Off-season travel, spend this winter in Africa's summer
01 Cape Peninsula: Half city, half sea
Cape Town is the starting point of a South African trip. This city is backed by Table Mountain and faces the ocean, with a unique geographical location that creates countless photo spots.
Table Mountain is undoubtedly the most famous landmark of this city, with its flat summit highly recognizable in global topography. Taking the rare 360-degree rotating cable car is the best way to reach the top. During the 5 to 8-minute ascent, the cable car completes a full rotation every 30 seconds, ensuring every visitor can enjoy the scenery from all angles.
The best time for photos is early morning or dusk, when the light is soft and you can overlook the entire Cape Town and the blue ocean. If you're lucky, you might see the "tablecloth cloud" phenomenon—when the southeast wind pushes clouds onto the mountain, the whole peak looks like it’s covered with a white tablecloth.
The colorful houses in the Bo-Kaap district are Cape Town’s most distinctive photo background. These houses are brightly colored, ranging from pale yellow to bright pink to sky blue, forming a beautiful landscape.
There is a historical story about these colorful houses: as early as the 1760s, these houses were rented to migrant workers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other places, and at that time, the exterior walls were required to be white. It was not until the 1830s that the descendants of these workers were allowed to buy the houses, and they painted them in bright colors to express their pursuit of freedom.
From Cape Town, drive south along Chapman’s Peak Drive, a coastal mountain road praised as one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. The road winds along the massive Chapman’s Peak mountain range for 10 kilometers, with the mountains seeming to tumble into the sea like an avalanche, offering magnificent sea and mountain views along the way.
At Boulders Beach, you can get up close to African penguins. These black-and-white little creatures waddle on the sand or sunbathe on the rocks, creating a unique scene.
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is the southwesternmost point of the African continent. Standing here, you can experience the spectacular convergence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Standing on the cliff edge, watching huge waves crash below is an excellent spot for capturing stunning landscape photos.
02 Garden Route: A coastal self-driving paradise heading east
Starting from Cape Town, drive east along the famous Garden Route, a scenic route connecting mountains, forests, and the ocean.
The 300-kilometer drive from Mossel Bay to Storms River is one of South Africa’s most popular self-driving routes. October is a good time to start this journey, with mild temperatures, less rain, and fewer crowds compared to the peak season from December to January.
Knysna is known as the "Jewel of the Garden Route," located between the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. Knysna Heads are two sandstone cliffs guarding the picturesque entrance to Knysna Lagoon. From the viewpoint, you can admire the roaring waves, golden cliffs, and the calm lagoon below.
Here, you can choose to take a boat tour or kayak on Knysna Lagoon, enjoying the magnificent cliff views from the water. The sunset cruise is especially charming, with the cliffs reflected on the tranquil lagoon, creating a breathtaking scene.
Tsitsikamma National Park features dense forests and spectacular coastlines. The park has a famous suspension bridge spanning the rushing river mouth, a great spot for photos.
For thrill-seekers, the Garden Route also offers the world’s highest commercial bungee jump—from the Bloukrans Bridge.
03 Wine Country: A poetic blend of fine wine and countryside
The French town outside Cape Town was established by French immigrants in the 17th century, who brought viticulture techniques, French architecture, and lifestyle to South Africa. The area still retains a strong French atmosphere.
This is also one of South Africa’s top wine-producing regions. Visitors can not only taste fine wines but also tour vineyards by vintage horse-drawn carriage. From carefully maintained classical buildings to neatly arranged grapevines and rolling hills in the distance, the sound of horse hooves adds romance and poetry to the wine-tasting journey.
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl are the core areas of the Cape wine region. During the harvest festival, visitors can experience the fusion of traditional winemaking and modern technology in historic estates surrounded by oak trees.
Activities worth experiencing include grape-stomping competitions and visiting cellars featuring South Africa’s unique Pinotage and Chenin Blanc varieties. Winery restaurants also serve seasonal dishes such as game meat, autumn mushrooms, and late summer farm produce.
04 South Africa’s top three photo scenes: Make your photos go viral on social media
When traveling in South Africa, different scenes require different photography strategies. The table below summarizes the core tips for the three main photo scenes:
📸 City and colorful neighborhoods
· Key spots: Bo-Kaap colorful houses, Table Mountain 360-degree overlook, Company’s Garden Palm Avenue.
· Photo tips: Use a wide-angle lens for colorful streets; morning light enhances color saturation. Use a telephoto lens on the mountain top to compress the layers of city and ocean.
🌊 Coastline and self-driving roads
· Key spots: Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse, Knysna Heads cliffs.
· Photo tips: Shoot the classic "car and sea" composition at road bends. Use Cape of Good Hope rocks as foreground for waves. Capture warm light at dusk on cliff edges.
🍷 Wineries and countryside scenery
· Key spots: Stellenbosch historic wineries, vineyard rows, vintage horse-drawn carriages.
· Photo tips: Shoot depth between neat grapevines. Use reflections in estate pools or buildings for composition. Use macro or portrait mode for close-ups of wine and light.
05 Practical travel information: How to plan your South African summer trip
South Africa’s travel seasons vary by month, each with its own characteristics. If you plan to visit from December to February, it is South Africa’s summer, with higher temperatures and abundant sunshine, ideal for beach activities and outdoor exploration.
Regarding visas, South Africa has launched the "Trusted Travel Operator Scheme" (TTOS) for group tourists. The first batch includes 43 Chinese tour operators and South African ground operators. These agencies can process electronic visas for tour group members within 3 working days, greatly improving visa efficiency.
For transportation, renting a car and self-driving is an excellent way to explore South Africa. A regular small car can take you across the country, with gas stations conveniently located at reasonable intervals along the highways, all open 24 hours. South Africa drives on the right-hand side, opposite to China, so it takes some time to adapt.
Safety-wise, tourist areas and small towns are relatively safe, but be cautious in crowded urban places regarding personal and property security. Always park in places with security guards or near shopping centers and gas stations, and keep valuables with you.
Budget-wise, South Africa’s cost of living is moderate. Renting a small car with insurance costs about 250 RMB per day. Vietnamese food prices are moderate, with a bowl of pho around 55 RMB, suitable for Chinese tastes. Chinese meals average about 100 RMB per person.
Itinerary planning: A classic 12-day self-driving itinerary can be arranged as follows: 4 nights in Cape Town → 2 nights in Wine Country → 3 nights in Knysna → 1 night in Tsitsikamma → 1 night in Port Elizabeth. This schedule is neither too rushed nor too slow, allowing you to fully experience South Africa’s diverse charm.
Seals play in the bays near Cape Town, and pods of southern right whales migrate from Antarctica every June to October, nurturing new life in the warm currents of Hermanus Bay.
On land, the "Big Five" of Kruger National Park—elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and African buffalo—roam the wilderness. From May to July, the Durban coast features a 7-kilometer-long sardine run forming a flowing "black silk ribbon."
The South African Tourism Board has launched a new promotional video, "South Africa Awaits You: Enjoy New Charms," showcasing South Africa’s rich and diverse culture, natural landscapes, and adventurous experiences from a child’s perspective.