Seeing where important events happened to relatives and others adds richness to holidays
According to Marriott Bonvoy’s 2025 Ticket to Travel research, 75% of South Africans have either taken – or plan to take – a trip to explore their family’s history. There are many South African destinations where the country’s layered history comes alive.
Cape Town is a city of contrasts, where colonial architecture meets liberation landmarks. Visitors can explore the Castle of Good Hope, the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa and the Bo-Kaap, where brightly painted homes tell stories of resilience and cultural pride. A ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, offers a sobering yet inspiring experience. And there are hotels housed in a former 19th-Century prison and a restored Cape Dutch manor that immerses guests in the elegance of the 1880s.
Johannesburg’s heritage is forged in gold and struggle. The Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill offer powerful insights into South Africa’s journey to democracy, while the Workers’ Museum honours the migrant labourers who built the city’s foundations. One hotel was originally an outspan stop on the wagon route between Johannesburg and Pretoria, later becoming a cultural hub linked to the 1939 film Balalaika.
In the late 1800s, Kimberley was the epicentre of the world’s most famous diamond rush. Today, visitors can tour the Big Hole, a hand-dug mine that once drew thousands of fortune seekers, a hotel that recreates the town’s boom-era streetscape and another, located near the Big Hole, that offers a comfortable base with views that echo the town’s glittering past.
Nature and tradition
The south coast of KwaZulu-Natal is steeped in Zulu heritage. Illovo Beach, named by King Shaka for its ‘sweet waters’, is a place where oral history and natural beauty converge. Nearby, visitors can explore battlefields, cultural villages and sacred sites that honour Zulu traditions. Hotels offer serene coastal retreats, where guests can reflect on the region’s royal legacy while enjoying warm Indian Ocean breezes.
Mahikeng (formerly Mafikeng) is a town where colonial conflict and indigenous culture intersect. The Mafikeng Museum traces the town’s role in the Anglo-Boer War, while the Lotlamoreng Cultural Village showcases Setswana traditions through dance, storytelling and craft. A nearby hotel provides a gateway to these experiences, offering modern comfort with easy access to the town’s historical and cultural landmarks.
Nestled in the Cape Winelands, Somerset West is a treasure trove of history. The Vergelegen Wine Estate, founded in 1700, has hosted governors and revolutionaries alike. The Old Bridge, the third oldest in South Africa, and Sir Lowry’s Pass, marked by wagon wheel tracks from the Great Trek, offer tangible links to the country’s pioneering past. Stay in accommodation that blends old-world charm with contemporary design, drawing inspiration from Lord Charles Henry Somerset, the town’s namesake and founder of South Africa’s first public library.
Text | Dorcas Dlamini Mbele
Photography | Kiev.Victor
Dorcas Dlamini Mbele is Senior Commercial Director, Marriott International – Sub-Saharan Africa.
For more information, go to marriott.com
