{"id":102755,"date":"2018-02-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/south-africa-destinations\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:54:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:54:48","slug":"south-africa-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/south-africa-destinations\/","title":{"rendered":"14 underrated places in South Africa to put on your bucket list"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Africa is a country with an incredible ability to capture the imaginations and hearts of visitors with a simple sunrise and glass of wine. It is a country of magic, marvels, and sometimes, mayhem. But ultimately, beautiful.<\/p>\n

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Whether it\u2019s the spectacular scenery, electrifying cities, charming small towns, delicious food, glorious weather, or friendly people, even locals can\u2019t help but be mesmerised by this unique country.<\/p>\n

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And with Cape Town under strain from water restrictions, perhaps there is no better time to venture off the beaten track and spend some time exploring the rest of the country.<\/p>\n

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We have put together this list of underrated cities to remind you why South Africa is one of the best places in the world and hopefully inspire you to finally embark on that cross-country adventure!<\/p>\n

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Drakensberg and Mpumalanga<\/h2>\n

Go for:<\/strong> amazing landscapes and soul-stirring treks through nature<\/p>\n

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Shrouded in mystique and natural beauty, the Drakensberg is one of the most gorgeous landscapes in South Africa. Its legendary hiking trails curve around dramatic rocky gorges, through whispering grasslands, and into heavenly river valleys, creating a paradise for nature lovers.<\/p>\n

Some of the most popular sites include:<\/strong>\u00a0Royal Natal National Park, Cathedral Peak, and Champagne Castle.<\/p>\n

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Further north lies Mpumalanga, an area of South Africa that is famous for its unreal natural landscapes and glorious waterfalls.<\/p>\n

Gaze out onto the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, from God\u2019s Window, or go waterfall hunting and discover gushing wonders such as Horseshoe Falls, Lone Creek Falls, Berlin Falls, and Mac-Mac Falls, a 65-metre Natural Monument.<\/p>\n

Need more inspiration? Explore this list of great things to do in Mpumalanga<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Johannesburg<\/h2>\n

Go for:<\/strong> nightlife, art and design, and vibrant culture<\/p>\n

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Follow the bright lights along the N1 and you will find yourself in Joburg, the wild child of South Africa.<\/p>\n

Known as an economic powerhouse and somewhat rebellious amongst South Africans, Joburg is slowly shedding its wayward reputation and asserting itself as the ‘Cultural Capital of South Africa<\/em>‘.<\/p>\n

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Trendy neighbourhoods and creative hubs such as the Maboneng Precinct are at the epicentre of this cultural renaissance.<\/p>\n

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Outdoor markets, rooftop gardens, coffee shops, trendy cocktail bars, fashion boutiques, and live music venues pulse with cosmopolitan energy and urban sophistication that is hard to resist and impossible to forget.<\/p>\n

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Unmissable experiences in Joburg include:<\/strong> First Thursdays, the Arts Alive Festival, street art walking tours, and cycling tours<\/a> through the buzzing streets of Soweto.<\/p>\n

11 Cool & Cultural Things To Do In Jozi For Free & Under R200 <\/a><\/p>\n

Find cheap flights to Johannesburg<\/a><\/p>\n

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Kruger National Park<\/h2>\n

Go for:<\/strong> safari experiences<\/p>\n

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The Kruger National Park is famous for a reason. Intimate encounters with iconic animals and landscapes will show you the raw, untamed spirit of Africa.<\/p>\n

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Spend the nights in a luxurious bungalow or beside a crackling campfire while nature rumbles and purrs around you. Awake to a champagne breakfast overlooking the African bush as an elephant ambles by and giraffes peer curiously over treetops. A self-drive or guided safari will then take you deep into one of the largest game reserves in Africa and give you a chance to spot majestic creatures such as lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, and wild cats.<\/p>\n

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A trip through the Kruger National Park is the definitive safari experience and one you will be talking about for years to come.<\/p>\n

Your ultimate guide to accommodation in Kruger<\/a><\/p>\n

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Port Elizabeth<\/h2>\n

Go for:<\/strong> interesting attractions and friendly locals<\/p>\n

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Port Elizabeth is basically Cape Town without all the tourists.<\/p>\n