A traveler's world of breathtaking scenery, pristine coastlines, vibrant cities, strange deserts, unique wildlife, rich culture, and so much more await those who travel to South Africa. A wealth of vacation options that include'Big Five' safaris and tours exploring the country's natural, cultural and historical attractions makes South Africa a very diverse travel destination with an adventure that is sure to appeal to your specific interests and budgetary constraints.
Need Advice?South Africa's top travel destinations are amongst the world's most alluring attractions. The fact that they are famous does not mean that they will always take you to areas with large numbers of tourists, but rather that they are interesting, exciting, and well worth visiting on your vacation.
Cape Town is one of the world's most splendidly displayed cities and the top travel destination in South Africa.
Kruger Park is a natural treasure and one of Africa's largest and most diverse safari destinations.
Luxurious lodges and exceptional wildlife encounters are what you can expect when traveling to the Sabi Sand.
Not far from Cape Town, the Winelands is a region of lush vineyards set against rigid mountain scenery.
Beautiful forests, coastlines, an abundance of family activities, and exceptional golf courses make this region a top travel destination.
South Africa's most diverse province is a destination that offers Big Five safaris, Beach Vacations, mountain scenery, and historical tours.
Those who travel to South Africa will find that the world in one country offers many destinations and a vacation package to suit every budget.
When traveling in South Africa, visitors will encounter many different landscapes, from sub-tropical rain forests and semi-desert stretches to snow-capped mountains, sugar-fine beaches, and grassland game reserves. Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand, Timbavati, and the Garden Route are the most popular South African travel destinations.
In addition to the most popular travel destinations, South Africa is blessed with a wide variety of lesser-known destinations and attractions. Available activities include adventure, cultural, historical, and leisure activities.
South Africa is home to more than twenty treasured national parks, each conserving a unique collection of fauna, flora, and awe-inspiring natural scenery within their protected boundaries. From the Big Five in the Kruger National Park to the West Coast's delicate coastal ecosystem, you'll find something special in every wild corner.
The private game reserves in South Africa are ideal for luxury safari vacations. They also offer remarkable variety, ranging from Phinda's lush sub-tropical wilderness with its seven distinct ecosystems to Madikwe's dry transitional zone between the bushveld and Kalahari. Malaria-free reserves are also available for family safaris.
South Africa has nine individual provinces that are hallmarks of South Africa's inherent diversity. Read more about Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, the Northern Cape, the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, the Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Our South African travel packages include a wide range of enthralling attractions. From the historic wine routes in the Western Cape to Mpumalanga's wet world of waterfalls, you'll find yourself captivated by the natural and cultural spoils of this beautiful country on the tip of the continent.
Traveling to South Africa means you are spoiled for choice regarding the array of activities available. Adventurous souls will relish the opportunity to push themselves to the limit, while the leisurely at heart may repose on the country's fine beaches or explore sites of historical intrigue.
South Africa is a country with incredible weather where the game of golf is loved and enjoyed by a significant number of people. As a result, South Africa is home to many exceptional golf courses with grand natural settings.
When you plan to travel to South Africa, you have many choices. We offer a range of pre-designed itineraries or can tailor one to your wishes.
Many seasoned travelers view South Africa as a "World in one Country." South Africa's unparalleled beauty is evident in diverse destinations such as coastal beaches and forests, national parks, private safari game reserves, mountain ranges, deserts, and awe-inspiring panoramic landscapes.
I requested information very last minute – four days before I wanted to leave for my safari in Kruger – and I had a quick response and was able to book. My tour guide (Mary-Anne) picked me up on time. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about her work. Very attentive to the client's needs. She made me feel comfortable and at ease.
Celine Beauparlant, CanadaAccommodation options range from luxury hotels to remote lodges in unspoiled wilderness areas. Each area of South Africa boasts various accommodation options, including Hotels, Lodges, and Guest Houses. In all cases, these establishments cater to a range of budget options, one of which is sure to appeal to you.
