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

Day 18/29 - from Swellendam to Franschhoek

This morning we continued from Swellendam to Franschhoek in the Winelands 🍷And I have to say... last-minute booking is our thing 😂 After struggling to find accommodations in...

Day 5/29 - from Cape Town via Betty's Bay to Swellendam

Today we set off from Cape Town to Swellendam with both a laughing and a crying eye. We made a stopover in Betty's Bay, where we were able to see a few penguins 🐧 on the beach....

Kruger National Park

09/08/2023 Don't expect anything and you will be maximally surprised! 5 a.m. breakfast and off we go. Even before we officially entered, wild dogs came towards us, a rarity,...

Our last stage: From Cape Town to Jo'Burg and the Lion & Safari Park

The final part of our South Africa trip is ahead of us. For two days, we will drive the 1400 kilometers from Cape Town to Johannesburg with our little rental car. We will spend...

Tears of the Cheetah

Day 25, 21.01.23, from Mata Mata to Twee Revieren We pack everything in the morning and set off to Twee Revieren, the southern end of the park, with the sunrise. A herd of...

Tag 96: Cape Town - The Most Beautiful City in the World?

By Helicopter over Cape Town and Visiting the Penguins

Elephants, Cheetah, and still no hippo

Second morning safari, we woke up around 04:30 and then turned off the alarm clock at 04:50 and answered the wake-up call at 05:00. Luckily, our room/tent has a Nespresso...

The Drakensberg - Winter is coming!

Winter is coming! That's how it feels when we drive from the small town of Hogsback to the southern foothills of the Drakensberg. Due to the rain in the past few days, we are...

Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr!

Frohe Weihnachten!For the first time, we will be spending Christmas together in the South and have chosen a particularly beautiful region for it: the Winelands near Cape Town....

A first relaxed Sunday

After my first night, I slowly realized that I am really here, everything has worked out so far and now I can shape the coming weeks as I want. The fact that a burden must...

Day 21: Canal Walk Mall & V&A Waterfront Capetown

July 18, 2019 Today it's raining... and not just a little bit unfortunately. So what do you do in Cape Town on a rainy day!? Right - you go shopping *lol* To the great delight...

First the ostriches and then off to St. Francis Bay

We loaded the car and got ready to leave before breakfast because we had a few things on our agenda for the day. Breakfast at Magda, Christo, and Clarissa's was delicious as...

Canopy Tour and animal shows

We have been able to experience a lot in the past two days as well. Wednesday started with getting oriented to discover what the surroundings have to offer. We decided to visit...

Day 29 Kruger National Park

A whole day of game drives. And with a happy ending.

Easter with Easter Bunnies and big animals

Easter at sea and then in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, was a completely different way to celebrate Easter. The ship's crew made a great effort to create an Easter atmosphere,...

Day 1 Captown

Here we go!! The journey begins.

Südafrika-Ubuntu

Hi guys, first of all, I wish you all Merry Christmas (it's easy to forget that Christmas is approaching when it's sunny and 30 degrees and you're in a bikini on the beach). We...

Kruger National Park

After a pleasant night in Johannesburg we will be picked up and the drive to Kruger National Park can begin. We arrive in the early afternoon and quickly throw our belongings...

Hermanus - Whales, Kiters, and Cheesecake

The Hermanus Beach Villa, where we are staying for two days, is located right by the sea. Salome, the hostess, was waiting for us as if she knew we were arriving. She welcomed us...

Tsitsikamma - Forests, Beaches, and Vines

On this day, we also booked a zip-line tour, this time through the rainforest, and again we went from one treetop to another hanging on a steel cable. It was even more impressive...

Discovering the Garden Route

Hey guys :) Long time no see! This weekend, my journey took me to the Western Cape, which is very diverse and beautiful by the way. This was THE area which was colonized by the...

Day 141 of 175: World Cruise - Port Elizabeth/South Africa

Day 141 of 175: World Cruise - Port Elizabeth/South Africa

114. Tag Cape Town, South Africa 18.03.2026

Here too, we wait for about 3 hours in thick fog until we can dock at the Cruise Terminal in Cape Town, entertained by orcas and penguins.Cape Town, one of the largest cities in...

112. Tag Port Elizabeth, South Africa 16.03.2026

After waiting for 3 1/2 hours in dense fog (port closed, docking not possible), we are in Port Elizabeth, or Gqeberha as the city has been known since February 2021. With around...