South Africa Safari
South Africa Safaris - The Ultimate Adventure
The best-known country in Southern Africa, South Africa boasts a rich culture, interesting history, diverse destinations, and plenty to see and do, including some of the world’s best South Africa safari adventures! A South Africa safari offers an unforgettable experience, taking travelers on a journey through some of the world's most beautiful and iconic landscapes. From the wide-open savannas of Kruger National Park to the lush forests of KwaZulu-Natal, there is something for everyone in South Africa.
For those looking for a less traditional safari experience, South Africa also offers a huge array of attractions perfect for the vacationer, including city visits, stunning beaches and even balloon rides over the endless savannahs. Along with the abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, travelers can expect to find engaging cultural experiences in the local villages.
If you are on the search for the perfect all-inclusive safari in South Africa, let our team here at Sundowners Safaris create a personalized custom itinerary for you. For the best custom safaris South Africa has to offer, contact our team today and start packing for your dream vacation! Keep reading to learn more about popular areas to visit.
Where exactly is South Africa?
South Africa is located on the Southern most tip of the African continent. It is bordered in the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. To the south of the country you will find both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Reasons to Visit South Africa
South Africa is a vibrant, diverse, and exciting country filled with breathtaking beauty. From the iconic Table Mountain to the rolling vineyards of the Winelands, a South Africa safari offers a plethora of activities for visitors to enjoy. With over 2,000 miles of coastline, South Africans have an abundance of beautiful beaches to explore and relax on. The country is also home to some of the world's most majestic wildlife, including The Big Five (elephants, leopards, lions, rhinos, and Cape buffalo).
For adventurers and outdoor lovers, South Africa also offers endless choices of breathtaking scenic hiking trails through national parks, reserves, mountain ranges, rivers and canyons. Spectacular birdwatching opportunities compelling even the most experienced bird fanatics are also abundant in South Africa, as well as a diverse flora kingdom featuring lush indigenous vegetation.
For foodies or simply those looking for an out of this world experience, South Africa boasts an array of delicious selections with diverse cuisine influenced by many different cultures like Indian and African flavors. Visitors can also sample some of the best wines in the region which has become renowned for its production and tasting quality. Vacationers can enjoy beautiful white sandy beaches which provide the perfect getaway spot to simply relax or indulge in adrenaline-filled action ranging from shark dives to surfing. And lastly, no journey to South Africa would be complete without being awe-struck by its amazing abundance of wildlife enjoyed best via a luxury South African safari!
South Africa Highlights
From bustling, cultural rich cities such as Cape Town and Durban, to beautiful coastlines and beaches, and of course the world-famous game reserves, there's something for everyone in this magical country.
Cape Town
Some cities are worth visiting for their rich and diverse culture, amazing food scene, exciting nightlife, and extraordinary architecture while others have jaw-dropping natural beauty with awe-inspiring landscapes and coastlines. Cape Town is one of the few, fortunate enough to be blessed with all of the above! Sitting on the lower western tip of Africa, this wondrous place has so much to see and do. Take a tour around the Cape to view the beautiful landscapes and see where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. Visit the penguins at Boulders beach or ride the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain to experience the outstanding views and get a feel for the unique flora and fauna of the region. In the evening, dine at some of the best restaurants in the world, -by award-winning chefs such as Luke Dale-Roberts. Take a stroll through the vibrant V&A waterfront and enjoy a delicious cocktail or glass of wine with a harbor view.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach, near Simon’s Town, is an attractive beach with its ancient granite boulders shielding it from strong winds and severe waves, allowing young children to safely swim. The beach is very clean due to being managed by the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. It rarely has large crowds, with kids appreciating the rockpools close-by. But more than just having soft white sand and warm waters, 60 000 annual visitors come for the thousands of local African penguins that inhabit this beautiful beach.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is another must-see attraction whilst in South Africa. WIth an altitude of 1,086m recognizable from its southern skyline, its summit can be reached by a cable car and provides picturesque views of the Cape Peninsula. It is also often accompanied by a foggy 'tablecloth' that descends upon it.
Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope, the oldest functional building in South Africa, was built between 1666-1679 and is another popular attraction. It served as the seat of Dutch colonial government for over a century and currently acts as a military museum and art gallery.
Camps Bay Beach
Beautiful beaches in and around Cape Town are also popular, and include Camps Bay below the Twelve Apostles formation and suburban Muizenberg. For a scenic beach walk, Bloubergstrand (Blue Mountain Beach) north of the city centre is a great choice.
