South Africa's scenery is as diverse as its culture, providing an ideal setting for an activity-packed trip. Below we've outlined the Rainbow Nation's nine provinces (and what they're best for)—plus two landlocked kingdoms—so you can choose your adventure, whether it's big game safaris, Apartheid history, hiking and biking trails, Indigenous villages, or world-class vineyards. Read on to learn more.
South Africa is home to some of the world's biggest and oldest game reserves, with national parks such as Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Kruger and renowned private reserves like Shamwari and the Tswalu-Kalahari. Safaris usually mean game drives, but there are more unique options: a hot air balloon over the Pilanesberg National Park, a light aircraft above Kruger National Park, or a cruise with hippos in Isimangaliso Wetland Park. Whether you are a budget backpacker, a romantic couple, a family of exuberant kids, a crazy adventurer, or a stressed-out executive, there is a safari for you.
You can have a great safari adventure in South Africa in as little as a long weekend. With game parks scattered throughout the nation, you can easily access one or more reserves close to Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, or Durban if you have only a few days to spare. Of course, a week or more is recommended for a more diverse experience across different parks and regions, including game drives, bush walks, and even a hot-air balloon “safari.” Two weeks would let you combine several distinct parks and reserves in South Africa as well as its neighbors, including Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, and the Kalahari, plus other highlights of the region.
December in South Africa is the busiest month of the year, peaking during Christmas and New Year when prices are highest, and Cape Town's hotels and beaches are at their most crowded. Still, the festive season spirit is reason enough to visit Cape Town, where the weather is hot and clear. And this is an excellent time to seek out more remote beaches, such as iSimangaliso, where it's nesting season for loggerhead and leatherback turtles, and the birding is splendid.
Spring is in the air. Temperatures are rising throughout the country, whale-watching is at its peak off the southern coast, and wildlife viewing is at a prime as many animals give birth. And September offers a last chance to admire the wildflower takeover of the Western and Northern Cape provinces. It's a good month to vacation anywhere in the country and a great time to combine regions.
South Africa is a year-round destination thanks to its varied landscapes—it's always sunny somewhere. No matter what season you visit, you'll find something to do: Kruger safaris in winter, Hermanus whale watching in spring, Cape Town beaches in the summer, and Franschoek wine in the fall. Visit during spring or autumn when the weather is predictable and mild, wildlife is active, and there are fewer crowds. Read on for advice on South Africa's weather, unmissable events, and travel tips.
Seven to nine days is a great length for a South Africa trip, with stops in Cape Town, Chobe National Park, and Victoria Falls. It's also possible to hit the highlights in six days if you don't mind a fast-paced journey. Or, extend your trip and explore more of the country. Keep reading for more inspiring Cape Town, Chobe National Park, and Victoria Falls itineraries.
The approximately 250-mile (400 km) stretch of South African coastline from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Jeffreys Bay boasts a remarkable kaleidoscope of topography and outdoor activities. This area includes top attractions, like Cape Town, vineyards in Cape Winelands, Oudtshoorn (with its abundance of ostriches), nearby game parks, and even cage diving with great white sharks. The information below will help you plan a trip for your timeframe and interests.
Kruger is the park with the greatest diversity of wildlife in South Africa, and you could spend up to a week enjoying safaris and nature walks here. A minimum of two days will give you a real taste of the park's stupendous wildlife viewing, but you'll want at least five days to truly appreciate its diversity. With a park this spectacular, even two weeks isn't too long, especially when combined with Victoria Falls.
Eight to 11 days is the most popular trip length for South Africa travelers interested in visiting both Cape Town and Kruger National Park, especially when also including Johannesburg and Franschhoek. If you're only headed to Cape Town and Kruger National Park, you can enjoy a comfortably paced trip in seven to nine days. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as five or six days. For the best itineraries, including Cape Town and Kruger National Park, keep reading below.