Keen on experiencing South African wildlife and culture in person? Here are 5 unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences you must have in South Africa.
It’s Black History Month, everywhere but South Africa. Surprisingly, we don’t have a Black History Month, which is interesting considering our checkered past with racial conflict… And our undeniable link to African American culture!
But we do have a spectacularly beautiful country, a rich, vibrant culture, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. All in all, it’s a fantastic place for a vacation… Especially if you’re looking to get away from the cold! Here are 5 unique experiences you must have in South Africa… That might just change your life.
Get a Kiss From an elephant
Elephants are some of the most unique and amazing creatures, not to mention being absolute gentle giants (if they’re not threatened). Ever dreamed of getting up and close personal with one of these beautiful animals? Here, you can.
The Elephant Sanctuary (in Hartbeespoort or Plettenberg Bay) allows you to walk hand-in-trunk with an elephant, feed it, and of course, get a kiss (if it likes you enough!).
Not only do you get to walk with these giants, but the guides will share their extensive knowledge with you in a presentation designed to teach you things you never knew about the majestic animals.
Oh, and did I mention there’s a monkey park there too? You won’t get a kiss from those mischievous little guys, but they may steal stuff from your backpack!
Take home a memento from the elephant- and monkey-themed gift shop to remember this amazing experience.
Meet a Sangoma
A sangoma is a traditional healer or shaman, from the Zulu tribe. Their work is based on ancient traditions that have been passed down through the ages, and they work closely with their ancestors.
If African culture, medicine, healing, or spiritual work fascinates you, this is the chance of a lifetime to consult with a real sangoma.
A bilingual guide will translate the native language for you, so the experience is as authentic as possible. You’ll get to watch the sangoma throw the bones, engage in traditional prayer, and work with plant medicine to connect with your ancestors.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t quite find anywhere else in the world. Don’t worry – there’s no chance of taking home a tokoloshe (a mischievous African spirit)!
Take A Tour Through Soweto
There’s a lot of history in Soweto. It’s the country’s oldest and largest township (also called a location), and it’s also bustling with culture. You may recognise it as the host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final!
Soweto tours are one of the most interesting cultural experiences you can try in SA. You’ll get a taste of ‘kasi (location) life on foot, from a bicycle, or even a tuk-tuk.
Depending on the tour you take, you may experience a variety of things. A visit to Vilakazi Street is usually on the cards, on which two Nobel Peace Prize laureates once lived—Desmond Tutu and the late Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela’s house is also usually a stop, as is the Hector Pietersen museum which is an important and moving part of South African apartheid history.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things you’re likely to come across is a demonstration of a Zulu warrior in full kit, catching a taxi the South African way, and of course, chowing down on some local food and shebeen-brewed beer.
Oh, and if you like heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping action, stop by the Soweto Towers after your cultural experience for a bungee jumping, base jumping, or free falling experience (the world’s highest!).
Get Up Close & Personal With Great Whites
If bumping noses with elephants isn’t quite dramatic enough for you, don’t worry—you can come face to face with another of South Africa’s predators, the Great White shark.
Shark cage diving is a popular activity in Cape Town. While there’s plenty of exciting stuff to experience in Cape Town, including the Boulders Beach penguins, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Table Mountain, and incredible surfing… Nothing quite comes close to exploring beneath the surface.
There are numerous operators, many of which are also focused on environmentally-friendly charters and service. In some cases, you can pair your shark diving experience with whale watching or other adventurous experiences.
Experience the Sacred Motouleng Caves
Planning on expanding your family in the near future? This is the visit for you, because the Motouleng Caves are also known as the Fertility Caves.
Motouleng means “place of beating drums”, and although you won’t physically hear drums, you’ll feel your heart beat differently in this sacred place. For millennia, the Basotho people of Africa have made pilgrimage to this very cave for the purposes of communicating with spirits.
The cave is home to shamans, but the locals come and go freely. It’s wise to dress respectfully in this spiritual space—cover up as much as possible and be quiet and reverent.
It’ll be a little walk to the cave, so it may be best for those who are comfortable walking through nature, climbing, and crossing rivers—not as easy as it sounds!
The cave itself has an atmosphere about it. It’s more of a huge rocky overhang than a cave, but it’s impressive nonetheless.Like a cathedral, candles are dotted around the rocks as you enter, and if you feel inclined, you can light one of your own (you may need to bring one with you).
Human-sized recesses in the walls of the cave make natural meditation spaces. You may see the locals collecting water that drips off the walls, as it’s said to be able to heal a variety of ailments.
Be aware that this is a unique rural experience. If luxury is the thing you’re after, you may want to skip this one. But if sacred places move you, then these caves could be a portal to a miraculous experience for you.
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