Planning a Trip to South Africa? Use My Detailed Guide

A trip to South Africa will basically ruin you for the rest of your travel days.

Brian and I went on our honeymoon many years back, and we’re still chasing bucket list trips that could come close.

That’s silly. They won’t. South Africa is just that good. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try planning a trip to South Africa, especially if you have a guide like this one to get you started.

Everything you’ll read here is information we gathered from our trip to this magical place. I’ll include tips on when to go, where to go, and what to prioritize with limited time. You’ll want to plan a return trip regardless.

Quick Tips for Your South Africa Visit

Your Flight: You’ll likely be flying into Johannesburg or Cape Town. Use Skyscanner to watch flights. Love deals? Subscribe to Going.

Your Accommodations: Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options throughout South Africa. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.

Your Ride: Most travelers won’t need a car, especially as hiring drivers is so economical. If you want the added freedom, book a rental car ahead of time.

Top Spots: Treat yourself to a city break in Cape Town, go on safari at Kruger National Park, and introduce yourself to pinotage in the Cape Winelands.

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How to Plan a Trip to South Africa

To plan a trip to South Africa, you can work with a travel agent who can get you a rack rate on safari lodges or book everything independently.

We had some help as it was our honeymoon and traveling in a less regular way than usual, but we would plan our own trip a second time around.

Here’s a checklist to help you get started:

Determine the best time to visit. Summer (November–March) is rainy, and winter (June–August) is dry and better for safaris.
Set a budget. Costs can get away from you in South Africa, especially if you’re planning a safari. Break down the daily costs per person of your ideal trip.
Decide on flight duration. A few weeks in Africa is ideal but work within your budget and available time.
Check your passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond its expiration date before travel. Ideally, shoot for six months.
Check entry requirements. Canadians, Americans, and anyone from countries on the visa exemption list do not need visas if visiting for less than 90 days.
Book flights. If your trip won’t include a safari, book around cheap airfare. You won’t have trouble finding accommodations in the major cities.
Talk to your doctor. You may need to take antimalarial medications depending on your plans. Make sure you’re up to date on your routine vaccines.
Plan your route. Are you basing yourself in Cape Town for a city break or planning a safari holiday?
Book excursions. If you’re planning any day tours for shark diving and wine tasting book those before hotels. Game drives will be included in your room rates.
Book accommodations. You’ve plotted out your route and the big bucket list items you’d like to tick off in South Africa. Book those hotels or guesthouses next.
Make a packing list. I’ll get into specifics later, but you don’t want to go in blind with this one, especially if you’re doing a safari.

A monkey dips a paw into a drink in South Africa.

How Many Days You Need to See South Africa

A full two weeks will allow you to see the highlights of South Africa.

That includes time to recover from the likely lengthy journey to get to South Africa, time in your arrival city, and time on safari. You can work with less time if you limit your stops, but you’ll still likely need a day on either end to get to your destination.

The Best Time to Visit South Africa

A man gets ready to jump on a trampoline.

May to October is generally the dry season across South Africa and the best time to go for sunny, warm days and clear nights.

If you’re traveling the Garden Route or visiting the Eastern Cape, it’s wise to pack some rain gear, as those regions get some rain throughout the year.

If you’re visiting South Africa for the first time, most of you will want to go on safari while there, so I’ll include the best times to go to the country based on that.

Note: Keep in mind that ideal wildlife viewing conditions do come at a higher price for flights and lodging.

Come late October, you’re getting into the wet season in most of the popular safari destinations. You’ll have some lush scenery to gaze at, but lush and green means you’ll probably get some rain while you’re out there.

South African travel during the wet season also means more mosquito activity, which ALSO means you’ll have to take additional malaria precautions. Malaria medication can be a buzzkill and cause hallucinations. You’ve been warned.

Check out more detailed information on the seasons below:

Spring: September-October is solidly within the dry season with good safari conditions. It’s also the best time to spot whales on Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay. September is at the peak of wildflower season, best observed in Namaqualand.
Summer: These are the hot summer months and rainy season in the national parks. If you’re going on a beach vacation, you could have some fun in Cape Town and the coast. The summer months aren’t ideal for safari conditions, though.
Autumn: While March is still within the rainy season, you’ll have pleasant, warm days in April-May with good wildlife spotting. You’ll also have more potential for good deals at this time if you avoid school holidays.
Winter: This is the dry season and the ideal time to go on a safari. July also marks the start of whale-watching season, although you’ll have the best luck in September. Cape Town will be a bit cooler with the potential for drizzle.

How to Get to South Africa

Most South Africa itineraries will land you at Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo International Airport. If you’re traveling from the United States, expect a layover somewhere in Europe.

