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
South Africa Day 6 - Concert in Hartenbos
This morning it was time to say goodbye to Cape Town. After all the suitcases were loaded and lunch boxes packed, we gathered once again in the lobby of the hostel and sang...
South Africa Day 5 - Penguins!
After breakfast we also went to the supermarket to buy water. Then we took the bus towards the coast. We drove through Bantry Bay, a suburb of Cape Town located on the steep...
Route 62 & Winelands South Africa
From George, we drive in the still pouring rain to Route 62. Unfortunately, we can't see anything from the originally picturesque Outeniqua Pass because of the thick fog. A bit...
Addo Elephant National Park & Port Elizabeth
The next highlight of our South Africa trip awaits us. As the name suggests, the Addo Elephant National Park is known for its many elephants. But there are also the rest of the...
Border crossing
Day 2, 29.12.22, from Vanrynsdorp to Growcery Camp (Orange River) After a coffee on the veranda and a chat with our host, Cindy sets about fixing her puncture. Although...
Visit Langa with Jo Weber - FYN
Today was the day of truth, our visit to the township of Langa with Jo Weber. We took an Uber to Sea Point around 08:30 am, to the accommodation of the Studer's, where we waited...
Panorama Route & Kruger National Park
Panorama Route Before we head to one of our major highlights, the Kruger National Park, we spend a few days on the so-called 'Panorama Route'. As the name suggests, this part of...
Northern Cape
Augrabies Falls National Park First stop of our road trip through South Africa: the Augrabies Falls, which plunge up to 56 meters into the depths before winding their way...
Day 18: A garden full of giraffes & back to Johannesburg
July 15, 2019 Today we leave the Marloth Park and the Kruger NP and drive back to Johannesburg. Since we don't have to leave the house until noon, we don't have much time...
Nature's Valley & Monkeyland
Monday 11.1.16 We have a super relaxed breakfast across from our apartment by the water. The cereal with honey is sensational and we enjoy the mild sun and pleasant...
Cape Town - Carnival & Table Mountain
Saturday 02.01.2016 Behind our house, on the next street, there are colorful houses. It's the Malay Quarter. Small cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and colorful houses. We have a...
Streetlife in Jozi
Johannesburg, also affectionately known as Jozi or Jo'burg, is the last stop on my South Africa tour before heading to Nepal tomorrow. Jo'burg has 4.3 million inhabitants and is...
Hiking up the Platteklip-Gorge Trail to Table Mountain
Yesterday was...
How to get there
The adventure begins. How I get from Stralsund to Stellenbosch via Wernigerode.
Hiking Lion's head again, around sunset time.
I've already been here once before but this time we (-> meaning "most of the volunteers") we're going up together as group. Being accompanied by lovely music (-> thanks to...
Garden Route - Friday 17th (1st day)
This Friday we we're basically sitting in a small bus and driving along the Garden Route to our destinations. I got up at 5 a.m. in the morning - literally "hell"! No way to think...
Last Day
Today was all about enjoying… inhaling the scent, the landscape, the atmosphere, and preserving it for eternity in our memories. We relaxed a bit in the morning and enjoyed a few...
Next Stop AfriCamps
We arrived in AfriCamps very late yesterday and couldn't admire the wonderful scenery at all. But today even more so... This is glamping in the Stanford Hills near Hermanus....
Franschhoek - the beautiful wine region in the valley
The wine valley of Franschhoek is simply wonderful.....
Stellenbosch - the ultimate wine spot in South Africa
Stellenbosch - for wine lovers the ultimate destination in South Africa. A great student town, bustling yet relaxed. Easy access to all the wine estates in the area.
South Africa Bimmel Bammel Tour 2024 Day 6
Good morning, Africa! What a crazy story we had last night! I think we could write an entire book about it, but we'll save that for the bestseller. Stellenbosch welcomes us...
#7/7 - Cape Town - Table Mountain - Departure
I can easily drink this here
Cape Town 🇿🇦
From the south of Spain, I then traveled much further south to Cape Town. However, despite the summer, I ended up in winter. But thankfully, I arrived safely in Cape Town with a...
South Africa! Our start in Jo'burg
It is the 17th of February 2023 and we have landed in Johannesburg after a total of about 17 hours. For us, it was a journey from Berlin to London with a 5-hour layover to South...
Meerkats
Day 26, 22.01.23, from Twee Rivieren to Augrabies A last game drive before continuing to the Augrabies Falls National Park. And what is still on the wish list after three...
On the road again
Day 23, 19.01.23, from Bagatelle to Mata Mata A last morning, a last family photo, and a goodbye that is actually a bit hard for us. Of course, we are looking forward to the...
The beginning is always today
Day 1, 28.12.22, from Cape Town to Vanrynsdorp It's time: the tour is planned, the accommodations are booked, the first food rations are bought, the Ford Ranger is properly...
Day 5 - From Livingstone / Zambia back to South Africa to Pretoria
July 2, 2019 Today we can sleep in for a change. After breakfast, we calmly pack our suitcases and take them to the reception. The 3 days at Victoria Falls in Zambia are...
South Africa, Namibia and days at sea
Dear people, it has been quite a few days since my last entry. I spent many days at sea and have now explored the southern part of Africa a little bit. First of all, I am really...
Helicopter flight over Cape Town
Helicopter tour to the Cape of Good Hope, a different perspective on everything we have already explored on the ground, simply spectacular and wonderful....