This is a really tough one. Not because there are so few to choose from, but because there are thousands of absolutely stunning places in South Africa that would make your Instagram profile seriously enviable.
Who loves cold, wet weather? Me neither! Here in the South, we are blessed with a pretty temperate climate. Our summers are enticingly hot and our winters are relatively mild. Most vacationers opt for a climate where you can make the most out of activities and it’s far easier to take photos on a sunny day. Travellers from the northern hemisphere are especially fond of our summers, since the weather is usually the polar opposite of their winters at home.
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The aviation sector has been ranked among the best in the world
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In the world’s top 10 long-haul destinations for hosting international meetings and conferences
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– Cape Town was ranked one of the best food destinations in the world
– Kruger was ranked one of the best nature destinations in the world
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This is said to be the world’s most beautiful stretch of road, and we can’t argue with that. It is truly a photographer’s paradise. There are multiple sections where you can pull over to snap very Instagram-worthy photos. These vantage points furnish you with spectacular panoramic views. Photos will be augmented with incredible backdrops of the cloud-scattered sky, rich contrasting colours and incredible rock formations.
The light at sunset will lift your photos to new heights and if you’re lucky to capture them at the right moment, the scenery will be spangled with wildlife, birdlife and flora. Even the occasional whale can be seen when you look across to Hout Bay.
Who hasn’t heard of Kruger National Park? It is a place of wildlife wonders and, of course, one of the best places in Africa to photograph the Big Five in their natural habitat. If there’s something pretty much every Instagram user likes to see, it’s Africa’s iconic animals in all their glory. Although selfies with these animals are a little more difficult, given their undomesticated nature, capturing awe-inspiring wildlife is any animal photographer’s dream.
If you yearn to add a specific African land animal to your Instagram grid, find out when your best chance will be to spot it, in our blog.
The little sister to its neighbour, Kruger National Park, Marloth Park is a wildlife haven in its own right. Although you won’t find the Big Five roaming around the community, you will find plenty of glorious African wildlife. Giraffes graze the trees, zebras grace the lawns and kudus drink from the pools.
At our Vida Nova Kruger eco-lodge, we get daily visits from warthogs, wildebeest, zebras and buck. And what’s more, we have a huge viewing deck that overlooks Crocodile River from which you can sit back with a cocktail or two, watching the elephants and hippos bathing.
Much like the Drakensberg peddlers of yesteryear, who perilously traipsed to the top of this mountain with only a mule for transport, you can follow their hoof steps, to take a selfie at the highest pub in Africa.
Well, ok, you might be a little better off when you travel in the supreme comfort of an air-conditioned 4×4 Land Cruiser driven by a guide who has travelled the route hundreds of times, but the sentiment is there.
This spectacular road didn’t make it onto Lonely Planet’s most epic road trips without good reason. As well as the obligatory pub selfie, you will have the opportunity to photograph the hairpin bends and endless views of the route, dinosaur footprints, cave paintings, wildlife and Basotho culture, depending on how long your tour is.
To reach this legendary landmark, you’ll drive through an incredibly scenic pass with the rocky outcropping of Swartberg Mountains towering on either side. The now tar road was laid upon a natural gorge created by the Groot River, many millennia ago. This thoroughfare, in itself, creates a beautiful backdrop for photographers and leads to the historical little village of Klaarstroom, home to our hotel. The waterfall is a gentle stroll along a serene path, with indigenous flora lining the edges.
Once at the waterfall, don’t be surprised if it takes your breath away, not only because of its stunning beauty, but because it’s notoriously chilly if you’re brave enough to take a dip. Look out for the fabled mermaid… a photo of the famous “Eporia” would certainly go viral!
Cast your mind back 20 million years… ok, that’s probably a bit tough. It makes you really think about how we’ve only been around for the blink of an eye when you enter the Cango Cave system. These ancient hidden chambers are gouged into the thick limestone rock layer, and jam-packed with dramatic stalactites, helicities, and stalagmites.
This incredible geology is stunning to photograph, however, adventurous types will love the opportunity to head deep into the cave system, crawling and sliding your way along, with a final ascent where you ‘post’ yourself through the Devil’s Postbox. Everyone needs a good spelunking pic on their grid!
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