The Cultural Guide of Must Sees in South Africa

South Africa's abundant tourism offerings have never been a secret, but the country received a surge of international interest after hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and is expected to still feel the benefits for many years to come. A country with as rich and colourful a history as its landscape, South Africa is an ideal holiday destination for cultural explorers, as there's much more to do than just lie on a beach.



Heading to major cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg can be the best way to obtain an overview of this incredibly diverse country, which can otherwise be a monumental task. Cultural attractions such as the moving Apartheid Museum look back with impressive frankness at darker periods in the nation's history, the effects of which can still be seen far and wide in impoverished black communities, but by providing much-needed tourism revenue you can at least be satisfied that you are helping to create more equal conditions in the near future.



That's not to say that a bleak atmosphere hangs over South Africa; quite the opposite, in fact, with the locals being among the friendliest and most welcoming you're ever likely to meet. Mix with the natives by heading downtown in trendy areas such as Long Street in Cape Town, or explore the multicultural side of the country by visiting ethnic neighbourhoods in cities such as Durban, where you can find some of the finest Indian cuisine in the world.

Holidays to South Africa offer an incredibly diverse range of experiences, in a country where old traditions such as cattle herding take place alongside the irrepressible growth of modern industry. You'll need to give yourself several weeks if you hope to scratch beyond the surface of this country, but with a tight schedule it's possible to pack in many of the essential sights before you leave.



For some of the most impressive views in South Africa, head to Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, home to one of the world's deepest gorges, or drive along the beautiful Garden Route. Meanwhile, beach lovers can find more than just sea and sand at Knysna, and if you're keen to head into the waters and see South Africa's equally diverse underwater sights, KwaZulu-Natal coast is a destination revered by scuba diving enthusiasts. Sodwana Bay near Durban is also a great place to see reefs and marine life, such as turtles and tropical fish.