South Africa

South Africa is a country of dramatic landscapes, rich cultures, and unforgettable wildlife. Cape Town stuns with Table Mountain, beaches, and vineyards, while Johannesburg tells stories of history, art, and resilience. Kruger National Park offers classic safari experiences, with big cats, elephants, and rhinos roaming wide plains. The Garden Route winds along the coast through forests, lagoons, and seaside towns. South Africa’s food scene is diverse, from braais (barbecues) to Cape Malay curries.

Most travelers come for a mix of Kruger National Park safaris, Cape Town’s beaches and mountains, and the Garden Route’s coastal road trips. But there’s also the cultural pulse of Johannesburg, the historic echoes of places like Robben Island, and the raw wilderness of the Drakensberg Mountains and Wild Coast. South Africa feels big, bold, and endlessly varied, one trip often feels like visiting several different countries.

Traveling in South Africa is affordable, with options ranging from budget backpacker lodges to luxury safari camps and boutique hotels. Food is another major highlight: braais (barbecues), biltong (cured meat), bunny chow (curry in a bread loaf), and world-class wines are part of daily life. Dining is cheap by Western standards, even at good restaurants, and grocery stores are well-stocked if you’re self-catering.

Getting around is best done by car rental, especially along the Garden Route and in rural areas. Cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town have rideshares, and domestic flights make hopping between regions quick and inexpensive. English is widely spoken, along with Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and other local languages. South Africa is generally safe for travelers, but you’ll need to be smart, avoid walking alone at night in cities, don’t flash valuables, and always ask locals for advice on where to go.

Families: South Africa is superb for families , safaris in Kruger National Park, penguin encounters near Cape Town, and scenic drives along the Garden Route. Many lodges and resorts cater to families with kids’ programs and child-friendly amenities.

Couples: South Africa is incredibly romantic , wine country stays in Stellenbosch, luxury safari lodges, and coastal escapes in Knysna and Paternoster. The mix of adventure and relaxation makes it ideal for honeymoons and romantic trips.

Backpackers: South Africa has one of the best backpacker scenes in Africa , budget hostels, Baz Bus routes, and loads of adventure activities. Popular trails link Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, with great side trips to Drakensberg and Wild Coast.

Digital Nomads: Cape Town and Johannesburg offer coworking spaces, good internet, and active expat scenes. South Africa’s quality of life and diverse settings make it a growing digital nomad hub, though safety and power outages are occasional concerns.

Luxury Travelers: World-class safari lodges, boutique city hotels, private wine estates, and beach resorts make South Africa a luxury travel hotspot. Sabi Sands, Franschhoek, and private game reserves offer some of the best high-end experiences on the continent.

Foodies: South Africa boasts an outstanding food scene , Cape Malay curries, braais, and modern fusion. Wine tasting in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, plus gourmet dining in Cape Town, make it a paradise for food lovers.

Beach Bunnies: South Africa’s beaches are diverse , from surf spots like Jeffrey’s Bay to family-friendly Clifton and wild, remote sands on the Wild Coast. The Indian Ocean side is warmer, while the Atlantic is scenic but chilly.

Nature Buffs: Mountains, deserts, oceans, and wildlife reserves , South Africa’s landscapes are epic. Hike Table Mountain, explore Blyde River Canyon, or visit wetlands and forests along the Garden Route. Nature access is easy and varied.

History Buffs: South Africa’s history is deep and complex , apartheid sites like Robben Island, gold rush towns, Zulu and Xhosa heritage, and archaeological finds in the Cradle of Humankind. Museums and historic tours are excellent.

Culture Vultures: Music, dance, crafts, and diverse cultural traditions thrive. Township tours, festivals, and art scenes in Cape Town and Johannesburg offer immersive cultural experiences across many ethnic communities.

Adventure Seekers: South Africa is a global adventure hub , shark cage diving, bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge, hiking, surfing, rafting, and wildlife safaris. Infrastructure for adventure travel is outstanding.

Solo Travelers: South Africa is solo-friendly, especially on well-trodden routes and group tours. Safety requires caution, especially in cities, but the strong backpacker network and welcoming locals make solo travel rewarding.

Party Animals: Cape Town and Johannesburg have dynamic nightlife , rooftop bars, clubs, and live music venues. Beach towns like Durban also have a vibrant scene. Smaller towns are quieter after dark.

Wildlife Watchers: One of the world’s top wildlife destinations , Big Five safaris, whale watching, penguin colonies, and incredible birdlife. Kruger, Addo Elephant Park, and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi are among the best spots.

LGBTQ+: South Africa is the most LGBTQ+-friendly country in Africa, with legal protections and vibrant communities, especially in Cape Town. Major cities are welcoming, though rural areas remain more conservative.

