{"id":10118,"date":"2019-10-29T10:20:34","date_gmt":"2019-10-29T10:20:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/?p=10118"},"modified":"2025-08-28T09:27:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T09:27:52","slug":"south-africa-safari-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/south-africa-safari-guide","title":{"rendered":"South Africa Country Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Africa<\/a> is the perfect destination for first time visitors, acting almost as a microcosm for the entire continent. With outstanding game viewing, white sandy beaches, world-famous restaurants and landscapes like you\u2019ve never seen before, you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice! We\u2019ve put together this South Africa country guide to try and help break it down for you and make choosing where to visit just that little bit easier.<\/p>\n

\"South<\/a><\/p>\n

Cape Town<\/h2>\n

As South Africa\u2019s<\/a> hub of art, culture and excellent beaches, Cape Town<\/a> tops many traveller\u2019s must-visit lists for a reason. It\u2019s an ideal summer city break and days can be spent trying out the excellent restaurants<\/a>, hiking epic mountains, visiting some of the many boutiques<\/a>, or relaxing on the sandy shores. And if all that wasn\u2019t enough, there are a plethora of day trips and overnight adventures within easy reach of town: drive up to the foodie hub of Paternoster<\/a>, camp out in the Cederberg Mountains<\/a> or take a trip out to Hermanus<\/a> to spot the famous whales. The Western Cape is your oyster – and you can sample some of those whilst you\u2019re here too!<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are a number of international flights that land directly into Cape Town, or you can fly into Joburg<\/a> and catch a connecting flight. Either way, it\u2019s an easy spot to reach from most places in Europe and further afield. There are also numerous flights connecting the Mother City to the rest of Africa (sometimes with a stopover, sometimes not) so tacking it onto a longer African adventure is as easy as pie.<\/p>\n

We\u2019d recommend hiring a car if you\u2019re planning to stay in Cape Town for a few days. It gives you the option to discover the less-crowded beaches, take day trips out to the rest of the Western Cape and even explore the famous Cape Winelands<\/a> (more on that below).<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Mother City is easily added into any South Africa safari and this trip<\/a> encompasses everything that\u2019s magical in the Western Cape. Start your adventure in Cape Town before journeying to the Cape Winelands, then onto the awe-inspiring Cederberg Mountains before ending in Paternoster, the gastronomic capital of the region. For those looking to visit more than one country, we\u2019d recommend our Highlights of Southern Africa trip<\/a> which will whisk you from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe<\/a>, to South Africa to visit Kruger<\/a> and Cape Town, and then a few nights on the tropical shores of Mauritius<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Cape<\/figure>
Cape Town<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"South<\/a><\/p>\n

Cape Winelands<\/h2>\n

You really can\u2019t visit the Western Cape without taking a trip to the famous Cape Winelands<\/a>. The area is a wine lover\u2019s heaven with glorious mountainside, rolling valleys and vineyards of all different styles producing award-winning wine and food. Franschhoek is probably the most famous village, full of French charm and quaint streets, but Stellenbosch is a heavy hitter that\u2019s home to some of the oldest Cape Dutch farms and a variety of excellent restaurants. The lovely, smaller towns of Paarl and Wellington are definitely worth an explore too. If you\u2019re looking to stay closer to Cape Town<\/a> then Constantia is a must with its world-class wine and delicious food, all within a half-hour drive of the city centre. And, if you\u2019re planning on visiting Hermanus<\/a> to see the whales, we\u2019d also recommend a trip to the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley<\/a> – pair the two together here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the smaller towns are of interest, we\u2019d recommend hiring a car and self-driving or even arranging a private driver. We\u2019d also suggest spending a least a night or two exploring the Cape Winelands – if only so you don\u2019t have to get back to Cape Town after a lovely day sampling wine! In Franschhoek, the wine tram is an excellent way to see multiple wine farms in a day without having to argue about who\u2019s driving, and Constantia is easily reached either by private car or Uber (can you tell we\u2019re trying to maximise your opportunities to sample wine and not have to drive?!).<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can add the Winelands into just about any Cape Town trip as the area is so easy to access from the Mother City. We love our South Africa in a Nutshell<\/a> trip that visits both Cape Town and the Winelands, and spends a few days of your South Africa safari in the Kruger<\/a>. For those who have wine and wildlife at the top of their Africa to-do list, our Grapes and Game Parks<\/a> route will take you to the same destinations, adding in Madikwe<\/a> and Tswalu Kalahari<\/a> for some additional big game spotting on your South Africa safari.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Cape<\/figure>
Cape Winelands<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"South<\/a><\/p>\n

