Cape Town
Table Mountain by cable car, penguins at Boulders Beach, the drive to Cape Point and a lively waterfront. One of the world’s most beautiful cities, with food to match.
Best for Scenery, food, a few unhurried days
Why South Africa
South Africa pairs a world-class safari with Cape Town's mountain and ocean views and the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, all in one country.
Highlights
- Private reserves near Kruger
- Cape Town and Table Mountain
- The Winelands
- The Garden Route
Where to go in South Africa
The places our travelers love most, and what each one does best.
Getting around the classic route
- Johannesburg to the Sabi SandAbout 1 to 1.5 hours by small plane
- Kruger area to Cape TownAbout 2.5 hours by air
- Cape Town to FranschhoekAbout 1 hour by road
- Cape Town to HermanusAbout 1.5 hours by road
- Cape Town to the Garden RouteAbout 1 hour by air to George
- Johannesburg to Victoria FallsUnder 2 hours by air
The Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, under an hour from Cape Town, with Cape Dutch estates, mountain views and some of the country’s best restaurants.
Best for Wine lovers, couples, slow days
Hermanus
Southern right whales come close to shore from about June to November, often visible right from the cliff path. Peak sightings are September and October.
Best for Whale watching, coastal walks
The Garden Route
Lagoons, beaches and old forests between Mossel Bay and the Tsitsikamma, with Knysna and Plettenberg Bay as easy bases.
Best for Road trips, families, second-timers
Kruger National Park
Nearly 7,500 square miles of bushveld, home to lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo, with well-kept roads and restcamps.
Best for Big Five, classic safari
The Sabi Sand
A private reserve with no fences between it and Kruger. Intimate lodges, expert guides and trackers, and some of Africa’s most reliable leopard sightings.
Best for Luxury safari, photography
Malaria-free reserves
Big Five reserves in the Eastern Cape and Madikwe offer the full safari experience without malaria medication.
Best for Families with young children
Victoria Falls
One of the world’s great waterfalls, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, a short flight from Johannesburg. Sunset river cruises and helicopter flights are the highlights.
Best for An unforgettable add-on
When to go
May to September is prime safari season. October to April is best for the Cape.
Seasons here run opposite to ours, so Christmas falls in high summer. Safari is rewarding all year; the Cape is at its sunniest from October to April.
- JanCape summer, holiday buzz
- FebWarm, dry, harvest begins
- MarWine harvest, settled weather
- AprAutumn color, bush drying out
- MayDry season starts in Kruger
- JunCape rains, whales arrive
- JulCrisp bush mornings, great game
- AugWildflowers, whale season
- SepWhales peak, warm bush days
- OctPrime game viewing, Cape spring
- NovBaby animals, first rains
- DecLong beach days, holidays
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan0.6″
Feb0.7″
Mar0.8″
Apr1.6″
May2.7″
Jun3.7″
Jul3.2″
Aug3.0″
Sep1.6″
Oct1.2″
Nov0.6″
Dec0.7″
Jan4.4″
Feb4.3″
Mar3.1″
Apr1.6″
May0.6″
Jun0.4″
Jul0.4″
Aug0.3″
Sep1.1″
Oct1.6″
Nov3.4″
Dec3.8″
Average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Spring
September to November. Our favorite time to pair the bush and the Cape. Game viewing is at its best before the rains, whales linger off Hermanus into November, and Cape Town warms up with long, bright evenings.
Summer
December to February. Hot, green and lively. Cape Town and the Garden Route are at their sunniest and busiest, so we book well ahead for the holidays. Afternoon storms roll through Kruger, and the bush is full of young animals.
Fall
March to May. Calm, warm days in the Cape and harvest season in the Winelands, with vines turning gold by April. In Kruger the rains ease off and the grass starts to thin, making animals easier to spot.
Winter
June to August. Dry, sunny days and cold mornings in the bush, when animals gather at water. The Cape sees most of its rain, which brings green hills, cozy wine-country fires, whales arriving and good value at hotels.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every South Africa trip we plan is built around you.
Cape, Wine and Safari
Cape Town, the Winelands and a private reserve near Kruger.
Garden Route by Road
A self-drive along the coast from Cape Town.
Where you'll stay
Private safari lodges, Cape Town hotels and wine estates. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Check your passport pages
You’ll need two consecutive, completely blank visa pages, and a passport valid at least 30 days beyond your departure date. Airlines check this before boarding, so we confirm it early.
Malaria and health
Kruger and the Sabi Sand are in a malaria area. See your doctor or a travel clinic a few weeks before you go, or choose a malaria-free reserve if you prefer.
Pack soft and light
Small planes to safari lodges have strict luggage limits, usually around 44 pounds (20 kg) per person including carry-ons, in soft-sided bags. We can arrange to store extra luggage while you’re in the bush.
Layers for game drives
Even in warm months, dawn drives in an open vehicle can be chilly, and winter mornings dip into the low 40s. Lodges supply blankets; a fleece, hat and gloves help.
Traveling with children
South Africa has specific document rules for anyone under 18. Carrying each child’s birth certificate, plus a consent letter if a parent isn’t traveling, avoids delays at the border.
Tipping is customary
About 10 to 15 percent is usual in restaurants. At safari lodges, guides, trackers and staff are tipped separately, and we’ll share suggested amounts before you go.
South Africa questions
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
May to September is prime safari season. October to April is best for the Cape.
How long should I spend in South Africa?
Most of our travelers spend 10 to 14 days in South Africa. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to South Africa?
Yes. Every trip we plan to South Africa is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
Tell us about your South Africa dream.
Share as much or as little as you like. A member of our team will reach out personally to start shaping your trip.
Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164