Every city, town and province likes to believe that their area has the best sunsets in South Africa, but who is right? With diverse landscapes ranging across beaches, harbours, forests, mountains, game reserves, urban skylines, vineyards, farmlands and even lakes, rivers and dams, sunsets in SA are as varied as the people, scenery and culture.

As South Africans, we take our sunsets very seriously. Plenty of arguments have been had over whether Jozi sunsets over the city can rival Cape Town’s fiery displays over the sea, or even the sight of clouds bursting through the setting sun over Kruger National Park.

With destination in the country offering its own visual show as the sun starts to set, how do you find the very best of the best when it comes to sunsets?It’s time to found out and put those endless debates to rest.

The SA Sunset Competition Judging Process

We see the sun setting every single day. While the sight still has us gazing up at the sky in wonder, not every evening produces a perfect SA sunset. The ones that stand out are Tweeted, shared on Facebook and sent to friends who are stuck at work. These special ones include any or all of the following factors:

• Colour – no plain old orange will do – we want to see purple, red and pink too.
• Effects – extra points for cloud bursts, pretty streaks or other visual effects.
• Change – ideally, you should be able to enjoy your drinks at a leisurely pace as you watch the gradual changes progress.
• Backdrop – this is important too (your back garden doesn’t count here either)

And The Best Sunsets in South Africa Winners Are…

Taking the judging criteria into account, along with the overall impact (i.e. number of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as well as how
often the sunset makes it onto social media, email forwards or even magazines), it is clear that these three sunsets are clear winners.

1. Chapmans Peak, Cape Town

It’s not just the Capetonians who rate Cape Town sunsets – as any traveller to the Mother City can attest; this city is a
sundowner hotspot. Chapmans Peak, which runs from Llandudno to Hout Bay, offers some of the best sunsets in the world, spanning over the vast Atlantic Ocean. The panoramic effect adds the perfect touch, and with plenty of lookout spots along the route, you can stop and admire the views until the first stars come out.

2. Johannesburg City Skyline

There is something unique about a city at dusk, and Johannesburg sunsets bring this quality to perfection. The best sunsets are during the summer months, especially after a typical Jozi thunderstorm. Huge storm clouds rolling across the sky in shades of deep orange, red and pink, with the city’s lights starting to turn on as night starts to fall ensure the type of sunset that is made famous in guidebooks and travel brochures.

3. Knysna Waterfront

The charming Garden Route town of Knysna is famous for its oysters and bustling waterfront, which is home to many luxury yachts. The sight of these luxurious vessels at sunset are set against a mirrored reflection of the water, with mountains in the background in soft focus. This is the Knysna that graces travel books, bringing many a visitor to the coastal town in search of the quintessential seaside holiday.

But of course, the best thing about South Africa and its spectacular views is that everyone wins the competition at some stage. With clearly defined seasons that each bring a different type of magic into the mix, sunsets in South Africa are sure to be memorable – wherever you plan to enjoy them.