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When you book a South Africa safari holiday, you travel across a golden country which has everything to offer its visitors – vast empty spaces, wilderness, glorious beaches, dramatic scenery and scorched plains. It is a country where two oceans – the Atlantic and the Indian – meet and converge to provide a spectacular coastline, a country so rich in soil that its fynbos is a protected element.
But most of all it is a land rich in wildlife, making South African safari holidays one of the most unique experiences you will ever enjoy. It teems with lion and elephant, thousands of antelope, the elusive leopard and the endangered wild dog, not to mention a myriad of antelope, zebra, wildebeest & giraffe and hundreds of species of bird.
It is also the ideal place to see the greatest creatures of the deep during the whale-watching season and is one of the few places on the planet where you can spy penguins on the sands & dive with great whites. Add to that the lushness of the Garden Route, the bounties of the Wine Region, the riches of the Kruger National Park and the cosmopolitan glamour of Johannesburg and you have a land for all seasons, all tastes.
It is a destination which offers a truly diverse range of experiences, allowing you to see the best of the safari, cuisine and sight-seeing available on any holiday to South Africa.
It has a whole host of luxurious safari lodges, private Game Reserves and National Parks, all of which are easily accessible by road and air. South Africa also has some of the most qualified and knowledgeable safari guides anywhere in Africa, who ensure that every safari experience is of the highest standard and comfort, and that the visitor can enjoy luxury wildlife experiences in iconic Game Reserves.
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To start with, it is perfect for both first-time safari virgins, as well as luxury safari travellers. The destination has a very wide range of safari accommodation and a great selection of National Parks and Game Reserves so it really does cater for all. It has some of the finest high-end lodges and private reserves available anywhere on the planet, but it also has some of the best value-for-money safari properties.
Then there is the fact that South Africa plays host to the celebrated Big Five - a collective group of animals consisting of elephant, lion, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard, so named as they were considered the most difficult animals to hunt on foot by big-game hunters. Alongside the famous five, there is cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hyena, jackal, blue wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog. Don’t forget to add on the marine wildlife – sharks, whales, turtles, penguins – and you have a real kaleidoscope of wildlife to view.
Category | Species to Spot |
The Big Five | Elephant, Lion, Rhinoceros (Black & White), Buffalo, Leopard |
Plains Game & Predators | Cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hyena, jackal, blue wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog, wild dog |
Marine Wildlife | Sharks, whales, turtles, penguins |
The country is also blessed with an unrivalled infrastructure. All of the major game-viewing reserves and National Parks are easily accessible by regular scheduled flight, light aircraft hop, by road transfer, or by self-driving yourself right into the heart of the action. Those short on time can even enjoy a half- or full-day safari whilst staying in Cape Town or along the Garden Route.
Region / Province | Highlight Parks & Reserves | Key Features & Attractions | Malaria-Free |
Mpumalanga | Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands | Big 5, diverse wildlife, Panorama Route, walking safaris | No |
Kwazulu-Natal | Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, iSimangaliso | Big 5, coastal combinations, historic Battlefields, Drakensberg Mountains | Yes/No (Varies) |
Eastern Cape | Addo Elephant, Shamwari, Amakhala, Kwandwe | Big 5, beautiful beaches, perfect for families | Yes |
Garden Route | Botlierskop, Gondwana | Indigenous forests, whale watching, self-drive friendly | Yes |
North West | Madikwe, Pilanesberg | Big 5, family-friendly, near Sun City & Johannesburg | Yes |
Situated in the east of South Africa bordering Mozambique, the world-renowned Kruger National Park, along with neighbouring private game reserves, such as the Sabi Sands, offers arguably the country’s best game viewing. There is an immense variety of animal life including the big five, many species of antelope and other game and abundant bird life. Kruger National Park safaris offer a wide choice of accommodation from tented camps to some seriously luxurious safari lodges and, in addition to seeking out the wonderful wildlife on open game vehicles with an expert guide, there is the chance to have some unforgettable experiences such as walking safaris and treetop sleepouts.
Outside the reserves, Mpumalanga province is well known for its scenic beauty and is a rich cultural heartland of the local Ndebele and Swazi cultures. The popular Panorama Route is a scenic meander taking in beautiful views, mountains, waterfalls and the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and the area’s many attractions and activities include hot air balloon trips, walking with elephants, helicopter flights and the pretty gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest.
