Beauty runs deep in South Africa. Few visitors can fail to admire the astounding landscapes of Cape Town, which range from the flat summit of Table Mountain to the world-famous vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Even here, penguins, ostriches, baboons, and antelope can be seen, while the Big Five inhabit Kruger National Park, one of the continent’s finest. In between, the Garden Route celebrates an extraordinary region of coast, boasting unrivaled driving, hiking, surfing, and even cage diving with great white sharks. Johannesburg has got its act together as a vibrant center for the creative arts, while the country’s sometimes troubled history can be unraveled with tours of Nelson Mandela’s prison on Robben Island, or at the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s former home in Soweto. Our South Africa Tours & Safaris enable you to appreciate the majesty of this beguiling nation.
South Africa Tours & Safaris
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Cape Town and Southern Africa Aboard the African Dream
13 Days/12 Nights from $11,847
Intro Goes Here…South Africa Travel Articles
Mistakes To Avoid When Planning An African Safari
To go on an African safari is to feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise with the bellowing roar of a hungry lioness. It’s losing all sense of time when watching elephants bathe in a waterhole in the early morning. It’s marveling at leopards resting in tree branches, rhinos cropping grasses quietly beside their calves, and even mountain gorillas slicing through bamboo stems without a care in the world…
South Africa FAQ
When is the best time to travel to South Africa?
South Africa’s climate is as diverse as the country itself. Western Cape Province, which boasts Cape Town, the Garden Route, and Cape winelands of Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek among its attractions, has very different seasons to the rest of the country.
In the Western Cape, the rains arrive between May and August, peaking in July and August. The best time to visit Cape Town is therefore December through March – South Africa’s summer months. The climate is generally Mediterranean in scope, with temperatures ranging from 63°F (17°C) in July to 79°F (26°C) in January and February.
The Christmas and New Year periods are particularly popular times to visit the province. The whale watching season, based out of Hermanus, runs from early June until the beginning of December.
In the rest of the country, the weather is largely flipped. Between May and August visitors will experience sunny weather and temperatures of 75-81°F (24-27°C) on safari in Kruger National Park. This makes it peak season in South Africa’s impressive array of national parks. Cities such as Johannesburg, and the beaches of Durban, experience similar weather conditions.
September through April is hotter (peaking at 91°F / 33°C) and wetter, with around four inches (100 mm) of rain falling each month.
What are the best places to visit in South Africa?
The best places to visit in South Africa are Cape Town and the Winelands, the Garden Route, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, and KwaZulu-Natal Parks.
What is the difference between a national park and a game reserve?
A National Park is an area set aside and run by a national government whereas a Game Reserve (aka Game Park or Wildlife Park) is a large area of land where wild animals live safely or are hunted in a controlled way for sport. If hunting is prohibited, then a Game Reserve may be classified as a Nature Reserve.
What are the passport/visa requirements for American and other citizens traveling to South Africa?
U.S. citizens require a passport valid for at least 30 days (we recommend six months), with at least two blank pages. A visa is not required for travelers who are visiting for 90 days or less. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the South African embassy in their country before traveling.
What is the time zone in South Africa?
The Time Zone in South Africa is UTC+2. The country observes South Africa Standard Time (SAST) all year. There are no Daylight Savings Time clock changes.
How do I plan a trip to South Africa?
The best way to plan a trip to South Africa is to tell us what trip you want, when you want to travel, the number of passengers, and where you want to depart from. For an existing trip, you can either call us or complete the “Get Pricing Now” form on the itinerary page. If you want a personalized tour, you can either call us, email us, or complete the “Contact Us” form on our website.
Do you have flexible departure dates?
Yes. Our clients choose their own departure dates, unless there is a cruise or a group tour with a fixed departure date.
Are meals included?
All meals are listed on each itinerary as (B,L,D) or Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Typically, breakfast is included daily. The other meals are either included or not, depending upon the itinerary.
Is airfare included?
We do not include international airfare in the cost of our tours. We will, however, quote it for you and you can purchase it through us if you like. The cost of our international airfare is usually the same or lower than what you can purchase yourself. Domestic airfare may be included in the cost, depending upon the tour.
What vaccinations are recommended and/or required for travel to South Africa?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website provides recommended and/or required vaccinations for each country. For South Africa, it recommends that you should be up-to-date with routine vaccines such as Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu (Influenza), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, and Shingles. It also recommends that you get vaccinated for COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid, and that you speak to your doctor about prescription medicine to prevent Malaria. Vaccination for Cholera may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active transmission (excluding Cape Town, Durban, Kruger National Park, and Port Elizabeth). Consider Rabies vaccination if you will be around dogs or wildlife. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers arriving from countries with risk for yellow fever virus transmission. Otherwise, it is generally not recommended for travelers to South Africa.
Do you recommend Travel Insurance?
Yes, we recommend travel insurance and strongly believe that you should be protected in the event that something unforeseen happens either before or during your trip. We work with Allianz Travel Insurance, AIG (Travel Guard Travel Insurance), and Travelex Insurance Services.
Can I use my cell phone?
You will need to check with your cell phone carrier prior to traveling, since every carrier is different.
What are the standard wall currents and electrical socket shapes in South Africa?
Voltage: 230 V; Frequency: 50 HZ; Plugs: Type M (South African with three, thick round prongs).
What is the official language?
There are twelve official languages of South Africa, including Zulu, Afrikaans, and English, which is the primary language used in government.
