Population
60,604,992 
capital
Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Pretoria
Language
IsiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, English, Sesotho sa Leboa
currency
South African Rand
Flight time
11 hours and 30 minutes from the UK
time difference
UTC/GMT +2 hours
best time to go
May-Sep

Introducing South Africa

From big game safaris and spectacular mountainscapes to lush green winelands and world famous cities, South Africa is a destination of dramatic beauty. With several distinct ecosystems, it’s also a world of contrasts; nature’s playground for those who love to spend their time outdoors. And did we mention the beaches? This colourful African country may not be a well-known beach destination but it certainly holds its own when it comes to powdery soft sand, turquoise blue water, palm fringed scenery and romantic ocean sunsets. Explore the legendary Garden Route along the South East Coast and stumble across countless secret bays, coves and beaches that you wouldn’t believe existed here. From secret beaches to secret party spots, there’s a surprise around every corner in South Africa and families will find wholesome fun activities for the kids whilst thrill-seeking couples will find off-the-beaten-path adventures in every region. Spend your time in the scenic port city of Cape Town and take a cable car tour up to Table Mountain for the most incredible views; head over to Port Elizabeth and go dolphin spotting in Algoa Bay or experience the lively nightlife at Nelson Mandela Bay; visit Kruger National Park and go hunting for The Big Five, the Lion, the Elephant, the Cape Buffalo, the Leopard and the Rhino; explore Johannesburg and discover the city’s dark history at the Apartheid Museum and the Hector Pieterson Museum; or grab a board and head for Durban for awesome surf along the Golden Mile beachfront.

Whatever captures your imagination, the warm smiles of the South African people will make you feel welcome as soon as you arrive. And you’ll get to taste some of the most amazing SA dishes and enjoy the benefits of the growing coffee culture along the way. And you can’t forget the wine; South Africa is famous for its fine wines, with a wine-making history dating back to the 1600s. So no matter what your interests, South Africa is a destination that has it all.

Family

Kids will love South Africa and there’s plenty of family friendly accommodation across the country to choose from. Is you’re looking for the perfect child friendly beach break, Cape Town and the Garden Route are particular great. The safaris are all malaria free so they are completely safe for the little ones and seeing The Big Five, amongst many other incredible safari animals, will have them in awe – fantastic for the whole family and fun for kids of all ages! Sensible precautions are always advised but tourist areas have low crime rates and getting around should be easy using public transport links or private taxi hire. South Africans are generally very warm and welcoming too, so everyone will be made to feel welcome.

Cuisine

South African cuisine is an interesting mix of cooking styles stolen from the indigenous people of Africa such as the Sotho and the Nguni speaking people as well as a mix of culinary influences from colonial times and waves of immigration, including Dutch, French, Indians and Malaysians; essentially, it’s a multi-cultural blend of old and new and today, South African cuisine has cultivated a unique style of cookery. Some must try dishes include the national dish of Bobotie (baked curried meat dish), Cape Malay Curry (inspired by Indonesia, India and Malaysia), Boerewors (South African sausages), Chakalaka & Pap (a popular traditional vegetable dish) and Malva pudding (a sticky pudding introduced by the Dutch).

History and Culture

History is important in South Africa but it depends how far you want to go back. For millions and millions of years back to Homininae history, visit the Cradle of Humankind where some of the oldest fossils in the world have been found; for 19th Century history, visit the kwaZulu-Natal Battlefields where the Zulu warriors fought; or for more recent historical events, visit Nelson Mandela’s getaway at Robben Island or the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

Resorts in South Africa

Top Locations in South Africa

Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves; the region is malaria free and it offers amazing game viewing opportunities. Other than The Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos), other animals in the park include giraffe, zebras, black and white rhino, hippos, warthogs and many antelope as well as fantastic birds such as eagles and storks. Walking safaris or driving safaris are extremely popular, as are night safaris for spotting nocturnal animals in their natural habitats.
Johannesburg
As South Africa’s biggest city and the capital of the Gauteng Province, Johannesburg is known for its rich gold mining past. The city also has a dark Apartheid history and Nelson Mandela’s former residence is now the Nelson Mandela Museum. Other attractions not to be missed are Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Lion Park and Johannesburg Zoo. Read more
Cape Town
Thus beautiful port city sits below the Table Mountain and is the perfect base for exploring the Cape wine route which covers vineyards in the Bot River area, Cape Agulhas, Overberg, Plettenberg Bay and Walker Bay. Sights not to miss are Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront for shopping and dining, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Read more
Port Elizabeth
This major port city is well known for its fantastic choice of beaches including King’s Beach (great beach with kiosks, restaurants, mini golf and a go-kart track), Hobie Beach which is fantastic for windsurfing, and the beautiful Sardinia Bay. Victorian landmarks and to explore the Old Hill neighbourhood, take the Donkin Heritage Trail or big game viewing, visit Kragga Kamma Game Park.
Durban
This seafront coastal city is a colonial gem and the Golden Mile beach is a popular place for beach lovers and water sport enthusiasts. Come here for the great surf or just sunbathe! There’s also a huge theme park and aquarium in one, the uShaka Marine World, which is a fantastic place to take the kids.

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