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Table Mountain, South Africa

South Africa

Unbeatable safaris, self-drives and scenery

South Africa holidays & safaris

Introduction

From its golden, sub-tropical beaches and pulsating cities to the iconic wildlife of its savannah and bushveld interior, South Africa is a land of outstanding natural beauty and cultural diversity. Our South Africa specialists have travelled extensively throughout the country, have stayed the very best hotels and lodges and taken the tours and safaris we recommend. Remember, all of our South Africa holidays are tailor-made to your requirements and those featured below are just a taste of what we can offer.

Western Cape & the Garden Route

In the shadow of Table Mountain’s mist-shrouded plateau, dynamic Cape Town’s rich mix of cultures, cuisines and landscapes provides a spectacular introduction to a country aptly nicknamed ‘The Rainbow Nation’. Linger for a few days, just to take it all in, before swapping city life for the Cape Wineland’s bucolic charms. Then, choose your path along the Garden Route, perhaps stopping to watch whales play in the surf off Hermanus, or heading north to the mountainous Klein Karoo before taking in stunning coastal panoramas and pretty seaside towns.


Cape Winelands, South Africa

South Africa safaris

Wildlife takes centre stage in the magnificent Kruger National Park, a region of winding rivers, deep gorges and open plains host to a plethora of winged, whiskered, toothed and tusked creatures, including the Big Five – lion, Cape buffalo, elephant, rhino and leopard. Here, at some of the continent’s most luxurious safari lodges, it’s possible to escape the crowds while enjoying everything from private plunge pool soaks to spa indulgences and gourmet dining, all interspersed with ranger-led bush walks and thrilling 4WD game drives.

But, it's not all about Kruger and its surrounding reserves. In the Eastern Cape, another hat full of private lodges also offer superb Big Five game viewing and are, unlike Kruger, malaria-free. Then, in the east, there are the iSimangaliso Wetlands, home to large numbers of hippos and crocodiles, all a delightful contrast to the northern Kalahari's arid plains.


Game drive from Narina Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park

Discover hidden gems in Namaqualand & KwaZulu-Natal

Finally, watch as the stark landscapes of Namaqualand burst into bloom before exploring the rugged beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains and the compelling history of the Zulu Battlefields. And to round it all off? Laze on KwaZulu-Natal’s idyllic coastal stretch where swaying palms frame golden sands and the shimmering blue of the Indian Ocean. And, it’s all just a stone’s throw from neighbouring Mozambique.

Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal

 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
12 hours

Time zone
GMT +2

Currency
Rand (R)

Language
Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

See South Africa travel guide

Special offers in South Africa

Southern right whale, Hermanus

South Africa: Cape Town, Wine & Whales

11-day tailor-made self-drive from £3,430 pp incl. flights

Special
offer

Early booking offer – Save up to £445pp
Book by: 29 November 2024

Turn out from Cape Town’s welcoming charms, golden-sand beaches and iconic skyline to taste your way through South Africa’s finest vineyards in the endlessly rolling Winelands before discovering the world’s best land-based whale watching in Hermanus.

Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa's West Coast Discovery

11-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,950 pp incl. flights

Special
offer

Free night at Bushman's Kloof during May-Aug – Save up to £335pp
Book by: 15 November 2024

Pair the headline acts of Cape Town with some off-the-beaten track luxury in Paternoster and the spectacular Bushman's Kloof Wilderness Reserve.

South Georgia, Antarctic

Chile to South Africa on Silver Wind

25-day expedition cruise holiday from £11,800 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Save £1,200 per person
Book by: 31 October 2024

This is a rare chance to explore the remote islands of the southern Atlantic. Sailing between the wilds of Patagonia to South Africa’s mother city, Cape Town, you’ll experience some of the remotest locations on Earth.

Our top South Africa holidays

Aerial view of Knysna, Garden Route, South Africa

Highlights of South Africa

16-day tailor-made self-drive from £3,270 pp incl. flights

This is the perfect introduction to South Africa. A spectacular drive along the Garden Route will see you link Cape Town’s beachside charms with the country’s finest vineyards before ending with an all-inclusive Big-Five safari.

