South Africa flag

South Africa

History

The Dutch East India Company established a supply station at the Cape.
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought, including the Zulu victory at Isandlwana.
The Union of South Africa was formed under British dominion.
The National Party came to power and codified apartheid.
Nelson Mandela was released and the first democratic elections were held.
A new constitution with a bill of rights was adopted.
Africa thumbnailPart ofAfricaMore countries, cities and routes.
CapitalPretoria
Population63.1M
Area1.2M km2
CurrencySouth African rand

Short facts

RegionSouthern Africa
LanguageAfrikaans, English
Time zoneSAST (UTC+2)
Drives onLeft

Worth seeing

  • Table Mountain: The flat-topped massif above Cape Town and its national park.
  • Kruger National Park: One of Africa's largest game reserves, on the Mozambique border.
  • Robben Island: The prison island where Mandela was held, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Find a city in South Africa

Showing all cities

Cape Town thumbnailCape TownCityDurban thumbnailDurbanCityHermanus thumbnailHermanusCityPretoria thumbnailPretoriaCity

Planning questions

What is South Africa known for?Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, Robben Island.
What is the capital?Pretoria.
Which language is useful?Afrikaans, English.
When is the national day?27 April.
How should I browse it here?Start with the facts, jump to linked cities, then check events and topics.

Upcoming events

Showing all 11 events

Pretoria Jacaranda Festival thumbnailPretoria Jacaranda Festival1 October 2026 – 31 October 2026 — Pretoria — South AfricaCape Town Marathon thumbnailCape Town Marathon18 October 2026 — Cape Town — South AfricaCape Town Marathon thumbnailCape Town MarathonOct 2026 · South AfricaLIV Golf South Africa thumbnailLIV Golf South Africa19–22 Mar 2027 — Johannesburg — South AfricaTwo Oceans Marathon thumbnailTwo Oceans Marathon5 April 2027 — Cape Town — South AfricaSouth Africa National Day thumbnailSouth Africa National Day27 April 2027 — Across South Africa — South AfricaComrades Marathon thumbnailComrades Marathon8 June 2027 — Durban — South AfricaBasketball Africa League Finals thumbnailBasketball Africa League Finals10 June 2027–15 June 2027 — Cape Town — South AfricaSardine Run South Africa thumbnailSardine Run South Africa10 June 2027 – 10 August 2027 — KwaZulu-Natal coast — South AfricaDurban July thumbnailDurban July3 July 2027 — Durban — South AfricaCricket World Cup thumbnailCricket World Cup4 October 2027 - 21 November 2027 — Multiple cities — South Africa

Use Pretoria as the first planning anchor for South Africa, then compare the city, food and worth-seeing notes on this page.

Food & drink

Street food thumbnailStreet foodSignature dishCoffee thumbnailCoffeeLocal drink

Known for

Table MountainKruger National ParkRobben IslandPretoriaStreet foodCoffee
Eurovision Song Contest thumbnailMusic & CultureFestivals, concerts and cultural calendars.Africa thumbnailAfrican outdoorsParks, coasts, desert routes and seasonal nature calendars.