South Africa is one of those countries that offer an abundance of diverse environments, perfect for adventurous holidays, scenic sunsets and extraordinary photographs. We have the warm Indian Ocean on the east and the icy Atlantic on the west, with large mountain ranges in between and scores of spectacular lookout points scattered across our country. From the beautiful wetlands and savanna’s situated all around South Africa, to the sub-tropical beaches of KwaZulu-Natal, lush forests in and around Knysna, the rich coastal plains of the Western Cape and the vast Kalahari Desert – we truly have it all.
The next time you travel through our beautiful homeland, be sure you have the right photographic gear and equipment on hand to best capture the charm. Here are some of our top, travel-friendly photography gear picks.
- Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera Kit
- Nikon Z50 Mirrorless Digital Camera Kit
- GoPro HERO11 Black Camera Creator Edition Bundle
- 3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Tripod
- Peak Design 15L Everyday Backpack
- SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB Memory Card
- Binoculars
We collaborated with the adventurous Iana to explore some of our favourite photographic destinations.
Drakensberg Mountain Range
“The Drakensberg should be on everyone’s list of places to visit in South Africa. It has so much to offer!” Iana suggests taking a guided hike to visit the more secluded spots like Mnweni Pass, Madonna and her worshippers, Mafadi (a peak right on the border of South Africa and Lesotho) and Rockeries Pass. Another must is the world’s highest waterfall, Tugela Falls. There are tonnes of beautiful photography spots in the surrounding area, so don’t be scared to explore.
- Location: KwaZulu Natal
- Best time to visit: Year round. It all depends on your adventure, what you’re going to do and what you want to photograph. The winter months are perfect for capturing snow-capped mountains while the warmer months are great for hikes and wild flowers. Avoid December to February as there can be intense downpours that last days.
Midlands Meander
The Midlands is another popular tourist attraction. It boasts beautiful landscapes, inviting villages and has a lot to offer adventure junkies! There are picturesque hiking trails that take you from rolling hills, through valleys and crags to majestic waterfalls. And if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you can go kayaking and river rafting or experience the view from above; gliding from tree to tree through indigenous forests in the Karkloof Nature Reserve.
- Location: KwaZulu Natal
- Best time to visit: The dry season is from April to September which makes it the best months for hiking and taking sunlit landscape photos. If you’re looking to see the gushing waterfalls and go white water rafting, December is a good month where you can expect lots of rain.
The Panorama Route
This scenic route offers panoramic views of mountains, waterfalls, caves and the famous Blue River Canyon. It happens to be Iana’s favourite route in South Africa. “You’ll never be bored as there’s something to experience and photograph around every corner.” Quant little towns like Graskop, Sabie and Hazyview offer a variety of activities like The Big Swing, (one of the world’s highest cable gorge swings and launches off the top of a waterfall) the Graskop Gorge Lift and you can arrange to hike beneath the 65 meter Mac Mac Falls and get an experience like no other. “Don’t miss going to the Blyde River Canyon, Blyde River Forever Resort and Swadini Forever Resort. There are spectacular places if you go out looking for them.” Besides the magical views from atop, you can hike along the lower Blyde River Canyon, getting a different perspective from this world wonder.
- Location: Mpumalanga
- Best time to visit: May to August are the best since you have a better chance to get clear views and fantastic photos of the Three Rondavels and God’s Window.
Hole in the Wall
The Eastern Cape is easily overlooked compared to other provinces, but it has many hidden gems – one of them being the Hole in the Wall. Known by the Xhosa people as ‘EsiKhaleni’ or the ‘Place of the Sound’, it’s situated where the Mpako River meets the Indian Ocean and a National Heritage Site. You can photograph it from different angles making it a versatile landmark for photographers to capture. From dreamy long exposures to creative portraiture, this natural wonder of South Africa is worth travelling to.
- Location: Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape
- Best time to visit: From March to May and August to November – this way you avoid the warmest and coldest months. The best time of day to visit is right before dawn (so that you’re ready for sunrise), and right before sunset.
Tsitsikamma National Park
Tucked away between the mountains and the sea, the Tsitsikamma National Park offers lush forests, streaming waterfalls and picture perfect shorelines, where you can spend hours exploring and taking pictures of nature at its best. Besides being breathtakingly beautiful, there are tonnes of activities to keep you occupied. From bungee jumping at Bloukrans (the world’s highest bridge bungee jump) and other adrenaline-packed adventures to crossing the great Storms River Mouth on a set of three bridges (just imagine the photos you can get there) and lots of hiking. Iana suggests doing the first 6 km of the Otter Trail, South Africa’s most popular hiking trail stretching 41 km, covering scenic landscapes with jaw-dropping views. With so much to offer, it’s a must for any photographer and nature enthusiast.
- Location: Eastern to Western Cape
- Best time to visit: Although every month brings something special to explore, the ideal time to travel here is between March and October. With warm days and cool nights, it’s perfect for hiking and other adventure sports. November to February is very busy with tourists, but is amazing for scuba diving.
