The Faroe Islands may have everyone beat when it comes to Google Street View (what, you didn't hear about the flock of sheep carrying 360-degree cameras to capture the far reaches of the remote islands?). But South Africa just rose to the challenge. Last week, Google launched Street View for 170 new trails across 19 national parks, some of which had never been fully trekked before.

Thanks to 572 safari guides, national park rangers, and volunteers who walked a collective 560 miles, views of an elephant sanctuary, Blyde River Canyon, and Madikwe Game Reserve (among others) are all available online. The volunteers carried the 48-pound camera backpack that works much like Google's 360-cam cars, used in more urban areas to map streets, taking pictures with each of its 15 lenses every two seconds to stitch together an all-around view of the area.

With the help of experienced guides, the volunteers on the walking safari routes ran into the kind of wildlife that draws many tourists to the country. You can spot elephants along the Nhlangani Kopple Trail and a cheetah in Mount Zebra National Park.

Not afraid of heights and feeling particularly brave? Check out the UNESCO World Heritage site Drakensberg Mountains via Street View (though in this case, it's more Sky View); these views are usually achieved by going up a precarious ladder—one that this team climbed with the 360-cam. Now, seven of South Africa's eight UNESCO World Heritage sites are on Google Street View.

If you're prepping for a trip to Cape Town, there's something for you, too. You can now choose one of seven paths to "climb" Table Mountain, Lion's Head (for a great view of the iconic tabletop), and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens canopy walk.

So if you've ever needed a push to actually go to South Africa, here it is. Take some inspiration from these paths and then go do it for yourself.