Tailor-made South Africa Holidays

Time difference: GMT +2

Flight time: London + 11-12 hours

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Language: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa

Electricity: 220-230v

Telephone code: +27

Tipping: Tipping is customary in South Africa, but not compulsory. If you have received good service, and if it has not already been included in the bill, then 10-15 per cent is usual in restaurants. Ten to fifteen rand per bag is recommended for porters. Most safari lodges provide tipping guidelines in the room. Safari rangers and trackers are normally tipped directly and a general staff tip box is often available to be shared with the rest of the lodge staff.

Etiquette: South Africa is a very welcoming country, and you will often be greeted by a beaming smile and refreshments. When eating, it is often considered bad manners to leave food on the plate. If you are visiting rural villages, respect should always be shown to elders and always ask permission before taking photographs. When travelling on the Blue Train or Rovos Rail, evening dinner is an elegant event and guests should dress for the occasion with gentlemen expected to wear jackets.

Religions: Under the South African constitution, everyone is free to worship any faith. Following the arrival of the Dutch and British settlers, over 80% of South Africans are Christian with many following the Zion Christianity faith. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism make up the remainder. Traditional African religions are also celebrated with the Zulu culture visiting sangomas for their spiritual healing.

Visas: You can look up the latest advice on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa. Please be aware that this information can change at short notice.

Vaccinations: Health risks vary depending on the destination so it’s essential to check the specific vaccination and hygiene requirements for South Africa on the NHS Fit for Travel website.

South Africa is a year-round destination although there are seasonal variations dependent on which part of the country you are visiting. From November to March, it is humid and there are occasional afternoon and evening storms, but this is the best time to travel for birding, and temperatures remain warm at 22°C to 33°C. 

Christmas and New Year is when the South Africans have their main summer and school holidays so beaches, particularly in and around Cape Town, will be busy and advance booking of restaurants may be necessary. 

June to September is the dry season for safaris around Kruger National Park but expect cold starts on the morning game drives. This is one of the best times to see wildlife as the grasses are short and the animals often congregate around the diminishing waterholes. It can be rainy in the Kruger area from November to February but an ideal time for bird watching. Whales can often be seen from June to November around Hermanus. 

The best time to visit KwaZulu-Natal, the Drakensberg and Battlefields is from May to August. The days are pleasantly warm, but it is cooler at night, layers are a must. 

From the three international airports at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, there is excellent connectivity to the rest of South Africa. The country benefits from an efficient domestic airline network linking the major cities. Many of the safari lodges conveniently have their own private airstrips or are just a short game-drive from one of the three airports serving Kruger National Park.

A journey on the luxurious Blue Train or Rovos Rail, connecting Cape Town and Pretoria, showcases South Africa’s beautiful landscapes.

A popular way to explore the Cape Peninsular and the Garden Route is to rent a car and explore the country at your own pace. Driving is on the left-hand side and the roads and major attractions are generally well signposted. The vineyard-clad hills of the Winelands can easily be accessed by car from Cape Town, although if you want to do some wine tasting then the Wine Tram offers a hop-on hop-off service between a variety of wine estates throughout the Franschhoek valley.

Due to favourable exchange rates, South Africa offers excellent value when it comes to dining out. Due to its multi-cultural diversity, the variety of food on offer is exceptional. From freshly caught seafood along the Garden Route to delicious Cape Malay cuisine from the Bo Kaap in Cape Town. KwaZulu-Natal is famous for its bunny chow, a hollowed-out loaf, filled with a spicy curry whilst a visit to the Winelands region provides the opportunity to wander the quaint towns and sample the offerings from the delicatessens, cheese and chocolate shops.

South Africa’s wines are internationally acclaimed although it is rumoured the best wine is kept in the country so it’s worth visiting some of the smaller boutique wineries for some tastings.  Craft beers and gin, infused with botanicals from the Cape floral kingdom, are also popular.

There is no compromise when it comes to food whilst on safari. Expect impressive brunches after your morning safari and a quintessential high tea with home-baked cakes before setting off on your afternoon game drive. A sundowner drink is customary, and quite a magical experience when you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. A traditional braai (South African barbecue) in a boma under the African night sky is the perfect way to end your safari experience.

From designer shopping malls to traditional craft markets, South Africa has plenty to entice the visitor. Sandton City, Fourways Mall and Melrose Arch are just some of the vast shopping malls in Johannesburg. If you are in the city on a Sunday, then head to Rosebank for its famous roof top market. There are plenty of food stalls and entertainment to keep you going as you browse the antiques, crafts and artwork.

The glitzy malls of Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront are just a short walk from The Red Shed Craft Warehouse where you can see artisans at work. Popular purchases are beadwork, textiles and wood carvings. Haggling is expected in the markets.

Most hotels and safari lodges have small boutiques selling the essentials.

With its multi-cultural heritage, South Africa celebrates festivals and national holidays throughout the year.

In January the streets of Cape Town come alive when over 10,000 minstrels celebrate Kaapse Klopse in a colourful parade of music and dancing.  The Cape Town Jazz Festival is normally held in March whilst the Knysna Oyster Festival is a great family event held in June or July. Also at this time the National Arts Festival is held along the coast at Grahamstown.

If you are visiting the Cape in September, then it’s worth heading to Hermanus for its whale festival. It’s a great carnival atmosphere to celebrate the southern right whales that can often be seen off the coast from June to November. If you are lucky, you may get to see the whales breach.

Important National holidays include Freedom Day on 27^th April to commemorate the first post-apartheid elections and the Day of Reconciliation held on the 16^th December, to celebrate the end of apartheid.