Pool, Motswari Game Lodge

Classic Cape, Blue Train and Kruger Safari

16-day tailor-made holiday from £5,805 pp incl. flights

Follow in the tracks of kings and presidents with a trip aboard the Blue Train, its 19th-century luxuries linking Cape Town with an all-inclusive Big Five safari. Return from expert-led game drives in a private reserve to four poster beds and gourmet meals.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Cape Town, Kruger & Victoria Falls

11-day tailor-made holiday from £5,105 pp incl. flights

Discover the icons of Cape Town, the world-famous wildlife of Kruger National Park and epic Victoria Falls on this spectacular Southern Africa adventure.

Selati Camp, Sabi Sand

Cape to Kruger by Rovos Rail

14-day tailor-made holiday from £8,575 pp incl. flights

Travel in sheer opulence on the self-styled "Most Luxurious Train in the World" as you swap Cape Town’s beach-framed urban sophistication for a Big-Five safari on an all-inclusive private reserve.

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What our clients say about our South Africa holidays

  • The Wexas staff member who dealt with my trip to Johannesburg was knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. I was particularly impressed when he asked me if he could call me back because he wanted to check the location of the hotel we were discussing in relation to the Wanderers cricket ground. He checked, rang me back in five minutes by which time he had both checked the location and found out that the hotel would provide transport to the ground. And the hotel that he recommended was excellent in quality and service-and I am sure that I would not have otherwise found it. Great service, as usual from Wexas.

    Anthony A

  • I have travelled with Wexas and Debbie had planned my itinerary which outweighed my expectations. I arranged my trip to South Africa and again she had tailored my holiday to suit my needs as a single traveller. I have always found Debbie to be very helpful she has the personal touch which I find reassuring and a great sense of humour and adventure. Looking forward to booking my next trip with her and Wexas Travel

    Lynda L

  • Alison Nicolle, who has arranged all my trips to South Africa since 2009, worked particularly tirelessly on my behalf this year, when my chosen itinerary turned out to be a nightmare in terms of finding the right accommodation at the right time. Her expertise is second to none, and I can't thank her enough.

    Bryony B

  • Right from my initial contact with Wexas I have received absolutely wonderful attention and service. Any queries I had were dealt with very quickly and efficiently. I would highly recommend Wexas to everyone.

    Linda L

  • Uncharacteristically, I didn't plan this holiday myself, but put my trust in Wexas. It was a good decision and both the itinerary and accommodation proved ideal.

    Martin M

  • This was a fantastic holiday and everything went like clockwork, we were away for almost 5 weeks and enjoyed every minute - thank you.

    William B W

  • I have already praised Alison! Her advice was spot on. Everything exceeded expectation.

    T T

  • Very efficient and reliable service. No hitches or glitches!

    Stephen S

  • I cannot fault the service and our holiday was amazing

    David D

Top places to stay in South Africa

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel- Cape Town

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town

Historic hotel

Without a doubt one of the most famous and iconic hotels in Cape Town, Mount Nelson is set on the lower slopes of Table Mountain and within nine acres of lush gardens, just minutes from the fashionable Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and Cape Town’s stunning beaches.

Dulini River Lodge, Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Dulini River Lodge, Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Contemporary safari lodge

The luxurious safari lodge, Dulini River lodge is located in the western sector of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve under a leafy evergreen thicket, ebony trees and upon the banks of the seasonal Sand River.

Queen Victoria Hotel, Cape Town

Queen Victoria Hotel, Cape Town

Contemporary hotel

Positioned within a precinct of heritage buildings the prime hotel location boast some of the finest retail outlets and designer stores, restaurants, craft markets and cinemas alongside boat cruises to Robben Island and entertainment in the amphitheatre.

andBeyond Kirkman's Kamp, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

Kirkman’s Kamp, Sabi Sand Game Reserve

Historic safari lodge

Boasting a true and authentic feeling of African history, Kirkman's Kamp is located high on a ridge, offering incredible views that span across the Kamp.

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Where to go in South Africa

Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route provide rich culture, spectacular landscapes and incredible cuisine, while the great wildlife reserves of Kruger National Park, the Eastern Cape and Northwest Province offer Big Five game drives and some of Africa’s finest luxury safari lodges.

