Travelogues South Africa
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Vacation in South Africa : Highlights & Travel Tips
South Africa stands out for travelers because it packs extraordinary variety into one trip: dramatic coastlines, world-class wildlife, vibrant cities, acclaimed wine regions, and a deep, complex cultural history. You can watch the sunrise over Table Mountain in Cape Town, drive the Garden Route past beaches and forests, explore the Winelands around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and head into Kruger National Park or private reserves for the chance to see the Big Five. The country also offers powerful historical experiences, from Robben Island to Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum, alongside excellent food, scenic road trips, and adventure activities such as hiking, surfing, shark cage diving, and whale watching.
For practical planning, South Africa is large, so domestic flights or a well-paced self-drive itinerary can help you cover more ground comfortably. Seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, and weather varies by region, so pack layers if combining Cape Town, safari areas, and the coast. Travelers should stay aware of local safety guidance in major cities, use reputable transport at night, and book popular safaris, holiday stays, and top restaurants in advance. With good planning, South Africa rewards visitors with exceptional value, unforgettable landscapes, and one of the most diverse travel experiences on the continent.
Best time to travel South Africa
The best time to visit is September through November, with September and November showing the highest popularity and offering a great balance of pleasant spring weather, blooming landscapes, wildlife viewing, and lively travel conditions. October is also a strong choice, making early spring to late spring the best overall window for most travelers.
Best travel reports from South Africa
Day 27 Amazing Sunset
Wildlife, bush paintings, and a sundowner, what more could you want?
Wwoof at Fynbos Estate, Malmesbury - South Africa
Before exploring Africa, we spent a month on a farm and worked in exchange for food and accommodation. We thought we would get a normal standard, but unfortunately that was not...
The Flying Dutchman
As it is a peninsula, the hiking trails almost always follow the coastline, mostly across mountains and rocks. However, due to our limited time, we drove directly to the 'Cape of...
Friends
Today we experienced a bit of history. We took a ferry to Robben Island. We didn't take any photos of it. Robben Island is known for its high-security prison where political...
Cape Town 2nd day
25.5.2024 Cape Town Today started with an unusual breakfast. The Radisson Blu breakfast buffet offered the usual things as well as ice-cold oysters and champagne. I tried both,...
Day 19/29 - Stellenbosch
The morning started relaxed for the two of us in the morning sun in the garden, as our late riser children slept for a while 🙏🏼😌 Our day started with a coffee and a fight 😂...
Day 17/29 - from Plettenberg Bay to Wilderness and then to Swellendam
We continued from Plettenberg Bay to Swellendam. We would have loved to stay a bit longer in Plett 🧡 We're not exactly sure why, but we really liked the vibe there. The little...
Day 16/29 - Tsitsikamma National Park
Today we went to Tsitsikamma National Park to go hiking 🥾 We really wanted to see the suspension bridges. With the kids in tow (literally), we headed to the suspension bridges....
Day 15/29 - Plettenberg Bay
Today we first worked a lap with our feet in the pool. We could get used to that 🙈 25 degrees in the morning and a swim before work. In addition, the purchase prices here are...
Day 1/29 - Cape Town
We sorted our suitcases together and were able to pick them up next to the luggage carousel and had a super spacious rental car in no time. Basti was already panicking that the...
Tsitsikamma canopy trails on flying fox and Storm Rivier suspension bridges plus 1/3 of the waterfall day hike
Started the day with a nice dip in the pool and some easy tiny 12m laps 🤓 Had breakfast and left the inn for the Tsitsikamma canopy trails tour at 10.30am. After getting...
Gorah camp to Tsitsikamma village via Port Elizabeth // Start of Garden route
Second day at the Gorah, getting up at 5.45 am to grab an early coffee and then head out directly in search for the lions 🦁 We got to see already lots of other wild- and...
Day 8 Robberg Plettenberg Bay
On the 8th day of our tour, we visited Robberg in Plettenberg Bay, which is only 10 minutes away from our accommodation. As the name suggests, Robberg is a national park where...
Day 2 Guided Safari
On the second day, at 05:00 in the morning, we went on a guided safari in Kruger National Park with Ranger Shadrack. As soon as we arrived in the park, it took just 10 minutes...
Paternoster - Bloubergstrand - Paarl - Stellenbosch - Muizenberg - Fish Hoek
Today we had our longest distance to cover (over 300 km), as it was time to leave Dunes Boutique Guest House in Paternoster, where we spent the past weekend. In Vredenburg, we...
Table Mountain - Picnic - Dinner at the Waterfront
On Tuesday, Philippe wasn't feeling well. The plan was to go to Table Mountain. We were in constant contact with Liliane and Philippe and decided to cancel the plans at short...
City tour Cape Town
After focusing on the more remote areas yesterday on the city tour, today it was the turn of the city center of Cape Town. We met with Studer's at 2 Ocean Aquarium at 10:00 AM...
Sunday in Cape Town
Today was our Hop on - Hop off day, we took the blue tour to Kirstenbosch, a botanical garden (which is part of the World Cultural Heritage) in the shadow of Table Mountain,...
PicNic at Warwick - Cavalli Estate
Wednesday was PicNic themed, we actually wanted to visit the new Winery Quion Rock and enjoy a PicNic there, but that failed because they were not reachable the day before and...
Transfer to Stellenbosch Eikehof - Franschhoek Motor Museum - Delaire Graff - Stellenbosch - Restaurant Helena
Today was the day to say goodbye to Franschhoek. Shortly after 10 o'clock, everything was done and the cars were loaded. We set off in convoy to the Eikehof vineyard, a small...
Robertson - Sanbona / Dwyka Tented Lodge
After a good night at Ballinderry with Luc and Hilde, we enjoyed our first breakfast in South Africa. The selection was huge, even though only two couples stayed at Ballinderry....
Arrival & 1st day
After a calm and pleasant flight, we landed today on Thursday. Immediately, a steel blue sky and nice warm weather welcomed us in Cape Town. As it usually goes, there were some...
2 nights in a Private Game Reserve
On Saturday, I continued directly to the Eastern Cape. Here, I spent two nights in a Private Game Reserve - an absolute highlight in every way. I already knew beforehand that...
End of the first week
And already the first week is over - I spent my free Friday very touristically: sightseeing with the red hop-on hop-off double-decker bus. The first tour went around Table...
Kruger National Park
Landing in Johannesburg, the first important tasks of withdrawing money and buying a SIM card were quickly completed. I then took the bus to the accommodation, from which I was...
Predator feeding
After a night in Jeffreys Bay which is considered an absolute surf spot, we continued to Addo. In Addo, we were able to go on a morning safari again in the famous Addo Elephant...
Day 2 - Robertson
Day 2 - Robertson We slept well the first night. Corina dozed off after 5 minutes, while Kosi fought against a mosquito for several hours. The day started with excellent coffee....