23 Pictures that prove South A

23 Pictures that prove South Africa is the worst tourist destination in the world

South Africa has got some pretty incredible landscapes. It’s an amazing destination that offers something for every tourist.

23 Pictures that prove South A

Note: This article was first published in 2017.

There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the news right now. But there’s also good, if you’re willing to look.

Tourism is one of the biggest economic drivers in South Africa and our country continues to make list after list of must-visit places.

So, the next time  some right-wing nutters on the internet who has never set foot on these shores try to tell you how awful it is to live or visit here, show them this. Worst? We think you mean best.

And if you’re convinced, here are 11 suggestions for things to do when you visit South Africa.

It’s easy to forget just how beautiful this land of ours is, so let’s have a refresher, shall we?

In no specific order, here are 23 pictures (almost exclusively picked from South African tourism’s flickr account, unless otherwise noted) to remind you why South Africa is the absolute best place to visit – and an equally wonderful place to live.

Augrabies Falls, Augrabies Falls National Park

The Khoi people called it “Aukoerebis”, or place of Great Noise. This powerful flow of water is unleashed from rocky surroundings characterised by the 18km abyss of the Orange River Gorge.

Springboks just chilling

More useful than our rugby team at the moment, maybe.

Witsand Nature Reserve

An eco-destination featuring geological and climatic anomalies that cause the desert sand to ‘roar’.

The Table Cloth

This never gets old, even if you live here. Picture via flickr.

This farmhouse in the Free State

If disconnecting and getting some of the best views of the heavens above is your thing, you could do worse than a visit to the Free State.

Loggerhead turtles on the beach

Adorable, but also essential to our biodiversity. Picture via flickr.

Augrabies Falls, again

Because you can’t get enough of this beautiful place. Picture via Flickr.

Boulders Beach

We like to get literal with our names. Picture via flickr.

Our wildlife

There’s so  much of it. Picture via Flickr.

Franschhoek

Need we say more?

Baobab

Magical, mystical trees.

Soccer World Cup memories

Remember when we made the circle bigga and Bafana beat France? Photo via Flickr.

Sutherland

The best view of the night sky.

The Panorama Route

It’ll take your breath away.

Durban

Just, Durban. Beautiful, humid, stunning, Durban. Photo via Flickr.

And the food and spice of Durban

Because the humidity makes you lose a lot of weight through sweat. You don’t want to waste away. Picture via Flickr.

The Drakensberg Amphitheatre

Enjoy nature’s show. Picture via Flickr.

Bourke’s Luck Potholes


The Blyde River Canyon and the Sabi waterfalls are all worth it. Photo via Flickr.

We’ve mentioned the wildlife, right?

Get to know nature. Photo via flickr.

Colourful traditions


Learn about other people. Learn to respect other people.

Our difficult, but powerful history

 

Never forget. Learn everything about our past.

The Cango Caves

Seriously, nature is amazing.

 

South Africa is amazing

And don’t ever forget that. Photo via Flickr.

Also read:

Seven dorpies that you have to visit when you travel along Route 62 [pictures]

Seven South African passport-friendly countries with return flights starting from R10 000 or less