South Africa travel guide

Resting at the bottom of the enormous African Continent lays South Africa, a land of such great beauty and diversity from the tropical coastlines to the arid deserts to the Big Five safari National parks. A holiday to South Africa can cater for all the family with a great range of destinations and activities. 

Sights to see and places to visit in South Africa

The Big Five safaris - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard - are the most exciting animals to spot on your South African safari but there are also plenty of other animals to enjoy too that reside in the national parks and reserves.

There is also plenty for the adventurous adrenaline junkies to crave such as white shark diving or the highest bungee jump in the world.

Driving along South Africa’s Garden Route is a delight. The long coastal stretch is dotted with quaint small towns, beautiful beaches and tropical rain forests. Knysna is considered the unofficial capital of the Garden Route and is a bustling little town. There are lush forests, lakes, rivers and a tranquil lagoon making it and ideal destination for all outdoor and nature lovers.

Stellenbosch and Paarl are South Africa’s famous wine-growing regions and are only a 40-minute drive from Cape Town. The Cape’s Wineland scenery is so enchanting with the dramatic mountainous backdrop and vines stretching across the rolling fields, the perfect way to relax and take it all in is to sample the local produce. There are plenty of wine estates with grand manor houses and beautifully laid out grounds where you can sample the wine.

Cape Town is rapidly becoming one of the must-see destinations in the world. Naturally there is a full range of attractions to experience. A hike up Table Mountain will reward you with spectacular views, if you are not feeling that energetic there is always the cable car. The beaches here are also beautiful as they are unique, and you will undoubtedly find your ideal to suit every mood or moment. The best time to visit Cape Town may be influenced by your interests as there are different seasons.

Whale watching season at Hermanus runs every year roughly between June and November. You can watch them from the shore or there are plenty of operators offering boat trips so you can get a little closer to these gentle giants. Or if you prefer a different kind of excursion, you can be provided with a wetsuit and a mask, lowered into a steel cage and be underwater with the Great White Sharks.

Weather, flight and travel information in and around South Africa   

There are many airlines that now fly to South Africa and the main international airports are in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. It is easy to then get around by domestic flights. The best way to get around is by hiring a car, highways are good and public transport can be limited and somewhat expensive.

Money; £1 = 13.94 South African Rand (ZAR)

Time; GMT/UTC +2

Telephone; 00 or + 27

Last updated; March, 09