South Africa has an abundance of tourist attractions, from beer tasting in a trendy Johannesburg neighbourhood to seeing the view from Table Mountain. Tourism Update rounds up some of the best on offer.

1. Maropeng  

The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site close to Johannesburg. There are more than a dozen major fossil sites in the area. The Maropeng centre – Maropeng means ‘returning to the place of origin’ – provides visitors with an overview of the area as well as the story of human development. Tours include a boat ride on an artificial lake after which guests can explore the exhibition area.  Maropeng is opening every day from 09h00-17h00.

2. SAB World of Beer

SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg, is an iconic visitor attraction for both locals and foreigners and has twice been named number one on the South African Tourism Attraction Awards. Visitors are given a guided tour that relates the history of beer and the brewing process and have the opportunity to taste five SAB beers, including one international beer. Guests will also get to experience the Tap Room, where pub-styled meals are served. A beer and food pairing event is held on the first Saturday of every month, which includes five tasting courses. SAB World of Beer tour operates daily from 10h00-17h00.

For more information, click here.  www.worldofbeer.co.za.

3. Durban Botanical Gardens  

Durban Botanical Gardens is Africa’s oldest surviving botanical gardens and houses one of the world’s top collections of ‘living fossil’ plants. Cycads, a seed-producing plant, date back 250 million years and are facing possible extinction in the wild. The Wood's Cycad species is named after Durban Botanic Gardens Curator and Botanist, John Medley Wood, who discovered a single, surviving cycad plant in a Zululand forest in 1895. Visitors can walk through the gardens and explore the cycad forest. The gardens are open Monday to Sunday from 07h30-17h30.

4. The Drakensberg

The Drakensberg is famous for its rock art and natural beauty. Visitors can see the rock art at Kamberg and Game Pass Shelter is an exceptionally good viewing site. Giant’s Castle is known for its hiking trails and the Berg View trail offers a 360-degree view of the area. Visitors can then enjoy lunch at the restaurant deck.

5. Franschhoek Motor Museum

Visitors can look back at more than 100 years of motoring history and see a collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia. Situated on L'Ormarins Estate, the Franschhoek Motor Museum has over 200 cars in its collection, of which 80 are on display. This museum is suited to both car fanatics and families looking for a day activity. The museum is open on Monday to Friday from 10h00-17h00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 10h00-16h00. 

6. Durban’s Beach Promenade

Named for the golden sand beaches lining the coastal edge of the city’s central business district, Durban’s Golden Mile extends from Blue Lagoon south to Addington Beach and Durban Harbour. The promenade is ideal for walking, jogging and bike rides and visitors can walk along the piers to watch surfers and kite boarders. Guided morning cycle tours are available on the promenade.

7. Cango Caves

The Cango Caves, with their incredible rock formations, are a South African natural landmark that date back over 20 million years. The tunnels and chambers extend for more than four kilometres, a quarter of which are open to visitors. The caves contain halls and limestone formations as well as small passages. The smallest passage that tourists pass through is just under 15 cm. Tourists may only proceed into the cave in groups supervised by a professional guide. Tours depart daily, every two hours from 09h30-15h30.

8. Robben Island

This World Heritage Site is rich in South African cultural history. Robben Island is 9km offshore from Cape Town and is reached by ferry boat. A guided tour takes visitors to what was once a maximum security prison, including a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell. Tour guides take on the persona of former prisoners, telling the Robben Island story form the point of view of the prisoner. The museum is open Monday to Sunday from 07h30-19h00.

9. Soweto

Soweto is a half-hour drive from the centre of Johannesburg and has its own unique vibrant energy, with the bustle of people, the pulsing music and the smell of meat being barbecued in roadside food stalls. This famous township is a testament of South Africa’s history, in particular the 1976 Soweto uprising. Soweto is home to the Nelson Mandela Family Museum and the Hector Pieterson Memorial. Tours to Soweto can be combined with the Apartheid Museum, and Liliesleaf Farm in the north of the city.

10. Chapman’s Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak in Cape Town winds from Hout Bay to Noordhoek, with the ocean on one side and rocks and flora on the other. There are 114 curves along the route and numerous points where visitors can take pictures and take in the incredible view.