Chances are, if you are a keen and frequent traveller, the words “ Cape Town” have been thrown around more than you can count. You’ve heard all about it- and for good reason. Cape Town is well known for its versatility, with its mega appeal to young backpackers and luxury- seekers alike. It’s also an approachable way to dip your toe into the waters of travel throughout the continent of Africa. Whether is been recommended to you by a friend, a Pinterest board, or you have already been there yourself, your next course of action is to investigate the hype surrounding it, and what you might be missing.

While Cape Town is absolutely worth the recommendation, it tends to overshadow the incredible destinations throughout the rest of South Africa. Instead, consider starting or ending your travels via Cape Town, and check out some of these lesser-known African gems.

Sleep in the Great Outdoors

If you’re looking for a romantic and completely unique take on the african wilderness, consider booking a night in the Kagga Kamma Star Suite. This wilderness resort, in general, aims to connect you directly with nature in stunning rooms carved into the mountain side, but the Star Suite is the ultimate opportunity to enjoy the night sky. Perched on the rock face overlooking the jungle, you will enjoy an open-air room (also known as a private outdoor oasis) with a plunge pool, and small private dining area.

Drink Some Fine Wine

Perhaps one of the most common Cape Town experiences is a trip (or two) to some of the county’s most renowned vineyard estates for a wine-tasting experience. However, South Africa’s excellence in wineries does not begin and end with Cape Town. In the Franschhoek region, Leeu Estates is a luxurious vineyard and hotel that will not not disappoint. As if the gorgeous views of the vineyard were not enough, they are also located at the bottom of a mountain range. If you are looking for a way to experience South Africa’s vineyards outside of the typical recommendations list, this quiet getaway to the countryside might be exactly what you have been looking for.

Go on Safari

Of course, no trip to South Africa is complete without a once-in-a-lifetime safari. While many choose to camp in the parks, as I have done many times myself, there is also a whole host of luxurious park resorts that while blow your mind. While a trip to once of these private game reserves often comes with a hefty price tag and will require some saving, they are guaranteed to offer unparalleled views of the Big Five and world-class accommodation. In this instance, a stay at Cheetah Plains- Sabi Sands, is definitely worth the splurge.

Walk Amongst the Clouds

Those who enjoy moderate outdoor activity will love Storms River Mouth National Park. It is well known around the globe for its suspension bridges, which are easily accessible on a short hike. Not only is this a major photo opportunity, but it is also a fun way to conquer a fear of heights. Fans of hiking will be able to take other, more difficult trails on in the afternoon, or you can enjoy some time by the lake and rent a kayak.

Explore Underground

While this experience is certainly not for the faint of heart, more adventurous travellers will love taking a tour of the Cango Caves. Located in the largest underground system in Africa, this walking (and crawling and squeezing) tour will guide you through rock pools, stunning stalactite formations and caves. They do offer a heritage tour for those who are more claustrophobic or in lower physical shape, but if you can manage the adventure tour, it is certainly worth the physical demand.

Meet the Meerkats

You’ve heard about the “Big Five”, but how about a morning spent searching for the “Shy Five”? While they may be less impressive and flashy as spotting a Lion, you will love putting on your safari hat and going on the hunt for the Bat-Eared Fox, Aardwolf, Porcupine, Aardvark and Meerkats. Since they are beloved around the world, Meerkat tourism has actually become relatively popular, and many retreats in Oudtshoorn offer morning tours to find these little sweethearts in their natural habitat.

Hang Ten by the Ocean

It’s no secret that South Africa is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. After all, there is a reason that everyone envies a visit to Cape Town. But Camps Bay is not the only beach worth visiting. You should definitely consider adding a road trip to one of these famous beaches beloved by backpackers and locals alike, to your itinerary.

Shark Bay

Shark Bay is nestled on a lagoon with stunning Caribbean-blue waters and relatively unspoilt beaches, thanks to its designation as a West Coast National Park Marine Protected Area. The beach is safe for swimming and surfing and it is also well known for being a good place to kite/ wind surf, in its busier stretches. So, if you’re looking to try a new activity in a secluded destination, this might just be the beach for you.

Coffee Bay Beach

Coffee Bay Beach is known for its peaceful, laid-back atmosphere and fun beach activities. Rock pools and sandy beaches full of shells make this a great place for beach-combing, and the beach is also known for its horseback riding tours. The town is free from overly commercial beach strips, which is a refreshing change and there are two separate parts of the beach- one for gentle swimming an one for high-impact activities like surfing.

Drive Through Small Towns

While not for everyone, a good portion of young backpackers like myself are drawn to the aesthetic curb appeal of stunning historical architecture. Both for the photo opportunities and the educational opportunities, consider a trip to visit Swellendam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Perhaps one of the most well known and beautiful structures in town is the church. Whether you wander side or simply admire from afar, you will definitely find this little drive through town worthwhile.

Hike Canyons and Waterfalls

Those who love the appeal of Table Mountain will adore this alternative. Clyde River Canyon is a gorgeous mountain range full of various hiking trails, lookouts and canyons. In fact, you can also visit a real rainforest if you opt to take the rainforest trail. While the pockets of rainforest are much smaller than they used to be, this is still a wonderful opportunity to explore a natural landscape you would not expect to find in South Africa. While in the area, you should also plan to stop at Lisbon and Berlin Falls, while not nearly as well known as Victoria Falls in Zambia, these impressive waterfalls will satisfy every naturalists tourism agenda.

The next time you consider planning a trip to South Africa, try to look beyond the flashy allure of Cape Town and plan to make some stops along the way. After all, South Africa has a rich and extensive tourism industry and a greatly diverse natural landscape that allows for a multitude of unique experiences.

Beyond Cape Town: What to do in South Africa