Destinations

Amazing Landmarks in South Africa you should definitely visit.

Blyde River Canyon
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Written by See Africa Today

landmarks in South Africa

Southern Africa is indisputably one of the prettiest regions in Africa. Mother nature did not hold back when she was carving out this region. For this, we find some of the most striking landmarks in South Africa.

You should visit it at least once to experience its magical touch. It has unique wildlife that everyone wants to see, diverse people with various customs and beliefs, and incredible still virgin landscapes.

Zambia/Zimbabwe Victoria Falls

The Thundering Smoke, or Mosi-oa-Tunya as it is known locally is definitely a top landmarks in Southern Africa.

With a height of 108 meters and a width of 1,708 meters, this magnificent African natural wonder is the world’s largest waterfall (5,604 ft). Victoria Falls’ roar is audible from 40 kilometres away. The misty foam of the falling water rises 400 meters high, creating an endless mist.

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Victoria Falls Chopper ride. [Photo: VictoriaFalls24]

The misty rain from the waterfalls is why there is the rain forest. Because of these incredible qualities, it’s easy to see why Victoria Falls is one of the world’s seven natural wonders—making it one of Africa’s must-do adventure experiences. Stand above Victoria Falls and admire the thunderous yet peaceful natural wonder.

The view will show you what David Livingstone, the first European to see the Falls, saw and was blown away by. Though you can see Victoria Falls from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides, head to the Zimbabwean side. You have a vantage view – nearly 75% of the falls.

South Africa’s Table Mountain

Table Mountain, South Africa’s flat-topped mountain that overlooks the magnificent city of Cape Town, may not be as high as Mt. Kilimanjaro at 1,084.6 m (3,558 ft).

Table Mountain

Table Mountain. Photo/Britannica

Still, it is a popular African destination with millions of visitors each year. The Table Mountain is the most photographed landmark in South Africa, which justifies its inclusion on Africa’s famous landmarks.

The table mountain peak can be reached by either riding a cable car or trekking your way up to see the splendour of Cape Town. However, because many people prefer the cable car experience, book your online ticket early to avoid missing out on the day’s trip.

Apart from shooting great images of Table Mountain, the national park that houses it also has one of South Africa’s other big attractions. It has the Cape of Good Hope, the most southern point on the entire African continent placing it among splendid landmarks in Southern Africa.

Namibia’s Fish River Canyon

Table Mountain

Table Mountain. Photo/Britannica

The Fish River Canyon, located in southern Namibia, is Africa’s grandest canyon. It is the world’s second-largest, trailing only the Grand Canyon of northern Arizona in the United States. This is a great reason why it is among popular landmarks in Southern Africa.

The Fish River Canyon is also the country’s second most visited tourist attraction, making it one of Africa’s must-see destinations. The Fish River Canyon hike is 27 kilometres wide, 550 meters deep, and 160 kilometres long. Many hikers consider it to be the most challenging hike in Africa.

Still, it is also the most rewarding, with breathtaking canyon beauty. But don’t allow the hike’s difficulty to deter you from visiting this stunning African site. You’ll be able to soak in the natural hot springs and swim in the lengthy river.

And if you decide to camp out, you can stare at the stars when night sets atop the spectacular landscapes.

Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans. Photo/andBeyond

The Makgadikgadi Pans, which occupy 30,000 square kilometres in north-eastern Botswana, are the world’s most giant salt pan. This salt pan formed due to Lake Makgadikgadi drying up hundreds of years ago is a collection of smaller pans.

While admiring the magnificence of Botswana, wandering on the Makgadikgadi pans will offer you the sensation of walking on a quiet long unending beach. Visiting the Makgadikgadi pans has more reasons than just landmarks in Southern Africa. It gives you an opportunity to sleep under the stars.

South Africa’s Blyde River Canyon

landmarks in South Africa

Blyde River Canyon. Photo/Toursim Update

The Blyde River Canyon, located in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, is, in my opinion, the most stunning African monument. It is the world’s third-largest canyon and its largest green canyon.

It stands out from the other canyons due to its rich, subtropical covering, dominating the canyon. The canyon’s impressive natural structures make it exceedingly beautiful and worth a visit, measuring 26 kilometres long and 750 meters wide.

Blyde River Canyon is a lovely African destination that should be on everyone’s vacation wish list.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta

southern africa

Horseback safari in Okavango Delta, Botswana [Photo/Timbuktu Travel]

The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of Africa’s most recognized tourist destinations, drawing visitors worldwide. It is a UNESCO world heritage site besides ranking top in landmarks in Southern Africa.

The Okavango Delta, located in Botswana’s northwestern region, is one of the world’s largest inland deltas. This swampy inland delta is remarkable in that it floods during Botswana’s winter dry months.

It does not flow into the ocean or sea from March to August. It swells to roughly three times its permanent size when the floodwaters arrive. Over 150,000 huge and small islands make up the magnificent delta. It is also home to thousands of animals and more than 450 bird species.

The best way to experience this gorgeous delta is on a water-based safari in a traditional canoe known as a Mokoro.

Namibia’s Sossusvlei

A tour to the world’s highest dunes in Namibia

The sand dunes of Sossusvlei, the world’s highest found in Namibia [Photo/Face2Face Africa]

Sossusvlei is one of Africa’s most famous sites, situated in the centre of Namib Desert. It has gigantic red dunes surrounding it.

They provide a canvas of beauty that reconnects you with marvellous nature. It is best-known for Namibia’s incredible location. Furthermore, its dunes are among the highest in the world, with the majority exceeding 200 meters.

The iconic landscape of Sossusvlei, with its orange and apricot-coloured dunes, provides some of the most spectacular morning and sunset light reflections.

Climbing the dunes is a must-do on every vacation to Namibia, as it allows you to appreciate the quiet grandeur of the desert.

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About the author

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See Africa Today

Pharis Kinyua is the editor of See Africa Today. With over seven years of experience in digital media, he has a soft spot for African tours and travel. His drive is to tell the rest of the world what Africa offers, the best accommodation facilities, national parks, culture, shopping malls and best airline deals to travel to Africa

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