Africa’s vacation hotspot of South Africa is diverse, fascinating, and fun-filled! If you travel to South Africa, you will experience lovely locations and welcoming people. Discover 10 interesting facts about South Africa by reading on!
1. The official languages of South Africa are 11
Due to the diversity of cultures present throughout the nation, South Africa is referred to as the “Rainbow Country.” South Africa has a whopping 11 official languages, including English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, isiNdebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, and Xitsonga, demonstrating its role as a cultural “melting pot.”
The majority of South Africans are multilingual. The most widespread first language is isiZulu, followed by isiXhosa. Did you know that in Marvel’s Black Panther, the inhabitants of Wakanda speak isiXhosa?
2. It’s a haven for wildlife out there!
South Africa is home to 6% of all mammal and reptile species in the world, and 10% of all bird, fish, and plant species, despite only making up 1% of the planet’s geographical area.
Although lions, elephants, and giraffes don’t usually stroll the streets of cities, South Africa is a country where wildlife is always nearby. Vervet monkeys swing along suburban tree-lined streets, baboons play around Cape Point, seals visit the harbor at Hout Bay in quest of a fish lunch, and a variety of bird species can be seen flying in the sky at any time. Wildlife is everywhere!
Go on safari in one of South Africa’s national parks or private game reserves to look for the fabled Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A safari in South Africa is an unforgettable experience!
3. Located in South Africa is the Cradle of Humankind
In the Sterkfontein Caves, northwest of Johannesburg, some of the earliest proof of human evolution has been found! Here, archaeologists found ancient human remains, some dating back more than 2 million years! As a result of these discoveries, the region is today known as “the Cradle of Humankind” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The environmental and human history of South Africa spans hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of years. Up to 80% of mammalian fossils known thus far have been found in the Karoo, while early dinosaur fossils have been found in the Western Cape.
4. You can take in a wide variety of vacations and scenery
There are many different types of landforms and biomes in South Africa, such as subtropical forests, marshes, grasslands, bushveld, and deserts.
It’s a vacation spot unlike any other! Want to go on a beach vacation? There is sunshine, a sea, and golden beaches in South Africa. Want to go on a safari adventure? Incredible game reserves and animals can be found in South Africa. Want to get away to wine country? The Cape Winelands of South Africa is just waiting to be discovered!
In addition to all of this, there are metropolitan cities and charming beach towns to explore. Alternatively, you can drive across breathtaking mountain passes and down arid, dusty roads.
5. South Africa’s wines and the Cape Winelands are well-known worldwide
You can find the beautiful towns of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Paarl in the Cape Wineland region. Several wine estates in this region have won awards and consistently produce amazing types and vintages. More than 500 wineries that are registered are located in South Africa’s wine region. Try some Pinotage, South Africa’s emblematic variety, while touring these estates and vineyards!
The world’s longest wine route, Route 62, is also located in South Africa. It is an incredible 850 kilometers long, and wine aficionados must stop at the top wineries along the journey! Even a day’s drive from Cape Town will allow you to take in the Winelands.
To have luxurious wine tastings and even take a stroll through some of the lovely wine fields and estates, go 40 to an hour outside of the city center. Even closer to the city center are the suburbs of Durbanville and Constantia, which are also the locations of numerous world-class wineries.
6. The only nation in the world with three capital cities is South Africa
The capital cities of South Africa are located in three separate places. This is meant to symbolize the three divisions of the South African government. The legislative, administrative, and judicial capitals are Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein respectively. It’s interesting to note that Pretoria and Cape Town alternate hosting Parliament gatherings every six months.
The President’s formal offices are located at Pretoria’s Union Buildings. The place is impressive because of the enormous Nelson Mandela statue and the spotless lawns and gardens.
7. Two Nobel Prize winners resided on the same street in only one other country in the entire world
There have been two Nobel Peace Prize recipients who have lived on Vilakazi Street in Soweto. Vilakazi Street is a mandatory stop on any tour of Soweto as it is home to a number of historically significant buildings for democratic South Africa. At some point in their lives, both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu resided here.
Desmond Tutu, an archbishop, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his nonviolent struggle against the apartheid government. Nine years later, in 1993, Nelson Mandela and the country’s president F.W. de Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize jointly for their contributions to ending apartheid peacefully. Later, in 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected president.
8. In Cape Town, South Africa, the first heart transplant in history was completed
The world’s first heart transplant was carried out on 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town by South African physician Dr. Christiaan Barnard. A big and extraordinary team of doctors, nurses, and technicians helped Dr. Barnard perform the ground-breaking procedure on Louis Washkansky.
Hamilton Naki, a black laboratory assistant who had previously worked as a gardener and later went on to work in the animal laboratory at the University of Cape Town, was one of Dr. Barnard’s helpers. He had helped Dr. Barnard with the investigation that led to the transplant.
Naki was unable to attend a university during the apartheid era because of his race. Despite not having access to formal schooling, he was able to learn from and help academic researchers and eventually do incredible things.
9. The tallest bungee jump in the world is available for you to use
See the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at Tsitsikamma, which is located on the boundary of the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape! For those with the courage, there is a 216-meter jump off the Bloukrans Bridge that will send them flying toward the Bloukrans River below. For thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, a definite must!
10. One of the world’s oldest mountains is Table Mountain
One of the world’s oldest mountains is thought to be Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. Around 260 million years old, Table Mountain is home to thousands of plant species, some of which are exclusive to the Cape Floral Area.
One of the seven new natural wonders of the world is the magnificent mountain. It appears to be one of the planet’s 12 primary energy centers, which release magnetic, electric, and spiritual forces. It’s a beautiful and well-liked hiking location with a huge variety of trails to explore.
