South Africa time and time again

If you’ve been to South Africa before, you’ll understand why it’s often cited as one of the world's most desirable destinations. But that first trip? It just scratches the surface.

First-time visitors fall in love with culture-rich Cape Town, the Winelands and classic Big Five safaris. On a return visit, the focus shifts elsewhere, where wildly different landscapes sit within easy reach of one another. From a fynbos-clad floral kingdom and ancient forests, to Zululand, where local communities are the heart and soul of dramatic mountain scenery shaped by South Africa’s poignant history, and onwards to a remote east coast of long sandy beaches and rolling dunes. In a country that delivers time and again, these are the experiences – and places – that make returning so rewarding.

Grootbos oysters

The food and wine are on another level

We’ve said it before, but South Africa’s food and wine alone is reason to return. A masterclass in produce-led cooking, the country excels at relaxed, confident dining, from home-cured cheeses and freshly caught seafood along the coast to generous cuts cooked low and slow over the braai.

In the Winelands, independent winemakers and quietly innovative chefs have brought new energy to graceful estates, where seasonal menus and standout wines enjoyed in sleek tasting rooms and sun-dappled gardens. By UK standards, the quality on offer represents exceptional value, making it all too easy to eat and drink extraordinarily well while you’re here.

KwaZulu-Natal, the well-rounded winner

KwaZulu-Natal packs a lot into a small footprint. Safari country, dramatic mountains, Zulu history and Indian Ocean beaches sit close together here, making it easy to experience wildlife, culture and coast in one well-paced trip. Plus, it's one of South Africa's best regions to visit during the UK summer, with warm days and plenty of sunshine across the region.

Our Zululand Safari is anchored at Ghost Mountain Inn, a characterful base in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Stay put and pick your pace, whether that’s Big Five game drives, boat cruises across Lake Jozini, guided walks in the Lebombo foothills, visits to Zulu homesteads or unwinding with spa sessions.

The KwaZulu-Natal Luxury Safari & Beach itinerary marries up a stay on the Dolphin Coast with safari thrills inland. Begin at a boutique beach house overlooking Thompson’s Bay, where you can swim in sheltered rock pools, wander coastal paths and spot humpback whales offshore in season, before travelling inland to a stylish lodge in MfulaWozi for game drives, bush walks and private plunge-pool downtime.

And for families, our KwaZulu-Natal Safari & Mountains Family Adventure combines the Drakensberg’s great outdoor playground with hands-on history and wide-eyed safari days in child-friendly lodges.

The Robertson Small Hotel

Under-the-radar Robertson

If you’ve already run rampage in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch’s wineries, Robertson should be next on the agenda. This still-secret country town sits on the longest wine route in the world, Route 62, and while you may have never heard of it, this charming area produces some of the country’s most refined sparkling wines in the rich limestone terroir. Nothing beats drinking world-class bubbly drenched in the golden afternoon light as the sun fades over the valley hills and rows of radiant vine.

Grootbos Nature Reserve

The Cape Floral Kingdom

Just a two-hour drive away from Cape Town, a pristine eco-paradise takes prime position in the Cape Floral Kingdom – a region of extreme diversity harbouring South Africa’s indigenous fynbos, 70 per cent of which you can find in this area alone generously cladding the coastal slopes. If sustainability is key for you when planning a holiday, this biodiverse hotspot has garnered significant accolades including a Florilegium exhibition of botanical illustrations that’s rated higher than the one at Kew Gardens.

Floral safaris in an open-air 4x4 delve you into the 35,000 hectares of botanical wilderness and enchanting milkwood forest with Tolkien-esque atmosphere. Highly knowledgeable guides keep you captivated whether teaching you the Latin names of its 900 plant species, about cross pollination or how controlled fires can fertilise the soil and bring to life new species of plant. At the coast around Hermanus and Gansbaai you can horse ride along the beach and inspect Stone Age caves.

Offshore is just as bountiful with whale watching between June and November and safaris in search of the Marine Big 5 – sharks, whales, dolphins, penguins and seals – admired from the cliffs, on adventurous boat trips or on a scenic flight. Experience all this at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.

Madikwe Safari Lodge – Dithaba Lodge

Far-out Madikwe Game Reserve

If you’ve ticked off South Africa’s Eastern Cape reserves, Madikwe Game Reserve in the north-east provides diverse, scenic landscapes and an extraordinary roster of game.

Due to its far-flung location and the fact the reserve does not permit day visitors, you won’t encounter the crowds that you might often find in better-known locations. Instead, a portfolio of private lodges offers exclusive-feeling safaris in search of the Big Five and other sought-after wildlife such as wild dog under imposing escarpments and undulating hills. The fact that it's a malaria free zone is another plus. Discover Madikwe’s delights, alongside one of the world’s great rail journeys, on our Cape Town, Rovos Rail and Madikwe Safari itinerary.

This feature was updated on 9th February 2026. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.