South Africa

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

Cape Peninsula

An eventful day, visiting Muizenberg, St. James, Simon's Town, Boulder Beach with the penguins, the drive to Cape Point with a view of the Cape of Good Hope, the picnic at Cape...

A whole day in Addo

Friday January 15, 2016 The alarm clock rings at 6.00am. The shower in my roundhouse takes some getting used to. First of all, you can hardly see anything and it is built with...

Entlang der Küste nach Knysna

Samstag 9.1.2016 Trotz unserer gestrigen Erlebnisse fahren wir doch noch zur überall empfohlenen Highgate Ostrich Farm. Aber die Führungen hier dauern 90 min und irgendwie...

Drostdy Museum, Ronnie's Sexshop & Route 62

Thursday 7.1.2016 It continues to rain. At 9:00 am, we enjoyed the standard breakfast, which was more than abundant with toast, egg, jam, cheese, and coffee. We loaded our...

"The Windy City" - With Wind-Blown Hair to Jeffreys Bay and the Sacramento Trail

After exploring the wildlife of Addo in the inland the previous week, we were drawn back to the sea - first to the surfer's paradise of Jeffreys Bay and then to the trails of the...

Cape Town, you have cast a spell on me!

Day 1 Sunset at the promenade

I'm Falling

what else have I done

chaotic mess

Hi guys, As you can see from the title, we had visitors from home. Michi & Franzi came to visit me, and Klara had a visit from Lisa. But let's start from the beginning. I...

Arrived!

Now we have arrived here at the wild coast of Durban for the second day in the 'Wright House', which will be our home for the next four months. It already feels much longer with...

Plettenberg Bay - Breakfast like in an art gallery

The morning already started with overcast skies. Due to the weather forecast, we decided to do sightseeing by car. We originally wanted to go to Noetzi, an idyllic beach with...

From Montagu to Mossel Bay

South Africa/ Day 4 - August 25, 2016 Early this morning, after breakfast, we drove from the relatively barren region at the western end of Route 62 with its steep bare mountains...

From Cape Town to Montagu

Then we set off. Across Capetown towards the Garden Route, past numerous townships, huge and as far as the eye can see.

Quad biking the first :)

On July 23rd I rode a quad bike at Grabouw mountains, a beautiful mountain area south-east from Cape Town. The landscape really invites you to do hiking and mountain biking, but I...

Botanic gardens

Well, there's not much to say about this. It's stunning and a huge area which longs for exploration, but as long as your no botanic or scientiest, you might just wanna enjoy...

Hermanus

We spent today in Hermanus. A really beautiful little town, with great streets, lots of art, and of course, wonderful cuisine. We will end the evening in the hot tub with a glass...

102. Day 16.4.25 Cape Town South Africa

Cape Town South Africa: sunny 17-22 degrees Ernst booked our trip through Cape Town online via Get Your Guide, and everything went smoothly with the Hop on Hop off service. At 8...

South Africa Bimmel Bammel Tour 2024 Day 5

Good morning, Africa! Unfortunately, today we must say goodbye to the Vyn Guesthouse and our new friends Martina and Klaus. It’s really a shame, but today we’re heading to...

South Africa Bimmel Bammel Tour 2024 Day 4

South Africa Bimmel Bammel Tour 2024 Day 4 Good morning, Africa! Kai and I must have experienced the wildest adventures in our dreams last night – and no, it's not what you're...

South Africa Bimmel Bammel Tour 2024 Day 2

Africa again greets us with a bright blue sky—as if the sun is personally calling out a "Good Morning!" to us! First, we enjoy a coffee on the balcony and let our eyes wander...

#6 - Cape Town - Wine Tasting

We booked a wine tasting a few weeks in advance 😃. South Africa 🇿🇦 is well known for its excellent wines. Therefore, this was part of the must-do list. We were very curious! ...

#2 - Cape Town - Waterfront - Boat Tour - Dolphins

We had a great sleep on our first night. It blends in well with our lovely room. The breakfast at the hotel is also very appealing. Well, especially I’m a bit relieved 😅. A...

#1 - Cape Town - Arrival

Last year we wanted to travel through Africa during our world tour. Unfortunately, that didn't work out. But we're making up for it now. We have to check if the impressions from...

Tag 88-94 (April 7 - April 14)

Reunion with Daria🥳

Two Passes

Tag 28, 24.01.23, from Augrabies to Clanwilliam Once again, it's time to pack our things and take the first step back to Cape Town, with a stopover in De Pakhuys, just before...

Los leones no duermen

Day 24, 20.01.23, Mata Mata Another day in the national park starts very early: a morning game drive should start at sunrise, as the first two to three hours of the early day...

ISimangaliso Wetland Park - summer, sun, sunshine

After the frigid nights in the Drakensberg, the warmth on the Indian Ocean coast feels almost unreal, as if we were in another country. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park doesn't...

Garden Route & Karoo Semi-Desert

Garden RouteOne of the many advantages of being a teacher is - in addition to the fulfilling job itself - the holiday time. In South Africa, summer vacation is from...

Day 23: Camps Bay & bye bye Cape Town

After a morning at Camps Bay, we fly back to Frankfurt via Johannesburg.