South Africa is maybe the most adaptable of all the African destinations, offering a wide assortment of activities and landscapes to visitors. It is also one of the more easily accessible African countries, with a good road and air network and relatively few remote areas. Whether you are looking for an adventure holiday deep in the bush or are in search of a gentler introduction to Africa, the facilities available make it easy to tailor make your ideal vacation.
Situated at the tip of the African continent and surrounded by two oceans, South Africa boasts breath-taking scenery, quaint coastal villages and cosmopolitan cities that can all be combined with a truly exhilarating Big Five South African safari.
Consistently voted as one of the top tourist destinations around the world, South Africa is home to one of the world’s biggest nature reserves, the renowned Kruger National Park, as well as one of the most beautiful and scenic cities, Cape Town.
Why Visit?
- Toast the sunset from the flat top of Table Mountain.
- Follow nocturnal wildlife on exhilarating spotlight night drives, in South Africa’s Big Five wilderness areas.
- Devour fresh oysters by the two dozen in Knysna.
- Discover South Africa’s historical battlefields, and track black and white rhino in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Float silently over the Pilanesberg National Park in a hot air balloon.
Climate
Summer (October – April)
32˚C/89˚F 24˚C/75˚F
Winter (May – September)
23˚C/73˚F 8˚C/46˚F
Rainfall varies regionally.
Summer is from October to April and winter is from May to August. Summers tend to be quite hot, with daytime temperatures hovering around 30ºC (86ºF). For beach holidays and bird watching, summer tends to be the preferred time to visit. Winter is the best time for game viewing, as temperatures are lower, wildlife tends to concentrate in areas where water is available, and the bush is less dense, improving visibility. Winter temperatures during the day are around 15ºC (59ºF) and night-time temperatures can fall to as low as 0º (32ºF). Snowfalls are rare but occasionally occur on the higher mountains.
Places to Visit/ Not to miss:
Cape Town
With Table Mountain, one of the most spiritual places on earth, at its heart and two oceans at its feet; the city of Cape Town, strategically situated at the south-western tip of Africa, has been famed for centuries as the Tavern of the Seas. Vibrant, cosmopolitan and an eclectic mix of old and new, this laid-back city is as much at home with its 17th-century castle – whose cannons have never been fired in anger – as it is with its sleek skyscrapers and trendy malls. Home to South Africa’s first mosque, oldest wine farm, a 350-year old garden, award-winning eateries, and timelessly beautiful beaches, it’s no surprise why the city has been voted as one of the best cities in the world on numerous occasions.
Why visit the Cape Winelands?
Cape Winelands
Situated within easy reach of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands is one of the “pearls” of South Africa’s rural and small-town sub-regions, but disparate with a relatively high and diverse level of development. Many of the Winelands’s grapevines were first planted hundreds of years ago.
Its classic Cape-Dutch homesteads, mountainous surrounds, grand heritage, and sumptuous restaurants have earned the Cape Winelands the right to call itself South Africa’s culinary capital. Apart from a wide choice of wine estate cellars lined with top-class wines, visitors will discover a variety of locally produced cheeses, olives, export-quality fruit, and organic produce to sample and buy. The sheer beauty of the Winelands not only lures photographers and artists to capture its magnificence, it regularly plays host to weddings, conferences, and special occasions.
Award-winning wine estates sprawl along slopes covered with lush, green vines and look out onto scenic mountain landscapes. Quaint little towns filled with characteristic Cape Dutch architecture reflect the region’s French Huguenot influence. Known as the gourmet capital of South Africa, beautiful Franschhoek boasts fine dining restaurants and excellent patisseries. Apart from ordinary wine tastings, visitors can sample the area’s delicious chocolate, cheese, and olives.
Why visit?
- Franschhoek‘s excellent restaurants are renowned at home and abroad.
- The area is host to stunning mountains, galleries, and antique stores to paint a picture of the hospitality that characterises this small town.
- With its historical charm, culture, architectural heritage, wine and one of the largest solid rocks in the world, Paarl Mountain, Paarl is bursting with breath-taking scenery and offers the fitter tourist a choice of cycling and nature trails.
- This was the first wine region in South Africa to establish a route along an organised network of wineries.
Climate
Summer (October – April)
Min 24°C/75°F Max 32°C/90°F
Winter (May – September)
Min 8°C/46°F Max 23°C/73°F
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the second largest city in Africa and frequently forms the first port of entry for South African tours through OR Tambo International Airport. The city is a diverse cultural melting pot, The City of Gold (or iGoli as it is sometimes locally known) offers everything from traditional markets to exclusive boutiques in upmarket malls, theatres, museums, world-class restaurants and more.
