Among the 54 countries belonging to the African continent, which is spread over an area of 30.37 million square kilometers, several countries with high annual income are also located in the African continent. South Africa is among those few countries.
The tourism industry contributes more to strengthening the country’s economy. Because there are ninety beautiful places in South Africa, a large number of tourists come there every year. Similarly, there are many popular tourist events that tourists visiting South Africa must watch. This is information about 5 of them.
1). Kruger National Park
By 1898, Paul Kruger was the Governor of the Transvaal Colony. He was a person who was committed to protecting the forest areas of that colony. Therefore, in late 1898, Kruger decided to designate the area where this park is located as a protected area.
Unauthorized activities continued in that area. As a result, there was a need to create a park warden post. A person named James Hamilton was initially appointed for that position.
Hamilton began his duties on July 1, 1902. About 24 years later, on May 31, 1926, it was named a National Park. Since then, the name Kruger National Park has been used to refer to this park.
Evidence has been found that Homo erectus humans lived in this area between 500,000-100,000 years ago. Also, tools used by people in the Stone Age have been found in this area.
Archaeologists say that they are 100,000-30,000 years old. Moreover, evidences have been found that there were settlements around this area even during the Iron Age. Therefore, this is a very important area for people who are exploring the prehistoric era.
Among the parks in South Africa, this park is the most famous for safari tours. About 147 species of mammals including elephants, black rhinoceros, cheetah, leopard, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, white rhinoceros, lion, impala can be seen here.
517 species of birds, 126 species of reptiles, 219 species of amphibians, 33 species of amphibians and 50 species of fish have been identified as living here.
Therefore, tourists who go on safari trips in the park will have the opportunity to see the animals very well.
There are many tourist hotels around the Kruger National Park to stay in this park, so tourists stay in this area for a few days and observe the animals well.
2). Drakensberg Mountains
The breathtaking views of the Drakensberg mountain range are among the must-see places for tourists to South Africa. Also known as the Dragon Range, it stretches over 1000 kilometers and covers 5 provinces of South Africa. This mountain range also extends to the state of Lesotho.
The longest mountain range in South Africa, its highest peak is called Thabanana Natlenyana. It has a height of 3482 meters. 3450 meters high Mafadi, 3416 meters high Makoneng, 3408 meters high Njesuthi, 3377 meters high Champagne Castle are some other notable peaks located in the vicinity of this mountain range.
People visiting the area around the Drakensberg Mountains will have the opportunity to see many beautiful places such as the Amphitheater, the Tugela Falls, the Camberg Nature Reserve, ancient caves with rock art paintings, and the Royal Natal National Park. Tourists are also more interested in climbing higher mountains located around the Drakensberg mountain range.
Many take the help of guides for that. The quiet, isolated villages in the Drakensberg Mountains have become popular tourist attractions. In the past few decades, tourist hotels were mostly built in those villages. Therefore, tourists can stay in those places and enjoy the beauty of the natural environment.
3). Cape Point
Cape Point is one of the popular tourist attractions located in the vicinity of Table Mountain National Park. A small mountain peak located in the southwestern corner of South Africa, this is a place that is most famous among tourists. It is because of the ability to see breathtaking ocean views from here. The place is surrounded by the ocean on three sides, so tourists can have a wonderful experience.
There are two lighthouses near Cape Point. Among them, the old lighthouse was built in the 1850s. As of today, it is not working. Built in 1914, the new lighthouse is one of the famous lighthouses on the South African coast. The light of its lights spreads to a distance of 60 kilometers
4). Blyde River Canyon
Blyde River Canyon, one of the world’s largest canyons, is located in South Africa’s Mapumalanga region. The river Blyde flows through it, which is 26 kilometers long. Visitors to the Blyde River Canyon will have the opportunity to see a unique place known as God’s Window.
The surrounding environment can be seen very clearly from that place. The place is called the ‘Window of God’ because it is possible to see faraway places from there.
Another beautiful place is the famous Kadishi Falls located in the Blyde River Canyon. 220 meters high, it is a tufa waterfall. It is a unique feature that the waterfall with rock formation looks like the face of a crying man when observed from a distance.
That’s why the name of crying face has been attached to that waterfall. Therefore, Kadishi Falls can be named as a must-see tourist event for tourists.
Tourists visiting the Blyde River Canyon will have the opportunity to engage in various related activities. Activities include hiking, horseback riding, boating, canoeing, hot air balloon rides, fishing, and biking.
Super class hotels have also been built for the tourists coming to this area. Therefore, people who come to visit Blyde River Canyon can stay there for a few days and have a good time.
5). Cape Agulhas
Among the most important places in South Africa, Cape Agulhas has a special place. That is because the Atlantic and Indian oceans separate in this area. Therefore, the Cape Agulhas area had a great value since ancient times.
During the past 5 centuries, a significant number of ships have been wrecked in this area. Some reports have written that the number of ships is more than 100.
A lighthouse was built there in 1848 to reduce shipwrecks around Cape Agulhas. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in South Africa. This area is frequented by tourists as it is a region that separates two oceans. Cape Agulhas has therefore been included among the popular tourist events in South Africa.
