South Africa
The possibilities are endless in South Africa
Summary
Track stealthy cheetah and plenty of other wildlife on safari in the vast plains of Kruger National Park, kayak alongside waddling penguins at Boulders Beach near Cape Town, sip a rich Cabernet Sauvignon in the rolling hills of the Stellenbosch wine region or catch a wave in the pounding surf of Jeffrey’s Bay. Then finish up in the vibrant, buzzing capital of Cape Town beneath the imposing bulk and beauty of Table Mountain.
For sheer gluttony, there’s so much to love in South Africa, but there’s nowhere else like it on the continent for incredible wine, gourmet produce and world class restaurants of Cape Town and Johannesburg. When travelling in South Africa, you can start with a luxury wildlife safari, follow it up with a gourmet food & wine safari, then add on a cycling safari to burn off all that indulgence.
Highlights
- Go wildlife spotting on a luxury safari in the excellent national parks and game reserves including Sabi Sand Game Reserve and South Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary, Kruger National Park.
- Spend a few days in the beautiful cosmopolitan capital of Cape Town, South Africa. Cape Town is a vibrant, buzzing city positioned beneath the imposing bulk and beauty of Table Mountain offers some of the best food & wine, arts, shopping and history South Africa has on offer.
- Hit the water at some of the great surfing, swimming and water sports hotspots along the huge South African coastline.
- Drive the Garden Route to travel along the scenic southeast coastline, stopping to explore charming towns, ancient forests and great beaches.
- Indulge in incredible food and wine, from cellar doors to organic farmer’s market and fine-dining restaurants to rival anywhere in the world in key entry point cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg.
- South Africa is a very modern, well developed country with good tourist infrastructure and safe, easily accessible cities and safari routes.
$USD 950-2,500 Per person, per day
General inclusions: Safari camps or hotels, game drives, ground transfers, guided excursions, most meals, park fees. Seasonality affects the price of accommodation and travelling in low season may reduce the price. Single supplements may also apply.
Visit Cape Town and history is never far from your grasp. It lingers in the air, a scent on the breeze, an explanation of circumstance that shaped the Rainbow People.
Tahir Shah, Author
When to travel
Always & right now. South Africa is fantastic at any time of year. Game viewing is at its best during the dry months of May to September. The famed Sardine Run from May to July draws thousands of sharks, whales, dolphins and birds attracted by the enormous schools of sardines. Cape Town is a year-round destination, with enough food, wine, shopping, culture and art to keep you occupied for a lifetime, though if you want to lie on the beach, November to March is best. Discover the best time to travel to South Africa. The monthly average temperatures and rainfall below are for Kruger National Park. Please note, each countries geographic terrain varies and therefore so does the weather so talk to us to find out the best time to visit specific locations within South Africa.
- 30°c
- 25°c
- 20°c
- 15°c
- 10°c
- 5°c
- 0°c
- 140 mm
- 112 mm
- 84 mm
- 56 mm
- 28 mm
- 0 mm
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sept
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Whale Migration
- Kruger National Park
- Sardine Run
- Cape Town Beaches
FAQ
1. How do I get to & around South Africa?
Fly direct into Johannesburg from Australia on South African Airways, Singapore Airways, Qantas or the Middle Eastern carriers fly into both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Alternatively take a few days in Mauritius via Perth then into Johannesburg or Cape Town directly from there.
Once in South Africa, you’ll find plenty of internal flight connections around the country on the reliable South African Airways or its subsidiary fleets. The country has well developed tourist infrastructure to take you from city to safari in no time.
2. How long should I spend in South Africa?
With one week, you’ll only scrape the surface of South Africa, but it will allow you to experience cosmopolitan Cape Town and spend a couple of nights exploring The Cape Winelands. Allow up to two weeks to include a luxury safari in Sabi Sands Game Reserve or Kruger National Park. Allow three weeks to add an excursion along the Garden Route, a hike in the dramatic Drakensberg mountains or some deeper exploration to the historical and cultural locations including the moving Apartheid Museum near Johannesburg or the historically symbolic Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
3. Will South Africa suit my travel style?
South Africa is a destination suitable for all traveller types no matter what your age or experience. South Africa is an ideal travel destination for first-timers to Africa but diverse enough for any seasoned safari goers returning to Africa for a second, third, fourth time or more. Whether you are a lover of luxury, a culture seeker, a foodie, a wildlife watcher or a honeymooner, you’ll find so many perfect travel experiences in South Africa. South Africa also offers Malaria free safari destinations which are particularly popular for older travellers or those travelling with children.
4. What attractions and experiences can I find in South Africa?
There is so much to choose from in South Africa. Experience Kruger National Park, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Winelands and more. This is a country where every hobby or passion can be explored, if you are into shark cage diving, fishing, golf, birding, wildlife watching, safari cruising, food and wine adventures, beaches or sports, you will find it in South Africa and never get bored.
5. What is the overall vibe of South Africa?
South Africa is a modern, well developed country with great tourist infrastructure. It has safe, easily accessible cities, safe safari routes and experiences guides to travel with. It’s a country that is rich in diversity due to its colonial past. When it comes to food, expect a mixture of contemporary and traditional dishes and plenty of places to try game meat. There is a strong artisanal feel in the Cape Town with many local bakeries and charcuteries popping up. Cape Town is often voted as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and impresses everyone who visits.
6. What essential information should I know before visiting South Africa?
Visas: : Australian citizens do not need visas to visit South Africa for up to 90 days. All under 18’s must have a full birth certificate with both parent’s names printed when travelling.
Health: There are many safari destination is South Africa that are malaria free, the assured areas are the Eastern Cape, North West Province (including the Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Game reserve and the Waterberg). However, malaria does occur in South Africa, particularly in the Kruger and Swaziland regions. We recommend visiting your travel doctor for the latest information on travel vaccinations before your journey.
Language: English is one of the 11 official languages spoken in South Africa. English is the official language of business, politics and media, but on South Africa’s streets you’ll find a heady mix of languages spoken from all over the world, most notably Africa, Europe and Asia. Most South Africans are multilingual and often mix languages together so you’ll hear IsiZulu, for example, peppered with English or Afrikaans phrases.
Currency: South African rand is the local currency. ATM’s are readily available and mostly accept Visa, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash with you in case they are not. We recommend travelling with some US dollars, especially for tipping.
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