South Africa tours & holidays

Although ‘country of contrasts’ is a bit of a cliché...
What else do you call a place where you can experience penguins waddling on the Cape, lions stalking the bushveld, cinematic coastal switchbacks and burnt Kalahari sand, the oldest wine industry outside Europe and cutting-edge fusion cuisine? The beauty of a South Africa tour is being able to fit so much Africa into so little time. From the Stellenbosch Winelands to Kruger, Durban and beyond, this is a place where you can take your safari with a side of Pinotage. All in all, ‘contrast’ doesn’t really do South Africa justice.
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South Africa at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Pretoria (official, population 1 million); Bloemfontein (judicial, population 370,000); Cape Town (legislative, population 2.9 million)
POPULATION
49 million
CURRENCY
ZAR
LANGUAGE
Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Tswana, Swati, Tshivenda, Tsonga, North Sotho
TIME ZONE
(GMT+02:00) Harare, Pretoria
CALLING CODE
+27
ELECTRICITY
Type M (see D)
Learn more about South Africa
Best time to visit
South Africa is an excellent year-round destination. Winters are mild and dry and good for wildlife viewing. Summers can get very hot and humid, but they are perfect for visiting beaches and attending festivals.
Spring is ideal for viewing wildflowers in the Northern and Western Cape provinces. Autumn days are warm, and the nights cool.
Learn more about the best time to visit South Africa
The weather varies due to its size, ranging from freezing winter temps in the mountains of the Northern Cape to sweltering summer days on the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal.
The climate changes with the seasons, but you can expect most rainfall during the summer months (December-February) in the northern, southern and eastern provinces, while the Western Cape gets the majority of its rainfall in the winter (June-August).
History and culture
For centuries, South Africa has been inhabited by tribes hailing from different areas of the African continent, including the San and Bantu people. Around 1200 AD, Muslim traders, the Portuguese and the Dutch started establishing settlements.
When the British arrived in the 1800s, native people were used as slaves on plantations and were treated brutally, losing their land, culture and traditional way of life.
Notable in South Africa's recent history is the Apartheid era, a time when discrimination against black people was legalized. Until 1994, black people were unable to legally own land or vote in elections and education, healthcare, beaches and public places like cinemas were segregated. During this time, the country was ruled and controlled by the white minority.
After much international pressure and many attempts at reform, the Apartheid era ended in 1994, with Nelson Mandela stepping up to lead the nation as President.
South Africa’s culture is one of the most diverse in the world. From indigenous tribes like the Zulu, San Bushmen and Xhosa to the Afrikaners of Dutch heritage and immigrants of British descent, visitors can experience a magnificent melting pot of customs and traditions.
Although South Africa has made significant inroads towards peace and reconciliation since the end of apartheid, racial tensions are sometimes evident, and it is generally best not to contribute to this in any way. Overall, most travellers will find South Africans welcoming, appreciative of your visit and ready to share their homeland and stories.
Eating and drinking
South African cuisine is generally a combination of Indian, Dutch, English with tribal flavours and techniques.
Foods to try in South Africa:
1. Wine
South Africa is fast becoming one of the most interesting wine-producing regions in the world. Quality has risen steeply in the past decade, so if you’re visiting the Stellenbosch Wine Region, be sure to sample some fine reds, like Pinotage, which is world-class.
2. Seafood
With such easy access to the Indian Ocean and Southern Atlantic, South Africa boasts some of the best seafood dining experiences you’ll ever have. From an indulgent oyster platter at a Cape Town restaurant to a spicy seafood curry in Durban, the seafood here is fresh, cheap and flavoursome.
3. Biltong
Biltong tends to divide people. Some find this preserved, spiced meat snack impossible to refuse, and others simply can’t stomach it. Either way, it’s extremely popular and readily available in markets, supermarkets and shops throughout South Africa.
4. Boerewors
Another one for the meat-lovers, this coiled, spicy sausage is a South African delicacy best done on the barbecue. Flavoured with coriander, cloves and nutmeg, this is a meat born from South African and Dutch traditions.
Geography and environment
Located on the tip of Southern Africa, South Africa shares land borders with Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland. It also shares a long stretch of coastline with the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans.
The topography changes remarkably around the country, from the low-lying coast to the mountainous ranges of the Cape. This variance in topography makes South Africa rich in many species of flora and fauna, something that attracts many tourists and travellers from all over the world.
Top places to visit in South Africa
1. Kruger National Park
Welcome to one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa. This iconic national park has some of the ‘most-photographed’ animals in the world and is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species (including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog), so you have a pretty good chance of spotting some of South Africa's resident wildlife while on safari here. Visitors love capturing shots of lions hunting prey, elephants drinking at waterholes and cheetahs sleeping under trees. Mesmerising amber sunsets and rolling savannas only add to the atmospheric magic of it all.