Narina Lodge, Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the world and is home to more animals than any other reserve in South Africa. The Kruger Game Reserves offer prestigious lodges and game viewing and plenty of free roaming wildlife including the Big Five.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town

Gateway to the Rainbow Nation, Cape Town is famed for its natural beauty, diverse culture, fine wines and celebrated restaurants. It's also a city made for outdoor living, with a host of adventure activities right on its mountain-framed doorstep.

Aerial view of Knysna, Garden Route, South Africa

Garden Route

South Africa's Garden Route passes through many lovely towns on its way from Cape Town to Knysna. For many, Plett is the epitome of the Garden Route, with white sands, clear waters, forest-clad mountains and fabulous seafood within easy reach.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal

From the dramatic sandstone peaks of its Drakensberg Mountains backdrop, KwaZulu-Natal’s spectacular setting spills down through wildlife-rich wetlands and grasslands to the pristine beaches of its Indian Ocean coast.

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What to do in South Africa

Whether you’re seeking the Big Five on a wildlife safari, looking to lounge in a five-star hotel in glittering Cape Town, heading for a tasting at an esteemed wine lodge or something else entirely, we can help you find the perfect South African holiday.

Narina Lodge, Kruger National Park

Luxury Honeymoons

From beaches to safaris, wine tours to luxury lodges, these holidays offer you a selection of fine honeymoons sure to provide a lifetime of memories.

Driving the Garden Route, South Africa

Self-drives

Take to the road and discover South Africa for yourself. Get up close and personal with the wildlife, cruise along the coastlines and discover a unique culture all at your own pace.

Majeka House, Stellenbosch

Food & Wine Holidays

Colourful, interesting and alien to most visitors, South African food has the potential to be the highlight of your trip. Paired with the first-rate wines available on vineyard tours, restaurants or simply in bars, and you'll see why South Africa's food and wine fame is known the world over.

Whale Watching in Hermanus

Wildlife Holidays

On the land, under the sea or in the sky South Africa has a plethora of wildlife for you to observe and enjoy. From humpback wales and dolphins to saddle-billed storks, martial eagles, kudus, blue gnus and the Big Five, you'll have a chance to spot wildlife at every turn.

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When to go to South Africa

Kruger National Park
Average temperature (℃)
Average rainfall (mm)
  • 40
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  • 10
  • 0
  • 120
  • 90
  • 60
  • 30
  • 0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Max temp Min temp Rainfall

The seasons in South Africa are a reversal of those in the Northern Hemisphere, with winter at its height in July and August. This is the best time to view South Africa's wildlife; with dry conditions forcing animals to congregate around water sources in National Parks, making them easier to spot. This is when whale watching is easiest too. Cape Town and the Garden Route are best visited during the warmer summer months (December and January) when temperatures average 25-30°C. During winter, temperatures plummet, overnight frosts are common, as is snow in mountainous areas and the Cape Town region. Be aware that South African summers are …

See regional weather

South Africa articles

  • Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve

    South Africa's top luxury safari lodges

    There are abundance of lodges to choose from when you're planning your Big Five safari in South Africa, so we’ve collated this list of the most luxurious, combining spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities with stunning design and luxury living.

  • The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

    The world's best driving holidays

    We take a look at the world's best driving holidays, with everything from Iceland's geological drama to America's greatest road trips. Each has been carefully selected by our destination experts, reporting back from the road.

  • Kangaroo in Australian vineyard

    Wine & wildlife

    Kick back, fill up your glass and take in two of travel's most gratifying experiences – exquisite wine and spectacular wildlife. Seeing the world's unique wildlife finds itself somewhere on all of our bucket lists. We explain how you can combine it with nature's other glorious gift – wine.

  • Kalk Bay, Cape Town

    Cape Town’s Kalk Bay

    With its bohemian vibe and excellent seal-spotting opportunities, Kalk Bay in Cape Town is a small village with a big personality and an ideal stop for those on a South Africa self-drive. Rui Ribeiro finds our more.

See all articles

Meet our South Africa experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0797

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0797 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

Expert advice & support

Visit us in our London office

Let our travel specialists curate the perfect holiday:

  • Inspirational ideas based on experience
  • Established for over 50 years
  • Tailor a holiday to your precise requirements
  • Personalised quotes and documentation

Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
  • Care and guidance pre, post and during holiday
  • Full financial security: ATOL & ABTOT protected