Why Go to South Africa?

• Safaris in Kruger National Park: See the Big Five, lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos, alongside giraffes, zebras, and cheetahs.
• Cape Town’s Mountains and Beaches: Hike up Table Mountain, stroll along Camps Bay, and wander the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap.
• Garden Route Road Trips: Drive scenic coastal roads linking beaches, forests, lagoons, and charming towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
• Wine Tasting in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek: Explore rolling vineyards and sip award-winning wines, often with stunning mountain backdrops.
• Historic Sites and Cultural Depth: Visit Robben Island, the Apartheid Museum, and rural townships to better understand South Africa’s complex history.
• Drakensberg Mountains and Wild Coast: Trek through dramatic mountain landscapes or find solitude on rugged, untamed beaches.
• Affordable Luxury: Enjoy safaris, fine dining, and boutique stays at prices much lower than you’d expect compared to Europe or North America.

Who Might Not Enjoy South Africa?

• Travelers Who Prioritize Personal Safety Above All: While many parts of South Africa are safe for tourists, crime, including violent crime, is a serious concern, especially in certain areas of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Travelers need to stay vigilant and plan carefully.

• Visitors Expecting Seamless Public Transportation: South Africa’s public transport infrastructure is limited and unreliable. Outside of certain inner-city buses or tourist shuttles, having a rental car or private driver is often necessary.

• Budget Travelers Hoping for Very Low Costs: While South Africa can be affordable compared to Europe or North America, safaris, wine tours, and major attractions can still be expensive. Budget travelers will need to plan carefully to avoid surprise costs.

• Those Wanting Walkable Cities: With safety concerns and sprawling layouts, South African cities are often not pedestrian-friendly. Even short trips often require a car or rideshare.

• Travelers Sensitive to Heat and Sun: Summers (especially in places like Kruger or the Northern Cape) can be brutally hot and dry. Outdoor activities like safaris or hiking can be physically demanding under intense sun.

• Strict Vegetarians or Vegans: South African cuisine, especially traditional braai (barbecue), is meat-heavy. While plant-based options are growing in major cities, rural areas and traditional restaurants can be challenging for vegetarians and vegans.

• Party-First Tourists in Remote Areas: While Cape Town and Johannesburg have lively nightlife scenes, smaller towns and rural areas are very quiet after dark, with little to no evening entertainment.

• Travelers Expecting Uniform Infrastructure Quality: Major tourist centers are well-developed, but once you leave them, road quality, medical services, and general amenities can drop sharply.

• Tourists Wanting a “Wilderness Only” Safari Experience: Many safari parks, even famous ones, are fenced or heavily managed, which might feel less “wild” to travelers seeking untouched nature.

Highlights

Cape of Good Hope: stunning views, an iconic mountain and wonderful walks and beaches - a must.

Cape Town: the coolest city in Africa, cosmopolitan, historic, beautiful and some of the best weather in the world. (October – April).

Kruger National Park: see lions, giraffes, leopards and elephants in the world’s most famous game park.

Soweto: see how the other half lived and still lives in this township of Johannesburg which also features the Apartheid Museum.

Durban: one of the biggest ports in Africa and home to clear waters, coral reefs and sandy beaches.

Stellenbosch and Franschoek vineyards: gentle country and great wine along this circuit of vineyards, just inland from Cape Point.

Sun City: a massive man-made playground resort with casinos, water parks and the jaw dropping Palace of the Lost City. Two hours drive from Johannesburg.

Going on safari: see game in the wild at Kruger National Park and other reserves.

Wine tasting: take one of the wine trails inland from the Cape.

Surfing and snorkeling: head to South Africa’s east coast on the Indian Ocean for clear waters, marine life and fun on the beach.

Sightseeing: take in the scenic beauty of Cape Town and look out over the end of the continent.

Trekking: in the Drakensberg mountain range and around Tugela Falls.

Golfing: plenty of courses to choose from in a country that has produced some of the world’s finest golfers.

South Africa’s private hospitals are of a very high standard, but locals complain that government-run clinics are worsening, although remain better-equipped than clinics almost any other country in Africa. Violent crime is a huge problem, it’s the sort of place you don’t stop at red lights after dark and carry mace spray around – stick to the safely guarded tourist spots. Like most of the region, HIV/AIDS is a huge problem in the country and therefore visitors must be extremely careful when engaging in any risky activity, sexual or otherwise. South Africa’s roads are plagued with bad driving and some of the accepted driving practice can differ to that in North America and Europe, so make sure you know the rules of the road before getting behind the wheel. Women in particular should be wary of walking alone at night, while any visitor should be careful to travel with a guide in certain urban areas, especially in Johannesburg.