South Africa By charlotte71 Nov 1, 1480 Bartholomeu Dias Portuguese navigator Bartholomeu Dias is the first European to travel round the southern tip of Africa. Period: Nov 20, 1480 to Nov 20, 2012 South Africa Nov 20, 1497 Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama. Sea Route to IndiaPortuguese explorer Vasco da Gama lands on Natal coast.
