South Africa

Though the image of vast open African plains scattered with baobab and fever trees fits the north of South Africa, the rest of the country offers a unique diversity of captivating landscapes.

Overview

The Rainbow Nation had “the world in one country” as its marketing byline for many years. Indeed it is a country like no other in Africa. The sheer beauty of the landscape, the unsurpassed flora and fauna and the diversity of its people and culture is bewitching. It’s no wonder that so many of our clients tell us that their South Africa safari been their ‘best trip ever’!

Though the image of vast open African plains scattered with baobab and fever trees fits the north of South Africa, the rest of the country offers a unique diversity of captivating landscapes.

South Africa has so much on offer to suit all tastes: from walking trails to culinary tours, history to scuba diving, active family holidays to romantic honeymoons.

Combine game-rich Kruger Park & its private game reserves with cosmopolitan Cape Town. Enjoy the soaring mountains & vineyards of the Winelands, the family-friendly Garden Route & malaria-free game reserves of the Eastern Cape or Madikwe. If you want to venture further afield, head to the wetlands & pristine Indian Ocean beaches of northern KwaZulu Natal, the majestic Drakensberg mountains or the vast Kalahari desert

This website has loads of sample South African holidays to give you ideas and a sense of price. But we focus on tailormade trips - tailored to suit your specific interests.

Features

Why you may love it

  • Stunning diversity of landscapes
  • Some of the best national and private game reserves in Africa
  • Fantastic destination for lovers of good food and wine, especially in the Cape
  • Varied climate so that it is perfect holiday weather somewhere in South Africa at any time of the year.
  • Only country in Africa offering malaria-free game-viewing (perhaps for families with young children or honeymooners thinking of a family)
  • Marginal difference in time zones for Europeans ensuring little down-time at the start of your safari, and making a short week away a distinct possibility
  • South Africa’s cultural diversity makes for some thought-provoking cultural tours in both urban and rural areas

Where to go in South Africa

These are some of the best rated places to visit in South Africa based on popularity and experience rating by our travelers

When to visit South Africa

Mid-Nov to March

Summer in South Africa

Summer is a tale of two countries: Cape Town and the rest of the Western Cape have a hot, dry summer climate. Whereas the rest of the country shares the broad summer rainfall pattern of the other countries in Southern Africa. However this rain falls mainly as afternoon or evening thunder showers and is actually welcome. It's a great time to come unless your overwhelming interest is wildlife. As you can see, climate stats for South Africa are far too broad to be meaningful. All it does is demonstrate the variety of our weather. Rather than give a uniform story!
AVG HOURS OF SUNSHINE 6-11 hours varies by region
SEA TEMPERATURE 17 to 25 ℃
MAX TEMP 24-35 ℃ / 75-95 ℉
MIN TEMP 15-22 ℃ / 59-72℉

April to mid-May

Autumn

The summer rains start receding somewhere in March, just when the hot Mediterranean summer starts to fade as March comes to an end. April sees the start of a few showers in the Cape. But overall this is a great time to visit. Still warm sunny weather throughout most the country, without the scorching heat.
AVG HOURS OF SUNSHINE 7 to 9 hours
SEA TEMPERATURE 16 to 25 ℃ depending on region
MAX TEMP 21-29 ℃ / 70-84 ℉
MIN TEMP 8-15.5 ℃ / 46-60 ℉

Mid-May to August

"Winter"

This is our dry season which is warm, dry and sunny throughout much of the country. Though mornings can be very cold on the Highveld (Johannesburg and the Karoo) It is the best time to visit for a safari as you will learn elsewhere in this website. The Western Cape has a cooler wetter winter but it is a Mediterranean climate so not too much rain and pleasant tempertaures. So again a good time to visit unless you are wanting beach weather in the Cape!
AVG HOURS OF SUNSHINE 6 to 9 hours
SEA TEMPERATURE 15 to 23 ℃
MAX TEMP 18-26 ℃ / 64-77 ℉
MIN TEMP 2-11 ℃ / 36-52 ℉

September to mid-Nov

Heating up

The tale of two climates continues... Again a great time to visit South Africa but for different reasons depending on the region. Spring is wonderful in the Cape with wild spring flowers from August onwards and flowering fynbos. In the rest of the country, this is not so much 'spring' as the end of the dry season. So the game-viewing is excellent and temperatures are heating up rapidly prior to the start of the Summer rains.
AVG HOURS OF SUNSHINE 6 to 10 hours
SEA TEMPERATURE 16.5-24 ℃
MAX TEMP 21-32 ℃ / 70-90 ℉
MIN TEMP 2-11 ℃ / 36-52 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

Start planning your dream trip

Find me the best in for

Need a little help? View our Safari Guide to help you get started

Loved our time in Cape Town

"We loved our time in Cape Town the most as we did so much. The food was fantastic everywhere we ate. " Mrs Lottie Murphy, UK

Fantastic City

"Cape Town was fantastic, lucky to have good weather and hotel was excellent with mountain views. We love to go back to Cape Town!! " Mr Roland, UK

Had no idea how beautiful

"It really was the most wonderful experience, we feel truly privileged to have seen so many amazing animals close up in the bush. This was our first trip to South Africa and we had no idea how stunningly beautiful your country is. " Laughton Family, UK
Did you know
  • POPULATION59 million
  • Languages11 Official Languages

South Africa Articles

Load More Articles