<strong>The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga: </strong>Claimed to be the world's largest green canyon, the reserve is home to a 33-kilometer gorge, abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes. God's Window along the Panorama Route is one of the best viewpoints in the 29,000-hectare reserve.
The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga: Claimed to be the world's largest green canyon, the reserve is home to a 33-kilometer gorge, abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes. God's Window along the Panorama Route is one of the best viewpoints in the 29,000-hectare reserve.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal: </strong>A resort town north of Durban, Umhlanga boasts a three-kilometer-long promenade with gardens, swimming and surf beaches and the famous Umlanga Lighthouse.
Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal: A resort town north of Durban, Umhlanga boasts a three-kilometer-long promenade with gardens, swimming and surf beaches and the famous Umlanga Lighthouse.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Table Mountain, Cape Town: </strong>While other cities have skyscrapers to be lit up for special occasions, Cape Town has Table Mountain. The flat-topped mountain is arguably the most iconic and beloved landmark in the city.
Table Mountain, Cape Town: While other cities have skyscrapers to be lit up for special occasions, Cape Town has Table Mountain. The flat-topped mountain is arguably the most iconic and beloved landmark in the city.
Getty Images/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands:</strong> Sitting in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch's vineyards are surrounded by towering mountains. Stellenbosch claims to have the only new grape variety created outside Europe -- a grape variety called Pinotage created by a professor at Stellenbosch University.
Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands: Sitting in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Stellenbosch's vineyards are surrounded by towering mountains. Stellenbosch claims to have the only new grape variety created outside Europe -- a grape variety called Pinotage created by a professor at Stellenbosch University.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Jacaranda season in Pretoria or Johannesburg: </strong>In late October to early November every year, there are few things more beautiful than the purple blossoms spilling from the trees across the city.
Jacaranda season in Pretoria or Johannesburg: In late October to early November every year, there are few things more beautiful than the purple blossoms spilling from the trees across the city.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Kruger National Park, Limpopo:</strong> Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa, spanning 19,000 square kilometers. The famous safari park is also a great place to have your first encounter with the big-five beasts -- elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos and leopards.
Kruger National Park, Limpopo: Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa, spanning 19,000 square kilometers. The famous safari park is also a great place to have your first encounter with the big-five beasts -- elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos and leopards.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Johannesburg during sunsets: </strong>No matter how familiar you are with Johannesburg, sunset views over the city are still breathtaking every time -- especially from the top of the Ponte, in Delta Park or across the Mandela Bridge. (NICO ROETS/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Johannesburg during sunsets: No matter how familiar you are with Johannesburg, sunset views over the city are still breathtaking every time -- especially from the top of the Ponte, in Delta Park or across the Mandela Bridge. (NICO ROETS/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
NICO ROETS/Flickr/CC by 2.0
<strong>Bourke's Luck Potholes, Mpumulanga: </strong>A part of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, the potholes are carved out by centuries of river activity. A number of vantage points and bridges are built over some of the most beautiful sections. (JON CONNELL/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Bourke's Luck Potholes, Mpumulanga: A part of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, the potholes are carved out by centuries of river activity. A number of vantage points and bridges are built over some of the most beautiful sections. (JON CONNELL/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
JON CONNELL/Flickr/CC by 2.0
<strong>Hermanus, Western Cape:</strong> Between July and November, the waters near Hermanus become the mating and breeding grounds for Southern Right Whales, making it one of the world's best whale watching spots.
Hermanus, Western Cape: Between July and November, the waters near Hermanus become the mating and breeding grounds for Southern Right Whales, making it one of the world's best whale watching spots.
