Are you trying to find out about the landmarks in South Africa? From historical landmarks to natural landmarks, South Africa is home to some amazing landmarks in Africa. Here are some of the 10 famous landmarks in South Africa.
South African Landmarks
1. Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking Cape Town and its port, as well as serving as a natural barrier between the Atlantic seaboard and the inland plateau. The summit of Table Mountain has an elevation of 1,086 m (3,563 ft.). The mountain constitutes part of the Table Mountain National Park and is home to endangered bird species such as the African black oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini). It is also home to rare vegetation.
The main feature of Table Mountain that most people are familiar with is its flat top. This makes it ideal for viewpoints; there is no other place where you can see all sides of the city at once like this! There are many walking routes on top of Table Mountain ranging from short strolls to multi-day hikes which can take you up into surrounding mountains or through forests if desired.
2. The Blyde River Canyon
The Blyde River Canyon is a beautiful natural wonder in South Africa, located in the Mpumalanga province. The canyon is about 60 kilometers long and stretches from Graskop to Hoedspruit. The Blyde River, which forms the canyon, is a tributary of the Limpopo River.
The Canyon itself has been carved out by erosion over millions of years by wind and rainwater rushing down from the surrounding highlands into its bed below. There are many interesting features along this spectacular stretch of river, including:
● The Three Rondavels — three rock formations that resemble traditional hut structures from villages along South Africa’s eastern coast.
3. Robben Island
Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town, is a small island with a grim history. It was used as a prison from 1654 until 1991 when Nelson Mandela was released. The island housed political prisoners—most notably Nelson Mandela and other activists who fought for the end of apartheid in South Africa. When you visit Robben Island today, you can explore the museum and learn more about what happened there during those years.
4. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is in Cape Town, South Africa, and was founded in 1913 by Sir John Bradfield. It is a national botanical garden and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 1999. Today, it contains over 10,000 plant species from all around the world, with approximately 5% of those being threatened or endangered. Kirstenbosch is one of South Africa’s most visited sites, receiving an estimated 1 million visitors every year.
5. Cape Point
Cape Point is a rocky headland at the southernmost tip of Africa. It’s also a national park, and as such, you can expect to see lots of nature, including whales. Cape Point is known as the “meeting point” of two oceans: The Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean converge here, which makes it an ideal spot for whale watching. If you’re lucky, you may catch sight of grey whales migrating between their feeding grounds off Argentina and Namibia in winter. Other species that visit Cape Town en route include minke whales and dolphins. You’ll find yourself surrounded by seals and penguins, the latter being some of our favorites here.
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6. Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in Cape Town. It was built between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company and is now a national monument.
The castle overlooks Table Bay and has been used as a military garrison, prison, government offices, and museum.
The Castle of Good Hope can be visited by taking a tour on foot or in one of their coaches. Tours last from 45 minutes to an hour. You will learn about what life was like for soldiers stationed at the fort. Also, viewed are artifacts from colonial times and underground dungeons where criminals have been held prisoner after being sentenced to death.
7. The Cradle of Humankind
The Cradle of Humankind is in Gauteng Province, and it’s the site of many important fossil finds. It was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999. This area is home to several sites that have provided scientists with invaluable information about human evolution. Caves and a sinkhole here have been excavated since 1936, yielding some crucial fossils that help us understand our past. The Sterkfontein Caves contain some of these findings, including Australopithecus africanus (or “Southern Ape Man”) which lived 2 million years ago, as well as Homo Naledi (or “Star-Man”), discovered at another site in 2013.
8. Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in the world and home to one of the most well-known game drives, The Big Five. The Kruger National Park has a plethora of animals and ecosystems, which make it an ideal destination for any nature lover. There are many types of accommodation available at various prices, as well as guided tours that can be booked before visiting. The Kruger is also one of the popular landmarks in Africa.
9. Union Buildings
The Union Buildings are the seat of the South African government. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913. It is in Pretoria, which is also home to other important landmarks such as the Voortrekker Monument and the Women’s Memorial.
The Union Buildings are open to the public and can be explored on your own or with a guide, it’s great fun either way. If you want to visit, it’s suggested that you book tickets online before heading out so that there won’t be any delays once there. It’s also essential to note that photography inside is not permitted unless approved by security staff.
10. Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a museum and monument complex located in Pretoria, South Africa. It was opened on 16 December 2002 by former President Thabo Mbeki, who said that it “provides a national space for reflection on the history of our country.
The park contains the following sculptures:
• The Women’s Memorial – A statue depicting two women holding hands. This is meant to represent all women, past, and present.
• The Old Growth Forest – A group of large trees that symbolize the long history of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. They were planted in 2007 as part of Freedom Day celebrations.
• The Reconciliation Statue – A statue depicting two young children holding hands with their backs turned towards each other; this symbolizes an ideal future where people will no longer be divided by race or religion (and implies that we should look forward instead of backward)
Final Word: South African Landmarks
We hope this list of South African landmarks has inspired you to visit the country and see some of them in person. If you’re looking for a place to start, we recommend starting with the landmarks in Cape Town.
