South Africa
Black-maned lions framed against Kalahari dunes, powdery beaches lapped by two oceans, star-studded desert skies, lush mountains, South Africa is one of the continent’s best safari destinations. With astounding diversity, explore its wildlife and outdoor adventures, surrounded by stunning dramatic landscape and its exotic culture and history.
Destination in a Nutshell
1.219 million km²
Area
59.31 million
Populations
Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein
Capital
Quick Facts
Table Mountain, one of the iconic landmarks of South Africa, is one of the oldest mountains in the world.
The world’s largest visible craters in South Africa.
South Africa is the largest producer of platinum in the world.
The meandering 850km road through Cape Wine-lands is the world's longest wine route.
Currency: South African Rand
Language: Afrikaans, English, Zulu, Xhosa
Time zone: GMT +2
Best Time to Visit:
Shoulder Season: April to May and September to October
The spring months see smaller crowds and several festivals.
These months are the best chances of cetacean encounters.
High Season: November to March
During the daytime, summer in South Africa can reach up to 32°C, often with quite a lot of humidity.
Best for festivals and events. Accommodation in coastal areas and national parks can be fully booked months in advance, and popular vacation spots see accommodation prices rise by 50% or more.
Low Season: June to August
The winter season resulted in lower prices (except for safaris) and smaller crowds.
Rainy weather is to be expected in Cape Town and the Western Cape. Elsewhere, the weather are much drier, and conditions are ideal for a safari.