South Africa packs more variety into one country than almost anywhere in Africa. In a single journey you can track leopards in a private Big Five reserve, walk past penguins on a Cape beach, taste wine in a valley of old Dutch estates, watch whales from a cliff path and climb a flat-topped mountain above one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The safari side is outstanding. The Greater Kruger holds some of the finest leopard viewing in Africa, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal offer malaria-free and rhino-rich reserves, and Madikwe has wild dog and no malaria. Away from the bush, Cape Town, the Winelands and the Garden Route are among the world's great holiday regions, with excellent food, comfortable lodges and easy flights.
It is a country that suits families, first-time visitors and seasoned travellers alike, and it combines easily with Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
South Africa is a Big Five country, with lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino all found in its parks and private reserves. The Greater Kruger has some of the best leopard viewing anywhere, and African wild dog are regularly seen in Madikwe, Kruger and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. The Cape has penguins, seals, whales and great white sharks, and the Eastern Cape adds large elephant herds at Addo.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Popular activities
South Africa has varied weather. The north and east, including Kruger, have hot, wet summers (November to March) and dry, mild winters (May to September). The Cape has the opposite pattern, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The Highveld around Johannesburg has mild days and cold winter nights.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29 | 18 | 100 |
| Feb | 29 | 18 | 90 |
| Mar | 28 | 17 | 80 |
| Apr | 25 | 13 | 50 |
| May | 23 | 9 | 20 |
| Jun | 20 | 6 | 15 |
| Jul | 20 | 6 | 12 |
| Aug | 22 | 8 | 12 |
| Sep | 24 | 11 | 25 |
| Oct | 26 | 13 | 60 |
| Nov | 27 | 15 | 90 |
| Dec | 28 | 17 | 100 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to September is the dry season in the bush, with clear skies, cool mornings and thin vegetation that makes game easy to see. The Cape is at its best from November to March, with long warm days.
November to March is the rainy season in the north and east, with hot, humid days and afternoon thunderstorms. The Cape’s rain falls in winter, from May to August, with cold fronts and mist.
May to September is the best time for the safari reserves, and November to March is best for Cape Town and the Winelands. April, May and October are good shoulder months for combining the two. The Garden Route is lovely all year, and whales appear off the Cape coast from June to November.
Best time to visit May to Sep
National ParkKruger National ParkSouth Africa's great wilderness
City & TownCape TownMountain, ocean and a city full of flavour
RegionCape WinelandsVineyards beneath the mountains
City & TownJohannesburgGateway city
Wildlife Reserve & SanctuaryMadikwe Game ReserveMalaria-free Big Five for families
Private ConservancySabi Sand Game ReserveThe leopard capital of AfricaMost travellers arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport, with direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and the rest of Africa. Domestic flights link Johannesburg and Cape Town with Kruger, Durban and Port Elizabeth, and light aircraft fly to private reserves. Roads are good, and many guests combine flights and self-drive.
Many nationalities, including most of Europe, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia, can enter South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days. In August 2026 South Africa launched an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) for some nationalities that normally need a visa, entering through Johannesburg, Cape Town or Lanseria, and more countries are expected to be added. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after departure and have two blank pages. Travelling with children can require extra documents, such as an unabridged birth certificate, so please ask us. A yellow fever certificate is needed if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever. Rules change, so please check the requirements for your passport before you book. Park and reserve fees are included in our safaris.
South Africa has excellent private hospitals in the cities, and the standard of food and water hygiene is high. The Kruger region and the north of KwaZulu-Natal are malaria areas, while the Cape, the Garden Route, the Eastern Cape reserves and Madikwe are malaria-free. Please take advice before you travel.
Our take
“Safari and the Cape”
South Africa gives you the best of both worlds. We usually suggest three or four nights in a private reserve like Sabi Sand, followed by four or five nights in Cape Town and the Winelands, because the contrast is what makes the trip special. If you are travelling with children, a malaria-free reserve like Madikwe or the Eastern Cape is a very good choice.
Safaris from
US$1,504 per person
Plan your time in South Africa
Every safari we run is private and built around you. Tell us your dates and what you hope to see, and we will shape the route, the lodges and the permits.
Made to measure
Tell us how you like to travel and we will build a private journey around it: the right lodges, the right pace and the permits already in hand.
Start planningCookies
Essential cookies keep this site working. With your permission we also remember the safaris and places you have viewed. You can change your mind any time from Cookie settings in the footer.
