Five tourist hotspots in South Africa which are world-class

Tourist arrivals to South Africa are once again on the rise, following a lengthy recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Tourism.

From January to September 2025, South Africa has welcomed over 1 million more tourists than the same period last year. 

In September alone, the department recorded a year-on-year increase of about 27%. This was mainly driven by growth in the Africa and Europe markets. 

“Tourism is proving itself a catalyst for economic growth and development. The industry is creating jobs, stimulating investment, and revitalising local economies,” said Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille. 

The increase in tourists coincides with South Africa winning several awards at the recent 2025 World Travel Awards for its world-class attractions and experiences that draw tourists, both local and international.

South Africa won awards for the best water park, private game reserve, luxury train and cruise terminal for the African region this year. 

Here are South Africa’s tourist attractions that won World Travel Awards this year:

Port of Cape Town

In addition to claiming the award for top cruise terminal, the Cape Town port also secured a place among the top 20 most beautiful cruise ports in the world in August this year, according to a global list compiled by Allclear Travel Insurance. 

Cruise arrivals to the port are greeted with panoramic views of Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and the Atlantic Ocean. 

The port is within walking distance of the inner city and the V&A Waterfront, offering some of Cape Town’s best hotels, restaurants and heritage sites. 

V&A Waterfront spokesperson, Donald Kau, said that this recognition is a testament to Cape Town’s long maritime history and the investments and upgrades the city has made in the harbour. 

“We have constructed a world-class terminal that has improved the experience of cruise passengers,” Kau told IOL.

Inverroche Distillery

Inverroche is a South African craft distillery that first pioneered making craft gin from fynbos plants in 2011. It has been named Africa’s leading distillery tour.

The distillery was started by palaeobotanist Lorna Scott. Scott previously consulted for the Department of Agriculture and served as deputy mayor of the Hessequa Municipality, according to News24. 

The process of making the gin is deeply connected to the Stilbaai area, where the distillery is located, and where Scott grew up.

All the botanicals used in the gin are fresh and grown on the distillery’s land. The process results in a gin that has a distinct colour, unlike traditional gin. 

Seventy per cent of Inverroche’s staff are local women. Every step of the distillation process is conscious and aims for sustainability and care for the land and community. 

The distillery invites the public to visit the Stilbaai distillery to learn more about the intricate process.

Silvan Safari Lodge

This luxury lodge in the Sabi Sand reserve won the leading luxury safari lodge this year, after taking home the prize for the World’s leading luxury lodge in 2018 and 2019. 

While the Sabi Sands is recognised as the “Rolls-Royce” of game reserves in South Africa, the Silvan Lodge is a relatively new addition to the reserve. 

The lodge is set in Leadwood and Jackalberry. It is contemporary in its styling, with carefully chosen art pieces. 

Each of the lodge’s exclusive 6 suites is inspired by the trees surrounding the lodge, each taking the name of the tree it is built around. 

Each suite has its own plunge pool, a bedroom and lounge area with a standalone fireplace, and bathrooms with walk-in double showers and large bathtubs. 

The lodge’s restaurant offers fine dining experiences inspired by the surrounding area, and the on-site spa offers massages and treatments with local, indigenous ingredients. 

Guests are offered two game drives a day. A stay at this luxury getaway costs R42,235 per person per night, which includes gourmet meals and game drives.

The Blue Train 

The historic Blue Train was named the best luxury train service in Africa. Offering three-day journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town, the Blue Train combines the excitement of train travel with the comfort of a luxury hotel. 

The Blue Train traces back to the 1890s and the discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa. 

The trains were advertised as direct journeys to the gold and diamond fields for those arriving in Cape Town by ship. The original journeys would have been far from luxurious.

At the beginning of the 20th century, conditions improved; however, when new trains were brought in, the precursor to today’s blue train. 

They included showers, washrooms, electric lighting, fans and dining saloons. They were named the Union Trains by 1920.

Colloquially, the trains were called “the blue trains” for their distinct blue carriages. 

Today, the trains are the epitome of luxurious travel, with spacious bedroom carriages, fine-dining experiences and 24-hour butlers for guests. 

Valley of the Waves

Part of the Lost Palace development at the Sun City resort, the Valley of the Waves took the prize for the top water park for 2025. 

The waterpark is built around a man-made lagoon, the Roaring Lagoon, which generates a 1.2 m-high wave every 90 seconds with a velocity of 35 km/h. 

In addition to the lagoon, waterslides, waterfalls, rivers and swimming pools are hidden amongst the jungle landscape.

The Sun City resort was opened by Sol Kerzner in 1979. The “lost city expansion” was completed in 1992, including the award-winning waterpark, which is built around a long-dormant volcano.