Discover South Africa
South Africa’s rich and varied landscapes are some of Africa’s most accessible thanks to flight connections from all over the globe. Once you’re here, we’ll make sure your time on the ground is just as well spent whether you’re looking for a luxury safari on a private game reserve, a lavish weekend of wine touring, a hiking expedition in Drakensberg Mountains – or all of the above.
Beautiful South Africa is one of our top destinations and it’s easy to understand why. With malaria-free safaris, world-class golf, scuba diving, journeys by steam train, cosmopolitan cities and remote lodges, there’s nowhere quite like the Rainbow Nation for diversity of people, places and activities.
The biodiversity here is particularly exquisite. South Africa is home to rare mammals like bat-eared foxes, aardvark, pangolin, African wild dogs and the black-footed cat. The Big Five are here too, of course, along with impressive numbers of kudu, giraffe, hippo, wildebeest, zebra and more. This is a safari dream destination by any standard.
- A versatile holiday haven all year round.
- Luxurious safari experiences in private game reserves.
- Home to rare wildlife including aardvark and black-footed cat.
- Exceptional food and wine tours in Cape Town.
- Countless outdoor activities including golf, scuba diving and hiking.
- Exclusive accommodations across diverse landscapes.
This is one of the world’s great cities. From its peninsular position beneath the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town has centuries of history as a trade hub between Europe and Asia and the multicultural influences are palpable.
Spanning 450 miles along the coast between the Winelands and Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route yields breathtaking panoramic views over the sea, coastal forests, mountains and vineyards.
Kruger National Park is South Africa’s best-known wildlife region, spanning 7,500 square miles over the northeast to the borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. We recommend exclusive lodging on private reserves adjacent to the park.
The coastal province of KwaZulu Natal stretches from the border of Mozambique to Durban, South Africa’s third largest city. This sub-tropical region is where Zulus, the Boers and the British collided.
South Africa has several outstanding malaria-free wildlife reserves. Madikwe is the largest and its climactic landscape of volcanic hills, expansive plains and winding rivers is a breathtaking backdrop for the private lodges within.
Tucked away in the Limpopo province, the pristine Waterberg region doesn’t make it into most traveller’s itineraries – which, along with a phenomenal array of mammals and birds, is part of the appeal.
Within a two-hour radius of Cape Town are the Cape Winelands. Settled some 300 years ago by Huguenot farmers fleeing persecution in Europe, many of today’s independent wine estates still bear their names.
The Drakensberg Mountains are at once lush and rugged. Ranging in elevation from 6,000 to more than 11,000 feet, this mountain range in KwaZulu Natal offers unparalleled hiking, birdwatching and flyfishing.
With the Big Five of both land and sea, incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.With the Big Five of both land and sea, incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
You may venture to Africa numerous times and fail to encounter a leopard; it is the most elusive of the Big Five animals that pose the most danger to humans on foot. This is where the private reserves bordering Kruger National Park come into their own, renowned as places where lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and – most importantly – leopard, can be seen on a regular basis.
Staying in the midst of the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, you will benefit from access to the vast wildlife populations moving in and out of the Kruger National Park but without any of the crowds. And, just like you, leopards don’t like crowds, so prepare to spot the lesser-spotted spotted cat.
Stretching for 124 glorious miles (200km) through the Western Cape, the Garden Route of South Africa is one of the world’s iconic drives. It’s a self-drive heaven, though you could opt to have a driver so that you can concentrate on the parade of awesome views, to say nothing of allowing yourself a few glasses of wine.
There is no end to the possibilities for hiking, kayaking in the lagoons, picnicking on dramatic beaches, whale watching, diving with sharks, playing golf, visiting elephant sanctuaries and ostrich farms, or communing with the penguins. Every bend in the road produces new dramatic vistas and even more new experiences.
Stunning Table Mountain is the number one attraction in Cape Town and can be accessed via numerous hiking trails, all offering fantastic views over the city.
Surrounded by gorgeous proteas amongst the fragrant vegetation of the Cape fynbos, you will appreciate why this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the most adventurous travellers, a guided hike at dawn is the way to experience this thrilling mountain. There’ll be a breakfast welcome at the top as you soak up the views before heading down by cable car to save your precious knees.
There’s a unique and elegant way of touring the world-famous vineyards of Franschhoek, South Africa; a double-decker and open-air tram.
Operating on a loop route, this innovative tram/bus hybrid vehicle offers ten hop-on and hop-off lines so that passengers can enjoy a whole variety of wines, views and experiences. Given that you may well have had a tipple or two, it helps that the lines are colour-coded and easy to understand. There’s narration too, so that the journey is a learning experience.
A 7ft by 9ft cell on Robben Island, with a solitary bulb burning day and night, was the austere and lonely home of Nelson Mandela for 18 years. On release in 1990, he went on to become South Africa’s president and took his deserved place in the pantheon of the world’s greatest humans.
