South Africa Holidays

When you talk about South Africa holidays, you’ll often hear about the Garden Route. Stretching for nearly 200 miles, this scenic drive meanders from Mossel Bay all the way to Storms River – but you can easily extend your journey and continue on to Cape Town. The route runs parallel to the rugged coastline, and weaves past rolling hills, sweeping lakes and the stunning Tsitsikamma mountain range. You’ll also see rich forests and beautiful wild flowers – hence the name.

Most people spend about five days making their way along the Garden Route, as it’s not something you want to rush. There are some great viewpoints on the way – the most famous of which is Bloukrans Bridge – and several places to stop and explore. Plettenberg Bay has a fantastic beach and some lovely coastal walks. And the town of Kynsna boasts a beautiful lagoon, where you can go kayaking, sailing and paddle-boarding. If you have time to spare, you could also take a detour north to Oudtshoorn. This place is home to vineyards, enormous limestone caves and the Swartberg mountain range, which is part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site.

No holiday to South Africa would be complete without a safari – even if you just go for the day. As you explore the wilderness in a 4x4, your knowledgeable guide will be able to point out all kinds of animals, reptiles and birds, including the ‘Big Five’. And, when it comes to game reserves, you’ve certainly got plenty of choice.

Tucked in the northeast corner, on the Mozambique border, you’ll find Kruger National Park. Covering a whopping 7,000 square miles, this is probably the country’s most famous safari spot. Kruger is filled with wildlife and a range of accommodation, and it’s all just a few hours away from Johannesburg. But there are loads of fantastic game reserves in South Africa, so it’s worth doing your research. If you’re travelling with young children, for instance, you may wish to head to a reserve in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. Just a stone’s throw from Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park, Kariega Game Reserve and Shamwari Private Game Reserve all offer amazing safaris and luxury lodges.

Instantly recognisable thanks to the imposing backdrop of Table Mountain, Cape Town is a must-visit on your South Africa holiday. Home to fascinating museums and bustling markets, this city – one of South Africa’s three capitals – gives you an insight into the country’s mish-mashed heritage and poignant history. Discover art and culture at Iziko South African Museum, and book a Robben Island tour to learn more about apartheid and the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. Ride the cable car up Table Mountain or, if you’d prefer to get your heart pumping, why not hike up to the top of Lion’s Head and admire the view?

As a coastal city, Cape Town also has a number of beaches. Unwind on the sands of Camps Bay, or hop along the four beaches of Clifton. Or you could head out on a whale-watching trip – sightings are pretty much guaranteed between August and November. Alternatively, visit Boulder’s Beach to see Cape Town’s famous colony of wild penguins.

Since South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, its seasons are the opposite of those in the UK. The summer months are December to March, while winter runs from June to August. But the weather varies by area, so you’ll need to plan your trip carefully. If you’re planning to hit Cape Town, the Western Cape or the Garden Route, summer is the best time to go – you’ll have long, dry days. This is also a great time to go on safari in any of the Eastern Cape’s game reserves, on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth.

But if you want to visit Johannesburg and go on safari in the northeast, it’s actually best to book your South Africa holiday between May and October. Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal experience dry winters – which makes it easier to spot wildlife – but see heavy thunderstorms in the summer. It’s also worth remembering that July to November is the best time to see whales in South Africa.

• Visa: No visa required for visits lasting less than 90 days
• Language: Afrikaans, English and Zulu
• Currency: South African rand (R)
• Time difference: GMT +2 hours
• Flight duration from London: 11 hours direct to Johannesburg
• Capital city: Pretoria (executive capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital); Cape Town (legislative capital)