South Africa is the perfect choice if you’re unsure where to head for your next holiday – whether you’re craving a beach retreat, a wildlife safari, an active getaway, or a cosmopolitan city full of modern attractions, South Africa has it all. Start your South African vacation with a visit to Cape Town, celebrated as the ‘best city in the world’, surrounded by beautiful views of mountains, beaches, and two oceans stretching into the distant horizon. JENMAN African Safaris provides a selection of Cape Town travel packages to suit anyone who wishes to experience the Mother City. If you are a history enthusiast, you can visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Take the cable car or hike up Table Mountain for a panoramic city view. Also, visit the Cape Winelands for wine tastings and picnics; mountains and green rolling hills surround the vineyards, making this region one of the most popular highlights in South Africa.
Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve allows Cape Town visitors to get up close and personal with Africa’s most famous animals, just a short drive from Cape Town. This tour is perfect for people wanting to enjoy a safari without sacrificing too much travel time in the country. Also, as the reserve is situated in the Western Cape, you will never need to worry about the risk of malaria. A one-day or two-day safari can easily and conveniently slot into your schedule and provide a fun excursion to enjoy some of the Cape’s most stunning flora and fauna.
Aquila Private Game Reserve is a 4-star family-friendly safari destination just a 2-hour drive from Cape Town. The 10,000-hectare conservancy is situated between the Langeberg and the Outeniqua Mountains in the Western Cape and is home to the Big 5. Game drives are offered on traditional safari vehicles, on horseback, or on quad bikes, each offering a unique experience with the wildlife at the reserve. Guests also have the opportunity to experience a fly-in safari by helicopter. The reserve has a large swimming pool with a poolside bar, serving cocktails and ice-cold beverages for socials.
Kruger National Park is the most famous national park in South Africa, situated in the northeast. It is also one of Africa’s largest game reserves, covering nearly 20,000 km². Home to the Big 5, as well as hundreds of other mammals, and more than 500 different bird species. Kruger National Park is a must-visit when traveling in South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal is a diverse South African safari destination with incredible mountains and beautiful coastal regions offering various options for exploration. Add a visit to Isimangaliso Wetland Park, the largest estuarine park in the country, to your itinerary to witness hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, flamingos, and many other species of birdlife.
The best time to visit South Africa depends on what you want to experience.
For wildlife safaris, the dry winter months from May to September are ideal, animals gather around waterholes and vegetation is sparse, making sightings easier in Kruger National Park and other reserves.
If you’re visiting Cape Town, the summer months from November to March bring warm weather, perfect for beaches, wine tasting, and scenic drives along the Garden Route.
Travel tip: Combine both, a summer visit to Cape Town and a winter safari in Kruger for the best of both worlds.
South Africa offers endless adventures and contrasts. Enjoy a Big Five safari in Kruger National Park, Addo Elephant Park, or private reserves like Sabi Sand. Discover Cape Town, with Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, and Robben Island. Drive the Garden Route for dramatic coastlines and forest scenery, or explore Drakensberg Mountains, Winelands, and Madikwe Game Reserve.
The official currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). It’s available in notes and coins and symbolised as “R”. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and lodges, and ATMs are easy to find. Carry a small amount of cash for tipping, markets, and remote stops.
The Kruger region and the northeast have hot summers (Oct–Mar) and mild, dry winters (May–Sept) ideal for safaris.
The Cape region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers (Nov–Mar) and cool, rainy winters (Jun–Aug).
The Garden Route is mild and temperate year-round.
Tip: Always check local forecasts before you travel, South Africa spans several climate zones.
Summer
Bring clothes that are cool, light, and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 – 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also, bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don’t forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).
Winter
The winters are generally mild, comparing favorably with European summers. But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jackets, jerseys or sweaters. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it’s advisable to bring rain gear along.
General
Always bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, as the sun can be strong even in the winter months. Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter. For game viewing, neutral-toned items are advised.
South Africa has excellent infrastructure and well-maintained roads. Travellers can easily fly between cities and safari regions, or choose self-drive options for flexibility. Guided tours and private transfers are also available for stress-free travel. Domestic airports connect Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Kruger’s regional hubs.
South African cuisine is a fusion of cultures and flavours. Enjoy local favourites like boerewors (grilled sausage), biltong, pap (maize meal), and Cape Malay curries. The Cape Winelands produce world-class wines. Tap water is safe to drink in most towns and cities, but bottled or filtered water is recommended in rural areas. Most lodges cater to all dietary preferences.
Hygiene standards for food health and safety in South Africa are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in all major cities in South Africa is safe to drink. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary. It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables, and salads and to add ice to your drinks. South Africa’s fish, meat, and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine. Restaurants are subject to South Africa’s food safety control legislation, which is implemented by the local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained. Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centers and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.
Yes, Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, lodges, restaurants, and airports. Mobile data coverage is strong across the country. Travellers can purchase local SIM cards from Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C for affordable data packages. Internet speeds are reliable in urban areas but may slow down in remote game reserves.
Electricity in South Africa runs on 230V using Type M and Type N plugs (three round pins). Many hotels and lodges provide universal adapters, but it’s best to bring your own. Power cuts (load shedding) can occur, though most lodges and hotels have backup generators. A power bank is useful for charging devices during drives or outages.
Yes, South Africa is safe to visit when travellers follow basic precautions. Tourist areas, safari lodges, and national parks are well managed and secure. In cities, remain aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying valuables, and use registered taxis or transfers.
Safety tip: Always listen to your guide during game drives and walks for your safety and the animals’ protection.
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of more than 90 countries can enter South Africa without a visa for tourism, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, and most European Union nations. Permitted stays range from 30 to 120 days depending on your passport, with 90 days common for most Western nationalities.
If your nationality is not on the exemption list, you apply for a visitor’s visa in advance through a South African embassy, consulate, or VFS Global application center. There is no visa on arrival, so this must be arranged before you travel.
South Africa is introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation to replace the older eVisa system. At present it applies only to ordinary passport holders from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico arriving through OR Tambo, Cape Town or Lanseria International Airports. The system is expected to expand to further nationalities and ports of entry, so check the official portal if you hold one of these passports.
Whatever your nationality, your passport should be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure and have at least two blank pages for entry stamps. Immigration officers may also ask to see proof of onward or return travel and sufficient funds for your stay.
Visa requirements change. Please confirm your own requirements with the South African Department of Home Affairs or your nearest South African mission before you travel, and speak to your Jenman consultant if you are unsure.
Yes. From 1 July 2026, every traveller entering or leaving South Africa must submit an online customs traveller declaration before travelling. This applies to all nationalities, including South African citizens and residents, and to children and infants, who need their own declaration completed by a parent or guardian.
You submit it no more than 24 hours before departure from the country you are flying from. If your journey has stops, that means 24 hours before the final leg into South Africa. A separate declaration is needed when you leave the country, so most safari travellers complete two: one on the way in, one on the way out.
You will need your passport details, flight details, contact details and, if applicable, details of anyone travelling with you. Ordinary personal belongings do not need to be declared. Goods, currency or financial instruments above the allowance do. Once submitted, you receive an email confirmation to save or print and show at the port.
Declare online at the SARS Traveller Management System or through the SATMS app on your phone.
Full details and app download options are available on the SARS traveller declaration page.
You complete a second customs traveller declaration for your departure, using the same system as your arrival declaration. Submit it no more than 24 hours before you fly.
At the airport, go to the customs office first if you need to register goods for re-importation, claim a VAT refund, or acquit goods you registered on arrival. Then proceed to immigration and your departure gate. If none of these apply to you, follow the instructions in your emailed declaration confirmation.