Garden Route<\/h2>\n

The Garden Route<\/a>: probably the trip that comes to mind for most people when they start planning a South Africa\u00a0safari<\/a>. The route is an incredible drive that takes you from Mossel Bay and almost the entire way along the country\u2019s southern coast, to Plettenberg Bay. Driving the Garden Route will introduce you to the wildly varied landscapes of South Africa and you\u2019ll see everything from incredible coastlines and pine forests to lush jungle-esque national parks – there really is no better way to understand the topography of the country. We also love the \u2018alternative\u2019 garden route, a drive that will take you through the arid Karoo (which looks bizarrely like the Wild West!) to old Cape Dutch towns such as Oudsthoorn, Prince Albert and Graaf Reinet.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Garden Route is an epic road trip, so we\u2019d recommend starting in either Cape Town<\/a> or Plettenberg Bay, hiring a car and driving the whole thing, from top to tail. There are a host of interesting spots to stop at including Wilderness, Knysna and Storms River, so you certainly won\u2019t be short of places to lay your head. You can also drive the alternative inland route that we mentioned above and see some of the country\u2019s less-visited (and all the better for it) destinations.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Self-drive Garden Route<\/a> trip is the classic one, and you\u2019ll be able to embark on your own adventure through the Cape Winelands<\/a>, Hermanus<\/a> and along that famous route, hire car in tow. Then there\u2019s the Alternative Garden Route<\/a> that will take you through the rarely explored Karoo and it\u2019s quirky, story-filled towns. If you would like to include some wildlife watching, then it\u2019s this trip<\/a> that\u2019s for you: it still incorporates the best of the self-drive Garden Route but will take you a little further afield and into the Eastern Cape<\/a> for a spot of safari at the end.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Garden<\/figure>
Garden Route<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\n
\"South\"South<\/figure>
South Africa<\/span>
Design your own trip<\/div>\n Choose a destination, pick your properties and we'll do the rest<\/span>\n
Design a trip<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"South<\/a><\/p>\n

KwaZulu-Natal<\/h2>\n

Located in the east of South Africa<\/a> and approximately the same size as Portugal, KwaZulu-Natal has some incredible offerings if you\u2019re looking for something a little different. Hikers should head to the epic peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains<\/a>, divers and snorkelers will enjoy underwater adventures amongst the corals of the Elephant Coast<\/a>, wildlife enthusiasts will find everything they\u2019re looking for in the sub-tropical sanctuary of Phinda<\/a>, and even history buffs won\u2019t be disappointed with a tour of the battlefields<\/a> of the region. The list of things to do is (almost!) endless and if you chose to spend a week of your South Africa safari here, you\u2019d more than definitely be able to fill it – and maybe even wish you\u2019d stayed longer.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Durban<\/a> is the central hub of the KwaZulu-Natal region and easily accessed both internationally and within Africa. Whilst there, check out some of the local gourmet specialities; with the largest Indian population outside of India, you won\u2019t be disappointed by the tastebud-tingling selection of food on offer and a must-try is the specialty of the city, bunny chow. Again, hiring a car is probably the best option if you want to hit all of KZN\u2019s top spots during your stay.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a KZN adventure, there\u2019s no better place to begin than with our Explore KwaZulu-Natal<\/a> trip. This itinerary will take you from the buzzing metropolis of Durban to the genteel surroundings of the Midlands<\/a>, up the towering peaks of the Drakensberg, onto the historically significant battlefields and drop you at the warm, blue waters of the Elephant Coast. If history and wildlife is more your pace then our South Africa for Culture Vultures trip<\/a> is the one for you, and if you\u2019d like to pop into neighbouring Lesotho<\/a> then try this off-the-beaten-track adventure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Phinda<\/figure>
Phinda<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"South<\/a><\/p>\n

Kruger<\/h2>\n

Arguably the most famous game reserve in Southern Africa<\/a>, Kruger<\/a> has secured its reputation with a diverse variety of wildlife and an even more enormous selection of places to stay, suitable for every budget. The neighbouring private game reserves of Sabi Sands and Timbavati also draw large crowds with their luxury lodges and almost unmatched predator count. Head to the former to get up close and personal with an unprecedented number of big cats<\/a>, and make a beeline for the latter if it\u2019s the rare painted dogs you\u2019re hoping to see. And if you\u2019ve ever heard of the Big Five<\/a>, the Kruger is famous for delivering them. So, if you\u2019re trying to fit a lot into a small amount of time, this game-rich area is definitely the spot for a true South Africa safari!<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kruger always looks a little complicated to get to when you start to research so let us try and help break it down. There are multiple airports for the park and wherever you are, one of them should be within easy reach. From Joburg<\/a>, you can reach all of the four main airports (Skukuza, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa) with a short flight, and from Cape Town<\/a> you can access all but Phalaborwa. Once at the airport, you\u2019ll take either a lodge transfer or a private transfer to get to where you\u2019re staying and our team will advise which is best for you. To save some pennies, you can also fly to Joburg and drive up to the Kruger – it\u2019s approximately a five hour journey – or, at the other end of the scale, take advantage of the scheduled charter flights that land on the smaller airstrips within the reserve that are closer to the action (and your lodges). And if you\u2019re feeling really fancy, why not take the famous Blue Train from Pretoria to Hoedspruit<\/a> and really travel in style?<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because of the many travel options available, Kruger is an easy place to add into most South Africa safari itineraries. We love it as part of two of our most popular itineraries, The Highlights of Southern Africa<\/a> and South Africa in a Nutshell<\/a>, but it also slots in nicely to most multi-destination trips. All in One<\/a> is a spectacular choice that includes Victoria Falls<\/a>, Kruger National Park and Reunion<\/a>, and another good option is Lions & lemurs, a journey through South Africa and Madagascar<\/a> that does exactly what it says on the tin and you\u2019ll come face to face with the iconic Big Five before jetting off to Madagascar\u2019s<\/a> jungles and beaches.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Kruger<\/figure>
Kruger<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n

