Cool & Unusual Things You’ll Only See In South Africa

Looking for the perfect vacation location with everything you could want on a trip? South Africa is the destination you should be pinning on the map! With exhilarating wildlife, exposure to the best food, and rich cultural experiences, South Africa is the perfect blend between adventure and serenity. 

The country is heaven for all wildlife and nature enthusiasts, along with those with a knack for adrenaline. If you and your travel partner(s) have different interests, South Africa is where you’ll find something for everyone! So book your tickets today and read our list of the best things to do in this magnificent country. 

Cost: $1-$3/individual serving*
Good For: People looking to try local cuisine and culture. 
Location: Durban

Don’t worry, no bunnies were harmed in making this wonderfully delicious local delicacy. Bunny Chow is made from a loaf of unsliced bread filled in the middle with veggies, beans, spicy curries, and lamb, chicken, or mutton. It is served on the side with a spicy relish that takes the dish up a notch. The experience is comforting and something you can’t get enough of!

Bunny Chow /Facebook

The best part about Bunny Chow is that it is reminiscent of not just one but two distinct cultures in South Africa. The local dish first emerged from the Indian community in South Africa, blending elements from both cuisines. For those who love trying out local food in places they visit, having Bunny Chow with the locals is a must-try!

Cost: $2-$4 for entrance fees*
Good For: Wildlife enthusiasts
Location: Cape Town

Did you grow up seeing penguins in books, wondering if you’ll ever get to visit them at the North Pole? Well, now you don’t need to! South Africa houses the only penguin colony on the continent and, thus, attracts wildlife lovers from all over the world, flocking to see these fascinating birds in person. 

Visit The Penguins on Boulders Beach ©Four Oaks/shutterstock.com

Boulders Beach is a wonderful location for kids who enjoy swimming. The place is clean, not heavily crowded, and laced with stunning rock pools all over the place. Foxy Beach is next to the Boulders Colony, another prime location for viewing penguins. Despite this beach’s enticing, clear waters, swimming is reserved strictly for the penguins!

Cost: $50*
Good For: Wildlife enthusiasts and swimming buffs
Location: Off False Bay, near Cape Town

Forget just seeing wildlife from a distance; what if you could get up close and experience life the way animals do? For those looking for the ultimate all-natural wildlife experience on their vacation, swimming with seals on Seal Island in South Africa is the perfect activity. 

Swim With Seals, on Seal Island ©Circe Launches "Seal Island" trips/Facebook

You can witness the seals in their natural environment while swimming in their habitat. The Cape Fur Seals on these islands around South Africa aren’t found anywhere in the world. They’re not trained in any way and interact with the snorkelers on their own terms. You’ll find everything you need here, from the gear to snorkeling guides; all you need to bring is your passion for wildlife!

Cost: Depends on ingredients*
Good For: People looking to try local cuisine
Location: Any outdoor place

Braai is South African traditional barbeque, or Shisa Nyama, as the locals call it in Zulu. At any given time in South Africa, you can hear the smell of this food flowing across the streets. There’s a reason it’s known as the favorite activity of the locals. If you’ve been to South Africa and didn’t do a braai on your own at least once, what’s even the point?

Learn How to Barbecue Like a South African, Have A Braai ©jbutcher/shutterstock.com

In South Africa, every moment of celebration calls for a braai, and it’s the one thing that brings the whole family together. The whole braai experience is meant to be a feast with multiple meats; nothing is off-limits when it comes to braai. 

Cost: Free
Good For: History Buffs
Location: Signal Hill, Cape Town

The Noon Gun is just one of those things that are so intricately intertwined with the history of a place that it just does not make sense to let go of them, even today. The Noon Gun is fired daily at noon from the top of Signal Hill in the center of Cape Town. This is one of Cape Town’s oldest traditions and has been happening since 1806. 

Hear The Noon Gun Daily ©Quality Master/shutterstock.com

While originally, it was used to signal the arrival of ships in the harbor; the South African Navy still maintains the tradition today as an ode to history. While you can hear the sound from multiple locations in the city, people prefer to visit Signal Hill for a more holistic experience. 

Cost: $7 per pound*
Good For: People looking to try local cuisine
Location: Local restaurants 

The fine-dining local cuisine experiences are a must-have, but the snacks are not to be missed. Meat is an essential part of South African cuisine, to the point where even snacks emerge from various meat types. Biltong and Droewors are South African snacks made from various textures and flavors of dried meat. 

Snack on Some Biltong and Droëwors @HTimber /Twitter

While any meat can be used for this purpose, beef Biltong and Droewors are the most popular. Biltong is in the form of strips, while Droewers are like sausages. The best part is that if you don’t enjoy beef or a particular kind of flavor, you’ll surely find some other variety of this delicious street food to enjoy!

Cost: $1 entrance fee for the museum*
Good For: Art and architecture enthusiasts
Location: Cape Town

The Bo Kaap neighborhood in Cape Town is one of the most insta-worthy places you’ll find on your trip to South Africa. The brightly colored houses provide the perfect backdrop not just for your photos but also for the history of the place. 