Visitors who tour South Africa frequently arrive in Johannesburg, where highlights include cultural tours and reminders of the country’s turbulent history. Guided tours of Johannesburg’s vibrant township of Soweto reveal the city’s colourful culture, while the Apartheid Museum is a poignant reminder of its past and the beautiful Nelson Mandela Square is a tribute to South Africa’s former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner. The magnificent mansions of gold magnates still stand in beautiful Parktown, while downtown Johannesburg is home to landmarks such as the old mining houses, the City Library, Old Telephone Exchange, Rissik Street Post Office and Old Stock Exchange, as well as the traditional healers’ market and other historic sites, including the offices of legends such as Mahatma Ghandhi and Nelson Mandela.
Maboneng Precinct – Widely considered as the heart of Johannesburg, Maboneng boasts intercultural residency, featuring warehouse studios, art galleries, holistic healing centres, chic boutiques, in vogue restaurants and coffee houses that draw in the city’s savants and philosophers. It’s the perfect mesh of work, play and live, replete with the beat of a modern African pulse. The Precinct’s food market is a must visit for anyone in the city during weekends.
Soweto – Tour of Soweto
A half day tour takes you into the heart of this township that produced three Nobel Peace Prize winners. The townships history perfectly illustrates the deep struggle against apartheid, while the contemporary Soweto embodies the vibrancy of true South Africa culture. Places of interest include the Mandela Family Museum, Walter Sisulu Square, where the South African Freedom Charter was signed in 1955, the famous Vilakazi Street that Nelson Mandela once lived on, and now boasts authentic shebeen taverns and restaurants, and the thrilling Orlando Towers that feature urban bungee jumps.
Why Visit?
- Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa.
- Bungee jumping from the Orlando Towers in Soweto.
- The Cradle of Humankind Site comprises a strip of a dozen dolomitic limestone caves containing the fossilised remains of ancient forms of animals, plants and most importantly, hominids.
- This was the setting for President Nelson Mandela’s historic inauguration in 1994.
- See the Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913. Many consider them to be the architect’s greatest achievement and South Africa’s architectural masterpiece.
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden, a treasure chest of South African flowering plant species and trees.
- Lesedi Cultural Village – this living village is a combination of the rich tradition of various African tribes.
Safaris:
Kruger National park – Kruger National Park is South Africa’s most exciting African safari destination. Steeped in legend and history, the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa is waiting for you to explore its vast landscapes and spectacular African wildlife.
The Kruger is host to Africa’s Big Five: Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard and Buffalo. As one of Africa’s largest game reserves its home to a high density of other wild animals and birds such as vultures, eagles, and storks. Mountains, bush plains and tropical forests are all part of the landscape that shapes the Kruger’s landscape positioning it an all-year-round destination. Although some visitors might prefer the lush vegetation of the summer months, the best time for observing African wildlife in Kruger National Park is the dry winter season.
Pilanesberg
The Pilanesberg National Park is home to a brimming diversity of wildlife. Almost all Southern Africa’s big game featured around the unique geological formation called the Pilanesberg Alkaline Ring Complex.
Pilanesberg safaris are unique as they explore the transition zone of the Kalahari with the Lowveld creating unique overlaps in animal species and vegetation. Pilanesberg safari packages range from game drives to exclusive experiences such as balloon safaris over the unique geology in the pristine wilderness of Pilanesberg National Park.
Mapungubwe
Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site is the ideal location for anyone interested in wildlife and birds, to those in search of serenity, identity and the extraordinary history of this Park.
Things to see:
Museum Tour
The Centre which is built near the main gate of the Mapungubwe National Park won the building of the year competition in 2009 and is home to the famous Golden Rhino. The Centre provides both day and over-night visitors the opportunity of a tour, highlighting the amazing landscape that the National Park has to offer.
Visit the Confluence
Enjoy a view over the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers where three countries meet.
Heritage Tours
As part of this tour, you will be given the opportunity to visit the elite graveyard at the top of Mapungubwe Hill, view a natural amphitheatre and the entire spectrum of the region, traverse the territory once walked upon by the ancestral Mapungubwe People – now roamed by four of the Big 5.
Game Drives
Our sunset drives and night drives gives you the opportunity to search for the game outside normal gate opening times.
Morning Guided Walks
Morning guided walks, which allows for up to eight people, offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in the bush and experience the vast natural and cultural heritage of the Park.
Bush Braais
Experience an unforgettable game drive ends in a dinner in the bush overlooking a dam, surrounded by burning lanterns whilst listening to the sounds of the bushveld and distant animals calling. A minimum of four and maximum of 20 persons can be accommodated, with an age limit of six years. Bush braais must be booked and confirmed a week in advance.
Climate
Summer (October – April)
Min 24°C/75°F Max 32°C/90°F
Winter (May – September)
Min 24°C/75°F Max 32°C/90°F
Best time to travel – year-round. Summer brings hot days, afternoon thunderstorms and clear evenings. Winters are dry and cold, perfect for eating out.
