South Africa Holidays

The best time to spot wildlife in South Africa is during the cool, dry season, when water is scarcer and vegetation less thick – making animals more predictable in their behaviour and easier to spot.

Thanks to its contrasting climatic zones, South Africa can claim to truly be a year-round safari destination. Between May and September, the east of the country experiences its dry season, meaning that this the best time to go on safari in the Kruger, Madikwe and the Waterberg.

In contrast, the Cape experiences its dry season between August and May, making this the best time to visit the private reserves found in this region.

There are plenty of options when it comes to travel in South Africa. If you want to link a safari in the Kruger or Sabi Sands with elsewhere, then a good network of internal flights make this simple. Or, if you prefer to travel more traditionally, then there are several luxury train options to chose from, with options to continue into the rest of Southern Africa. Alternatively, if you like more flexibility,  you can drive yourself – this is perfect if exploring the Garden Route or the battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal.

Southern right whales migrate past South Africa’s southern coast between June and November, calving between July and August. Some of the best land-based whale watching in the world can be found in Hermanus and the surrounding area, where whales often pass within a few hundred metres of the shore.

For travel along the Garden Route, you can wear what you would on a European beach holiday. You may need to dress up in a hotel/restaurant or if you choose to go out into town. South Africans like to look smart, so take something suitable to wear to fit in. If your holiday is more adventurous, then pack cotton layers such as T-shirts, a light fleece, shorts and a pair of long or zip-off trousers in muted colours. These will be important, as cold nights swiftly change into sweltering days. Socks are good with closed shoes at night to keep bugs at bay.