2. Stellenbosch
The Stellenbosch wine region is the place to be to sample the country's most delicious drops. Surrounded by lush orchards and rugged mountains, it's a beautiful place to soak up the scenery while enjoying a glass (or two) of the region’s world-class reds.
3. Knysna
This quaint seaside town located on South Africa’s Garden Route is one of the most photogenic in Africa. Whether you’re snapping the boats in the harbour, the dolphins frolicking in the waves or the wild and rocky coast, it’s hard not to snap Knysna in a good light.
4. Soweto
Fans of street art will love capturing the murals and memorials of spirited Soweto. The gritty urban landscapes and candid faces make it simple to capture the soul of this endearing, inspiring community.
5. Cintsa
This gem of the South African Coast has retained a village atmosphere despite its growing popularity with tourists. The beaches, bays and rock pools provide sensational photography moments, especially at dawn and dusk when the sun gives off incredible, moody light.
6. Cape Town
Be captivated by the beautiful coast-meets-mountain landscapes of Cape Town. Hit up the city's famous Camps Bay to bask in the sun and swim in a natural rock swimming pool, hike to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views, admire the colourful buildings in Bo Kaap neighbourhood or watch life go by in one of the city's quirky cafes.
7. Durban
Brimming with golden beaches and glitzy nightlife, Durban is the perfect coastal city to catch some rays or sample South African cuisine. Try the city's famous bunny chow, take a scenic stroll along the Golden Mile promenade or learn about traditional African medicine at the Durban Muthi Market. The interesting mix of Indian, Muslim, African and European influences in Durban makes for great photography.
8. Lamberts Bay
The tremendously large colony of Cape Gannet birds who live off Lamberts Bay is often photographed - and with good reason. The sight of hundreds of birds tightly packed into a small space against a backdrop of azure ocean provides a unique, snap-worthy photo subject.
9. Johannesburg
Feel the buzz of urban Africa in Joburg, South Africa's largest city. Check out the cultural hotspots of Newtown, Braamfontein or Maboneng; learn about the country's sobering past at the Apartheid Museum, or venture outside the city to the Cradle of Humankind to see some of the oldest fossilised hominid remains on Earth.
10. Drakensberg Mountains
Use your wide-angle lens to capture the majestic Drakensberg Mountain Range in all its panoramic glory. This impressive mountain range is the highest in Southern Africa and provides a wide and wonderful scope for impressive postcard-worthy shots.
Money matters
The South African rand (ZAR) is the currency of South Africa. Foreign currency can be easily changed at exchange bureaus, which generally offer the best rates.
There are many ATMs in the big cities and regional towns of South Africa. Rural areas, national parks and small villages will have limited to no ATMs, so be sure to carry other payment options before travelling out of the big cities.
Many businesses and banks in Africa do not accept US dollar notes older than 2013. The slightest defects in bills can result in your dollars being rejected, so check for tears, marks, or other damage.
Credit cards are generally accepted in tourist shops and some restaurants across Africa. Smaller venues take cash only.
South Africa travel FAQs
Most nationalities will not need a visa to visit South Africa for up to 90 days. For more information, please visit South Africa's consular website or your itinerary's Essential Trip Information section.
To enter South Africa, you may also need:
A passport issued within the past ten years
A passport valid for at least 1 month beyond departure date
A valid yellow fever certificate
Proof of onward or exit travel
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
It's considered polite to tip service workers in South Africa, as most receive a small wage. As a general rule, add 10-15% to bills at cafes, bars and restaurants (if it hasn’t already been added). Tour guides, drivers, valets and porters should also be tipped (5-10 ZAR should be sufficient).
Tap water is usually safe to drink in South Africa’s cities; however, it isn't recommended in rural areas, and it's always best to err on the side of caution. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found. Some hotels we stay in will have drinking water available.
Internet access is easy to come by in South Africa’s large cities, but limited access should be expected in rural areas.
Mobile phone coverage is very good in South Africa’s large cities and towns but less so in rural and mountainous areas. If you want to stay connected to friends and family back home, ensure global roaming is activated, or pick up a local SIM or eSIM.
In South Africa you can expect mostly flushable, western-style toilets. However, areas like national parks and villages may have squat toilets.
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to South Africa directly support our foundation partner, Helping Rhinos.
Helping Rhinos
Helping Rhinos work alongside expert conservationists to create and expand ecosystems where sustainable populations of rhinos, and other critically endangered wildlife, can thrive. Donations from our trips support their all-female ranger program – the Black Mambas – which focuses on anti-poaching activities such as destroying traps, conducting routine vehicle stop-and-searches, installing camera traps and early warning technology, and monitoring suspicious activity.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.
Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.