South Africa is a land of contrasts, offering everything from the bush and sand dunes to stunning beaches and towering mountains – there’s something for everyone. All it takes is for us, as South Africans, to xplore our own backyard and support the economy while doing so. If you’re someone who enjoys the unusual, you’ll love this list of quirky and unique tourist experiences in South Africa. You might enjoy them so much that you decide to spend 2025 immersing yourself in each one.
Meerkat safaris in Oudtshoorn
Ostriches have taken a back seat as the meerkat becomes Oudtshoorn’s new star, offering a surprising challenge to the Kruger’s Big Five. Meerkat safaris in the Klein Karoo are receiving rave reviews for their unique insight into the lives of these charming, social creatures. Start your safari at dawn, watching the meerkats perform their morning rituals – while you enjoy a coffee or tea, the meerkats stand and bask in the sun. Observe the colony and learn about their behaviours, rituals, and complex burrow systems during this delightful and relaxed safari experience.
The airstream trailer park on a rooftop in Long Street
At the Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel by BON Hotels in Cape Town’s CBD, the best suites are on the roof, offering something truly unique. Take a ride in the hotel’s 128-year-old Victorian lift to reach the top, where you’ll find the city skyline and seven shiny silver airstream trailers imported from the USA. Each trailer exudes luxury, with a South African theme designed by local interior designers. The rooftop also features a mini open-air cinema and a braai area – you can order Wild Peacock Gourmet Braai Boxes (with meat and vegan options) from the hotel. It’s the perfect quirky touch to a one-of-a-kind stay.
Driving on Route 62
More than just the world’s longest wine route, Route 62 stretches from Cape Town to Gqeberha, offering not only scenic wine estates and pinotage but also quirky stops like Die Pampoen Padstalletjie for ‘pampoenne’ and Diesel & Crème diner for Zoo cookie milkshakes. Travel from the chilly tidal pools of Cape Town to the warmer waters of Knysna and Gqeberha, passing through mountains, forests, coastal views, and charming Karoo villages. To truly experience the Karoo, head through the Swartberg Pass, steeped in ghostly legends (locals say the cries of lost convicts can be heard in the wind), and stay at the Queen’s Hotel by BON Hotels in Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s third-oldest hotel, where you can relax on the grand Victorian verandas.
The Royal Natal National Park
Equally striking as its Cape counterpart, the Northern Drakensberg’s Amphitheatre is just as photogenic, if not more, with Tugela Falls spilling over its edge. Situated in the Royal Natal National Park, this stunning five-kilometre stretch of basalt cliffs is a hiker’s paradise, featuring several trails with breathtaking views, including the challenging but rewarding hike to Tugela Falls, the world’s second-highest waterfall.
The Karoo’s Valley of Desolation
Stunning views aren’t just found in the Drakensberg. The Valley of Desolation, near Graaff-Reinet, offers endless vistas of the Karoo’s dry, haunting landscape, framed by towering dolerite columns formed by volcanic activity over 100 million years ago. Located in Camdeboo National Park, the area is home to 220 bird species, including the black eagle, the Kori bustard (Africa’s largest flying bird), and the endangered Cape mountain zebra. It’s a fantastic spot for hiking and reflecting on life while taking in the views of one of the world’s most biologically diverse deserts.
The pig that paints like Picasso in Franschhoek
Experience wine and art in an unexpected way in Franschhoek at Farm Sanctuary SA, where you can meet Pigcasso, the painting pig. Pigcasso creates artwork by holding a paintbrush in her mouth, and her paintings have sold for up to R160 000, appearing in collectors’ homes worldwide and galleries in places like the French Riviera, the UK, and China. She has even designed a watch for Swatch. Pigcasso’s art encourages viewers to reflect on their relationship with food, animals, and climate change, with all profits supporting Farm Sanctuary SA, a non-profit that rescues farm animals. Visit the sanctuary to meet Pigcasso, view her works at OINK Gallery, enjoy wine tastings, stay in barn accommodation, and dine at the plant-based café.
The Constitution Hill
Known as ‘The Robben Island of Johannesburg’, Constitution Hill was once a prison that held political activists such as Nelson Mandela, Bram Fischer, Winnie Mandela, and Mahatma Gandhi. The cells are also infamous for their former inhabitants, including Daisy de Melke, whose life and trials were highlighted again in May this year by Ted Botha in his book Daisy de Melke: Hiding among Killers in the City of Gold. Visitors to Constitution Hill can explore the old prison cells, watch a court session, and learn about South Africa’s journey to democracy and human rights.
