South Africa is where you will find many world-class private game reserves, some in malaria free areas. Cape Town, with its famous Table Mountain trademark, is frequently voted one of the Worlds favourite destinations, and nearby you can explore the extensive Winelands, choose from the varied activities and scenery of the Garden Route, take a luxurious train journey or go whale watching while never being far from excellent restaurants and first class wines.

In contrast, head for the sub tropical beaches on the Indian Ocean Dolphin Coast and spectacular mountain landscapes in KwaZulu Natal, often overlooked but never forgotten. Wherever you go, you will be entranced by the friendliness of the people. Then there is the luxury! Top international facilities and service combined with the excellent standards of hotels, lodges, spas and estates compete with the unparalleled natural beauty of the land.

In the north-east, the Kruger National Park and the adjoining private reserves offer a huge variety of accommodation from luxurious lodges, such as the luxury Londolozi Camps to tented rooms and tree houses at Rhino Walking Safaris or the rustic and charming  Tanda Tula Field Camp. Safaris are conducted in open vehicles or you can walk with an armed guide. Alternatively the comfortable and affordable Rissington Inn just outside the Kruger National Park is a good base from which to go on a self-drive safari and to explore the nearby mountain reserves.

Away from the “Big Five Game safari lodges” and providing an excellent base for up to a week are Ant Africa Safaris or Jembisa Bush Home. Both are private reserves located in the beautiful Waterberg Mountains, Limpopo Province. Ants has a first class stable and offers riding, walking and 4×4 safaris and can be taken exclusively if preferred. Jembisa, a gorgeous private house with swimming pool and tennis court; perfect for a multi-generational holiday with some game viewing from foot or vehicle. If you have younger children babysitters abound or try sleep-outs which are very popular with families with children.  If you have smaller children and you want to see the Big Five in a couple of nights then Jaci’s and Madikwe Hills are both good lodges suitable for the very young and are situated in the Madikwe National Park which is easily accessed from Johannesburg by road or air.

The coast is best seen either along the Garden Route, running from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, or along the subtropical coast north from Durban. Both these coastline routes can easily be combined with a safari.

In the Cape’s fertile valleys lie gracious houses surrounded by vineyards and mountains. Here, the Cellars Hohenhort  and La Residence provide excellent accommodation from which you can explore Cape Town and the Peninsula. On the coast the Bay Hotel at Camps Bay and the Marine Hotel at Hermanus both offer stylish beach accommodation or you can stay in one of the many pleasant guest houses such as Four Rosmead or apartment hotels on the Waterfront. Do ask us for details as there is something for everybody.

Please have a look at our hotel directory for a selection of recommended hotels and lodges in the panel top right.

In contrast, the Drakensberg Mountains and the Natal Midlands offer comfortable lodges backed by stunning mountain scenery. Special interest locations such as the battlefields at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, and the nearby Boer war battlefields offer fascinating insights into the history of this area, easily accessible from Fugitives Drift Lodge. The region also has excellent safari lodges suitable such as Phinda and Thanda Tented for luxury safari holidays or Khosi Forest and self drive in the Umfolozi.

In the Western Cape in September there are spectacular spring flowers and in the Northern Cape vast private wildlife reserves such as Tswalu. From May to November the Southern Right Whales on the Garden Route coast at Plettenburg Bay and Hermanus are a memorable sight. Combining this with a nearby safari at the excellent Kwandwe or family orientated safari lodge Amakala Hlosi 

Self-drive is popular for family holidays and safari holidays giving you time to relish this country’s space and beauty. Please ask us for details as there are seasonal variations suitable for all requirements. Rail enthusiasts can travel on the luxury Blue Train or Rovos Rail between Cape Town, Pretoria and Victoria Falls. Both trains also offer occasional journeys to the Kruger National Park, along the Garden Route from Cape Town or to the deserts of Namibia. These are an ideal treat on a luxury holiday or a honeymoon safari combination trip. For the more adventurous, South Africa offers river descents and canoeing safaris, scuba diving, walking, deep sea fishing and superb golf.

MAP of SOUTH AFRICA

LANGUAGE
English and Afrikaans. African languages include Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, Shangaan, Ndebele, Swazi and Venda.

FOOD AND DRINK
Most of the food in the hotels or lodges is based on European cuisine and is of a high standard.

FLYING
London to Johannesburg is 11 hours and Cape Town 13 hours nonstop.

VISAS
UK passport holders do not require visas. Your passport though must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date.

SEASONS

BEST
September to May

CLIMATE 
South Africa has a sunny, pleasant climate. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with generally dry summers (October to March) when the temperature averages around 20 degrees Celsius. Most of the rain falls in winter. The Natal coast may be extremely humid in February with temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius. On the highveld in summer rain may fall in thunder showers. In the winter the nights are cold and crisp with the days warm and dry. Snow falls over the Drakensberg and the southern Cape Mountains in winter. In and around Johannesburg winter temperatures average 15.5 degrees Celsius but the nights are cold. The best time to visit is between September and May.