South Africa tours & vacations

South Africa is an excellent year-round destination. Winters are mild and dry and good for wildlife viewing. Summers can get very hot and humid, but they are perfect for visiting beaches and attending festivals.

Spring is ideal for viewing wildflowers in the Northern and Western Cape provinces. Autumn days are warm, and the nights are cool.

Learn more about the best time to visit South Africa

The weather varies due to its size, ranging from freezing winter temps in the mountains of the Northern Cape to sweltering summer days on the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal.

The climate changes with the seasons, but you can expect most rainfall during the summer months (December-February) in the northern, southern and eastern provinces, while the Western Cape gets the majority of its rainfall in the winter (June-August).

Read more about the weather in South Africa

For centuries, South Africa has been inhabited by tribes hailing from different areas of the African continent, including the San and Bantu people. Around 1200 AD, Muslim traders, the Portuguese and the Dutch started establishing settlements.

When the British arrived in the 1800s, native people were used as slaves on plantations and were treated brutally, losing their land, culture and traditional way of life.

Notable in South Africa's recent history is the Apartheid era, a time when discrimination against black people was legalized. Until 1994, black people were unable to legally own land or vote in elections and education, healthcare, beaches and public places like cinemas were segregated. During this time, the country was ruled and controlled by the white minority.

After much international pressure and many attempts at reform, the Apartheid era ended in 1994, with Nelson Mandela stepping up to lead the nation as President.

South Africa’s culture is one of the most diverse in the world. From indigenous tribes like the Zulu, San Bushmen and Xhosa to the Afrikaners of Dutch heritage and immigrants of British descent, visitors can experience a magnificent melting pot of customs and traditions.

Although South Africa has made significant inroads towards peace and reconciliation since the end of apartheid, racial tensions are sometimes evident, and it is generally best not to contribute to this in any way. Overall, most travelers will find South Africans welcoming, appreciative of your visit and ready to share their homeland and stories.

South African cuisine is generally a combination of Indian, Dutch and English, with tribal flavors and techniques.

Foods to try in South Africa:

1. Wine

South Africa is fast becoming one of the most interesting wine-producing regions in the world. Quality has risen steeply in the past decade, so if you’re visiting the Stellenbosch Wine Region, be sure to sample some fine reds, like Pinotage, which is world-class.

2. Seafood

With such easy access to the Indian Ocean and Southern Atlantic, South Africa boasts some of the best seafood dining experiences you’ll ever have. From an indulgent oyster platter at a Cape Town restaurant to a spicy seafood curry in Durban, the seafood here is fresh, cheap and flavorsome.

3. Biltong

Biltong tends to divide people. Some find this preserved, spiced meat snack impossible to refuse, and others simply can’t stomach it. Either way, it’s extremely popular and readily available in markets, supermarkets and shops throughout South Africa.

4. Boerewors

Another one for the meat-lovers, this coiled, spicy sausage is a South African delicacy best done on the barbecue. Flavored with coriander, cloves and nutmeg, this is a meat born from South African and Dutch traditions.

Learn more about what to eat and drink in South Africa

Located on the tip of Southern Africa, South Africa shares land borders with Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland. It also shares a long stretch of coastline with the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans.

The topography changes remarkably around the country, from the low-lying coast to the mountainous ranges of the Cape. This variance in topography makes South Africa rich in many species of flora and fauna, something that attracts many tourists and travelers from all over the world.

1. Kruger National Park

Welcome to one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa. This iconic national park has some of the ‘most-photographed’ animals in the world and is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species (including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog), so you have a pretty good chance of spotting some of South Africa's resident wildlife while on safari here. Visitors love capturing shots of lions hunting prey, elephants drinking at waterholes and cheetahs sleeping under trees. Mesmerizing amber sunsets and rolling savannas only add to the atmospheric magic of it all.

2. Stellenbosch

The Stellenbosch wine region is the place to be to sample the country's most delicious drops. Surrounded by lush orchards and rugged mountains, it's a beautiful place to soak up the scenery while enjoying a glass (or two) of the region’s world-class reds.

3. Knysna

This quaint seaside town located on South Africa’s Garden Route is one of the most photogenic in Africa. Whether you’re snapping the boats in the harbor, the dolphins frolicking in the waves or the wild and rocky coast, it’s hard not to snap Knysna in a good light.

4. Soweto

Fans of street art will love capturing the murals and memorials of spirited Soweto. The gritty urban landscapes and candid faces make it simple to capture the soul of this endearing, inspiring community.

5. Cintsa

This gem of the South African Coast has retained a village atmosphere despite its growing popularity with tourists. The beaches, bays and rock pools provide sensational photography moments, especially at dawn and dusk when the sun gives off incredible, moody light.

6. Cape Town

Be captivated by the beautiful coast-meets-mountain landscapes of Cape Town. Hit up the city's famous Camps Bay to bask in the sun and swim in a natural rock swimming pool, hike to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views, admire the colorful buildings in Bo Kaap neighborhood or watch life go by in one of the city's quirky cafes.

7. Durban

Brimming with golden beaches and glitzy nightlife, Durban is the perfect coastal city to catch some rays or sample South African cuisine. Try the city's famous bunny chow, take a scenic stroll along the Golden Mile promenade or learn about traditional African medicine at the Durban Muthi Market. The interesting mix of Indian, Muslim, African and European influences in Durban makes for great photography.

8. Lamberts Bay

The tremendously large colony of Cape Gannet birds who live off Lamberts Bay is often photographed - and with good reason. The sight of hundreds of birds tightly packed into a small space against a backdrop of azure ocean provides a unique, snap-worthy photo subject.

9. Johannesburg

Feel the buzz of urban Africa in Joburg, South Africa's largest city. Check out the cultural hotspots of Newtown, Braamfontein or Maboneng; learn about the country's sobering past at the Apartheid Museum, or venture outside the city to the Cradle of Humankind to see some of the oldest fossilized hominid remains on Earth.

10. Drakensberg Mountains

Use your wide-angle lens to capture the majestic Drakensberg Mountain Range in all its panoramic glory. This impressive mountain range is the highest in Southern Africa and provides a wide and wonderful scope for impressive postcard-worthy shots.

The South African rand (ZAR) is the currency of South Africa. Foreign currency can be easily changed at exchange bureaus, which generally offer the best rates.

There are many ATMs in the big cities and regional towns of South Africa. Rural areas, national parks and small villages will have limited to no ATMs, so be sure to carry other payment options before travelling out of the big cities.

Many businesses and banks in Africa do not accept US dollar notes older than 2013. The slightest defects in bills can result in your dollars being rejected, so check for tears, marks, or other damage.

Credit cards are generally accepted in tourist shops and some restaurants across Africa. Smaller venues take cash only.