The Best Landscape Photography Locations in South Africa

South Africa is a paradise for landscape photographers, offering an incredible variety of terrains, from rugged coastlines and towering mountains to arid deserts and lush forests. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of exploring and photographing many of these incredible places, and each one has left a lasting impression on me. Whether you're chasing golden light over dramatic peaks, capturing the Milky Way in an remote wilderness, or standing in awe of the ocean’s raw power, there’s no shortage of breathtaking scenery. Here are some of my top locations to add to your photography bucket list.

1. Table Mountain & Cape Town City

No matter how many times I photograph Table Mountain, it never ceases to amaze me. The way the light plays off its flat summit, the mist rolling over its edges, and the ever-changing weather create a dynamic scene that always presents something new. One of my favorite spots is Bloubergstrand, with stunning leading lines and rock formations. For a more dramatic view, head up Lion’s Head or Kloof Corner at sunrise, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking perspective over the city, from high up on the mountain.

2. Hout Bay & Chapman’s Peak Drive

Hout Bay is one of those places where nature and culture blend seamlessly. The harbor, filled with fishing boats and flocks of seagulls, is a great place to shoot vibrant maritime scenes. But it’s Chapman’s Peak Drive that truly steals the show. This winding coastal road offers dramatic cliffside views that are especially stunning at sunset when the golden light paints the rugged coastline in warm hues. The road itself makes for an incredible leading line in compositions, and if you’re lucky, you might catch the perfect moment when a car's headlights create a dreamy light trail. Photographing towards Sentinal Peak makes the perfect composition when paired with long exposure photography the clouds and ocean below. 

3. De Kelders & Walker Bay

There’s something raw and untamed about De Kelders. The jagged limestone cliffs, the swirling turquoise ocean, and the echoes of waves crashing into hidden sea caves make this place feel like another world. If you visit between June and November, you might be lucky enough to capture Southern Right Whales breaching just offshore, a truly unforgettable sight. For long exposures, the rock pools and tidal flows offer mesmerizing patterns, especially in the soft morning light.

4. Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg is a place that will humble any photographer. Towering basalt cliffs, deep valleys shrouded in mist, and golden grasslands that stretch endlessly, it’s a land of pure magic. One of my most memorable shoots was from the Amphitheatre in Royal Natal National Park, where the escarpment curves dramatically against the sky. If you’re up for an adventure, try camping up the escarpment for several nights, this is the best way to explore new photographic opportunities. The best part about the Drakensberg? The way the light dances across the landscape, transforming the scenery from soft and dreamy to rugged and powerful within minutes.

5. Clarens & Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Clarens is a hidden gem for photographers, with its warm sandstone cliffs and rolling hills that glow in the golden hours. Just beyond the town, Golden Gate Highlands National Park offers sweeping valleys, dramatic rock formations, and moody weather that often brings swirling clouds and dramatic light. The interplay of light and shadow here creates endless opportunities for unique compositions, making it one of my favorite places to shoot in the Free State. The best time to visit is during Autumn for stunning yellow and red colours. 

6. Hole in the Wall, Wild Coast

The first time I saw Hole in the Wall, I felt like I had stepped into a different world. This iconic rock formation, shaped by centuries of relentless ocean waves, is one of the most photogenic landmarks along the Wild Coast. Sunrise and sunset bring out its best colors, and during high tide, the powerful waves crashing through the hole create an incredible dynamic scene. For something different, try capturing it under the stars—the isolation of the Wild Coast makes for some of the darkest skies in South Africa.

7. Cederberg Mountains

The Cederberg is where I go when I need to disconnect from the world and immerse myself in nature. The rugged, Mars-like landscapes, scattered with bizarre rock formations, are a dream for any photographer. The Wolfberg Arch and Maltese Cross are iconic landmarks worth the hike, especially during golden hour when the rock glows deep red. And when night falls, the sky erupts with millions of stars, this is hands down one of the best astrophotography spots in the country.

8. The Karoo

The Karoo is vast, silent, and hauntingly beautiful. Its open plains seem to stretch forever, interrupted only by the occasional windmill or quiver tree standing defiantly against the elements. The Tankwa and Klein Karoo, are a photographer’s playground, whether you’re capturing the cracked earth patterns after a dry spell or the impossibly clear night skies. If you’re after something eerie and unique, the abandoned houses and windmills scattered across the landscape make for hauntingly beautiful compositions.

9. Kogel Bay

Kogel Bay has a raw, untamed beauty that keeps me coming back (it's also 30 minutes from my house). The towering cliffs that plunge straight into the ocean, the powerful waves crashing onto the shore, and the ever-changing light make this a playground for dramatic seascapes. On stormy days, the moody skies add an extra layer of drama, while on calmer evenings, the wet sand creates stunning reflections that make for minimalist, dreamlike images. Blue bioluminescent algae is also fairly common in this area resulting in stunning nightscapes. 

10. Blyde River Canyon & God's Window

The Blyde River Canyon is one of those places that makes you feel small in the best possible way. Standing at the viewpoint overlooking the Three Rondavels, watching the river carve its way through the landscape, is an unforgettable experience. A short drive away, God's Window lives up to its name, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Mozambique. This region is especially rewarding in the early morning when the mist rises from the valley, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

11. Tsitsikamma National Park & Storms River

Tsitsikamma is where the wild ocean meets lush indigenous forests, creating a landscape that is as dramatic as it is beautiful. The Storms River Mouth suspension bridge offers a perfect composition, framed by towering cliffs and swirling ocean waves. I love using long exposures here to soften the motion of the water, creating a mystical, dreamlike effect. On misty mornings, the forest trails come alive with diffused light filtering through the canopy, adding an almost enchanted feel to the images.

12. Sossusvlei, Namibia (Bonus - Southern Africa)

Few places on Earth rival the surreal beauty of Sossusvlei. The towering red dunes that shift with the wind, the cracked clay pans, and the haunting dead trees of Deadvlei create a landscape that feels like a dream. Arriving before sunrise, setting up a shot with the first rays of light kissing the dunes, is an experience that never gets old. If you’re up for an adventure, hiking Big Daddy dune will reward you with panoramic views that are worth every step.

13. Kubu Island, Botswana (Bonus - Southern Africa)

Kubu Island is like stepping onto another planet. This isolated granite rock formation, surrounded by the endless Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, is a surreal location for photography. The ancient baobabs here have stood for centuries, their gnarled trunks telling stories of a landscape that has barely changed over millennia. As the sun sets, the salt flats reflect the colors of the sky, creating an otherworldly scene that is nothing short of magical.

14. Lesotho (Bonus - Southern Africa)

Lesotho is a land of rugged beauty, where high-altitude passes, winding roads, and remote villages make for some of the most striking landscapes in Southern Africa. One of my favorite spots is Maletsunyane Falls, where a single, powerful waterfall plunges into a deep gorge, creating an awe-inspiring composition.

Final Thoughts

South Africa’s diverse landscapes offer endless inspiration. No matter how many times I return to these places, I always find new perspectives, new light, and new stories to tell. If you love capturing the beauty of nature, South Africa is the ultimate playground. Get out there, chase the light, and let the landscapes inspire you.