Sani Pass
“A real adventure with plenty of incredible views.” This 8 km, zig-zagging mountain pass is one heck of a journey to attempt, and is by no means for the faint of heart. With an elevation of 2.876 m above sea level and challenging road conditions, you want to be particularly prepared for this adventure. Only 4×4’s are permitted, but it’s well worth the effort of hiring a suitable vehicle or taking a guided tour. There are multiple lookout points to take in the scenery, and when you’re at the top, be sure to visit Sani Mountain Lodge, the highest pub in Africa.
- Location: Border of KwaZulu Natal and Lesotho.
- Best time to visit: It depends on what photographs you plan on taking, but the dry months, from November to March, are definitely the safest, with low chances of rainfall and crystal clear views. If you’re looking for white snow-capped mountain views, August is the month with the most predictable snowfall.
Cape Point
Where the two oceans meet… this has to be one of the most extraordinary tourist attractions with so much to do. “Every time I visit it, there’s some new discovery to experience and photograph.” Incredible oceanic views inspire photographers of all walks of life to take their winning shot, you can even fly in a helicopter to experience it from a completely different viewpoint. Dare the icy turquoise waters or make your way up the stairs to witness Cape Point’s first lighthouse built back in 1859. (The gusting wind is an experience in itself and should definitely be on your to-do list when travelling through the Western Cape.)
- Location: Western Cape
- Best time to visit: Another destination that can basically be visited year-round, but Spring and Autumn remain best for travel. August to October offers you the opportunity to view migrating whales. Keep in mind that the winter months in Cape Town tend to be rainy, so if you’re travelling then, remember to pack your waterproof jacket.
Klein Karoo
One of South Africa’s treasures… Small towns like Prince Albert, Montagu, Barrydale, Kareedouw and De Rust provide stories of slower days, seeped in heritage. Famous for its ostrich farms, wine routes and home to the beautiful Swartberg mountain range, it’s the perfect trip for anyone looking for a more tranquil travel experience. Arid landscapes and antique towns lend itself to a variety of charming photography opportunities.
- Location: Western Cape.
- Best time to visit: The Klein Karoo is one of those locations that can be visited year-round. January is hot and dry. If you’re looking for moderate temperatures, March to May and September to November are ideal.
Valley of Desolation
Commonly called the ‘The Cathedral of the Mountains’, these vertical columns of Dolerite piled one on top of the other rises 120 m from the ground up and is said to be the results of volcanic activity millions of years ago. This natural phenomenon with its remarkable views, fauna and flora, attracts bird watchers, hikers and of coarse, photographers. Timed just right, you can capture these cliffs with beautiful golden hues towering above the valley, making for one of a kind landscape photographs. Besides the beautiful landscapes, you can find more than a 220 bird species including the Black Eagle, Blue Crane and Brown-hooded kingfisher, so keep those binoculars close by. Although it may be out of the way, it’s without a doubt worth the detour.
- Location: Graaff Reinet, Eastern Cape
- Best time to visit: Basically year-round. January to March and May to December. For eye-catching, dramatic photographs, be sure to be there before sunrise and at sunset.
Baviaanskloof
Part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site, this is a definite bucket list location that features rich, bio-diverse wilderness areas and lots of activities to take part in. Baviaanskloof is Dutch for “Valley of the Baboons” and stretches about 200 km boasting eight biomes that include fynbos, succulent Karoo, sub-tropical thickets and savanna. Natural rock-formations, fountains, big wide forests, majestic mountain ranges and rock-paintings make this a breathtaking break-away for families and photographers looking to wind back and capture striking landscape images. If you’re looking for something adventurous, you can attempt the Hartland 6-day hike, Cedar Falls day hike or the Doringkloof 4×4 trails.
- Location: Karoo, Easter Cape
- Best time of the year: Temperatures during summer can easily reach 40℃, so travelling during Spring (September to November) offers the most pleasant weather. It’s also the time where nature is in full-bloom and vegetation is lusciously green – perfect for eye-catching landscape photography.
Namakwaland
We just had to add this one too. Translated to the land of the “Nama Khoi”, this beautiful arid land stretches over 1000 km, from the west coast of South Africa to Namibia and covers a total area of 440,000 km2. Famously known for the bright orange Namakwa daisies (that signify the arrival of spring), people travel from all over the world to bear witness to this barren desert land transforming into a colourful oasis. Cultural villages offer insight to the mysterious, indigenous people of Southern Africa with guided tours that include traditional cuisine, while massive sand dunes provide majestic photo opportunities and a thrilling playground for sandboarding and 4×4. It’s also a spectacular spot for stargazing and astrophotography.
- Location: Northern Cape
- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn are the most popular with the flower seasons. The daisies generally start blooming the second week of August until the second week of September. March and April when you can see the vibrant pink March lilies and other budding bulb species.
“Travel it the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” Unknown