ANNA ZIEMINSKI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Town: </strong>Affectionately nicknamed "Chappies" by local residents, Chapman's Peak Drive is a nine-kilometer scenic and curvy -- with 114 bends -- stretch of road from Hout Bay to Noordhoek.
Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Town: Affectionately nicknamed "Chappies" by local residents, Chapman's Peak Drive is a nine-kilometer scenic and curvy -- with 114 bends -- stretch of road from Hout Bay to Noordhoek.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Tugela River, KwaZulu-Natal: </strong>Originating in the Drakensberg Mountains, The Tugela River is the largest in the KwaZulu-Natal province. At times a rocky stream and at times a broad river, the Tugela recalls scenes of the American West, except for the hippos.
Tugela River, KwaZulu-Natal: Originating in the Drakensberg Mountains, The Tugela River is the largest in the KwaZulu-Natal province. At times a rocky stream and at times a broad river, the Tugela recalls scenes of the American West, except for the hippos.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Robben Island, Western Cape: </strong>Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the former political and criminal prison island is packed with history. A standard tour around Robben Island takes around four hours. A short ferry ride from Cape Town, the island also offers another viewpoint of the city.
Robben Island, Western Cape: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the former political and criminal prison island is packed with history. A standard tour around Robben Island takes around four hours. A short ferry ride from Cape Town, the island also offers another viewpoint of the city.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>De Hoop Nature Reserve, Overberg: </strong>This family-friendly nature reserve is an ideal place for hiking, cycling and whale watching. It's also home to mesmerizing sand dunes that lead to the azure ocean. (PAUL KELLER/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
De Hoop Nature Reserve, Overberg: This family-friendly nature reserve is an ideal place for hiking, cycling and whale watching. It's also home to mesmerizing sand dunes that lead to the azure ocean. (PAUL KELLER/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
PAUL KELLER/Flickr/CC by 2.0
<strong>Namaqualand, Northern Cape:</strong> In September, the desert across Namaqualand is blanketed with endless fields of colorful blossoms.
Namaqualand, Northern Cape: In September, the desert across Namaqualand is blanketed with endless fields of colorful blossoms.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Augrabies Falls National Park: </strong>The arid Augrabies Falls National Park is home to the Orange River Gorge and the 56-meter Augrabies Waterfall. It's especially impressive when it's in full flood -- the local Khoi people called the waterfall Aukoerebis, or Great Noise.
Augrabies Falls National Park: The arid Augrabies Falls National Park is home to the Orange River Gorge and the 56-meter Augrabies Waterfall. It's especially impressive when it's in full flood -- the local Khoi people called the waterfall Aukoerebis, or Great Noise.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Amphitheatre, Drakensberg, Kwa-Zulu Natal: </strong>Amphiteatre is a near perfect symmetrical rock wall rising 1,200 meters from the Tugela Valley. The most notable feature among Drakensberg mountains, Amphitheatre offers challenging hiking trails for experienced hikers.
Amphitheatre, Drakensberg, Kwa-Zulu Natal: Amphiteatre is a near perfect symmetrical rock wall rising 1,200 meters from the Tugela Valley. The most notable feature among Drakensberg mountains, Amphitheatre offers challenging hiking trails for experienced hikers.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Constitution Court, Johannesburg: </strong>A former prison that once held Mandela and Gandhi now houses the nation's highest court, surrounded by an art gallery and museum that explores the site's history and the implications of significant rulings -- like the right to housing, and the right to anti-AIDS drugs. The ramparts of the old barracks offer some of the best views of Johannesburg.
Constitution Court, Johannesburg: A former prison that once held Mandela and Gandhi now houses the nation's highest court, surrounded by an art gallery and museum that explores the site's history and the implications of significant rulings -- like the right to housing, and the right to anti-AIDS drugs. The ramparts of the old barracks offer some of the best views of Johannesburg.
Courtesy Constitution Hill