Visit The Colorful Homes of Bo Kaap ©Janice pama/shutterstock.com

Bo Kaap used to be occupied by slaves forced to have all-white paint on their houses. But once slavery was lifted, the community painted these houses in the brightest colors they could find as a metaphor for their freedom. The area is free to visit, so pack a bag and enter a world of color you’ve never seen before. A museum at the center of the neighborhood gives you a deeper insight into how the area has changed over the years.

Cost: $6*
Good For: Nature lovers
Location: Near Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo, Western Cape

The Cango Caves are among the seven wonders of Southern Africa and a true part of the local heritage. The best part is that you get to choose whether you want an adventurous walk through the narrow tunnels and passages or a comfortable walk that focuses on its majestic beauty. 

Walk Through Cango Caves ©Rute Martins of Leoa's Photography/Wikimedia Commons

Originally, the Khoekhoe and San people lived in these caves, which were formed millions of years ago. But this archaeological wonder became a tourist spot when it was rediscovered, with people from all over visiting the area to revel in its beauty. The caves have several exciting formations that you cannot miss. 

Cost: Free
Good For: Nature lovers and adventurers
Location: Cape Town

Another South African location that came into being over millions of years ago, Table Mountain has breathtaking views. Whether you’re a hiker looking for an adventurous experience, or just someone wanting to enjoy the stunning sunset, the mountain has trails for all difficulty levels. 

Hike Table Mountain ©southafrica/Facebook

The vast land of the mountain is lined with more plant species per square mile than you’ll find in the Amazon itself. The mountain is the country’s most scenic location and iconic landmark, not to be missed on your visit to South Africa.

Cost: $115 or more*
Good For: Nature lovers and adventurers
Location: Magaliesberg, Gauteng

Nothing sounds more romantic than a hot air balloon ride on your next romantic getaway. It’s the perfect way to fully take in the gorgeous landscapes that the country has to offer. Flying above the land, you’ll experience South Africa in a way the streets don’t allow. 

Ride The Hot Air Balloons south africa @WalkFrodo /Twitter

There are multiple locations nationwide to delve into this journey, but a fan-favorite is Magaliesberg near Johannesburg. Regardless of your age group and your tolerance for adrenaline, the hot air balloon ride offers a tranquil experience that everyone can enjoy. 

Cost: $80 or more*
Good For: Adrenaline junkies
Location: Gansbaai, Overberg District Municipality, Western Cape

While South Africa offers several tranquil activities to spend your vacations on, it also has several activities for adrenaline junkies, and diving with great white sharks is one of them!

Dive With Great White Sharks @Go2Africa/Youtube

Don’t worry; it’s fully safe because cages are part of the equation, too – but not for the sharks! Gansbaai, a small fishing village known as the Capital of the White Shark, is one of the best locations to enjoy this experience. Get close to these stunning sharks and other exciting marine life as you dive into the perfect wildlife experience on your next vacation! 

Cost: Starts from $2*
Good For: Wine lovers and those looking to try local tastes
Location: Multiple locations

Wine tasting, paired with the country’s beautiful sceneries, makes up for the perfect vacation getaway. South Africa also has its own signature wine called Pinotage. It’s the perfect blend of smokiness and earthiness, curating an experience like no other. 

Wine Tasting In The Vineyards ©Nina Laubscher Photography/Facebook

If you’re looking for a wine-tasting tour on your journey to South Africa, you have plenty of locations to choose from. Each place offers its own unique assortment of local wines. Depending on the location you pick, you will also get an insight into their special winemaking techniques and the story behind their drinks. Drink away your worries with the perfect wine glass on your next trip to this marvelous country! 

Cost: Starts from $5*
Good For: Nature lovers
Location: West Coast National Park

Do you also picture a summer vacation where you get to walk softly among beautiful flowers and feel the wind in your hair? The South African wildflower fields will make all your vacation dreams come true. There are many different locations all over the country where you can catch a myriad of colorful hues in the field. 

Capture The Wildflower Bloom ©Raphael Rivest/shutterstock.com

The West Coast National Park, just an hour from Cape Town, is one of the most beautiful locations to experience the wildflower bloom in all its wonder. Keep your cameras ready to capture this springtime marvel and have your own personal selection of nature photography to take home from the trip. 

Cost: $2*
Good For: Wildlife enthusiasts
Location: Oudtshoorn, Klein Karoo, Western Cape

Oudtshoorn is regarded as the world’s Ostrich capital, and rightfully so. Tourists can marvel at the beauty of this flightless bird as they walk among its species and even get to ride it!

Ride An Ostrich ©Holly S Cannon/shutterstock.com

The Ostrich show farms at Oudtshoorn house ostriches at different stages of development. There are many petting areas on the farms where you can cuddle the chicks (the adults might peck at you!) You can even get the chance to feed an ostrich by hand. All in all, these farms offer tourists multiple ways of interacting with the ostriches, making them a popular location among foreigners and locals alike!