Written by René Robinson

Stunning, sunny South Africa has crept into our hearts faster than we could have thought possible. A country filled with opportunity, breathtaking surroundings, fascinating people and cultures, smells of fynbos, sweet jacaranda trees, and the neighbours braaing, has made us fall in love with this precious place. But most of all, we’ve fallen for the contagious energy and vitality that runs through every stream, mountain peak, and heartbeat in South Africa.

Here are 8 reasons why we love SA:

1. Riveting wildlife

South Africa is home to a vast array of animal species that make this beautiful country the jewel that it is. Obviously, we’ll have to start by mentioning the Big 5, and that there are 12 places across South Africa where you can see them all together! Spotting at least 1 of the Big 5 members—rhino, lion, elephant, leopard, and buffalo—is already a major brag. Not only do we love these famous favourites, but South Africa is also blessed with an array of other astounding creatures and critters. A classic sound of the South African bush is the cry of an African fish eagle, or the howling of a black-backed jackal. You’ll see scores of buck like impala and kudu, along with zebras and black wildebeest, just to name a few. Under the water, there is just as much life to witness as on land, like groupers, rays, seals, magnificent eels, and countless more. And of course, you will see vibrant birdlife like your eyes and ears would never have been able to imagine before.

2. Diverse landscapes

Competing for the top spot in this list must be the diverse landscapes throughout South Africa. Starting with savannah grasslands, woodlands, and thorn thickets in the northeastern part of the country, to the lush tropical vegetation and coastal forests on the east coast stretching all the way to the vast shrubland in the Karoo, and ending with the mountainous fynbos in the Western Cape, South Africa has it all, and more! Words struggle to accurately describe the varying landscapes there are to encounter in this country. Within these different regions and locations, South Africa hosts 4 World Heritage Sites focused on nature. If you thought that it couldn’t possibly get any better, we have news for you. These magical landscapes are paired with tangerine and cotton candy sunsets and sunrises, and afternoons melt into nights dotted with the incomparable, starry African sky. Are you still wondering how we choose our destinations out of so many breathtaking options? 

3. Multicultural people

What makes South Africa especially remarkable, is the concoction of cultures and ethnicities that make up the population. “Diverse” doesn’t do justice to the medley of colours in this rainbow. To give you a better idea, South Africa has 11 official languages and embraces various culture groups like the Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Tswana, Ndebele, Khoisan, Hindu, Muslim, Afrikaner people, and more! 

South Africans have a distinct sense of humour and love to laugh. They also love food, and not just the food itself, but the togetherness that is felt when a meal is shared. South Africans may differ in certain traditions, cuisine, and belief systems, but the thing that they all share is unparalleled kindness and hospitality towards strangers. People from all over the world find a feeling of home in South Africa and in each person they meet. 

4. Conservation initiatives

South Africa is a country sprinkled with stunning scenery and wildlife, and across the country, there are numerous attempts to protect the environment. There are efforts to protect endangered species, like the black and white rhinos, through anti-poaching units that operate in places like the Kruger National Park along with the Greater Kruger Reserves, initiatives to address food security, and conservationists like the Endangered Wildlife Trust that aim to save species and habitats, and benefit South African people.  

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5. Food, glorious South African food

They say our eyes are the windows to our soul, but what really speaks of South Africa’s soul is good, delicious, tantalizing food. We absolutely love South Africa because they definitely got the memo about good food! 

Unmissable favourites, in no particular order: 

-The sizzle of a lamb chop on an open fire (or any meat or veggie alternative for that matter—this is called a braai, not a barbeque ☝🏼)

-Don’t forget the crumbling of a rusk that's been dipped in coffee —the best pre-breakfast snack. A rusk is almost like a biscuit but a bit harder, thus it is dipped in either tea or coffee to soften it. 

-The distinct smell and taste of the South African Rooibos tea. 

-South African wine that sings lullabies to your palette (with endless options to choose from in places like the Cape Winelands). 

