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South Africa Travel Planner

Cape Town, the Garden Route, Kruger — safari, wine, coastline and the world's most dramatic city.

✦ Plan My South Africa Trip
Capital Pretoria (admin)
Best time Oct – April (Cape Town)
Currency South African Rand (ZAR)
Language 11 official languages (English widely spoken)
Time zone SAST (UTC+2)
Flight from LHR ~11 hours

South Africa is one of the world's most complete travel destinations. Cape Town is routinely voted the world's most beautiful city — Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands and some of the finest restaurants in Africa. The Garden Route is one of the world's great road trips. Kruger National Park offers Big Five game viewing among the continent's best. And throughout it all, a country processing an extraordinary history with remarkable energy and openness.

Plan Your South Africa Trip

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South Africa — What You Need to Know

When is the best time to visit South Africa?

October to April for Cape Town and the Winelands. May to September for Kruger — dry season when animals gather at water sources. May to September is also good for whale watching off the Cape coast.

How many days do you need in South Africa?

Ten days minimum — Cape Town, the Garden Route and a safari. Two weeks does all three properly plus the Winelands. Three weeks gives a genuinely comprehensive experience.

What is South Africa best known for?

South Africa is best known for Cape Town and Table Mountain, Kruger National Park and the Big Five, the Garden Route road trip, the Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, Boulders Beach penguins, the Drakensberg mountains and a complex, fascinating history.

Is South Africa good for couples?

Outstanding — South Africa is one of Africa's top honeymoon destinations. A private game lodge in the Sabi Sand, a sunset at Cape Point, a wine tasting in Franschhoek, a helicopter over Table Mountain. The country delivers extraordinary experiences at a range of price points.

What is the daily budget for South Africa?

South Africa is excellent value. A mid-range daily budget is ZAR 1,200–2,000 (£50–£85) per person. Private safari lodges are the major expense. Cape Town itself is very affordable by European standards.

✦ COMMON QUESTIONS

South Africa Travel FAQs

When is the best time to visit South Africa?

October to April is best for Cape Town and the Winelands — warm and dry. May to September is Cape Town's winter (cool, some rain) but excellent for whale watching. Kruger is best May to September — dry season when animals gather at water sources and vegetation is low.

How many days do you need in South Africa?

Ten days is the minimum for a meaningful trip — Cape Town, the Garden Route and a safari. Two weeks lets you do all three properly plus the Winelands. Three weeks gives you a genuinely comprehensive South African experience.

Is South Africa good for couples?

Outstanding — South Africa is one of Africa's top honeymoon destinations. A private game lodge in the Sabi Sand, a sunset at Cape Point, a wine tasting in Franschhoek, a helicopter over Table Mountain. The country delivers extraordinary experiences at a range of price points.

What is the daily budget for South Africa?

South Africa is excellent value for European and American visitors. A mid-range daily budget is ZAR 1,200–2,000 (£50–£85) per person. Private safari lodges are the major expense — from ZAR 5,000 to ZAR 30,000+ per night. Cape Town itself is very affordable.

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