South Africa
South Africa is renowned over the world for its wildlife and naturally beautiful surroundings bounded by two oceans. South Africa has sunshine for most time of the year and its magnificent scenery, vibrant city life, luxury private game reserves, adventures, coastline wildlife, and safaris are applaudable.
South Africa’s garden route attracts millions of tourists here for its breath-taking scenery with the Indian Ocean on one side and mountains on the other making it a scenic route. South Africa serves as a perfect place for any type of traveler as it has adventure, nature, wildlife, beaches, and coasts to dwell in suiting any sort of preference.
Transportation & Cuisines
South Africa has a limited public transport system comparatively and minibus taxis is a main mode of transport.
AIR
South Africa’s major international airports (Johannesburg and Cape Town) are well connected with major cities worldwide. South African Airways is the country’s national carrier serving different cities within the country and internationally.
ROAD
Exploring the cities, towns, and villages of South Africa is best through roads and it’s the most preferred mode of transport across the country. Travelers need to have a driving license to be printed in English to drive on South African roads or else an international driver’s permit is mandatory before entering the country.
South Africans drive on the left side of the road. One can hire cars at the airports upon arrival or can pre-book cars according to their preferences. Usually, road trips in South Africa are affordable and serve as the perfect way to explore the country.
Roads here are well structured and well signposted with a speed limit of 120kmph on highways and 100kmph on rural roads and 60kmph in suburban areas. There are affordable chauffeur-driven cars at disposal if the tourists don’t opt to drive.
TAXIS
Taxis form a major part of the transportation system of South Africa and the legal taxis have a white and blue label on the back of them to ensure safety and a pleasant journey.
RAIL
South Africa is known for its luxury rail journeys with Blue Train being the specific one and being named best luxury train in the world frequently which travels from Cape Town to Pretoria and Pretoria to Kruger National Park.
Other famous luxury trains experience includes Rovos Rail offering old-world luxury with its wood-panelled coaches & various itineraries and Shongololo Express which offers 12-15 days journeys among 4 different rail routes covering nearby countries as well.
COACH / BUS
Buses are the cheapest mode of transport in South Africa connecting cities and smaller towns but it’s not recommended for travelers even though they are safer than certain public taxis.
South African cuisine is diverse as it has been influenced by varied communities who inhabit the country making it a blend of different regional dishes. The cuisine is unique and flavored with appealing texture making any traveler experience their taste buds.
Vegetarian and vegan food options are easily available across the world nowadays as most of the South African cuisine comprises non-vegetarian dishes.
Some of the famous dishes being – Biltong (a spicy snack similar to beef jerky but less sweet), Chakalaka (Spicy vegetable relish served with curries or bread), Durban Chicken Curry, Potjiekos (cooked in a little pot with regular ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and potatoes), Boerewors (high-quality hand-made farm sausages often presented in a circular shape and grilled), Beef Bobotie (made with meat, fruits, and spices topped with savory custard and bay leaves and it’s baked in an oven) and many more delights to offer.
Barbeques are reputed here and they are often called “Braais”!
South Africa is known for its wine enough though it isn’t a grape-growing nation, however, its Mediterranean climate serves as an ideal location to grow them. South Africa has plenty of vineyards and it’s renowned for its wine culture which is a must-try along with your meals.
White Grape and Red Grape wine varieties are worth trying which differ from mild to strong ones.
Good To Know
Read the basic info and also some fun facts about Australia! Here you will find everything you should know about the ‘’Land of Plenty’’!