There are exceptions for East Coast travelers, as there are three non-stop flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Johannesburg weekly. United Airlines offers non-stop service from Newark International Airport to Cape Town.

Once you’re in South Africa, you can connect onto domestic flights to Cape Town or closer to Kruger National Park at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Airlines with good ratings that will get you to smaller airports include South African Airways.

Do your research if you’re flying on a different regional airline and about what you’re allowed to bring onto the airplane as far as luggage.

Fun fact: Soft-sided duffel bags are a great idea, especially if you’re making safari stops or stops in the more far-flung corners of the country.

How to Get Around South Africa

You’ll have a few options for getting around once you’re in South Africa. As I mentioned above, once you’re in South Africa, you can connect to Cape Town or closer to Kruger National Park at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

Airlines with good ratings that will get you to smaller airports throughout the country include South African Airways and SA Express.

Public Transportation in South Africa

Major bus companies will take you from city to city: Greyhound, Intercape, and Translux. Intercity rail services on the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, or PRASA, are slow but a decent option if you’re traveling overnight and don’t want to pay for another hotel.

Otherwise, you’ll kill a lot of time sitting on trains if you’re taking full days to get from Point A to Point B.

Minibus taxis run throughout the country, but as safety on those has been historically sketchy, I won’t leave you with additional information.

Self-Drive Options in South Africa

South Africa offers some self-drive opportunities, particularly if you’re visiting the Garden Route.

You’ll need to be comfortable with driving on the left side of the road, though, and navigating potential hazards like aggressive drivers, wildlife, and potholes. The major airports will have all of the major car rental agencies.

You’ll need a driver’s license and a credit card. As always, make sure you know what’s covered under your personal car insurance before hitting the road in a foreign country.

Hiring a Car in South Africa

If self-driving freaks you out, hire a car to take you on day trips to wherever you want to go, like the Cape Winelands, where you probably don’t want to be driving anyway.

Fun fact: We didn’t navigate any vehicles while we were out there, and didn’t feel that we missed out on anything.

Hiring a car for a day will be cheaper than what you’re used to if you’re coming from the United States or Europe, especially if you’re splitting it with a group.

Most accommodations throughout South Africa will let you request a pickup from the airport, too, and arrange any day trips with their drivers. (Camping accommodations would be the exception here.)

Guided safari rides are typically included with your rate at accommodations in those destinations.

What is the average cost of a trip to South Africa?

South Africa tours vary widely when it comes to cost, but expect to spend approximately $1,200-$1,800 per week on a classic, midrange-level trip to South Africa. That’s before flights, as airfare costs vary based on your starting point.

You can cut costs from there by seeking out budget accommodations, spending less on excursions, and hunting down cheap airfare. When it comes to luxury Africa tour packages, the sky’s the limit as far as how much you can spend.

I’m sure you’ve seen movies with luxe safari adventures. That’s not me. Do I wish it was? Obviously.

Top Places to Visit in South Africa

Trying to narrow down the best places to travel in South Africa is no easy task. That’s why I’ve done it for you. I’m just the giving type.

Check out my favorite highlights from our visit to South Africa, along with a few details on guided excursions if you’re into that.

Cape Town

Cape Town is all about natural vistas, garden strolls, and waterfront views. A trip to Cape Town means deliciously diverse food, artistic expression, and outdoor pursuits.

The city is surrounded by the ever-present Table Mountain, another one of my highlights, making the metropolis seem boundless. More succinctly, Cape Town is spectacular, with countless adventures waiting for you just beyond its center.

Robben Island, Cape Town river cruises, the Cape Peninsula, shark diving, or tours of the nearby wine country are all fantastic Cape Town day trips.

Cape Winelands

A couple poses at a winery in South Africa.

If you’re a red wine lover, you haven’t lived unless you’ve sipped some South African pinotage.

If you’re in Cape Town during the autumn harvest, a day to visit the Cape Winelands on a wine safari is unmatched. Don’t miss the charming towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

If you’re in Cape Town at any other time, you should still visit. The terrific wine times here aren’t weather-dependent.

Interested in having travel guides show you around the Winelands? It’s the best. Check out these options:

Johannesburg

Most South Africa itineraries will include a stopover in Johannesburg, or Jo’burg. It’s a vast metropolis with continued and obvious disparity, but don’t count it out just yet.

At the very least, spend some time at the Apartheid Museum to better understand South Africa’s continued struggles. Visit Constitution Hill, a former prison-turned-museum complex that once held Nelson Mandela.

If you’re on a South Africa honeymoon and want a taste of Vegas with your visit, book a room at the Peermont D’Oreale Grand Hotel. It’s basically Caesars Palace.

