Travel Guide

Discover South Africa - a country brimming with bucket-list experiences

Whether you're hoping to catch a glimpse of nature's most majestic animals, get an adrenaline fix scaling the heights of Table Mountain or simply soak up the summer sunshine with a glass of world-class wine, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that South Africa has to offer. Inside you'll find a detailed guide to the country's animals, terrain and flora as well as information on local conservation efforts.

From vibrant city life to abundant wildlife, rugged vistas to beautiful beaches, prehistoric paintings to cutting edge contemporary art, South Africa has it all. This vast and varied country offers so many travel possibilities that you won't be able to resist.

Our regularly updated guide brings South Africa to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed information on all the must-see sights, inspiring photography, and our trademark illustrations.

You'll discover:

- our pick of South Africa's must-sees, top experiences, and hidden gems
- a detailed guide with information on animals, terrain, flora and conservation
- the best spots to eat, drink, shop, and stay
- detailed maps and walks which make navigating the country easy
- easy-to-follow itineraries
- expert advice: get ready, get around, and stay safe
- color-coded chapters to every part of South Africa, from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the Winelands to Kwazulu-Natal
- our new lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you go

Want the best of Cape Town and the Winelands in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Cape Town and the Winelands for top 10 lists to all-things Cape Town.

"Known… for its four-color maps, photos and illustrations, the [DK] Eyewitness Guides are extremely user-friendly for travelers who want their information delivered in a concise, visual way." — Chicago Tribune

"The best option… Color photos, maps, and diagrams bring the place to life." — The Philadelphia Inquirer

Whether you're hoping to catch a glimpse of nature's most majestic animals, get an adrenaline fix scaling the heights of Table Mountain or simply soak up the summer sunshine with a glass of world-class wine, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that South Africa has to offer. Inside you'll also find a detailed guide to the country's animals, terrain and flora as well as information on local conservation efforts.

From vibrant city life to abundant wildlife, rugged vistas to beautiful beaches, prehistoric paintings to cutting edge contemporary art, South Africa has it all. This vast and varied country offers so many travel possibilities you'll be spoilt for choice.

Our updated 2023 guide brings South Africa to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the country's iconic buildings and neighborhoods. DK Eyewitness South Africa is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. 

Inside DK Eyewitness you will find: 

- A fully-illustrated top experiences guide: our expert pick of South Africa’s must-sees and hidden gems.
- A field guide with information on animals, terrain, flora and conservation
- Accessible itineraries to make the most out of each and every day.
- Expert advice: honest recommendations for getting around safely, when to visit each sight, what to do before you visit, and how to save time and money.
- Color-coded chapters to every part of South Africa, from Cape Town to Johannesburg and Gauteng, the Arid Northwest to the Garden Route and Lesoth.
- Practical tips: the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay.
- Detailed maps and walks to help you navigate the region country easily and confidently.
- Covers: Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, The Cape Winelands and West Coast, The Arid Northwest, Hermanus and the Overberg, The Garden Route, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kruger, eSwatini

Only visiting Cape Town? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Cape Town and the Winelands.

About DK Eyewitness:

At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travelers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.