetation. Walking along the mountains will also give you a great panoramic view of the many vineyards that the region is famed for.
Diamond mining, Kimberley
You won’t be mining for diamonds yourself, but you can explore the abandoned mine in Kimberley. The colossal man-made hole, known as “Big Hole,” has a diameter of 1,640 feet, and is 705 feet deep. It was a huge part of the South African economy for decades, and it’s estimated a total of 14.5 million carats of the precious rocks came from this site. You can take a trip into a mine shaft and even enter a room filled with diamonds of all different colors.
There’s more to South Africa than meets the eye, and these places will make you see the country as you never have before. Sure the popular landmarks are great to see, but sometimes it’s the little things that really make a trip. Try checking out these lesser-known spots to make the most of your visit to South Africa.