-Comforting mielie pap made with lots of love, maize meal, and corn bits always manages to put you in a “lekker” or pleasant mood. 

-Milk Tart and Malva pudding desserts to finish off any meal or satisfy that sweet craving.

-The ultimate South African favourite, biltong (dried and cured meat).

-And lastly, vetkoek, which directly translates to “fat cake”, but is definitely worth the try! It basically comes down to being fried bread that can be filled with anything you can imagine. Usual choices are mince and cheese, or for sweet options, jam and cheese. 

You can imagine that at this stage your taste buds would have lived a decade in a day, however, the best part is that these are only a few highlights of SA’s best treats. Across the country, you’ll be treated with delicious meals, snacks, and drinks, no matter your dietary preference or budget.

6. Superb weather

Earlier we mentioned that South Africans are super hospitable, friendly people, and the honest truth is that the credit belongs to none other than the sun itself. Yep, that’s right, South African sunshine and sunny skies are probably the main reasons why South Africans tend to be in such high spirits most of the time. 

South Africa is blessed with lovely, warm, sunny summers with some rain and cold, but not freezing winters. Although specifics vary between provinces, most of South Africa never gets too cold in winter (an average minimum of 11°C during the day), and it rarely snows (only on the highest peaks of some mountains). With a country so saturated with awesome outdoor experiences, the enjoyable weather just makes it too good to be true. 

7. Unique slang

We mentioned that South Africans are inherently funny people. Part of what makes them so funny is the slang that they all use in their day to day language. The reason why unique South African slang is part of this list, is because it so accurately conveys the character and personality owned by South Africans. So, to make the most of your trip, you’ll need to understand the local lingo. 

Aikona! [eye-koh-na] - exclamation

A Nguni term used to express shock or disbelief.

Boet / Bru [B-oe-t / Br-u] - noun

Brother; usually used in reference to friends, or any male companion. 

Eina! [ay-na] - exclamation

An expression for when someone experiences pain.

Eish! [ay-sh] - expression

A Xhosa expression for when someone experiences surprise or they disapprove of something.

Howzit [Houw-zit] - exclamation

Used as a greeting, equivalent to ‘hello’ or ‘how are you?’

Hectic [Hek-tic] - expression

An expression of amazement used to describe something extreme.

Jol [jorl] - adjective

To have a good time; to party; to dance; to enjoy each other's company.

Ja-nee / Ja-no - Expression

Signals agreement in a conversation, e.g. “Ja-nee, you're right.”

Kiff / Kief [K-if] - adjective

Excellent; cool

Lekker [Lek-er] - adjective

Good; pleasant.

An Afrikaans word used interchangeably for anything that is good or enjoyable.

E.g. "the lekker local flavour of South Africa"

Now now - expression

Relating to the period of time that will elapse before the given task, time or opportunity will present itself. It can sometimes refer to something that may never happen.

Sarmie [saam-ie] - adjective

A short version of the word "sandwich".

Yebo [yeah-boh] - affirmation

Zulu word for yes, used as an extremely expressive form of the affirmative. 

8. Passionate sportsmanship

Oh, how South Africans love sport, and how we love the country because of it. Rugby, soccer, golf, cycling, running, tennis, and everything in between - it’s not just about the sport, it’s about the vibe that comes with it. This nation is so proud and passionate about sport because they’re proud of their country. On a day that the Springboks (the national rugby team) play a game, everyone will be celebrating by wearing their classic green and gold bok supporter shirts, and by throwing a typical South African braai to watch the game. The energy that comes from their sport and their passion for it is truly unparalleled. And no matter whether they win or lose, they’ll celebrate anyway.

In life, there are some things that just can’t be explained to the extent of doing it any justice. South Africa is exactly the same. There are hundreds thousands more reasons why we are absolutely taken with South Africa, but to fully understand our obsession, you’ll just have to make a trip to the Rainbow Nation yourself. If you’re keen to plan a trip and need some guidance, The South African Pocket Guide has everything you need to know when travelling to this haven.

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