Few can deny the beauty of South Africa, nor can it be denied that the best way to discover this beauty is on foot. South Africa hiking will lead you along winding coastal paths where waves crash below, up mountain peaks overlooking oceans and metropolitan centres, through areas of low bushveld, and through lush green forests. With so much variety in one country, you can pick and choose your favourite areas for hiking, with each corner of South Africa offering something different.
The Colourful Cape
The Cape has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful regions for walking in South Africa, indeed for walking in the world. With its magnificent coastal scenery backed by rugged purple mountains, the views are nothing short of spectacular. In Cape Town itself, you can climb Table Mountain, as it stands tall above the city as if rising out of the sea. And if you’ve spent all your energy exploring the city, the cable car to the top will provide beautiful views over the surrounding area, and the walk down will provide plenty of time to appreciate the wildlife.
There are gentler areas for walking too, such as the Cape Winelands, for example. Gentle vineyards and rolling hills make for pleasant afternoon strolls, and bottles of fine, locally produced wine can be sampled in the sunshine while you picnic on the grass, surrounded by the most beautiful views. Walking in South Africa will never be more pleasant.
The Big Game of the Kruger Park
Instead of the gentle Cape, you could choose to discover the wild side of South Africa, walking through the Kruger Park, where the lions rule. It is likely you will be lucky enough to spot all the members of the Big 5 here, where lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo wander through the bushveld. Game drives and walking safaris are offered here, where you can enjoy the comfort of sitting high up in a 4x4, or walking in the footsteps of the animals themselves. Grazers dot the open plains, and spotting the stripes of the resident zebras is not very difficult. Springbok, kudu and bontebok bound across the bushveld, and giraffe stalk in the distance. All in all, it is a magical setting.
The Land of the Zulu Kings
KwaZulu Natal provides yet another contrast to the South African walking landscape. Here you will find rolling hills stretching into the distance, and a culture with strong roots in Zulu tradition. A visit to a Zulu village will give you some insight into this incredibly rich culture, and provided you go with a positive attitude to discovering a different society, the local people will welcome you with open arms. A visit to a local school can be a touching experience too, where you will learn the harsh realities of poverty and HIV, while leaving with a sense of hope at the amazing will power and determination of the local people.
The Drakensberg
The Dranksberg mountains consist of a series of beautiful purple peaks, with superb weather for summertime South Africa hiking. From challenging hikes to gentle strolls, you will find that this range has a walk suitable for everybody. The scenery is stunning, with colourful flowers, green shrubbery and glorious sunshine completing the picture.
Wherever you choose to go for your South Africa walking holiday, you will find areas of outstanding beauty across the country, from craggy mountains to pearly white beaches.