Visiting South Africa
The tourism industry in South Africa is well established with an exciting sector of emerging entrepreneurs. The country is strong on adventure, sport, nature and wildlife, and is a pioneer and global leader in responsible tourism.
courtesy of SA Tourism
courtesy of SA Tourism
courtesy of SA Tourism
South Africa has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each an area of extraordinary beauty or importance to humanity. From Robben Island to the Cradle of Humankind, visiting one or more of our heritage sites is a must.
1 Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng
This area close to Johannesburg boasts the richest evidence of human evolution over the past 3.5-million years and has yielded the remains of some of the oldest hominids, the early ancestors of the human race. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/915, https://www.gauteng.net/neighbourhoods/cradle-of-humankind
2 Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape in Limpopo
This Iron Age site showing evidence of a highly advanced indigenous society that existed centuries before European colonialism spread across Africa. This is where the famous golden rhinoceros and many other artefacts were found.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1099, https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/uncover-a-new-ancient-history-at-mapungubwe
3 Robben Island in the Western Cape
This famous landmark in Table Bay is where Nelson Mandela and many other Freedom Struggle heroes were imprisoned. Guided tours are done by previous inmates, which together with the location, history and prison conditions make for a highly emotive experience. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/916, www.robben-island.org.za
4 The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape in the Northern Cape
A remarkable mountainous desert in the north-west of the country that is uniquely owned and managed by the Nama communities. https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/a-dry-spectacle-at-the-richtersveld-cultural-and-botanical-landscape
5 uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa's highest mountain range, has exceptional scenic beauty, a diverse habitat harbouring a number of endangered plant and bird species and a concentration of historic rock art paintings. An ideal place for adventure activities ranging from hiking trails to mountain climbing. https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/there-s-magic-in-the-mountains-of-the-drakensberg
6 Cape Floral Region in the Western Cape
The Western Cape's fynbos (indigenous flowering shrub land) is one of the richest and most diverse floral areas in the world. Around 70% of its floral species occur nowhere else on the planet. Table Mountain National Park, which is part of this remarkable wilderness area, has more plant species in its 22 000 hectares than Britain or New Zealand. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1007, https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/south-africas-cape-floral-region
7 iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal
One of the largest estuary systems in Africa, it's acclaimed for its exceptional biodiversity and over 520 bird species. Here you’ll find the world's highest sand dunes, golden beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, mangrove swamps, woodlands, coastal forests and grassland. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/914, www.isimangaliso.com
8 Vredefort Dome in the Free State
The world's biggest meteor crater dates back two million years when a gigantic meteorite 10km in diameter hit the earth. Today this site is the oldest and largest clearly visible meteorite impact site in the world. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1162, www.vredefortdome.org
9 ‡Khomani Cultural Landscape in the Northern Cape
The large expanse of sand contains evidence of human occupation from the Stone Age to the present and is associated with the culture of the formally nomade ǂKhomani San people and the strategies that allowed them to adapt to harsh desert conditions. They developed a specific ethnobotanical knowledge, cultural practices and a worldview related to the geographical features of their environment. The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape bears testimony to the way of life that prevailed in the region and shaped the site over thousands of years.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1545, https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/the-khomani-desert-san-sa-s-ninth-world-heritage-site
10 Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in Mpumalanga
Barberton is a geological mecca, luring international geologists and biologists to probe the earth’s beginnings and some of its earliest life forms. It is here, in the beautifully preserved ancient rocks, that some of the earth's earliest life forms began.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1575, https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/article/the-wonders-of-barberton
There are a range of international convention centres, tourism industry organisations and convention bureaus that promote South Africa’s rapidly growing conference and conventions sector. Few other destinations offer the variety of meeting and incentive options available in South Africa. This is one of a handful of countries that has played host to most of the major sports world cups including the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the Cricket and Rugby World Cups.
You can contact the Embassy on any tourism related questions on vienna.tourism@dirco.gov.za
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