The Kruger is all about the safari though – whether it be on a custom-built safari vehicle, or on foot in the heart of the action in search of the famous Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant & rhino. However outside the park, a guided tour of the Panorama Route will allow you to see more of the highlights of the region as well as learn more about how important the area was to the development of South Africa as a nation. For keen golfers, we can arrange a round of golf at the ultra-exclusive Leopard Creek Country Club when staying at a nearby lodge.
Affectionately referred to as KZN, Kwazulu-Natal is often overlooked as a safari destination, however, it is a "world in one country” in itself! This subtropical province is flanked by the majestic Drakensberg Mountains to the west, lapped by the warm Indian Ocean with unspoilt beaches to the east, with Mozambique to the north.
It’s a unique blend of sophistication, cultural diversity and excitement – in the most breath-taking setting imaginable includes two world heritage sites -the mountainous 'Barrier of Spears' uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, adorned with Stone Age cave paintings, and iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park World Heritage Site. With some of the best Big 5 game reserves, KZN boasts having the oldest proclaimed game reserve in South Africa – the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. The historic Battlefields, the rich Zulu and timeless Indian cultures, warm climate and endless beaches make it an irresistible destination.
KwaZulu-Natal is home to the Big Five - lion, rhino (both black and white), elephant, buffalo and leopard, as well as a range of other game animals including cheetah, zebra, giraffe, hyena, jackal, blue wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck, kudu, bushbuck, steenbuck, duiker, warthog.
The Eastern Cape is a much frequented holiday destination, particularly for families, as it boasts beautiful beaches, safe bathing seas, excellent surf, spectacular scenery and, most importantly of all, malaria-free game reserves featuring the Big 5 and a range of outdoor activities.
The large western region of the province is the main attraction, highlights include “The Friendly City” of Port Elizabeth, the Algoa Bay beaches, the Addo Elephant National Park and adjacent private game reserves – most famous of which are the Shamwari, Amakhala & Kwandwe Private Game Reserves.
Inland is Grahamstown, with its 1820 settled architecture, monuments and a hive of activity during the Arts Festival, whilst along the south coast is Tsitsikamma and Baviaanskloof Wilderness area, both a must for naturalists. Of the many seaside resorts, don’t miss Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay or Port Alfred, each with their own charm and attractions.
A 200km kilometre stretch of coastline from Mossel Bay in the west to Tsitsikamma in the east, the famed Garden Route is a highlight on most visitors’ itineraries. Two vastly different geographical areas running parallel together, contrasting yet complimenting. The lush, green Garden Route hugs the coastline on its southerly length, its tropical vegetation and brilliantly coloured fauna and flora are offset sharply by the semi-desert, ostrich farming Klein Karoo and the vast, copper coloured plains of the Central Karoo on the northerly length.
The Garden Route is a bewitching world of indigenous forests, sea villages, freshwater lakes, picturesque settlements, golden beaches and mystical mountains. Tourists flock here to bask on the beach in the summer months, watch the ever-increasing numbers of migrating whales in the winter months, play golf, sail sleek yachts and indulge in fine food and wine. The region is also home to excellent safari sites – such as the Botlierskop Game Reserve, Gondwana Game Reserve, and the Garden Route Safari Camp. A self-drive holiday is the best way to experience the wonders of the Garden Route.
The North West is filled with vast grasslands and endless views stretching from one horizon to the other. It hosts one of the country's largest Big 5 game reserve, the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve which is on the Botswana border. This reserve is prized for its family-friendly safari lodges such as Jaci’s, and has the advantage of being accessible by road from Johannesburg.
The region is also home to the Pilanesberg National Park, located near Sun City, Africa’s largest playground, situated less than two hours from Johannesburg, and where in addition to safari you can enjoy the Valley of the Waves, outstanding golf courses, casino, entertainment centre and spa.
Tented fly-camps also allow the safari aficionado to perhaps relive their childhood and really get back to nature – Plains Camp being one of the best. For something a little more luxurious and unique there is treehouse accommodation set amidst the bows of an ancient tree, or a sleep-out platform, where the beds are wheeled out under the night sky so that you can spend a night under the stars. Good examples of treetop magic can be found in the Lion Sands Reserve.
Whichever safari lodge, tented camp, or hotel you choose, and whatever your budget - be it luxury, mid-range or value, you can be guaranteed comfort, wonderful views and, with a great location, often right inside a National Park or Game Reserve, and access to some of South Africa’s finest wildlife.
South Africa offers a wonderful range of safari experiences and activities to keep everyone occupied, enthralled, and happy:
Maximise your South Africa safari by booking a private adventure with your own dedicated local guide. Africa Travel have decades of experience and contacts with the very best local guides and trusted operators, and all of the private guides we use are reviewed regularly. We only work with those we know and trust to deliver world-class safari experiences.