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World-class hotels provide an opulent accommodation and dining experience for travelers who prefer to travel light and stay in luxury.
Small, intimate, budget-friendly, and perfect for short stays en route to more prominent attractions and destinations in and around South Africa.
Lodges inside and close to Private Game Reserves and National Parks are unique to Africa. These establishments are known for luxurious service and incredible game-viewing experiences.
These basic but comfortable camps are within the boundaries of South Africa's National Parks, providing a close encounter with wildlife and cozy chalets with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.
When enjoying a guided tour of South Africa with African Sky Safaris & Tours, transport is in a private, comfortable, closed, air-conditioned vehicle. It applies to the Western Cape (when visiting Cape Town, the Winelands, the West Coast, and the Garden Route) and any overland safaris that include accommodation in standard rest camps rather than private safari lodges.
At private game reserves, game drives are conducted on purpose-fitted open 4x4 vehicles designed to enhance your safari experience.
Most regional flights are commercial flights on reputable airlines (we regularly use Fly Safair and SA Airlink). We occasionally use light aircraft charter flights for more exclusive safaris or lodges in far-flung destinations. Alternative transportation options include luxury and scenic journeys on the Blue Train or the Rovos Rail.
South Africa's cuisine is rich in heritage and diverse in culture. Most common dishes are available in South Africa, but those who want to explore the local flavors will find a rich buffet worth exploring.
When traveling to South Africa, most visitors arrive either via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg or Cape Town International in Cape Town. Many international flights to Cape Town route via Johannesburg. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa and the starting and ending point for most of our safaris and tours. Cape Town is the starting point for all our tours in the Western Cape, which, in addition to the city itself, includes the Cape Winelands, the West Coast, and the Garden Route region.
South Africa's weather varies from corner to corner. The southern Cape has a weather pattern different from anywhere else in Africa, which explains why the Cape's flora is so unique, and the Winelands flourish. From around November to March, while it rains in the rest of Southern Africa, the Cape is hot, sunny, dry, and generally perfect for a holiday. Christmas and New Year are lovely in the Cape, although it gets exceedingly busy with South Africans spending their holidays here.
It cools down from around April to August, and there's some rain. It can be beautiful and dry during these months but windy and wet the next. Rainfall peaks around June and July, but the Cape's weather is notoriously changeable; locals say you can have four seasons in one day. Despite this, the Cape is still pleasant to visit, just as long as you aren't expecting to sunbathe all day. By September and October, the rain becomes less common; the sun comes out more, and the temperatures rise again. September is the start of the Cape's 'spring', when vast swathes of the open fynbos burst into flower in Namaqualand (north of Cape Town).
The rest of the country experiences much of the same rainfall pattern as the rest of Southern Africa. Rain falls in the summer months between October and March, with winters being cool and dry. Cool, dry weather is why winter is the best time to visit wilderness areas like the Kruger National Park, as the lack of rainfall means better visibility. These areas can be unpleasantly hot in peak summer periods like December.
Most European countries are exempt from acquiring visas to enter South Africa. It is also the case for the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and a handful of South American countries.
Naturally, requirements for visitor visas differ from country to country, and the conditions are subject to change. As each application is treated as an individual case, you should inquire with your nearest South African mission, consulate abroad, or any Department of Home Affairs office to see whether you are required to apply for a visa.
Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry; airline officials must insist on viewing them before allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials will take you back to your home country.
Generally speaking, most travelers to South Africa are only required to be up to date on their routine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, varicella, and polio). Anti-malarial medication is necessary for those enjoying safaris in the Greater Kruger National Park and the northern low-lying wilderness areas of KwaZulu-Natal like Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Phinda, and the St. Lucia Wetlands. The rest of the country does not carry malaria risk.
South Africa's tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is available everywhere. The food is of a very high standard and wonderfully fresh. We also have world-class hospitals and medical care. Be sure to bring along any prescription medication that you are taking.
