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.
All travel reports from South Africa
Muizenberg
Though Cape Town is great, I'm escaping the city for three days. I'm going to Muizenberg by train. It's a small town 20 kilometers before Cape Town. Surfing is...
4th Day - Cape Town & Hermanus
For today, the focus was on the journey to our next accommodation in Hermanus. However, since the weather was already at its best in the morning, we decided without much thought...
Timbavati Reserve
After a restful night, a morning walk, and a well-balanced self-prepared breakfast, we continued our journey towards the 'Timbavati Game Reserve'. This is a private reserve...
The Bridge of Terror
After not feeling well yesterday morning, we left Addo relatively late (10:30). Along the way, we stopped in Jeffreys Bay to stretch our legs and admire the surfers. There...
JC mag's English...
All the weather apps said that we can look forward to a sunny day today. In the early morning, while drinking coffee on our terrace, the sky was clear, a bit windy, and the sea...
Day 14/29 - from Addo via Port Elisabeth and Jeffreys Bay to Plettenberg Bay
After a delicious breakfast in good company, we left the African Home in Addo and drove off to Port Elisabeth to swap our car. Everything worked out great and now we have a car...
Day 3/29 - Cape Town
Since Anni has had a fever since yesterday evening, we spent most of the time in our “vacation home” today. We set off again in the afternoon so that the children could sleep a...
Hiking Fernkloof pass trails above Hermanus
Second day in Hermanus and we’ve started out from the parking lot of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve for some more trails (Klipspringer, waterfall, heading towards the dams and...
South Africa let's go...
09/05/2023 - 09/06/1023 And hey presto, here we are... After the first flight from Frankfurt Airport to Qatar and a brisk crossing of what felt like the most magnificent...
Day 9 Canyoning
Our second day in Plettenberg Bay started off just as active as the previous days. Today, we went on a canyoning tour through 'The Crags', a mountain range located 20 minutes...
Day 3 Self Drive Safari
Today, instead of going with a ranger to the national park, we set off in the early morning hours in our own vehicle towards the Phabeni Gate to do a so-called Self Drive...
Transfer Paarl - Paternoster - Leeto - Voorstrand
At the appointed time we left de Leeuwen Estate in Paarl and made our way to Paternoster, the road leading us along the R45. Cornfields and vineyards alternated charmingly. Near...
Franschhoek - Wine Tram - Protégé
Sunday was Wine Tram day. After a hearty breakfast, we headed to the Franschhoek Wine Tram station around 11 am. After exchanging our vouchers, a shuttle took us to the second...
DAY 4 (Panorama Route / Blyde River Canyon)
After a hearty breakfast on our beautiful lakeside terrace, we set off on the R532 towards the Panorama Route, along the Blyde River Canyon (the third largest canyon in the...
30th January - A Day in Hermanus
Unfortunately, this morning we noticed that 2 of our fellow travelers weren't feeling well, their stomachs were acting up a bit. But nothing that couldn't be solved with a...
January 28 - a day full of food
After a restful night, Marc and I went to Lustigs (a suite next door) and woke up Karina with an African Happy Birthday song! Yes, she celebrated her Sweet Sixteen today ;) Then...
The Big 5 of the Sea
As the last stops on my journey, the places De Kelders and Hermanus awaited me. These places are especially popular between June - November, when whales come to the bay to give...
About the Robberg Nature Reserve to Knysna
Since only places & activities that I have not seen yet were planned on this trip, today was an absolute highlight. There was no time for this place on the last trip and...
I'm at Addo Elephant National Park.
Today was all about the elephants at Addo Elephant National Park. Since I've been on several safaris before (and for cost reasons), I decided to drive with my own rental car,...
Art & Nature
And another weekend is over. On Friday, I explored a bit of Woodstock with its street art and the Old Biscuit Mill. In the afternoon, I also went to Camps Bay beach. The view of...
Unpacking in Woodstock
On Monday, my 4 luggage pieces and I finally moved into and unpacked the booked AirBnb in Woodstock - after 3 days of living out of a suitcase, this was much needed! Before...
Day 14 - Cape Town
Day 14 - Cape Town The day started with a historical beginning. During the morning roundtable, after examining a disturbing green mass which is commonly known as Avocado stuff,...
Day 13 - Cape Town
Day 13 - Cape Town Today we slept a bit longer. Since we had to kill some time before we could check in at the house in Cape Town, we went to the Cliff Path again and admired...
Day 9 & 10 - Knysna / Hermanus
Day 9 & 10 - Knysna / Hermanus Yesterday we unfortunately didn't have any pictures to upload as we spent the last day and evening in our house. It started raining during the...
Day 5 - Addo
Day 5 - Addo After a hearty breakfast, we set off towards Addo. Our route took us out of Oudtshoorn along the N12. We drove past Swartberg towards Willowmore before turning onto...
Day 1 - Robertson
Day 1 - Robertson After a sleepless night in a flying sardine tin, we landed safely. Afterwards, we were able to pick up our vehicle. However, these South Africans all drive on...
Walking in Gansbaai
Today we take it easy, we let ourselves be spoiled for breakfast by our hosts (Jill and Gideon) and their staff, then we go on foot to the nearby nature reserve to discover the...
Nan ts'ngonya... the lion king
Thursday, 07.11.19: My alarm clock goes off at 04:00 am. Every one who knows me just a little, is aware what that means for me ;) But today it's ok, cause we are going to Addo...
Forests, snakes and beaches
Tuesday 05.11.19: Today we drove over the beautiful Outeniqua Mountain pass, went for a kanu tour and hike into the Wilderness National Park. Stunning indigenous forests with...