Welcome to our
South Africa travel guide
It certainly won’t cover everything because for that we would need an entire website dedicated to the safari country closest to our hearts. Instead, it talks you through the highlights and helps paint a picture of what you can expect if you holiday in South Africa.
South-East South Africa
South Africa’s Garden Route is a magnificent stretch of coastline boasting a heady mix of ancient forests, secluded artists’ communities, craft centres, mountain hideaways and beach holidays. Self drive holidays in South Africa can explore the Garden Route and the lesser known inland Route 62 that meanders between Cape Town, Oudtshoorn and Port Elizabeth The inland road takes you through stunning plains, mountain passes and tiny towns where people are so friendly, landscapes impressive and activities endless.
The Eastern Cape is the malaria free safari area at the end of the Garden Route, providing the ultimate all rounder South Africa safari holiday. Whether you take the coast road or Route 62, you come out to Port Elizabeth and here, head to the wildlife safari reserves and national parks. This region is the homeland of the Xhosa-speaking nation and birthplace of Nelson Mandela. It offers brilliant malaria free, big five safari holidays for all ages with accommodation ranging from family friendly camps to remote luxury retreats. The main private luxury Kwandwe Reserve is one of our favourites. Others in the area are Kariega, Amakhala and well known safari holiday Shamwari.
Malaria Free
If a malaria free safari holiday destination is what you seek, South Africa can offer another and that is Madikwe Game Reserve. It’s north of Johannesburg, either a 45 minute flight or 4 – 6 hour drive depending on what safari accommodation you choose. This reserve is quickly gaining popularity to rival South Africa’s best safari locations because it’s 75,000 hectares of malaria free wilderness that teems with wildlife. It’s relatively ‘young’, opening in 1991 and has seen quick success with its conservation initiatives and wildlife introduction. Expect to see elephant, buffalo, plains game and predators like wild dog, lion, leopard, hyena. These predators are often spotted hunting on the open grasslands thanks to the success of Operation Phoenix, one of the world’s largest wildlife translocation exercises in the world.
Another South Africa safari destination with little press is the Waterberg. We know it as a pristine, scenic and wildlife rich area with ancient mountains, a rich tapestry of biodiversity, rock art sites and rolling savannahs. There are a few Waterberg safari accommodation options to consider and it’s easy to incorporate into a family safari, honeymoon safari, South Africa self drive or luxury safari tailormade.
Beaches and Inland Wonders
If a more secluded South African beach holiday is what you are after then some of the country’s best beaches can be found along the KwaZulu Natal coastline, Umhlanga Rocks, Ballito, Shaka’s Rock, Shelley Beach (on the North Coast), Uvongo and Margate (on the South coast) – just to mention a few. Beaches are safe and boast brilliant surfing conditions. Popular holiday spot, Durban has spectacular beaches including Addington Beach, South and North beaches and Dairy beach. This region is more than a coastline, expect beautiful inland mountain ranges of the Drakensberg, unspoilt game reserves like Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, Mkuzi and Ndomo. These regions are home to big five safaris one of the best rhino conservation programs. South Africa history tours pass through here too because it’s home to a number of historic battlefields where some of the country’s most turbulent wars took place.
The Drakensberg escarpment is one of the most famous mountain ranges in Africa. The name translates to Dragons Mountain and this is due to the way the range snakes around the plateau. With great South Africa hiking trails and Drakensberg accommodation that ranges from ultimate luxury to family friendly chalets. The Drakensberg is a great addition for anyone looking for an all round South African Safari package.
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