South Africa is a beautiful country on the southernmost tip of Africa. It is beautiful both in terms of the country’s natural landscapes, the history of the country, and in terms of the beauty of the people themselves.

Here are 10 reasons why we love our country, and why even those who aren’t South African can’t help but gravitate towards this country.

UNPARALLELED BEAUTY & BIODIVERSITY

South Africa has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes, weather and wildlife you can find in the world. Because each province has a different climate, the wildlife and lifestyle varies all over the country. We’ve got some of the most pristine sandy beaches on the planet, undulating mountain ranges, lush forests, and desert skies that turn brilliant shades of amber at sunset. Fynbos, a type of vegetation unique to South Africa’s Cape region, is enough of a beautiful (and medical - many fynbos herbs have medicinal properties) wonder to justify a trip down here so you can witness and experience all of this country’s hidden treasures. South Africa’s beauty is undeniable.

2. WORLD HERITAGE SITES

South Africa is home to 8 Unesco World Heritage Sites. These historic places draw in travelers from all over, and there really is something for everyone. From places of unique beauty, like the Cape Floral Region with its rolling seas of technicolour flowers, to places of historic importance to humanity: Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison, and the Cradle of Humankind, which gives us a look at the evolution of man over the last 3.5 million years, there really is something for everyone.

3. INCLUSIVE CULTURE

According to an Ipsos Global Advisor survey that more than 20,000 people took part in, South Africa is the third most inclusive country in the world! In terms of religion, gender, sexual orientation, political views, or anything else you fear you might be judged for, South Africans are quicker to accept rather than reject people. We are considered some of the friendliest people in the world for a reason! Even if you’re only here for a short period of time, you can bask in positive vibes and leave refreshed (and wanting to come back!).

4. EXQUISITE WINE

South Africa creates some of the best wine in the world, so whether you’re sommelier or simply someone who enjoys wine, you’ll want to spend a day or two in the country’s winelands. The Cape Winelands are 40 kilometres east of Cape Town, located in the valleys of the winding mountain range of the Cape Fold Mountains. The Winelands are a collection of historic towns and Cape Dutch farmsteads that have still retained their rustic charm. These mountains create an incredible scenic backdrop for all kinds of vines, but they serve a purpose: their geological compositions provide the perfect soil conditions that directly affect the character of each wine. You have many towns to choose from, such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, and Wellington, just to name a few, where you can taste delicious wine and enjoy the jaw-droppingly stunning scenery around you and share some laughs with friends and/or family.

5. COLOURFUL CUISINE

South Africa is diverse in terms of its people, plants, animals...and food. With so many cultures melting together over so many centuries, it’s no wonder that the cuisine we have to offer is truly spectacular. You can’t visit Cape Town and leave without tasting a gatsby, a foot-long sandwich filled with chips, egg, masala steak, vienna and Russian sausage that really just has to be experienced to be understood. Durban in KwaZulu-Natal offers the ‘bunny chow’, a hollowed out loaf of white bread filled with curry and, of course, South Africa also has such unique delicacies as biltong (dried, spiced meat) and shisanyama, also called braaivleis - it doesn’t get better than juicy boerewors right off the braai.

6. BEACHES, BEACHES, BEACHES

The oceans off South Africa’s coast are, frankly, the most beautiful in the world. The Indian Ocean warms the waters off the east coast, making beaches in KwaZulu-Natal some of the finest - Ballito, Umhlanga and Durban host beaches that are popular among both locals and visitors! Not to be outdone, Cape Town is home to so very many beaches, all with something special to offer. Pay a visit to Camps Bay, Clifton and, for a view that can’t be beat, Bloubergstrand

7. NO NATURAL DISASTERS

In terms of natural disasters, South Africa is one of the most peaceful places on Earth. Yes, we get the occasional hurricane and flood, but we don’t get earthquakes, tsunamis, volcano eruptions, tornados or any other major attacks from our land and skies. Don’t get us wrong, a thunderstorm in Gauteng can be quite rowdy, and sadly those with less have their homes ruined, but you are definitely less likely to drop a house on a witch.

8. THE BIG 5 & MARINE BIG 5

So you’ve probably heard of the classic Big 5: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo, and there are places in South Africa to see them up close and observe them in their own habitat. For example, the Kruger National Park, where you can experience the majesty of nature unfolding before your very eyes. Do you love the ocean as well? Good news for you, South Africa is also home to the Marine Big 5: whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins. A visit to Hermanus in the Western Cape will give you a front row seat to some amazing whale action!

9. BUSTLING CITIES

It’s not all nature nature nature in South Africa! We also have some amazing cities, where the streets bustle with life. Johannesburg is the beating heart of the country, alive with energy and an attitude that invites you to party hard. Nowhere else can you find so many different people of different backgrounds coming together and sharing their stories. There’s also Cape Town, with its magnificent views, laidback attitude and trendy nightlife, and Durban, known for its food and rich culture.

10. ADVENTURE GALORE

South Africa is just packed with adventures to be had. If you are a lover of the outdoors, you can skydive, bungee jump, scuba dive, hike, climb a mountain or two, surf, go hot air ballooning, and more! The activities are endless. Table Mountain offers not-to-be-missed views of the surrounding city and landscape - there’s a cable car going up and down, but hiking it makes the views that much more worth it.