Often called a ‘World in One Country’, South Africa will amaze you with how many experiences you can pack into a single stay.
From the delights of Cape Town and the coastal views of the Garden Route to the diverse wildlife of Kruger National Park and some of the world’s finest vineyards, it is one of our team’s favourite destinations, and for good reason.
Whatever duration you choose, it probably won’t be long enough. Wildlife seekers will love the Big Five safaris and the whale-watching opportunities. Food lovers will find plenty to enjoy, especially around Cape Town and the Winelands, while history buffs can explore the country’s past, from the apartheid years to the Anglo-Boer Wars.
This is a year-round destination, and with South Africa just one or two hours ahead of the UK, depending on the time of year, there is little jet lag to contend with.
Cape Town offers so many adventures, from its mountains and excellent surf to vibrant nightlife and rich culture, that it is difficult to know where to begin. Overlooking the city is Table Mountain, a short cable car ride or a rewarding walk away, with panoramic views over the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
Along the coast is the Garden Route, where mountainside forests give way to the ocean on one of South Africa’s great road trips. Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay provide some of the best whale-watching opportunities in the world. Beyond the eastern end of the route, the game reserves of the Eastern Cape offer malaria-free safaris, which makes them ideal for families with young children.
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most accessible and varied wildlife parks. Covering nearly two million hectares, it is home to the Big Five of buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard and lion, and a safari here gives you an excellent chance of seeing them all. Other wildlife includes giraffe, cheetah and hippo.
Wrapped around the foot of Table Mountain, Cape Town is a city where wild places begin at the end of the street.
The Eastern Cape is scattered with traditional African villages and game reserves. Its long Sunshine Coast boasts some beautiful beaches and a rugged beauty too.
From the whale-watching cliffs of Hermanus to the forests of Tsitsikamma, the Garden Route is South Africa’s great coastal road trip.
Kruger National Park is South Africa’s great safari wilderness, and on its unfenced western edge, private reserves offer the most intimate way to explore it.
The Cape Winelands in South Africa produce some of the best wines in the world. Stellenbosch and the Franschhoek Valley are well worth exploring, especially if you enjoy food and wine.
Speak to a specialist who has actually been there — no obligation, no fixed itinerary.
