Africa
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa
South African World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in South Africa map · historical landmarks in South Africa
South Africa has 11 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 7 cultural and 4 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 1999 and 2024. This map of UNESCO sites in South Africa covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
South African World Heritage Sites range from Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains onwards; Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa was the country's first inscription, added in 1999; Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites is the most recent, listed in 2024; recurring threads across the list include wild places and ancient civilizations.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park. Start with Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, Cape Floral Region Protected Areas and Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 11
- Cultural
- 7
- Natural
- 4
- First inscribed
- 1999
Sites on the map
Inscriptions South Africa shares with other countries are not plotted here — you will find them in the list below.
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- CPTCape Town2 sites
- PTGPolokwane2 sites
- MQPMbombela1 site
- HLAJohannesburg1 site
- MPMMaputo1 site
- OMDOranjemund1 site
Keep exploring
All 11 sites in South Africa
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barberton Makhonjwa MountainsSituated in north-eastern South Africa, the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains comprises 40% of the Barberton Green. | 2018 | Natural | Situated in north-eastern South Africa, the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains comprises 40% of the Barberton Green. |
| Cape Floral Region Protected AreasInscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004, the property is located at the south-western extremity of South Africa. | 2004 | Natural | Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004, the property is located at the south-western extremity of South Africa. |
| Fossil Hominid Sites of South AfricaFossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1999 | Cultural | Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy SitesHuman Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2024 | Cultural | Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National ParkiSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1999 | Natural | iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Mapungubwe Cultural LandscapeMapungubwe is set hard against the northern border of South Africa, joining Zimbabwe and Botswana. | 2003 | Cultural | Mapungubwe is set hard against the northern border of South Africa, joining Zimbabwe and Botswana. |
| Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical LandscapeThe 160,000 ha Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape of dramatic mountainous desert in north-western S. | 2007 | Cultural | The 160,000 ha Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape of dramatic mountainous desert in north-western S. |
| Robben IslandRobben Island was used at various times between the 17th and 20th centuries as a prison, a hospital for socially unaccep. | 1999 | Cultural | Robben Island was used at various times between the 17th and 20th centuries as a prison, a hospital for socially unaccep. |
| The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South AfricaThe Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2024 | Cultural | The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Vredefort DomeVredefort Dome, approximately 120 km south-west of Johannesburg, is a representative part of a larger meteorit. | 2005 | Natural | Vredefort Dome, approximately 120 km south-west of Johannesburg, is a representative part of a larger meteorit. |
| ǂKhomani Cultural LandscapeǂKhomani Cultural Landscape — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2017 | Cultural | ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in South Africa
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in South Africa?
- South Africa has 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 7 cultural and 4 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in South Africa?
- Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa was inscribed in 1999. Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in South Africa?
- Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, inscribed in 2024. Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Which sites in South Africa are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 4 of the 11 listings are natural: Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains, Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Maputo National Park and Vredefort Dome.
- Which UNESCO sites in South Africa are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for South Africa.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in South Africa?
- The 11 UNESCO-listed sites above are South Africa's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (1999). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of South African World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 11 South African UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.