South Africa holidays: Cape Town, the Winelands, Garden Route and safari
Table Mountain above the city, vineyards an hour away, a coast road with whales and safari in Kruger. South Africa is the easiest way to combine city, wine and wildlife in one trip.
Cape Town
Photo: katsuma tanaka / Unsplash
South Africa at a glance
You are on top of Table Mountain, and below you are Cape Town, the harbour and Robben Island in the Atlantic. Tomorrow you will drive an hour inland and have lunch among the vines in Franschhoek. South Africa is a big country, but the best trips centre on two regions: the Western Cape in the south-west and safari country around Kruger in the north-east.
The currency is the South African rand, and prices are low for visitors from the UK. There is little or no time difference with London, so no jet lag. For more of the continent, see our Africa travel guide.
How to plan your trip
Cape Town, for city, mountain and sea
Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap and the beach at Camps Bay. Drive Chapman's Peak to the Cape of Good Hope and stop for the penguins at Boulders Beach.
The Winelands, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
Less than an hour from Cape Town are wine estates with world-class restaurants. Stay at least two nights and let someone else drive.
Hermanus and the Garden Route, for whales and coast
From June to November southern right whales come into the bay at Hermanus. The Garden Route continues east along the coast with forests, lagoons and beach towns such as Plettenberg Bay.
Kruger and Sabi Sand, for safari
Kruger National Park is one of Africa's largest, and the private reserves of Sabi Sand next door have some of the continent's best lodges. Read more in our South Africa safari guide.
Leopard
Photo: Marcelo Novais / Unsplash
When to go
November to March: summer in the Western Cape, warm and dry. Perfect for Cape Town and the Winelands.
May to September: dry season in Kruger, the best time for safari. Cold and wet in Cape Town.
June to November: whale season in Hermanus.
April and October: good shoulder months to combine everything.
Good to know
A hire car works well in the Western Cape. They drive on the left, as in the UK.
Follow local advice on areas to avoid, and do not walk alone in cities at night.
The Kruger area is a malaria zone. See a doctor before you travel.
There are direct flights from London to Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Where to stay
In Cape Town, Mount Nelson, One&Only and Cape Grace are the classics, and in the Winelands you will find Delaire Graff and Babylonstoren. All are in our South Africa hotel guide, along with five more. The safari lodges around Kruger, such as Singita, Londolozi and Royal Malewane, are booked directly with the lodges and are not in the guide. Read more in our South Africa safari article.
Frequently asked questions about South Africa
How long should I spend in South Africa?
Two weeks give you time for Cape Town, the Winelands and three nights on safari. Add a week to drive the Garden Route.
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
October to April for Cape Town and the Winelands, May to September for safari in Kruger.
Can you combine Cape Town and safari?
Yes. Flights from Cape Town to the Kruger area are short, and many lodges have their own airstrips.
Is South Africa safe for tourists?
Most visitors have a safe trip, but crime is high in parts of the country. Follow the advice of your hotel and guides.