\"South<\/a><\/p>\n

The unexplored north<\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard of most of the spots we\u2019ve covered so far, but what about a South Africa safari<\/a>\u00a0in the less-travelled northern region? Madikwe Game Reserve<\/a> is a wonderful alternative to the Kruger<\/a>. Here, you can still expect to spot the Big Five as well as wild dog and cheetah (with these additions they\u2019re known as the Madikwe Super Seven!), all against the stunning backdrop of that romantic, red earth. Also in the north you\u2019ll find the beautiful Waterberg<\/a> region, another wildlife hotspot with storybook surroundings packed with sparkling streams, intricate trees and looming, sandstone cliffs. For something a little different, there\u2019s Tswalu Kalahari<\/a>, South Africa\u2019s arid desert region. Here, you\u2019ll learn the ways of the Khoisan and have the chance to spot rarer creatures such as black-maned lion, pangolin and aardvark<\/a>. Another selling point (if you even need one) is that each of these regions is free from malaria, making them worry and hassle-free, especially if you\u2019re considering taking the kids.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like most spots in South Africa, these three areas are relatively easy to reach (by African standards at least!) and you can fly into all from Joburg<\/a>, and from Cape Town<\/a> to Tswalu. Madikwe and Waterberg are also good options for those on a budget as both are within reasonable driving distance from Johannesburg.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Grapes and Game Parks<\/a> trip includes the wildlife of Madikwe and Tswalu Kalahari, as well Cape Town and of course, a chance to sample the area\u2019s finest export, wine! For an adventure everyone can enjoy, our Family Escape in South Africa & Mauritius<\/a> will tick all the boxes, combining a South Africa safari in the beautiful Waterberg and Madikwe before heading off for some island time in Mauritius<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Madikwe<\/figure>
Madikwe<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\n
\"Wizard\"Wizard<\/figure>
Not sure where to go?<\/div>\n Answer a few simple questions to get instant trip recommendations<\/span>\n
Start the wizard<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Safaris, sandy shores and multicultural cities <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":10129,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[112],"tags":[2139,40,2273,42,4502,52,3985,3218,134,1239,2547,3765,3768,4845,3580,4807,4080,1344,1240,536,4805,67,3782,2546,2548,4810,4800,3314,4445,3755,139,4808,160,75,3753,4809,4803,3160,4801,3223,3584,3764,3842,2178,1519,3552,3326,4804,1222,3290,87,93,95,3222,4806,3335,3815,3237,4084,3233,4802,3551,3039,3224,9001,1429],"class_list":["post-10118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-adventure","tag-africa","tag-africa-travel","tag-african-safari","tag-beaches","tag-big-five","tag-big-five-safari","tag-blue-train","tag-cape-town","tag-cape-winelands","tag-cederberg","tag-cederberg-mountains","tag-constantia","tag-country-planning-guides","tag-durban","tag-eastern-caope","tag-elephant-coast","tag-family","tag-franschhoek","tag-garden-route","tag-graaf-reinet","tag-guide","tag-hemel-en-aarde","tag-hermanus","tag-hiking","tag-hoedspruit","tag-joburg","tag-johannesburg","tag-karoo","tag-knysna","tag-kruger","tag-kwa-zulu-natal-battlefields","tag-kwazulu-natal","tag-madikwe","tag-madikwe-game-reserve","tag-midlands","tag-mossel-bay","tag-mother-city","tag-mountains","tag-paarl","tag-paternoster","tag-phinda","tag-planning","tag-planning-guide","tag-planning-guides","tag-plettenberg-bay","tag-pretoria","tag-prince-albert","tag-restaurants","tag-sabi-sands","tag-safari","tag-south-africa","tag-south-africa-safari","tag-stellenbosch","tag-storms-river","tag-timbavati","tag-timbavati-game-reserve","tag-tswalu-kalahari","tag-tswalu-kalahari-reserve","tag-waterberg","tag-wellington","tag-western-cape","tag-wilderness","tag-wine","tag-wine-vineyards","tag-winelands"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOur 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