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South Africa – Greater Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Cape Town, world class beaches, the Elephant Coast, Great Karoo, Bushman Rock Art

South Africa, Sabi Sands and Lion Sands were recently featured on The Bachelor. If you’re interested in experiencing the same trip, we can design an itinerary based on the show. To learn more please contact one of our Africa consultants.

The third most biologically diverse country on Earth is home to wildlife safaris, vibrant cities, dramatically beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, the planet’s richest floral kingdom, the world’s greatest concentration of plants and animals, and the 2010 World Cup.

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Where Should I Go?

Greater Kruger National Park

One of Africa’s best wildlife regions is home to abundant and diverse game viewing along with spectacular safari lodges; Kruger offers visitors the chance of seeing the Big Five game species every day.

Cape Town

South Africa’s premier tourist destination is a combination of historic coastal charm and urban sophistication with stunning scenery, a pleasant climate and endless activities.

Cape Winelands

Just an hour outside Cape Town, set in the gorgeous Cape Floral Kingdom, are some of the most beautiful scenes and settings of any wine region in the world. Well-established wine routes offer tastings, tours, meals, entertainment, and accommodation in charming inns of both Dutch and French architectural styles.

The Cederberg Wilderness Area

Just a three hour drive north of Cape Town, the Cederberg is home to picturesque rugged scenery, weathered and unique sandstone formations, and numerous Bushman rock art sites.

Great Karoo

An enchanting and vast ancient rugged landscape, and now one of just two southern African regions bestowed the honor of designation as a Biodiversity Hotspot by Conservation International, the Karoo was formed millions of years ago and is one of the great natural wonders of the world because it hosts such a fascinating and unique diversity of life.

The Garden Route

Named for its lush natural gardens, the Garden Route is a 400 mile, visually stunning stretch of charming seaside villages, wineries, mountains, beaches, forests and myriad activity opportunities.

Eastern Cape Game Reserves

This locale offers Big Five game viewing in a malaria-free environment conveniently located close to the coast and the Garden Route with some wonderful safari lodge options.

Drakensberg Mountains

“The Dragon Mountains” — also known as “the soul of the Zulu kingdom” — rise in a place of intense natural beauty declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its tapestry of Bushman Rock Art.

Battlefields

Set amongst dramatic scenic beauty are historic battle sites between the Zulus, Boers and Brits.

West Coast

Beautiful and seldom traveled, the West Coast is all about laid-back relaxation amongst incredible scenic beauty away from the crowds, hence it offers some of the greatest small town experiences in South Africa.

Elephant Coast

South Africa’s most tropical region is home to warm water, miles of untouched beach, scuba diving and snorkeling, and excellent game viewing.

KwaZulu Natal Game Reserves

KwaZulu Natal is a tropical part of South Africa rich in Zulu culture, lush scenery, golden beaches, and huge game reserves, as well as the place where the white rhino was saved from extinction.

Wild Coast

A dramatically gorgeous stretch of rural coastline totally unspoiled and un-commercialized, this rugged coastline is one of South Africa’s most fascinating and beautiful areas, and a place for adventure away from the crowds.

Richtersveld

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this dramatic and hauntingly beautiful mountain desert contains the world’s richest desert flora including the unusual halfmens, a tall succulent plant bearing an uncanny resemblance to the human silhouette.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

One of Africa’s great parks is a rugged wildlife sanctuary with an abundance of game. This International Peace Park shares an unfenced border with Botswana, allowing animals to migrate within one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the world.

Johannesburg and surroundings

The most populous city in South Africa and the third most populous city in Africa is known as the “city of gold.” Home to 3 million people, it’s the financial and commercial heartland of South Africa and the main entry point for most overseas visitors.

Madikwe Game Reserve / Pilanesberg Game Reserve / Sun City

Two game-rich parks are nearby a beautiful inland Las Vegas style resort that offers a casino, Gary Player designed golf courses, and numerous restaurants and bars.

Kimberley

“The Diamond City” is the center of the world’s diamond industry and home to the headquarters of the De Beers Mining Company founded by Cecil John Rhodes in 1888. Kimberley is still the diamond capital of the world and the place where the Industrial Revolution began in South Africa.

When Should I Go?

Rated as possessing one of the best climates in the world, South Africa is subtropical and famous for its sunshine; however, because of location, varied topography and oceanic influences, great climate variety exists. Most of the country is a summer rainfall region except for the Western Cape (Cape Town area) which is a winter rainfall region.

Summer: from October to February; hot and sunny days with afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly.
Autumn: from mid-February through April; warm and sunny days, with nights getting cooler. It’s a great time to visit Cape Town.
Winter: from May through July; dry, sunny, crisp days, along with cold nights, make it a great time for the hot and humid KwaZulu-Natal coast and game viewing
Spring: from August to mid-October; incredible spring flowers and excellent game viewing.
Cape Town: from May through September, the weather is cool and rainy; from November through March, it’s warm and dry
Best game viewing in the North: Kruger National Park, from May through September
Best game viewing in the South: Eastern Cape Game Reserves, from September through April