Interested in a guided experience or two while in Jo’burg? Check out these top picks:

Kruger National Park

You may never experience anything quite like Kruger National Park again, but that’s OK. A visit there is an assault on the senses, as you’ll often hear things before you see them.

Note: I’m talking about hyenas, people.

Kruger offers all who visit spectacular wildlife viewing, including all five participants in the Big Five, across all budgets. It’s a special place that welcomes all onto a walk on the wild side.

You need to go on a safari while in South Africa, and the Kruger park tops them all.

Interested in doing less planning and more wildlife viewing? Check out these South Africa tours:

Table Mountain

The aptly named Table Mountain is iconic and part of the new seven wonders of nature.

The centerpiece of Table Mountain National Park, visitors can reach its flat-topped summit in five minutes by cable car from Cape Town or hike all the way up.

Once you’re up there, prepare for a sweeping view of the city, ocean, neighborhood peaks, and high winds.

Two nearby peaks, Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak, are also worth a visit to really admire the city below. It’s all worth the effort of adding a few days onto your visit in Cape Town to ensure decent weather.

More Places to Visit in South Africa

We left quite a bit on the list as far as places to see in South Africa. This country is fantastically diverse. Here are a few more ideas still on our list for future trips:

Addo Elephant National Park: This park is home to the Big Five and offers one of the best opportunities to see elephants up close in their natural habitat.
Augrabies Falls National Park: This park features spectacular waterfalls and unique desert landscapes in South Africa’s Northern Cape region.
Blyde River Canyon: The world’s third-largest canyon provides panoramic views, stunning waterfalls, and a variety of hiking trails.
Drakensberg Mountains: This UNESCO World Heritage site features breathtaking landscapes, excellent hiking trails, and ancient San rock art.
Garden Route: A scenic coastal stretch, the Garden Route is known for its lagoons, dense forests, and charming towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

South Africa Travel Itineraries

Two weeks is what most travelers budget for their trip to South Africa. While I’m not one to tell you to blow your entire vacation allowance on one trip, this is one of those destinations that is a once-in-a-lifetime type of place.

It’s also challenging to get to, and you’ll likely lose a day on either end to travel. That said, you may not need that much time if you’re here on a city break. You do you.

Here are two sample itineraries for two full weeks in South Africa just in case:

Option 1: Classic Coast to Kruger

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town.
Day 2: Explore Cape Town.
Day 3: Explore the Cape Peninsula.
Day 4: Visit the Cape Winelands.
Days 5-8: Drive the Garden Route.
Day 9: Visit Addo Elephant Park.
Day 10: Travel to Kruger National Park.
Days 11-13: Explore Kruger National Park.
Day 14: Return home via Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Option 2: Safari Explorer

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town.
Day 2: Explore Cape Town.
Day 3: Explore the Cape Peninsula.
Day 4: Travel to Kruger National Park.
Days 5-8: Explore Kruger National Park.
Days 9-10: Drive the Panorama Route.
Day 11: Travel to Durban.
Day 12: Explore Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
Day 13: Explore iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Day 14: Return home via Johannesburg.

Amazing Facts About South Africa

A man poses with a hippo statue in South Africa.

It’s not all lions and zebras, although that’s some of it. Check out these fun facts about South Africa for some talking points when you’re sipping on your pinotage:

You may have heard of the Hope Diamond, but have you heard of the Cullinan Diamond? Discovered in South Africa in 1905, it comes in at 3,106.75 carats.
Nobel Peace Prize recipients Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both had houses on the same street in the Soweto township of Johannesburg.
South Africa is home to the world’s largest bird (ostrich), the fastest animal (cheetah), and the tallest animal (giraffe) on land.
The first human heart transplant was performed in 1967 in Cape Town.
South Africa’s Route 62 isn’t just a scenic road trip. It’s also the longest wine route in the world.

What to Pack to South Africa

Deciding what to bring to South Africa will depend on the time of year you’re going and what you’re going to do while you’re there. You’ll probably include some safari time on your trip, so I’ve included some things to pack for your wildlife excursion.

Generally, for your safari packing, you’ll want neutral items in the khaki, olive, and brown families.

You don’t need to go to some special store for your safari clothing, but you should avoid certain colors.

Bright white clothing will get dirty once you’re on a high-speed chase to catch something your guide hears on his/her walkie-talkie. Black and dark blue attract tsetse flies. Fluorescents and generally bright colors scare off animals.

As far as animal prints, you don’t need to be that traveler.