Having your very own expert private guide will allow your safari to be highly personalised, with a tailored itinerary and custom routes; wake when you wish, depart when you want, go where you like, and stay out on safari for as long as you please.
Your dedicated guide will know the terrain, eco-system, customs and wildlife, and can make such a difference to a safari experience. They will know where to look and when, and will customise a guests’ safari itinerary to maximise their game-viewing opportunities. With your own private local guide you will be able to access private concession areas, where the low vehicle density will mean high animal density and superb game viewing experiences !
A small group size will also ensure that your safari will be as intimate and as private as possible - with just your party and no one else on your game drives.
Allowing Africa Travel to plan all of your travel arrangements will make everything seamless. Know who is going to meet you, when and where, and then just sit back and enjoy a stress-free South Africa safari.
How long to go on safari is a key question when planning any holiday to South Africa. Do you just want a quick 2-3 day safari in the Kruger, or a longer trip perhaps combining safaris on the Garden Route & Eastern Cape? Does the more remote and superb Tswalu Game Reserve appeal to you, or does your stay have to be malaria-free?
The minimum recommended safari stay would ideally be three nights, which will allow you to get fully immersed in the ways of the African bush, although those short on time could join a day safari starting from Cape Town and visiting the Aquila Game Reserve.
Holidays to South Africa offer an unmatched mix of wildlife, scenery, fine wines, culture, city buzz and beaches, and because Africa Travel are able to tailor-make any South African holiday itinerary, you can visit where you like, for however long you like.
Absolutely - with a great flight network and easily accessible Game Reserves it is very easy to combine your safari with a stay in Cape Town, a visit to the Victoria Falls, or with time on the beaches of Mauritius or Mozambique.
Africa Travel can tailor-make any itinerary within Southern Africa, so you can easily combine the bush with a whole host of other things.
South Africa is a unique safari destination in that absolutely all budgets can be catered for. Private Game Reserves such as Sabi Sands and Tswalu are home to some extraordinarily luxurious safari camps and lodges, offering privacy and exclusivity, and costing upwards of USD3,000 per person per night. At the other end of the scale, some of the better value safaris on offer in South Africa’s Eastern Cape can cost as little as 10% of this amount – which, considering all your meals and two game drives per day will invariably be included, represents sensational value for money.
How much you spend on your South Africa safari is dependent upon many factors – what time of year are you travelling, how long do you want to be on safari for, which parks would you like to visit, how luxurious do you like things to be, and would you prefer to have your own guide or vehicle? However much you spend though, nothing will really beat a South African safari, and booking with Africa Travel will ensure transparency with no hidden costs.
In South Africa the summer months from November to February can be very warm and prone to heavy afternoon thundershowers which clear the air out and make for wonderful afternoon safaris. Down in KwaZulu Natal this is also turtle-hatching season, and in the Garden Route Game Reserves long sunny days make for perfect conditions, with the evenings warm and ideal for outdoor alfresco safari dining.
Autumn from March to May is perfect weather for safari as the cooler days and lighter rains mean good game viewing as animals stay out longer, although cooler evenings mean a good jacket is necessary.
June to August brings shorter, cooler and drier days which make for the best game viewing season in the Kruger. The bush thins out and limited water makes for extraordinary animal sightings. In KwaZulu it can get very cold, but daytime temperatures are pleasant and snow-capped Drakensberg Mountains make for a backdrop to your safari. Along the Garden Route whale migration appears along the coast so you can combine land and water-based safaris. Up in the Madikwe Reserve the pale light in the mornings is beautiful and seeing a lion make its way across the frosted plains is magical.
In spring, September & October, the days are longer and warmer meaning game drives tend to take place in the early morning and evening. The first rains of the new season arrive to give the bush a lush, verdant look to it, and excellent game viewing is assured. Cool evenings are best spent around the fireplace enjoying a glass of South African wine.
To plan and book your safari in South Africa, talk to a specialist at Africa Travel and get your quote today. With almost 40 years’ experience in creating tailor-made safaris and holidays to Africa and South Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise an unforgettable trip to Africa than Africa Travel.
