Destination South Africa

International tourist arrivals to South Africa number more than 1 million per month particularly during the southern summer months December-January as well as during April and the European summer months, July-September. Tourist arrivals to South Africa from January to June 2017 were more than 5 million, the majority of which were African arrivals while the UK, USA and Germany remained major markets for South Africa. Industry revenue for 2016 was more than R5 billion, a 12% increase from the previous year.

South Africa is also the world’s largest producer of precious metals and is home to the deepest mines in the world at more than 3 700 metres, and has a number of interesting museums that educates visitors about the industrial civilization of South Africa and the African continent South Africa also has the “Big Five” – elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros and buffalo; the “Sea Big Five” – Right Whale, Great White Shark, endangered Bottlenose Dolphin, Blue Marlin and Tuna; as well as the “Little Five” – elephant shrew, ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise.

The country has produced 9 Nobel Prize Winners (for Peace, Medicine, Literature and Chemistry) and is the only country to have an entire floral kingdom within its borders. The Cape Floral Kingdom contains the most concentrated variety of fauna, 8 500 flowers, the richest variety on earth. South Africa has 23 200 plant species, a greater variety than of the entire northern half of the planet. South Africa is also the strongest financial and industrial power in Africa and has consistently been in the top 10 as one of the world’s most transparent economies. It has also positioned itself as the preferred destination for hosting major world events in sports, business, cultural and political.

We encourage you to visit South Africa and experience our warm tropical climates, and the welcoming smiles of our people that make our country a holiday and business haven for visitors. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil experience at our safari and coastal offerings, or a bustling vibe at our township and adventure destinations, a memorable experience awaits at all our nine provinces.

SOUTH AFRICA IS ALIVE WITH POSSIBILITIES

Internal destination examples:

Discover the origins of mankind at the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, which harbours evidence of the oldest hominids and ancestors of the human race. Explore the Sterkfontein Caves, Swartkrans and Kromdraai, and experience first-hand the fossil records that lie in the limestone caves.

Navigate through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and meet the San people in our newly inscribed cultural World heritage site, ‡Khomani. Dance under the desert night sky and experience how the San preserved their culture for over 150 000 years.

With a little over 3% of the world’s plant species blooming in South Africa, nature enthusiasts can take in the breath-taking beauty of our natural parks at the Cape Floral Region, the Panorama route, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.

Visitors can also visit the largest, and one of the oldest known meteor impact sites at the Vredefort Dome.

Experience South Africa's wildlife through an adrenalin-filled safari at Kruger National Park. It is the largest game reserve on the continent and boasts more species of mammals than any other African game reserve.

At the top of one of the World’s Seventh Wonder – Table Mountain – visitors can get an aerial view of Robben Island, which has become a historical symbol of freedom and South Africa’s triumph over oppression. A ferry ride will afford you an opportunity to walk through the prison walls that held South Africa’s freedom fighters and the country’s first democratically elected president – Nelson Mandela.

The beauty of the nature and game parks, the authentic cultural and heritage experiences, and the warmth of the people makes South Africa a holiday destination of choice.

South Africa being the previous successful host of the 2010 Soccer World Cup spectacle is also home to a variety of sporting codes supported by world class infrastructure that includes high performance centers and structured professional sports bodies.

South Africa, because of its geographical location provides a unique platform for business interaction with thirteen more countries which are part of the SADC using available state of the art technology.