Discover Holidays to South Africa
South Africa is famously home to some of best Safari experiences in the world, with the Big Five and friends found widely in nature reserves. Wildlife fans can take to the open ocean to watch whales as they migrate through the warm waters or test their nerve by diving with great white sharks. Ask us about the many conservation projects we support in South Africa that you’re able to visit, or embark on a game drive through wildlife-protected areas.
Some of our South Africa holiday ideas
Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari
14 nights from £3,480 p/p
South Africa road trip around KwaZulu Natal
12 nights from £3,395 p/p
Rovos Rail - Rail, River & Waterfall Safari
11 nights from £5,580 p/p
South Africa Safari & Mauritius Classic
12 nights from £4,795 p/p
Our expertise in South Africa
I’d love to create your perfect destination experience to South Africa . Give me a call and I’ll share my first-hand expertise so you get the most from your trip.
Travel Specialist
Shelley's review
South Africa is home for me, it’s where I grew up and where I love returning on holiday! So much diversity can be experienced in a 2 week holiday from city breaks, stunning scenery, vineyards, beaches, rocky desert-scapes, culture and wildlife. It has something for everyone - couples and families alike. The summer months of October to March/April offer the warmest weather but the winter months of May to August/September are best for safari – making South Africa a year-round destination!
Shelley's Top Tips
- For travellers looking for an independent experience, self-drive holidays offer the most flexibility and can compliment safari experiences.
- If you're keen to go whale watching, plan your visit between July and November.
- Eating out is really affordable, so foodies should come prepared to enjoy water-side dining at the V&A waterfront in Cape Town, and sumptuous meals out on the vineyards.
Best Time To Visit South Africa
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Quick Country Facts
Time Zone:GMT +2 Hours
Captial:Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein
Currency:South African Rand
Temperature:26 - 28°
South Africa travel guides
Why visit South Africa?
As the first African country that Rainbow Tours’ founder, Roger Diski, fell head over heels in love with, South Africa will always have a special place in our hearts. There are very few countries where you can lock eyes with a leopard one day, try drumming and dancing at a Zulu ceremony the next, and cycle from vineyard to vineyard the day after. It's this incredible diversity of landscapes, wildlife and culture that makes South Africa holidays so special. You'll find natural beauty on an epic scale; explore rugged mountains, semi-arid deserts, savannahs, the wild Atlantic coastline, and Indian Ocean-lapped beaches all in one trip.
Known as the Rainbow Nation (can you guess what inspired our name?), South Africa is a home to 11 official languages. It should come as no surprise that you’ll rub shoulders with many different people, each as friendly as the last, and experience a multitude of different landscapes, delicious local cuisines, and inspiring wildlife encounters.
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
The Big Five
Safari is the essential South Africa experience: nothing beats the heart-pumping thrill of spying an elephant, lion, leopard, rhino or buffalo for the first time. Big hitter of the country’s national parks, Kruger is home to all of Africa’s famed safari species and many more. Look for cheetahs streaking through the bushveld and watch in awe as a savannah elephant plods past as you explore South Africa’s largest conservation area. Seek out a close encounter with a crocodile or hippo at iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal or meet the meerkats in the wild Northern Cape. Sharing tales of the day’s animal sightings with fellow explorers over a sundowner as the sun sets over the savannah is a wonderful end to a memorable day in the wilderness.
Bush Tales and Braai
From learning bush survival skills, to sitting in a verdant vine-clad estate sipping on Pinotage and feasting on game charcuterie, few countries have so many experiences to choose from. The winelands are a hotbed of culinary creativity with South Africa’s best chefs celebrating the bounteous local produce with flair, teaming their creations with memorable new world wines. More fine dining awaits in Cape Town and Johannesburg but don’t miss a taste of South Africa’s ethnically diverse cuisine: try bunny chow in Durban and Cape Malay curries in Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap or make friends with locals to join a braai(barbecue).
History and Culture
Head to South Africa's Kwazulu Natal are where you can expect ;
- hiking in the magnificently beautiful Drakensburg Mountains;
- discover the history that lies in the heart of the battlefields in Rourke's Drift
- enjoy amazing wildlife in one of the best places to see the black and white rhino, Hluhluwe National Park
- relax on some beautiful beaches in and around Durban and its suburbs.
Best South Africa tours
If you’re a first timer, our Cape Town, Garden Route and Safari self-drive tour allows you to explore its prettiest city and nearby winelands, before seeking out the wildlife in a game reserve. Discover the rich history and culture with this Kwazulu Natal Self Drive itinerary.
Insider Tips
With any holiday to the hub of southern Africa, it’s easy to include a quick trip to experience the immense and thundering Victoria Falls, or even combine with a visit to Botswana, where the continent’s largest population of elephants are found, for an alternative safari experience. South Africa has so much to offer the explorer in every one of us. Speak to one of our passionate South Africa Travel Specialists who will be more than able to suggest and tailor-make you perfect holiday based on your interests.
When you arrive in Cape Town, we recommend:
- a visit to the famous Table Mountain
- an inspiring tour of Robben Island
- a drive up the Cape Peninsula to see the penguins at Boulders Beach and onward to Cape Point
- some fantastic wine tasting in the world renown winelands
- and see the most beautiful flora at the Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Along the garden route you can expect to see:
- Whales at Hermanus in season
- Ostriches as well as habituated meerkats in Oudtshoorn
- Oyster tasting in Knysna
- The Tsitsikamma forest
Where to go in South Africa
South Africa Holiday types
Whether you want to explore the natural world with the whole family or encounter rare species with just a few other travellers.
Choose the tailor-made itinerary that's right for you.
Looking for inspiration?
You'll find expert travel guides, holiday ideas and insider tips now on the Rainbow blog
Top five safaris for responsible travellers
Top six Africa safari spots to spot big cats
The 10 Best Family Holiday Destinations in South Africa
A Day on Safari
Top five South Africa Safari lodges
Choosing where to go on safari
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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