We are able to advise on the finest wildlife destinations in South Africa to visit and the best time of year to travel, and we have the widest range of safari accommodation to suit all budgets and costs. All of our staff have travelled extensively and you can trust that our personal recommendations will create a personalised itinerary tailor-made specifically for you and deliver the South Africa safari that you have always dreamed of. Whether you want to go on safari in the Kruger National Park, explore the Madikwe Reserve, go on safari from Cape Town, head to one of the safari lodges along the Garden Route or go malaria-free in the Eastern Cape, to book speak to one of our experts on +44 (0) 20 7843 3500 or email info@africatravel.co.uk
Absolutely. South Africa is an incredible destination with a multitude of safari environments sure to please every need and budget.
To which we answer – how long is a piece of string. It all depends on how long you want to be on safari for, are you travelling with children, would you like to combine your safari with another area of South Africa, what time of year are you planning to travel……
The Kruger is rightfully world-famous for its safari experiences, but it does have limits on the types of game-viewing activities permitted – guests staying in the National Park accommodation must stick to the main roads and only be out during the daytime, where-as those booked into one of the many Private Game Reserve safari lodges and camps can enjoy off-road game drives, escorted bush walks and exciting night-time safaris.
A safari in South Africa can cost anything from £100 per person per night, right up-to twenty times this amount – it all depends on what style and level of comfort you would like your safari to be, which area you are heading to, and the time of year that you will be travelling.
However long you can spare, or afford. At Africa Travel we would always recommend a minimum stay on safari of at least 3 nights, but we have had requests for guests to stay for weeks on end on safari.
Everything! You can expect to see a very wide range of animals – from the Big Five (elephant, lion, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard), and well-known animals such as elephants, rhinos & giraffe, and lesser-known oryx, ostrich & wild dog. A South Africa safari offers everything from aardvarks to zebras.
Undoubtedly yes. If you book a private South African safari then your dedicated guide will know the terrain, eco-system, customs and wildlife, which can make such a difference to a safari experience. They will know where to look and when, and will customise a guests’ safari itinerary to maximise their game-viewing opportunities.
Of course – what better way to combine a South Africa safari holiday than with some time spent in vibrant Cape Town. All of the major safari areas in South Africa have short flight connections to the Cape, meaning that you can go on safari in the morning and be at the top of Table Mountain to see the sunset.
Africa Travel can tailor-make any itinerary within Southern Africa, so you can easily combine a safari with the Cape, the Victoria Falls, or even the islands of the Indian Ocean.
Yes. Always exercise common sense when in city areas but South Africa is a very safe country to visit for your safari. Bear in mind that one of the major attractions of a safari lies in the remoteness of the experience, so safety should not be a concern when on safari in South Africa.
Because there is such a variety of National Parks and Private Game Reserves in different regions with different climates, safari can be enjoyed in South Africa year-round.
For starters, there is the sheer range and choice of National Parks and Game Reserves – from the famous Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and the celebrated private Game Reserves of the Eastern Cape, to the historic Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal and the North West Province’s malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. Each has its own unique terrain, climate and wildlife offerings, and the South African safari industry benefits from all of the major wildlife areas being within easy reach of major airports – be it Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth or Kruger Mpumalanga. Also some of the luxury safari lodges and camps in South Africa are amongst the finest found anywhere in Africa, with highly-qualified safari guides and trackers only adding to the overall experience. The service levels found on safari and within safari accommodation are also extraordinary.
Sales Director & Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist
Chris joined Africa Travel directly from university in 1992 and knows both the company and Africa extremely well.
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Julia’s love for travel began at a young age. Born in Cape Town, she spent many a holiday exploring Southern Africa with her family before starting her career in travel.
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Felicity, who joined Africa Travel in 2004, has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years and originally comes from South Africa's KwaZulu Natal province
Read moreManager, Cape Town
Christine fell in love with Africa over 30 years ago, and has been managing the Cape Town office since 2008, and is looking forward to exploring Namibia more.
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Shaun joined the travel industry just over 10 years ago, working first for an online travel booking portal and an ecotourism company, specialising in sustainable travel in Southern and East Africa.
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Debbie joined Africa Travel in May 2009 and has been in the travel industry for over 20 years, enjoying a number of roles, from airline ticketing to accounting.
Read moreTour Guide, Cape Town
Christine first came to Africa as a young woman and immediately felt a connection which has never allowed her to leave. She lived in Johannesburg and in Knysna on the Garden Route, but came to Cape Town 22 years ago and realised it was where she wanted to be!
Read moreTour Guide, Cape Town
Alyson grew up in Zimbabwe and it was her parents who influenced her a great love of the African bush. It was not just a love of the wildlife but the plant and bird life and everything that is associated in the wild spaces of Africa.
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