From our gallery
Tour Plan
South Africa Special
Johannesburg (2N) + Kruger National Park (2N) + Johannesburg (1N) + George (2N) + Knysna / Mossel Bay (1N) + Cape Town (4N)
Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg
Afternoon – Local sights & Lion Park (Time Permitting)
Day 2: Johannesburg
Morning: Full Day Excursion to Sun City
Day 3: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park by Flight (2 Hrs)
Evening: Game Drives (Time Permitting)
Day 4: Kruger
Morning & Evening: Game Drives
Day 5: Kruger to Johannesburg by Flight
Afternoon: Gold Reef City (Time Permitting)
Day 6: Johannesburg to George by Flight
Afternoon: Visit Plettenburg & Knysna waterfront. Bungee Jumping (optional)
Day 7: George
Morning: Oudtshoorn Visit – Ostrich Farm, Cango Caves, Cango Wildlife Ranch
Day 8: George to Mossel Bay by Road (1 Hr)
Afternoon: Experience the beautiful waterfront & Sky Diving
Day 9: Mossel Bay to Cape Town by Road (4Hrs)
On the way: Visit Stellenbosch Vineyards
Evening: Kirstenbosch Gardens
Day 10: Cape Town
Early Morning: Table Mountain Tour, Cape Town sights
Afternoon: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Day 11: Cape Town
Morning: Full Day Excursion to Hermanus for Whale Watching (optional) & Gansbaai for Shark Cage Diving
Day 12: Cape Town
Morning: Cape of Peninsula Tour with Robben Island – Cape of Good Hope & lighthouse, Boulders Beach, Seal Island
Day 13: Departure
Garden Route With Cape Town
Cape Town (4N) + Knysna / Mossel Bay (1N) + George (2N) + Plettenberg / Port Elizabeth (1N)
Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town
Evening: Kirstenbosch Gardens
Day 2: Cape Town
Early Morning: Table Mountain Tour, Cape Town sights
Afternoon: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Day 3: Cape Town
Morning: Full Day Excursion to Hermanus for Whale Watching (optional) & Gansbaai for Shark Cage Diving
Day 4: Cape Town
Morning: Cape of Peninsula Tour with Robben Island – Cape of Good Hope & lighthouse, Boulders Beach, Seal Island
Day 5: Cape Town to Mossel Bay by Road (4 Hrs)
On the way: Visit Stellenbosch vineyards, Sky Diving (Time Permitting)
Day 6: Mossel Bay to George by Road (1 Hr)
Morning: Oudtshoorn Visit – Ostrich Farm, Cango Caves, Cango Wildlife Ranch
Day 7: George
Morning: Enjoy Sky Dive (if haven’t done in previous days)
Afternoon: Enjoy John Benn Cruise at Knysna waterfront
Day 8: George to Plettenberg or Port Elizabeth by Road (2.5 Hrs)
Relax the day with beautiful views
Day 9: Departure from Plettenberg to Port Elizabeth Airport
Gallery
Best Time To Visit
South Africa does serve as an all-year-round destination but May through October is the perfect time to visit due to its clear and warm weather with pleasant temperatures and chilly nights. It is usually a drier season as it’s the winter season with a short spring and fall season making it ideal for outdoor adventures and game drives.
December through February is the summer season in South Africa as the temperatures are high and it’s pretty crowded comparatively due to the school vacations and also one of the best times to visit the Cape.
November through April is ideal for bird watching and it encompasses the fall and summer season with rain showers and is considered as the wet season. May to September is the best season for game drives and September / October is the best season for whale watching.
Cities
- Johannesburg
- Kruger National Park
- Pretoria
- Shamwari Private Game Reserve
- Garden Route
- Oudtshoorn
- Hermanus & Gansbaai
- Cape Town
- Durban
Johannesburg is often called “Jo’burg” is the financial metropolis of South Africa with a rich history of gold mining and is the largest city of South Africa. This metropolitan city is filled with culture, outdoor adventures, natural reserves, shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Jo’burg is usually visited as a stopover for starting the trip to varied regions of South Africa and travelers stay here for 1 or 2nights depending on the sights they like to visit here. It’s a perfect getaway for travelling to Kruger National Park and other day trips. Hotels here cater to all types of travelers right from luxury to the budgeted ones.
The most visited National Park of South Africa is a must-visit place for travellers who love to explore wildlife. Kruger can be reached by air or road from Johannesburg; however, air travel is the most preferred way than driving though a little expensive as it would take lesser time to reach Kruger compared to roadways.
Kruger is the largest and oldest national park of South Africa with a diversity of wildlife which can be experienced through guided tours or self-guided tours. Kruger won’t disappoint you in spotting “BIG FIVE” and it’s advisable to bring binoculars to spot wildlife closely.
Kruger has many gates through which the park can be entered for best viewing; it also has a well-developed tourist infrastructure with accommodation suiting every type of traveler. 5 rivers are running through the national park which is of prime importance and its ecosystem is majorly dependent on them with abundant lodges along their banks.
People looking for luxury can opt for private game reserves and there are plenty of luxury tents or safari lodges for their ultimate wildlife experience. Please note as Kruger comes under the malaria zone so one needs to protect and take care of themselves.