<strong>Silvermine Nature Reserve, Cape Town: </strong>Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine Nature Reserve is a favorite backyard garden for residents of Cape Town. It's famous for its indigenous fynbos species and boasts plenty of picnic and braai spots. (PAUL SCOTT/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Silvermine Nature Reserve, Cape Town: Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine Nature Reserve is a favorite backyard garden for residents of Cape Town. It's famous for its indigenous fynbos species and boasts plenty of picnic and braai spots. (PAUL SCOTT/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
PAUL SCOTT/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0
<strong>Valley of Desolation, Graaff-Reinet:</strong> The valley inside the Camdeboo National Park is famous for its cliffs and natural Dolerite rock columns rising as high as 120 meters above ground. (SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
Valley of Desolation, Graaff-Reinet: The valley inside the Camdeboo National Park is famous for its cliffs and natural Dolerite rock columns rising as high as 120 meters above ground. (SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM/Flickr/CC by 2.0)
SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM/Flickr/CC by 2.0
<strong>Mandela Capture Site, KwaZulu-Natal: </strong>Mandela Capture Site is a sculpture with steel columns up to 9.5 meters tall, marking the site where the former president was taken into custody. The surrounding landscape is stunning, too.<strong> </strong>(DARREN GLANVILLE/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Mandela Capture Site, KwaZulu-Natal: Mandela Capture Site is a sculpture with steel columns up to 9.5 meters tall, marking the site where the former president was taken into custody. The surrounding landscape is stunning, too. (DARREN GLANVILLE/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
DARREN GLANVILLE/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0
<strong>Cango Caves, Western Cape: </strong>The interior of the Cango Caves is like a palace of exquisite stalactite and stalagmite formations. Regular tours to the caves are available daily.
Cango Caves, Western Cape: The interior of the Cango Caves is like a palace of exquisite stalactite and stalagmite formations. Regular tours to the caves are available daily.
courtesy South African Tourism
<strong>Kalk Bay, Cape Town: </strong>White-sand beaches, colorful fishing boats and houses running up mountain slopes are the must-include elements in your Instagram shots of Cape Town's picture-perfect suburban fishing town.(Wesley Nitsckie/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Kalk Bay, Cape Town: White-sand beaches, colorful fishing boats and houses running up mountain slopes are the must-include elements in your Instagram shots of Cape Town's picture-perfect suburban fishing town.(Wesley Nitsckie/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0)
Wesley Nitsckie/Flickr/CC by SA 2.0
<strong>Bo-Kaap, Cape Town: </strong>Formerly the Malay Quarter, Bo-Kaap's cobbled stone streets and cheerfully colorful houses are the main draw for visitors. It's also the place for<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F10%2F25%2Ftravel%2Fcape-malay-cuisine-south-africa%2F"> Cape Malay cuisine</a>.
Bo-Kaap, Cape Town: Formerly the Malay Quarter, Bo-Kaap's cobbled stone streets and cheerfully colorful houses are the main draw for visitors. It's also the place for Cape Malay cuisine.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
23 of the most beautiful places of South Africa
CNN  — 

The wonders of South Africa are nothing less than glorious – making it an ideal place to travel.

First there are the stunning natural areas:

– Kruger National Park: If you dream of spotting Africa’s “Big Five” – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo – this is the place to go. But it’s also an excellent place for birding, too.

– Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve: Less famous than Kruger, this reserve in the northeastern part of South Africa is nevertheless a stunning spot. It has a 33-kilometer gorge, abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes.

– Hermanus, Western Cape: It’s not just land animals that make South Africa so compelling. This beautiful location is where to go for whale watching.

And it’s not just the nature that draws in tourists. The history and man-made attractions are incredible, too:

– Robben Island: This notorious prison island off the coast of Cape Town is where Nelson Mandela was held during the apartheid era. There’s no better place to understand where South Africa has been in contrast to the present and hopes for the future.

– Bo-Kaap: This colorful Cape Town neighborhood is an ideal location for some urban exploration. Arrive here hungry – Bo-Kaap is known for its delicious Cape Malay cuisine.

– Johannesburg: The legislative capital of the country, as well as its largest city, is no longer content to sit in Cape Town’s tourism shadow and is emerging as a travel destination in its own right.

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. Click through the photo gallery atop this story for a real eyeful of the best South Africa has to offer.

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