Here’s an abbreviated packing list:

Binoculars: You will be getting up close and personal with a lot of wildlife, but you’ll also be keeping a safe distance from a lot of wildlife, mostly so you don’t get eaten. Bring a compact pair of binoculars so you don’t miss out on anything.
Lightweight scarf: Bring along a lightweight scarf that you can get a bit of coverage with when things are getting dusty on a bumpy safari ride. Something in a fun pattern will dress up those neutral colors you’re packing with you.
Neutral tops: You’re going for a look that screams pudding, or perhaps a bowl of oatmeal. Pack neutrals that will serve you well for the rest of your trip. Linen is breathable and travels well.
Safari hat: You can just roll in a baseball hat, but if you’re going on safari in the warmer months, it’d be nice to have a hat with coverage all the way around. Find something that’s easy to pack.
Soft duffel bag: Your roller bags may be too large for the transportation options you’ll encounter. Don’t be that person shoving their bag where it doesn’t fit and then delaying everyone’s travels around you. Bring a duffel bag, instead.

Local South African Foods

A man gets ready to eat dinner in South Africa.

South African food is quite diverse, with influences from across the globe. Below, find some common food items that you’ll encounter while in South Africa:

Biltong: This is a spicy snack that resembles jerky, typically made of beef or other game meat.
Blatjang: A chutney found throughout Indian and Malaysian cuisine, blatjang is typically an apricot base, served alongside bobotie as the main meal.
Bobotie: Bobotie is made of minced or shredded meat, fruit, spices, and an egg top. It’s baked in the oven like a custard, or hot dish if you’re from Minnesota.
Boerewors: This is a sausage made of coarsely minced beef and spices that is often served right off the grill.
Cape Malay Curry: A Malaysian import, this curry is usually sweet and savory, served alongside rice and a protein of the cook’s choice.
Chakalaka: This is a popular spicy side dish that accompanies most meat dishes in South Africa. It typically includes baked beans, peppers, and carrots.
Malva Pudding: A spongy, caramelized sweet pudding, malva pudding is usually served hot with custard or ice cream.
Melktert: A melktert, or milk tart, is a Dutch import best enjoyed on February 27, National Milk Tart Day.
Pap: Alongside chakalaka, the porridge known as pap is a popular side dish alongside meat dishes and savory stews.
Potjiekos: Potjiekos translates to “small pot food,” and it’s exactly that, a dish prepared outdoors and served in a three-legged pot.

Safety in South Africa

The usual precautions apply if you’re a tourist in South Africa. While crime rates can be high in the cities of South Africa, where crime occurs is less likely where most tourists travel on vacations in South Africa.

That said, be mindful of your stuff and your surroundings, especially after dark. If you’re planning on spending time in Johannesburg, a city with a higher crime rate compared to Cape Town, consider hiring a guide.

Guides are much less expensive than what you’ll see in major European cities, and you may uncover parts of South Africa you wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise.

If you’re visiting South Africa for a safari, never go out into the bush on your own. Most camps are heavily regulated for your protection. These are wild animals, people. Listen to your guides.

Special Dates & Events in South Africa

If you’re planning a trip to South Africa during a specific time of year, consider whether there are any festivals or holidays occurring. You may want to attend special events or avoid them, as holidays often mean business closures.

Here are a few notable events in South Africa:

Cape Town International Jazz Festival: Known as “Africa’s grandest gathering,” this music event brings musicians together from all over the world.
Splashy Fen: Splashy Fen is South Africa’s longest-running music festival, held in The Drakensberg every year. Today, more than 150,000 people attend.
Afrikaburn: If you know all about Burning Man, Afrikaburn is South Africa’s version of that, held in Tankwa Karoo National Park. There’s a focus on self-expression.
National Arts Festival: The annual National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is one of Africa’s largest cultural events with more than 50,000 people in attendance.
Rocking the Daisies: Rocking the Daisies in Cape Town features music and performance art. It’s also billed as a multi-sensory experience.

Where to Stay in South Africa

Where to stay in South Africa really depends on what kind of trip you’re planning. If you’re coming for a safari, I can’t recommend Notten’s Bush Camp highly enough.

All-you-can-eat/drink, morning and evening game drives, afternoon bush walks, and hyena prints outside your cabin door in the morning are all included in their nightly rate.

That last bit is all true. As it was our honeymoon, they also drew us a bath on the first night while we were out with the birders. The romance!

If you don’t like the looks of Notten’s, our two alternatives were Elephant Plains Game Lodge and Londolozi Varty Camp. They both look fabulous and give you access to private game reserves as part of their vacation packages.

For city escapes, choose accommodations based on your priorities, whether that’s easy access to an attraction you’re interested in or amenities. Browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for your options throughout South Africa. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.

South Africa could ruin future travel for you.

I mean that as a compliment.

We’ve gotten close to matching what we experienced on our trip to South Africa, but no trip has surpassed our time in this special place.

That doesn’t mean you should skip out on this one. It means you should get there as soon as you’re able. I’m sure we’ll find ourselves back there at some point, so maybe we’ll see you there!

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