Winelands
About an hour outside Cape Town, a South Africa safari allows time to explore the South African wine region. Very doable as a day trip from Cape Town, you can explore some of the region's best wineries. If you love wine as much as we do, feel free to spend a night or two at one of the beautiful boutique hotels or winery properties in the area. The popular wine-making towns of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl all lie within easy reach of each other. Franschhoek (meaning French Corner) boasts the quaintest downtown with just one main street filled with trendy restaurants and coffee shops, cute boutiques and art galleries. Nearby Stellenbosch has over 200 wine estates to choose from; many of which are open to the public for visits and tastings. If you are wine tasting, make sure you try Pinotage, a red grape varietal unique to South Africa.
Hermanus
World renowned for its incredible land-based whale watching, this small seaside town on South Africa's western cape is worth a visit especially between the months of June to November. If you haven't gotten your fill of wineries or you skipped out on the winelands outside Cape town, do not fear; you can explore the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Its proximity to the ocean, above average rainfall and coastal winds make for some of South Africa's best Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs.
We love planning a well rounded South Africa itinerary for our clients. From Cape town, to wine tasting, and whale watching to safaris, we have you covered.
KwaZulu-Natal Province
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa's most ecologically diverse province, offers visitors a vast array of attractions. Beaches along the 200 km stretch of Indian Ocean coastline are perfect for snorkelling in temperate waters, sunbathing and beach side recreation. Durban stands proud as the provinces' third largest city with plenty for visitors to explore. The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is the provinces large Big Five destination where visitors may spot Africa's rhinos in their densest concentration.
The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park provides hikers and ramblers an opportunity to explore their botanical diversity, observe local birds or behold prehistoric rock art also awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Here visitors enjoy scenic vistas across 3000 metres high peaks as they traverse through valleys and forests that were once belonging exclusively to King Shaka Zulu. Also found in KwaZulu-Natal is iSimangaliso Wetland Park where abundant aquatic life can be discovered while cruising along the coast. Offering a myriad of both land activities alongside those on the water this UNESCO website site is teeming with unique wildlife and habitats that must be seen to be believed.
Durban
Located on the east coast of South Africa, Durban is a populous city and port. It has a subtropical climate, an Indian population and its main attraction is its beautiful beaches. The urban setting of Durban makes it a popular destination for those who are looking for a less touristy beach experience.
Durban beaches, fed by warm waters from the Indian Ocean, make for delightful visits during the summer months. The uShaka Marine World houses the largest aquarium of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and displays a variety of marine life such as dolphins, seals, sharks, rays, and penguins.
Durban is also home to both Common and Bottlenose dolphins who are often seen interacting with surfers. Its beaches are popular among domestic holiday makers, particularly during school holidays and long weekends. It provides visitors with a beach nirvana of subtropical Indian Ocean frontage and palm-filled expanses of broad white sand.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a biodiverse region of South Africa with a wide variety of terrain. Spanning 3,320 square km along the Indian Ocean coastline, it is the oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country and one of its largest protected areas. Five separate Ramsar Wetlands make up the park, encompassing everything from lush tropical forests to grasslands and coastal dunes. Biodiversity plays an important role here, with 129 terrestrial and aquatic mammals among other species inhabited in the area, making it one of the most diverse reserves in Africa. The park is also home to several iconic animals such as rhinos, elephants, coelacanths and whales that attract visitors from around the world.
Visitors to iSimangaliso Wetland Park can enjoy colorful aquatic wildlife such as hippos fighting for territory in Lake St Lucia or take pictures of lush palm groves along the five kilometers-wide Marine Section that holds some of Africa’s most southerly coral reefs. Jungle-swathed St Lucia Village at south end of park is a popular travel hub where guests can stay in quaint beach lodges or camp onsite to discover more about this wondrous landscape.
Gauteng, Kruger and the North
The vibrant Gauteng province of South Africa serves as the main air gateway to some of the country's most treasured safari destinations. At its heart is the iconic Kruger National Park and its bordering private reserves, where visitors can expect to get up close and personal with Africa's famed Big Five - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant. For those keen to avoid the slim risk of malaria associated with Kruger, Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserves in nearby North-West Province offer an attractive malaria-free alternative.
Gauteng is often referred to as South Africa's economic hub and for good reason. Despite covering a small fraction of the country's surface area, it supports a fifth of the national population and generates 10% of African GDP alone. The origin of its seSotho name – ‘Place of Gold' – points towards Gauteng's long-established ties to mineral wealth that has been drawn out from beneath its soil since Johannesburg was founded in 1886. Indeed, bustling Gauteng remains unapologetically commerce-driven and continues to draw visitors from near and far with its striking contrasts between uncompromising modernity and rural authenticity.
