Planning a Trip to South Africa: Travel Tips and Advice
From palm-lined beaches lapped by the waves of two oceans to lush forested mountainsides, vast expanses of arid desert to star-studded night skies, South Africa has something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a relaxing seaside break, a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience, or a fine food and wine fiesta, visiting South Africa will leave you with nothing but lasting memories.
Check our fantastic guide to planning a trip to South Africa.
Best time to visit South Africa
The winter season in South Africa runs from June to August when it gets bitterly cold. The northern parts of the country, like Gauteng and the North West province, see dry and clear days during this time. Meanwhile, down south in the Western and Eastern Cape, the weather is rainy while the temperature is slightly milder. Winter is also the best time to visit South Africa for a safari experience, as clear sunny days offer ideal conditions for wildlife spotting.
If you are fond of beaches, the summer months between November to March are perfect for you to visit South Africa. Beach fanatics will also love the southern parts of South Africa if they visit between September and April, which also happens to be a perfect period to witness the wildlife birthing season up north.
The September-October spring season in South Africa offers clear, sunny days and warm temperatures across the country. If you do not like hot weather and crowded attractions, this is your time to visit the country.
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What Not to Miss in South Africa
South Africa is packed with an array of amazing places to see and things to do, no matter the season you visit. Here are a few of the very best things to see and do:
- Explore the Mother City: Head down to the Western Cape to experience the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Cape Town and spend the time soaking up the sun on the stunning blue-flag beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton. Take a cable car ride to the top of the iconic Table Mountain for a panoramic view of the city below. Or climb Lion’s Head early in the morning to capture a beautiful sunrise.
- Wine tasting: Explore the valleys of the Cape Winelands and taste some of the world’s best wines. Begin your Winelands ramble in Paarl, renowned for its haunting scenic beauty and deep viticulture and fruit-growing heritage, before heading to the Francophile village of Franschhoek. From there, visit the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch, the heart of the wine industry. You can also explore the lesser-known areas, such as Ceres, Elgin, McGregor, and Montagu, which have produced many award-winning wines.
- Glorious Garden Route: The rugged Garden Route coastline is fringed with old-growth forests, picturesque lagoons, tranquil lakes, white sandy beaches, and mist-covered mountains. Watch pods of Southern Right Whales in the pretty bays of Hermanus and Stilbaai. Head into the Outeniqua Mountains to enjoy a range of outdoor adventures from hiking to kloofing.
- Safari experience: Sprawled across more than two million hectares in the northern part of South Africa is the famous Kruger National Park, home to over 1,000 bird and animal species. Take a guided tour to spot the Big Five—rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard.
- Explore the dreamy Drakensberg: Explore the dreamy landscapes of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. Forming the boundary between South Africa and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, this protected area is famed for its tumbling mountain streams, cascading waterfalls, and hundreds of caves with ancient rock paintings.
How long to stay in South Africa
You will need at least two weeks to capture the full beauty and essence of South Africa. This will give you plenty of time to explore the major cities like Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, and some other spectacular sites.
Your itinerary should include the tour of Cape Town, wine tasting in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, Kruger National Park safari, the Drakensberg, and the drive along the Garden Route.
If you have limited time, head to Cape Town to enjoy its beaches and experience the local lifestyle. Spend a few days in the port city before heading towards the Winelands, where a day’s stay should suffice, followed by a safari at one of the nearby game reserves.
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How many days to spend in South Africa?
7 days in South Africa
10 days in South Africa
14 days in South Africa
How to get to South Africa
South Africa has two major airports in Cape Town and Johannesburg, where most major airlines operate. For in-country travel, there are several smaller airports in cities like Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, and George. The most popular domestic airlines for internal travel around South Africa are Airlink, which flies through 17 airports, as well as FlySafair, and Lift, with about half a dozen destinations each.
Getting around
Flying is certainly the easiest and the fastest way to travel while traveling within South Africa, but it is expensive. So another great way to explore the country is by coach. The country has two long-distance bus services, Intercape and Translux, connecting almost every city. Backpackers, budget, and solo travelers can join a tour bus like Baz Bus, which offers a ‘hop-on, hop-off’ travel pass that allows you to travel in your own time.
Alternatively, you can also take the train service to travel around the country. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa offers relatively basic, but comfortable tourist-class sleeper service between the main cities and towns on the Shosholoza Meyl, as well as an upgraded Premier Classe. If you prefer to travel in luxury, then go for the deluxe Blue Train. And of course, you can also rent a car to get around South Africa. For inner-city travel, there are ride-hailing services like Uber.
Budget and money
Expect to spend between *USD15 and USD20 per night for a bed in a hostel; between USD48 and USD75 per night for a budget hotel, and anything upwards of USD125 per night for an upscale hotel. South African cuisine is a mix of British, Dutch, Indian, Malaysian, and indigenous culinary traditions.
Fast-food chain meals cost between *USD3 and USD8, while casual restaurants range between USD 15 and USD25 per person for a two-course meal with drinks.
*Note: The prices mentioned above are as of July 2022 and are subject to change.
What you didn’t know (But should)
South Africans love meat and their favorite pastime is braai—an open-air barbeque.
- South Africa is the only country with three capital cities: Cape Town , Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
- South Africa has 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, isiNdebele, Xitsonga, Setswana, Sesotho, Sepedi, Tshivenda, and SiSwati.
- South Africa has the world’s highest bungee jump point at a dizzying 216 m on the Bloukrans Bridge in the Tsitsikamma region.
- South Africans love meat and their favorite pastime is braai—an open-air barbeque.
Safety
South Africa gets bad press about safety, but it is generally safe if you follow a few essential tips:
- Never leave your luggage unattended.
- Store valuables in the safety deposit box at the hotel.
- Do not wear expensive jewelry, or carry cameras and other valuables when wandering around the city.
- Stick to well-lit, busy streets and always plan and avoid dark, isolated areas at night.
- When driving, keep the car doors locked at all times, park your car in well-lit areas at night, and never pick up strangers.
Dubbed ‘the world in one country,’ South Africa certainly lives up to its name. Its rich wildlife, natural beauty, and culture leave an indelible mark on travelers. Connect with our travel experts in South Africa for a tailor-made trip to South Africa, or check out some of our amazing South African tours.
