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South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA HOLIDAYS SUMMED UP: The current Rand/GBP/USD exchange rate means that South Africa’s most luxurious properties are half the price they would be in other parts of Africa, although the safaris here are not as wild, they do offer some of the world’s most luxurious lodges and camps and the game viewing is still excellent. Head to the Waterberg for some time on a completely private reserve – walk with rhinos and gallop through the bush. The Kruger and Sabi Sands is by far the best place in Africa to see leopard – follow this with a wonderfully delicious stay in Cape Town, touring the Winelands, whale watching in Hermanus and driving the stunning garden route. If you have time the wild coastline of Kwa Zulu Natal is also magical. There is so much to see and do here but make sure you don’t pack too much in. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information on South Africa.
GET INTO THE WILDS: Track rhino at Marataba, spend the day with the anti poaching team in Madikwe, see the St Lucia wetlands, watch turtles hatch in Kwa Zulu Natal, dive with Great Whites, dive with whales, head out into the dusty Karoo, visit the Stellenbosch wine festival.
BEACH EXTENSION: Mozambique, Mauritius.
SOUTH AFRICA HOLIDAY LOCATION: Southern tip of Africa.
CLIMATE: Varied but Summer is Nov – Mar (hot with sporadic rain storms), and Winter is May – Aug (warm with rain in Cape Town, dry elsewhere) – South Africa is really a year round destination.
TYPICAL LANDSCAPE: Hugely varied from mountains to savannah, beaches to bush.
We fly to South Africa up to five times a year to make sure we’re on top of all camps and lodges we sell, and we’re always on the look out for off the beaten track properties that no one else knows about – you can rest assured you’ll always have access to the most current first hand information.
THE LUXURY SAFARI COMPANY’s Top South Africa Holiday Ideas (Click here to see more suggested safaris in South Africa)
Homely Cape Town, Winelands and Big Cats of the Kruger
Luxury South African safaris vary hugely in style, landscape and game species as the Republic of South Africa is made up of nine provinces which are all completely different. Easily reached from London Heathrow/New York (direct to Johannesburg or Cape Town), luxury South Africa holidays are usually made up of Cape Town and the Garden Route, followed by a thrilling safari in the Kruger or Eastern Cape, or a Kruger Safari followed by a luxurious Indian Ocean beach retreat in Mozambique, Mauritius or the Seychelles.
South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa and is probably Africa’s most famous country especially as a destination for a luxury safari, with a 2,798 kilometres of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. To the north lie Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, to the east Mozambique and Swaziland while Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa Territory.
South Africa has been rated as sixth most diverse country in the world, from the numerous hippos in the Limpopo river to the penguins making their happy home on the Cape this country has something for everyone so when planning your holidays to South Africa do not hesitate to let us know your preferences. This is a photographers paradise with the Kalahari’s wildflowers, the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town and the wildlife covered savannah of the Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is one of the best places in the world to see leopard, with a thriving population of these elusive cats. We recommend staying on a private concession in the Sabi Sands area, where you will be treated like royalty, will not see another soul, but will see the Big Five as well as numerous smaller species.
Kwa Zulu Natal’s wetlands have five distinct ecosystems attracting both zebra and dolphins and are a must when doing a South Africa tour, but make sure you have the time as Kwa Zulu Natal is further away than people think.
Cape Town also offers sophisticated attractions in theatres, restaurants, night clubs and shops. This beautiful city has been an attraction for tourists for years, and rightly so it’s residents are very proud of this developed and beautiful city. South Africans are some of the most cheerful and welcoming people in Africa and you will be made to feel at home from the moment you step foot in this extraordinary country.
South Africa has eleven official languages, the most prominent being Afrikaans, which originates from Dutch. South Africa is ethnically diverse with large communities of Europeans, Asians and racially mixed people living there.
South Africa’s interior is dry and sparse, with the Karoo providing stark contrast to the lush and well watered east coastline which has a similar climate to the tropics. To the North of Johannesburg the altitude drops and turns the bush into lower lying bushveld, an area of forest and abundant wildlife. These hugely varying climatic zones provide contrasting landscapes and topography, which make South Africa a dream destination for two or three trips.
The extreme South West of South Africa has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and hot dry summers – this is where much of the famous South African wine is produced, and is well worth a tour if you are staying in Cape Town or in the Winelands or on the green lush Garden Route. The area is also famous for its wind which blows throughout the year and is treacherous to sailors.
The magical Drakensberg mountains for the South-eastern escarpment of the Highveld, offering skiing opportunities in the winter. The world famous Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands Game Reserve offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the world, as well as varied birdlife and vegetation, such as the huge baobab trees and euphorbia plants.
For a rare unknown treat travel up to Madikwe or Tswalu Private Game Reserve in Northern South Africa – these two spots are well out of the normal tourist range and offer some exquisite game viewing as well as the opportunity to meet a group of habituated meerkats (at Tswalu). To combine a luxury South Africa safari with somewhere such as Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe or Namibia is one of the ultimate safari holidays you can do.
Mozambique is easily reached from the Kruger or Cape Town – the white sands of the Indian Ocean are a welcome sight after the bush and you will have time to relax and unwind before sadly heading home.
Riding safaris are also easily arranged in South Africa, with a number of outfits offering top quality horses, charismatic guides and unrivalled landscapes and savannahs within which to ride. This is a fantastic option for both adults and families – on that note South Africa is exceptional for families, especially those with young children as the Waterberg in Northern South Africa is malaria free, and offers some fantastic safari options.
South Africa also offers some exceptional value for money, with prices here being far more economical than other safari destinations – in South Africa you will get more for your money but be aware that the safari experience here is not quite as wild as the East African one for example – but can be equally rewarding.
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