Home of the Kruger National Park, visit private reserves delivering Africa’s most spectacular wildlife sightings on Big 5 safaris. Further south in the leisurely Mother City, Cape Town, discover elegant wine valleys as well as quaint beaches along its rocky coastline and be sure not to miss South Africa’s Whale Coast as they visit warmer seas in Hermanus.
The exquisite Garden Route, found on South Africa’s west coast, is perfect for self-drive adventures. Discover small coastal towns, wetlands, lush forests and quiet beaches along this coastline. For warmer oceans head to KwaZulu-Natal’s pristine beaches and find out more about the interesting historical stories found in this area.
South Africa is a superb destination for the whole family or for romantic honeymooners and adventure travellers. From world-renowned cuisine, fine wines, complex history, gorgeous coastlines and of course safari experiences, South Africa should be on your bucket list.
Travelling around South Africa is a simple task. Daily, commercial flights link all the cities, and private and chartered aircrafts are able to get you to more remote locations with many lodges having their own private airstrips.
Important Airports:
- OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg : this is the gateway to most South African destinations
- Cape Town International Airport: fly to this airport to access the Winelands, Cape Town, the Garden Route and Whale Coast
- King Shaka International Airport: fly to this airport in Durban to visit game reserves, battlefields and Indian Ocean coast.
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport: this airport links the Kruger National Park and its private reserves with Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
- Skukuza Airport: this is the only commercial airport in the Kruger National Park and has daily flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Port International Elizabeth Airport: found in the Eastern Cape, this airline allows access to Big 5 reserves and is a great start for a self drive up the Garden Route towards Cape town.
- George Airport: this airport is in the heart of the Garden Route.
From each of these airports road transfers are an option and for those wanting to self drive, car hire is available. The currency in South Africa is rand (ZAR) and foreign currency can be easily exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and many hotels. One can draw cash at ATMs (cash machines), which can be found throughout the country and often have a better exchange rate. Purchases can be made with credit cards, with American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Diners Club International accepted in most facilities.
Tipping is greatly appreciated in South Africa but is entirely at your discretion. Hotels and lodges might have their own system for tipping, however at restaurants, the general guideline is 10–15%. South Africa also has many car guards (many in yellow-bibbed vests) who will offer to watch your vehicle for you in exchange for a small tip.
Packing is always tricky with a combination holiday as it depends on where and when you want to visit. For what to pack on safari, use our guide here. In summer, in South Africa’s temperate climate, lightweight clothing is advisable with a jacket and closed shoes for unexpected adventures. Each destination in South Africa might vary within the same season and so a handful of winter and water-proof clothing might be needed for a summer in South Africa. Sunscreen is a must during the summer months. Although South Africans are relatively casual dressers, you might want a few formal items for cities like Cape Town or Johannesburg. The winters in South Africa will require warmer layers and maybe a pair of boots.
A passport valid for six months from the date of departure is required for all guests coming to South Africa. One blank page is also needed in your passport (this excludes the final page). Certain countries such as many of the Commonwealth, USA, Western Europe and Japan don’t need visas, however will be issued a permit valid for 90 days on arrival. Please refer to South Africa’s Home Affairs website for an updated list of these countries. Countries not on this list will require a visa from a South African embassy prior to travel. Children under the age of 18 need a passport and unabridged birth certificate when applying for visas and entering the country. For full details on visa requirements and processing times, visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website.
Due to South Africa’s disparity in regions its climate will vary from destination to destination. South Africa’s summer is from roughly December to March and then its winter months take over from June to August. Certain regions, such as the Western Cape and Cape Town, experience winter rainfall and then have a hot, dry summer. Other regions such as the Kruger Park experience the opposite and have a dry winter and have afternoon showers in summer. Durban and KwaZulu-Natal is warmer and usually is sunny all year round, with warm ocean temperatures, destinations in this province can be tagged onto any trip to South Africa. Whale watching is at its prime from June until November, with the highest month being September.
- Experience Africa’s Big 5 (lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) on a safari in the Kruger National Park’s private reserves
- Food and beaches in the Mother City – Cape Town
- Table Mountain
- Cape Peninsula
- Experience superb wine and cuisine in the Cape Winelands
