Best for those seeking an easy, affordable and reliably wonderful safari as part of a larger, varied travel experience.
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South Africa is one of the most popular destinations for all travellers to Africa, and for good reason. The number of diverse experiences on offer is immense and the landscape variation allows for incredible safari opportunities of all shape and size, budget and style. The cities are cosmopolitan and rich in culture to immerse yourself in and the multi-layered history allows for a step back in time to visit locations famed around the world, from battlefields to the ending of apartheid. If active holidays are more your thing, the hiking and trekking in South Africa is rich with opportunity. If it is not, the coastline offers numerous opportunities to sight the ‘Marine Five’ or simply relax on the sand.
Road and air connections are world class and so travelling around the country is relatively simple. There is also a range of options for the average traveller, including self-drive and air safaris.
Winning multiple awards as the ‘World’s Most Beautiful City’ this coastal metropolis has a perfect combination of natural beauty, historical influences and cultural discoveries. From the stunning mountain top plateau of Table Mountain, the seaside living of Camps Bay to the offshore island prison of Robben Island (and its most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela), the city is not short in the beauty department. The vibrant city provides a hub for dining and shopping, perfectly sandwiched between the colourful Bo Kaap and the peaceful Company Gardens and if more is needed, a short trip to the V&A Waterfront is in order.
One of the most famous national parks in Africa and matched in fame only by the Serengeti in Tanzania, Kruger National Park and its surrounds are a can’t miss item on the wish list of many travellers. This enormous park is known for both the depth and diversity of its wildlife and the consistent wildlife sightings. The surrounding Kruger reserves, a series of private reserves that protect thousands of additional square kilometres for wildlife conservation, are also known for their amazing wildlife sightings. Without the crowds of the nearby national park this enables night time drives to see more elusive animals.
The Garden Route, a coastal drive heading east from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, is a blank canvas to be filled with activities that cater to each visitor. From the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point of the African continent, travellers can also visit items as diverse as African penguins at Boulders Beach, great white sharks at Gansbaai, the epic whale migration at Hermanus, the dolphins at Plettenberg Bay and more. The Garden Route also includes cute coastal towns like Knysna to stop at and enjoy gourmet offerings. There is really something for everyone along the way.
Winning multiple awards as the ‘World’s Most Beautiful City’ this coastal metropolis has a perfect combination of natural beauty, historical influences and cultural discoveries. From the stunning mountain top plateau of Table Mountain, the seaside living of Camps Bay to the offshore island prison of Robben Island (and its most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela), the city is not short in the beauty department. The vibrant city provides a hub for dining and shopping, perfectly sandwiched between the colourful Bo Kaap and the peaceful Company Gardens and if more is needed, a short trip to the V&A Waterfront is in order.
One of the most famous national parks in Africa and matched in fame only by the Serengeti in Tanzania, Kruger National Park and its surrounds are a can’t miss item on the wish list of many travellers. This enormous park is known for both the depth and diversity of its wildlife and the consistent wildlife sightings. The surrounding Kruger reserves, a series of private reserves that protect thousands of additional square kilometres for wildlife conservation, are also known for their amazing wildlife sightings. Without the crowds of the nearby national park this enables night time drives to see more elusive animals.
The Garden Route, a coastal drive heading east from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, is a blank canvas to be filled with activities that cater to each visitor. From the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point of the African continent, travellers can also visit items as diverse as African penguins at Boulders Beach, great white sharks at Gansbaai, the epic whale migration at Hermanus, the dolphins at Plettenberg Bay and more. The Garden Route also includes cute coastal towns like Knysna to stop at and enjoy gourmet offerings. There is really something for everyone along the way.
If you are a wine connoisseur, you’ll be very keen to head to the Cape Winelands to sample some of the famous drops on offer. If you just like a glass occasionally, you’ll love to sample some of the finest wines available at world-class wineries. And, if you don’t like wine, you’ll love the gourmet coffee, cheese and chocolate offerings. And, if you don’t like to either eat or drink, the scenery is worth the trip by itself.
The Aliwal Shoal is a scuba diving bucket list item, where crowds of sharks gather (amongst other marine animals) in huge numbers and species, making it an amazing experience. The coastline is also home to the Sardine Run, a great migration of the underwater variety and an epic feeding frenzy for all types of animals. Not to be outdone, you can also spot throughout the country animals as diverse as seals, orcas, dolphins, whales and the famed great whites.
The largest privately protected area in South Africa, Tswalu is a true wilderness experience on the edge of the Kalahari. Its conservation first ethos has allowed the area to thrive, and in-the-know travellers come here for animals rarely seen elsewhere. This includes the pangolin, the aardvark and the desert adapted animals. Oh, and the lodges are amazing too.
Home to not just one, but two, luxury rail lines might seem like showing off. But, when the landscape is this good, why wouldn’t you? South Africa plays home to the Blue Train and the Rovos Rail, both luxurious and memorable ways to spend a few days. Dine in the dining car, watch the world go past and engage in some memorable excursions. The Rovos also ventures deeper into Africa, including to Victoria Falls and Tanzania.
At The Explorer Society we firmly believe that there is no right or wrong time to go anywhere.
Instead, we think that each time of the year offers different experiences that better suit different travellers.
After all, high and low season often refers to the amount of travellers present, not whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
When to travel can depend on which part of South Africa you intend on visiting, however South Africa is a year-round destination.
South Africa has a lot to offer and has great air connections. Because of this, the average trip length of solely South Africa is around the 7 to 12 day mark. This is based loosely on a trip incorporating Cape Town and safari in the Kruger region. However, this will extend longer if additional areas are to be included or driving is to be undertaken between areas.
Everyone is different, so please note that these guidelines are general in nature.
Ultimately it will depend on your own expedition’s requirements.
Planning travel should be exciting, but it can be exhausting. There is so much information and so little clarity, you often end up more confused than when you began.
Sometimes it’s simple and easy to figure out. Sometimes it means asking you more questions and diving deep into your motivations.
We’ll walk you through the whole planning and booking process. We want to make sure you are travelling on the trip that best suits you, not anyone else.
We will be there from the first moment you get in touch until after you come back home with countless memories to share.