Kruger National Park and surrounding areas
One of the largest game reserves in Africa this famous park gets lots of visitors every year. For this reason we recommend to our clients to experience Kruger through a lodge in one of the adjacent private game reserves in the Greater Kruger region (one of our personal favorites being the Londolozi Game Reserve). These private game reserves sit on the unfenced western side of the park, offer less crowds, amazing five star camps and allow you to do certain things you can’t within the gates of the park such as off roading to get close to the animals and night drives.
The Kruger National Park is an immense 19,485 km² African safari destination boasting a wide array of wildlife, making it one of the continent's top attractions. One million visitors take advantage of this great park every year. The vast grasslands are home to 40,000 buffalo, 13,000 strong elephant herds, 4000 leopards and both white and black rhinos, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, warthog and monkeys. There's also an impressive range of reptiles including the Nile crocodile along with amphibians like the captivating tree-frogs which can often be heard during dusk waterhole vigils.
Kruger National Park contains several rivers and hilly areas too; while mopane woodlands dominate in the north and acacia trees in the south. Kruger also shares open borders with Gonarezhou (Zimbabwe) and Limpopo (Mozambique) national parks - contributing greatly to a larger transfrontier region. A truly remarkable place for any discerning safari fan or nature enthusiast; you'll be able to explore a wonderful diversity of life while embarking on adventurous tailored excursions amongst countless unique.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is often nicknamed "City of Gold" in reference to its gold-mining history. The provincial attractions include the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cradle of Humankind and the Soweto township, previously notable for being the first of its kind.
Ready For a South Africa Safari?
Safaris are not just about wildlife and nature, but also about engagement - engagement with the land, the people, and their culture. Our South Africa safaris provide visitors the opportunity to discover something new, whether you want to sit back and relax or have a wildlife experience unlike any other. If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure, a South Africa safari is sure to deliver!
Book Your Adventure Today!
Overall, South Africa is a great one stop destination to hit many of your bucket list Africa items. With easy international flight access and direct flights from the US to Johannesburg, this destination is a must visit. Sundowner. Safaris is here to help you make it happen. To book a trip with us, simply fill out the form on our website. We will need some basic information from you, such as your name, contact information, travel dates, and any other preferences you want that would help us plan the perfect safari for you.
You can also send us an email at info@sundownersafaris.com, and one of our safari experts will get back to you as soon as possible to accommodate your request.
Experiencing Africa's wildlife is a must-do for any nature lover, but it's also important to remember that a safari is a trip of a lifetime. That's what Sundowner Safaris is here for! We can curate custom safaris in South Africa that enable you to explore the beauty and culture of this country in-depth.
Sundowner Safaris is co-owned by one of Africa's most experienced private tour guides, and we pride ourselves on providing our guests with an authentic and memorable experience. We offer tailor-made safaris for all kinds of travelers, whether you're looking for a family-friendly trip, a romantic honeymoon or an action-packed adventure.
Contact us today to book your dream safari trip and to find out more about our incredible customized African safari packages.
Thank you to our hotel and lodge partners for the pictures.
Ready for the adventure of a life-time? Get in touch with the team to discuss your South Africa safari with the experts in luxury safaris.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions in regard to visiting South Africa and a South Africa safari. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team!
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
Are you ready for a vacation to South Africa? Depending on what you have planned, different times of year will provide the best experiences. For those looking for safari adventures, April to September is best - perfect temperatures, bush visible and wildlife gathering around limited water sources. Beach lovers should opt for the summer months of November to March. Special interest groups such as bird watchers and photographers could even go in the summertime to witness migrants birds and clear skies that offer photogenic backgrounds!
How is the wildlife viewing in South Africa?
Put simply, excellent! Kruger Park and its neighboring safari reserves offer boundless chances to spot the Big Five: rhino, leopard, cheetah, African wild dog and so much more. Look for them in Madikwe, Pilanesberg, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, or one of the smaller Eastern Cape game reserves. Not big on big cats? South Africa's natural parks host a wild array of antelope monkeys and small predators - perfect for hikers and bird watchers! Or get up close with local marine wildlife like whales, giant turtles and playful penguins!
How safe is South Africa for tourists?
In large cities, public safety initiatives have been put in place to reduce the incidence of crime. Although crime rates are generally high in certain areas, particularly within the CBDs of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, most visitors experience a safe and secure vacation if they follow a few simple precautions such as:
It is advisable to take electronic copies of important travel documents, such as scans or photographs, when traveling and to store these copies on devices or in emails. This is so that the documents can be accessed should they become misplaced or taken.
It is recommended that your luggage has a secure lock, as this will discourage theft and protect your belongings.
Keep all valuables, including cash, phones and electronic devices, securely stored in a hotel safe or on your person at all times, and show important documents such as your passport when requested.
