South Africa
South Africa is Africa's most visited country, and is known as the "world in one country". If you travel to South Africa, you have the opportunity to see Africa's magnificent wildlife, sunny beaches, vibrant cities, rich culture and history, and breathtaking nature. From deserts to forests, from mountains to beaches, from grasslands and wetlands to the dry savanna of the Kruger National Park, South Africa is known for its natural beauty and scenic splendour.
- South Africa Highlights
- Kruger National Park safaris
- Scenic Cape Town
- Rich culture and history
- Big Five game viewing
- World-class dining and entertainment
- Favourable exchange rate
- Easy to get around
- First world infrastructure
- Safe for tourists
South Africa is known for its history, its wines, its wildlife, its sunshine and beach weather, and its diversity of peoples and cultures. Whatever your travel interests, South Africa has something for you.
The top two travel destinations in South Africa are the Kruger National Park, one of the world's greatest game reserves, and Cape Town, famously perched beneath the slopes of Table Mountain.
Distances
South Africa is a big country, and it is impossible to see all of South Africa in one trip. Flights are affordable and safe, so the best way to get around is to fly between your main destinations, then rent a car there or let us arrange guided tours and transfers for you. From Johannesburg to Cape Town is a 2 hour flight. From Johannesburg to George or Port Elizabeth (to visit the Garden Route or Eastern Cape) is just less than a 2 hour flight. The Garden Route is about 4-5 hours from Cape Town by road. The Kruger National Park is about 5 hours driving from Johannesburg, or a one hour flight. From Cape Town, the Kruger Park is a 3 hour flight (to Nelspruit, the nearest town). Please have a look at our map of South Africa to help orientate you. You can use the map as a basis from which to plan your trip to South Africa.
Weather
The weather in South Africa is mild to warm. We seldom get any snow, and even in winter the average daytime temperatures are reasonable (around 15-20 degrees C depending on the region). The weather differs from region to region. The northern and eastern areas (including the Kruger National Park) are hot in summer and mild in winter. Summer is the rainy season. It does not really get very cold in these areas, except at night when temperatures can drop to below 10 degrees C in winter. In Cape Town, winter is the rainy season and it gets rather cold and windy between June and August. Summer is usually dry and sunny (from October to April). Any time of year is great for visiting South Africa, although generally summer is considered better for Cape Town and winter is considered better for safari destinations.
Safety
Safety is a concern for most visitors to a foreign country. As far as tourists are concerned, South Africa is as safe or more safe than many other tourist destinations in the world. The tourist areas are generally not crime hotspots, and millions of tourists visit South Africa each year without incident. That said, we are aware that South Africa sometimes receives bad press regarding the crime situation. However most incidents of crime involving tourists occur in areas or situations that are known to be unsafe. Speak to us before you travel to South Africa, so we can give you advice on where to go and where not to go. Venturing into a township on your own, for example, is not safe. We only recommend lodges and hotels in safe areas, and have never had an incident of crime on any of our safaris. Don't let the fear of crime stop you from visiting this beautiful country!
When to visit Cape Town
Know the best time of the year to go
A guide to the best time to visit Cape Town, laid out in a calendar format with seasonal descriptions.
Go to the When to visit Cape Town Calendar
