Tailor-made holidays and safaris to South Africa

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.

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 en route to the Eastern Cape’s Big Five game reserves.

Wildlife takes centre stage again 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. 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.

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.

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
Not required

See South Africa travel guide

Special offers in South Africa

Dubai to Cape Town with Oceania

34-day luxury cruise from £7,105 pp incl. flights

Special
cruise offer

Special fares, pre-paid gratuities & more
Book by: 01 December 2019

Enjoy $150 spa or ship credit plus we will cover your gratuities on this epic voyage from Dubai to Cape Town

Iberia & The Ivory Coast on Regent Seven Seas

25-day cruise from £14,125 pp incl. flights

Exclusive
cruise offer

Exclusive - Receive $500 Spa or shipboard credit per suite

Take advantage of special fares and on board credit for you to use in the spa, gift shop or that special vintage bottle of wine.

Top itineraries in South Africa

Highlights of South Africa

16-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,530 pp incl. flights

This is the ultimate introduction to South Africa. A spectacular drive along the Garden Route's rolling greenery and coastal beauty will see you link Cape Town’s beachside charms with the country’s finest vineyards and whale watching spectacles before ending with an all-inclusive Big Five safari.

Cape, Wine & Whales

11-day tailor-made self-drive from £1,955 pp incl. flights

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.

West Coast Discovery, South Africa

11-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,210 pp incl. flights

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

Classic Cape, Blue Train and Safari

16-day tailor-made journey from £4,600 pp incl. flights

Follow in the tracks of kings and presidents with a trip aboard the stunning Blue Train, its 19th-century luxuries linking the beach-clad joys of 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.

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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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Safaris

Renowned for its abundance of wildlife, South Africa is the ideal destination to experience a safari holiday like no other. Go in search of the Big Five at any one of the spectacular national parks and game reserves, including Kruger, Sabi Sand and Phinda.

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.

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When to go to South Africa

Kruger National Park

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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 …

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