Pretoria is known for its purple blooms and is often referred to as “Jacaranda City” as its Jacaranda trees blossom the parks and gardens during spring. Pretoria is an impressive place to visit historical monuments, museums, the National Botanic Garden (garden with numerous species of flora), large zoo, Freedom Park (showcasing the story of South Africa’s liberation), Voortrekker Monument (National Heritage site), and natural reserves. Pretoria can be done as a day excursion from Johannesburg or also can be stayed overnight.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is considered a luxury safari along with top-notch safari lodges for an ultimate safari experience. Travelers who wish for uninterrupted safari experiences and who wouldn’t mind shelling out good – Shamwari Game Reserve is exactly the place for you for excellent game viewing.
Staying at Shamwari is one of the best lifetime memories to cherish due to its flawless services and hospitality, abundant flora and fauna, unmissable nature encounters. Shamwari offers 7 lodges and 1 explorer camp and each stay offer a unique concept for its visitors right from family stays, adventure stays, and romantic stays. Shamwari is located about 45 mins drive from Port Elizabeth along the Bushman's River in lush countryside.
Garden Route is world-renowned for its scenic drive with the Indian Ocean on one side & marvellous mountains on the other side. The Garden Route stretches about more than 200km with diverse vegetation, numerous lagoons, coastal forests, and lakes to be admired along the coast.
It is recommended to stay for about 4-5 days to explore the entire stretch of the Garden Route. Self-drive on this route is exceptional and worth exploring for travelers who love road trips.
Oudtshoorn is a great day excursion done from George situated in Klein Karoo at a distance of about 55 km. Oudtshoorn is home to the world-famous ostrich farm and Cango caves.
Hermanus is a perfect place in the country for whale spotting; it also has its whale crier to announce whale sighting with a help of a kelp horn blowing and addressing people to come over to watch these majestic giants of the ocean. This coastal town offers its visitors exhilarating experiences of whale sighting, shark cage encounters, secluded forests, lagoons, and much more.
Hermanus can be done as a day excursion from Cape Town and it’s a sight behold forever. Southern Right Whales migrate through these waters during the months between July to November. Whale watching experiences are very unique as they are limited within certain countries and it’s a must attraction for tourists to visit. Hermanus has a wide range of accommodation to choose to suit the pocket of its travelers.
Gansbaai is situated about 45mins south of Hermanus offering the best shark cage diving encounters in the world as it’s known for its dense population of great white sharks. It’s a perfect place to be explored for adventure junkies as well as nature lovers as it’s a natural paradise residing between mountains and seas.
Gansbaai is also a perfect spot for world-class whale watching, dolphin surfing the waves, hiking trails, horse riding on the farms and coast, bird watching, relishing delicious food, and much more to offer to visitors thus appreciating the landscape and beaches.
To enjoy both destinations at peace and to experience the uniqueness of these destinations; it’s advisable to stay for a night and explore this scenic wonder.
Cape Town takes pride in flaunting its scenic beauty in its concrete cosmopolitan city with a vibrant culture and city life. It’s certain for tourists to fall in love with Cape Town which has Table Mountain as its backdrop and Cape of Good Hope on its peninsula.
Cape Town offers its visitors different experiences with its sandy beaches, waterfront harbours, famed Robben Island prison, nature reserve, fine dining, shopping, and excellent nightlife. Cape Town has a varied range of accommodation suiting every sort of travelers right from hostels, B&B’s, budget to luxury hotels. Often regarded as the “Mother City” of South Africa surely can woo its tourists and making them return to this pretty city.
Durban is one of the leading vacation destinations of South Africa with many attractions to offer. Durban is a surfer’s paradise and the perfect place for tourists who are looking to surf. This city can be reached via air from Johannesburg or Cape Town and has the largest Indian population so it’s certain that there would be no food issue here. Tourists can experience multi-cultural heritage in the Zulu and Indian markets, stroll in the manicured parks and promenades, enjoy Indian-influenced cuisine.
Must visit sites of Durban includes – Golden Mile promenade wherein you can start your walking tours and is surrounded by high rise hotels, entertainment complexes, and buildings; Durban Botanic Gardens is the oldest surviving botanic garden in Africa, Indian Quarter wherein the vendors sell spices, saris, handmade jewellery and much more; Moses Mabhida Stadium which hosted the FIFA World Cup games in 2010, uShaka Marine World which is a famed attraction of Golden Mile – it’s a water-themed wonderland packed with different attractions and hosts the largest aquarium of the southern hemisphere. Durban is a good family-friendly destination to be explored.