South Africa Is More Than Wildlife

I grew up in South Africa, so I love the culture, the people, and of course, the food and wine. It’s an amazing place filled with rich culture and diversity with some of the friendliest people in the world. South Africa is a life-changing experience.

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is a world-class museum on the V&A Waterfront showcasing modern and contemporary African art and diaspora creativity. The building itself is innovative—a large converted grain silo with multiple floors that makes it a great part of the cultural experience.

• Bring your passport or identification if it’s your birthday month and you can enter for free.

• Occasionally, the museum will offer cheaper tickets after 3 pm.

Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum

Located just outside of Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD) in the historic Bo-Kaap neighborhood where people are just as vibrant as the houses, this museum interprets Cape Malay history, architecture, and community life. This museum is perfect for understanding how freed slaves and their descendants shaped Cape Town with food, love, and passion for life. This museum is one of my favorites to truly understand Cape Town’s history.

• Plan ahead, and book a tour.

• Please remember this museum is closed on Sundays and certain holidays.

Iziko South African Museum & The Planetarium

This is another one of my favorite places to visit as it caters to adults and kids. This South African museum offers a broad look at the country’s natural and human history, including ancient artifacts and fossils. Plus, this planetarium brings science and culture together in engaging shows. The highlight is the shows range from “Passport to the Universe,” which are the amazing themed educational movies about gravity, stars, and space exploration. This museum keeps kids and adults entertained.

• Just a reminder: no flash photography inside the museum or photography at all during planetarium shows.

District Six Museum

This museum tells the historical, social, and political background of Cape Town. The District Six Museum is a heritage museum that powerfully tells the story of District Six, a once-vibrant multicultural community forcibly removed during apartheid, making it essential for understanding Cape Town’s social history.

Robben Island Museum

Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site most famous for its role as the prison where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders were held. It’s a very deep, powerful, and educational experience, telling stories about South Africa’s struggle for freedom and human rights. The boat trip with its scenic views is just an added bonus.

• It’s a 4-hour trip so bring water and snacks, and dress according to the weather as the ferry ride can be chilly at times.

My favorite restaurants and wine estates in South Africa

Cape Town is located next to world-renowned wine regions (Stellenbosch, Constantia), known for crisp Chenin Blanc to rich Pinotage, using old-school wine-making techniques, keeping with the rich tradition of great unrushed quality wines. My favorite South African wines are:

• Kanonkop Paul Sauer – Stellenbosch: Bordeaux blend

• Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir – Hemel-en-Aarde: Pinot Noir

• Mullineux Old Vines White – Swartland: White blend

Batanga

Batanga is a tapas-styled restaurant and cocktail bar on Kloof Street in Cape Town. It has great, unique cocktails, such as my favorite cocktail called the Sylvester, created by the owner and named after a penguin the owner adopted—a definite must! This restaurant is great for catching up with friends, sampling extraordinary cocktails paired with a small plate, as well as a lively dance floor.

Tryn at Steenburg

It’s an iconic estate in the Constantia Valley and from the moment you walk in you are blown away by its beauty. Seating is available on the inside and out, but I prefer the outside overlooking the vineyards. I recommend reserving a whole afternoon and taking in the scenery, as well as the delicious dishes. I like the 3-course seasonal menu—it’s always mouth-watering. I highly recommend the herb-crusted lamb shank.

Scape at Vrymansfontein

This is the Paarl region’s best-kept secret, located just 40 min outside of Cape Town. Scape is a Mediterranean-style restaurant and is located on a working almond farm and wine estate with picturesque sunsets and views of the Paarl Valley. My recommendations are the pork belly and duck dishes, but everything on the menu gets a 10/10. Don’t forget the dessert and cocktails, which are exceptional.

Tannin on Bree

A wine bar and small-plate restaurant, which boasts an impressive collection of over 480 wines from across the globe. The décor and ambiance are out of this world, with the menus being very well-balanced with excellent flavors to wake up your taste buds. Ask your server which wines they recommend pairing with each dish, as this definitely enhances the experience.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our South Africa page.