South Africa Vacations

South Africa is a world leader when it comes to luxury, with some of the finest safari lodges in the world, incredible wine estates, spectacular adventures and cosmopolitan cities. Its neighbors of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia are incredible, and all offer unique African experiences including luxury safari, desert and island adventures. A combination of South Africa with any of its neighbors is the recipe for an incredible exotic African Vacation!

Destination Highlights

Adventures

Gateway to Southern Africa and adventure tours, South Africa evokes images of golden white sand beaches, magnificent mountains, spectacular wildlife and incredible cultural diversity. All this plus a terrific climate makes South Africa a must see and do destination! With so many attractions, it is no wonder South Africa has been called a ‘world in one country’.

Safaris & Wildlife

South Africa is one of the top safari destinations in the world. It is most famous for its private game reserves, offering unparalleled luxury as well as offroading and night safaris. They are also ideal for safari first timers and families. Neighboring Botswana is famous for its very remote and pristine National Parks, while Namibia has immense deserts and specially adapted desert animals such as desert rhino and desert elephants. Zimbabwe is regarded as having the best trained wildlife guides in Africa as well as massive elephant herds, while the Mozambique coast has pristine islands, incredible diving and fishing, as well as whale sharks and whales!

Highlights

  • Swimming with penguins on a Cape Town beach
  • White water rafting next to the Victoria falls on the mighty Zambezi River
  • Ballooning and climbing giant dunes in the Namib desert
  • Diving with manta rays in Mozambique
  • Enjoying incredible wildlife in Botswana’s pristine wildernesses
  • Go on a family guided bicycle tour of Soweto

South Africa Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Cape Town. Cape Town is called the Mother City. It is the oldest city in South Africa and is packed with great sights and adventures, amazing beaches, and some of the best food in the world.

Day 2
Touring Cape Town with your private guide. Explore the historic center, with its colonial Dutch and British architecture as well as the famous Malay Quarter, where you can enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson and delicious local meal. Later, the more adventurous can climb Lions Head to witness the sunset, or alternatively, one can drive up Signal Hill for an equally amazing view.

Days 3 
This morning climb the world-famous Table Mountain with your guide. The shortest route takes under three hours. Alternatively, ascend in the gondola. Enjoy an amazing panorama of the city and the Table Mountain National Park from up high, and then descend by gondola.

This afternoon, either enjoy a surfing lesson in False Bay, or sea kayaking in Three Anchor Bay or visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and home to multiple species of Africa’s amazing flora.

Day 4
A free day to relax at one of the spectacular local beaches, or explore quirky Long Street with its many African curio stores. For sports lovers, there may be a local soccer, rugby, or cricket game today, and we can get you tickets!

Day 5
Travel to the Whale Coast, which during whale season is the best place on earth to see whales from land. Spend two nights in the area. 

Day 6
Enjoy a sea safari in search of whales, penguins, and sea creatures. 

Day 7
Transfer to Cape Town International Airport and fly to the Kruger Park region. Spend four nights at a private game reserve in what is one of the premier wildlife areas in the world. This is true Big 5 country and you will be amazed by how close you can get to the animals in their natural environment. Kids have their own special programs too!

Day 8-10
On safari. 

Day 11
Fly to Johannesburg International Airport. Johannesburg has amazing markets and is the best place to shop for curios to take home. Overnight.

Day 12
This morning take a guided cycling trip of Soweto township, to see Nelson Mandela’s house and other famous local sights. Enjoy a traditional township lunch as well! Later, transfer to the airport and check-in for your flight back home. 

Extend your trip?

Add on 2-3 extra days and fly to the Victoria Falls, one of Africa’s great sights! In addition to the falls, this is an adventure center, and one can white water raft (grade 5 – adult only), do ziplines and much more. 

South Africa Trip Tips & FAQ's

What Time of Year is Best for a South Africa Vacation?

South Africa is good all year round. Summer (Dec-March) is an especially good time for Cape Town and the southern and eastern coastal beaches. Safaris are available in the summertime though it is the rainy season in the wildlife regions and it can be a little more challenging to spot animals in the high grass. It is on the other hand the best time of year for bird lovers.

May- September (winter) is the best time of year for safaris when it is the dry season in the safari regions and water is scarce, and so it becomes easier to see the animals. 

Is a South Africa Vacation a Good Idea for a Family?

Excellent. Great accommodations, top-class English-speaking guides, and incredibly friendly people make for a perfect family vacation destination. Kids are welcomed with open arms throughout the region.

South Africa Vacation: What is There to Do?

Go on a safari! In addition, the beaches are wonderful, and cultural interactions mean you can learn about the lives of locals in a very meaningful way. More adventurous families with older kids can consider a walking safari in Zambia or a canoe safari in Zimbabwe.  

What about food?

Southern Africa has superb food. Meat and fish are extremely popular, while wines from South Africa are world-famous. Special dietary requirements are well catered for such as vegan, vegetarian, kosher and more. 

South Africa Vacation: Where to Stay?

Accommodation is excellent in all price levels. Generally speaking, standards are very high throughout.

Are South Africa Vacations Expensive?

Safaris are always expensive, though they do range quite a lot in price and standards. Vacation time spent not on safari is much less expensive. We can be very creative in designing itineraries and we are able to match budgets from 3* to ultra-deluxe. South Africa is usually somewhat less expensive than its neighbors. 

Name one thing that is very weird in Southern Africa?

Biltong is a much-loved dried raw meat snack, usually made from beef, but sometimes made from many other kinds of wild animals including various antelopes and even giraffe or ostrich. Local English jargon is very different as well. For example,  the phrase “Just Now” means some unspecified time in the future, rather than right away. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT

Southern Africa

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