SOUTH AFRICA, AFRICA
OVERVIEW
South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, marked by several distinct ecosystems. Inland safari destination Kruger National Park is populated by big game. The Western Cape offers beaches, lush winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl, craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons along the Garden Route, and the city of Cape Town, beneath flattopped Table Mountain.
PRESIDENT / Cyril Ramaphosa
CAPITALS / Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein
CURRENCY / South African rand
BEST TIME TO GO
The best time to visit South Africa’s parks is from May to September. This is the Dry season and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. As this is winter, mornings and nights are cold. May and September are wonderful because it is less cold and, especially in September, the wildlife viewing is excellent.
Best Time May to September (All parks)
High Season October to March (Won’t feel overly crowded, except for main camps in Kruger during school holidays)
Low Season April to September (This coincides with the best wildlife viewing months)
Best Weather April-May and September-October (Pleasant temperatures and afternoon storms rarely interfere with the safari)
Worst Weather June to August (Cooler in the morning and at night)
MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER
May – September – Dry Season – Winter
- Wildlife is easier to spot because there is less vegetation and animals gather around rivers and waterholes
- There is little to no rain – the skies are clear with most days sunny and fewer mosquitos
- This is the low season and parks are not crowded, except for Kruger during school holidays
- It is cooler at night and in the mornings
OCTOBER, NOVEMBER DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH APRIL
October – April –Wet Season – Summer
- After the first rains, the scenery turns green and all looks fresh
- This is the best time for bird watching, and migratory birds are present
- Rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom interfere with your trip
- Wildlife viewing can be quite slow since the bush is thicker, and wildlife is more difficult to spot
- It gets very hot in December, January, and February, and parks get crowded during the main school holidays in December
Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing, but they are at their best during the Dry season when wildlife is easier to spot. Kgalagadi gets extremely hot from December to February and is best visited in cooler months.
WHAT TO BRING
MAP
SOUTH AFRICA, AFRICA
Cape Town, Knysna, Amakhala Game Reserve & Port Elizabeth
from $2545 USD // 9 DAYS
Nestled at the base of the magnificent Table Mountain is the captivating city of Cape Town. This exceptionally scenic city is in a class of its own. Cape Town is lucky enough to have a nightlife, architecture, a bustling waterfront, world-class beaches, award-winning vineyards, and its mountainous surroundings brimming with diverse flora and fauna, Cape Town consistently captivates all who visit.
Prices are per person based on two people sharing
Self-Drive KwaZulu and The Dolphin Coast
from $2625 USD // 9 DAYS
On this tour, you will have an opportunity to experience a wide variety of activities involving history, culture, exotic foods, markets, marine life, surfing, snorkeling, swimming, the big 5 and more wildlife and birds.
Prices are per person based on two people sharing
VIC Falls, Wildlife & Capetown
from $4585 USD // 10 DAYS
This is possibly our best Southern Africa tour itinerary. Our classic Southern Africa tour highlights three of Southern Africa’s great icons – the crashing waters of Victoria Falls, the vibrant and beautiful city of Cape Town, and Big-5 game viewing in the world-renowned Kruger National Park.
Prices are per person based on two people sharing