Christo Brand was lucky enough to get to know him, as a young prison warder and then as a friend, and you will be able to spend personal time with Christo before taking a flight by helicopter to the stark, mysterious and disturbingly beautiful island where both men – in their different ways – spent time. The views of the Atlantic seaboard and the vineyards on the flight to and from the island are spectacular and uplifting, as is the human story of the transformation of South Africa under Nelson Mandela.
Since the first pioneering African (Jackass) penguins ventured onto Boulders Beach in 1985, this land-based colony of what is normally a rare and endangered bird has grown to more than 2000 individuals. They seem to love the life in Simon’s Town, a suburb of Cape Town.
Nothing beats getting up-close and personal with these lovable creatures, though take care not to invade their personal space; they have a tendency to bite! You will see them float and dive, swim with ease under water, waddle up and down the beach and generally be very cute, from the enviable water-level position of a kayak.
South Africa is a country that abounds in opportunities to encounter wildlife, from the small, harmless and pretty to the downright big and dangerous. On the land, adventurers seek sightings of the Big Five land animals, but here at Journeysmiths we also suggest going to the coast to see the Marine Big Five: a great white shark, the southern right whale, the bottlenose dolphin, the Cape fur seal and the African penguin.
All these are on the cards when you venture out into the waters of the Western Cape coastal region, Gansbaai and the Southern Peninsula. We suggest starting with the unforgettable experience of watching whales from the shore at Hermanus, where the world’s only whale-caller will blow his horn to announce when whales have been spotted.
Each night between November and January on the KwaZulu beach of Sodwana Bay, loggerhead turtles emerge from the Indian Ocean to lay their eggs in the soft white sand, as they have done for millions of years.
To the soundtrack of rushing waves, and with the beam of your torch, you can search for these beautiful creatures as they surf in on the waves and struggle landwards to their chosen nesting site before they begin the arduous labours of digging. You will be amazed by the size and willpower of these single-minded mothers.
As part of the apartheid history of South Africa, townships are places of cultural significance and should be on the itinerary of any truly interested traveller. They’re also the homes of vibrant communities, as well as places of hope where many great things are happening.
On a trip to a township, you will see different types of housing and socio-economic areas including worker hostels and informal settlements. You will see self-help and charity-funded improvements, you’ll speak to residents, and you may be treated to traditional music or even a gumboot dance. By taking a tour in a township, the money you pay will go towards improvements in these traditionally under-resourced communities.
Diving with sharks is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is without doubt an unforgettable encounter and it’s available with minimal instruction and no previous experience. On a cage diving adventure in the Cape Town region, you will certainly see Copper Sharks, and almost always there’ll be a stealthily sinister but awesome Great White looming up into the mix.
These predators are typically more than 5m in length and there will be only a few bars between you and them. The trip out in the boat will often yield sightings of other wonders of the marine environment such as whales and dolphins. You may need to go into adrenaline detox after this adventure.
La Residence is the finest boutique hotel in the Cape Winelands. The main house is reminiscent of a French country chateau and is set in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley surrounded by classic Cape Winelands scenery and overlooking a peaceful lake. The hotel is decorated and furnished in style with French antiques, Persian carpets and oil paintings, yet a friendly informal atmosphere prevails.
Singita really does have the last word in luxury safari experiences, and Singita Boulders is no exception. The location is superb, the game viewing rich, and the lodge is a model of sustainability which other properties should strive to emulate.
Thanda Safari Lodge invites you to experience ultimate luxury and world-class service.
Ellerman House describes itself as being for ‘discerning guests accustomed to the finer pleasures of life’ and everything about this glorious hotel reflects that statement. The Cape Town mansion we’d all have in our dreams, it’s a superb Relais & Chateaux hotel with unrivalled views across the manicured gardens to Robben Island, and the beyond to the bay. Perhaps the principal attraction to guests, many of whom return year after year, is the discreet yet attentive service giving you the impression that you are among friends.
Set in spectacular African wilderness surrounds, Ecca Lodge is a unique safari property boasting a revolutionary design where penthouse chic meets the bush. Nestled into a gently sloping, densely vegetated hillside, the Lodge is airy and open with barely a barrier between indoors and the African bushveld.
Tswalu (meaning “a new beginning”) is designed in classic African style and blends into the Kalahari environment, offering unrivalled elegance.
Choosing the right country is the starting point in creating the perfect luxury safari for your family. On safari in South Africa, you can expect exciting game viewing, a range of activities, privacy and the chance to engage with local cultures.Choosing the right country is the starting point in creating the perfect luxury safari for your family. On safari in South Africa, you can expect exciting game viewing, a range of activities, privacy and the chance to engage with local cultures.
For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.
The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.
See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.
"Best travel agent we have ever used! Booked this special trip to South Africa and Mauritius a long time ago. Should have happened last year but I got Covid two days before we were due to go and couldn't travel. Ross moved everything to this year with no hassle at all. The trip was flawless from start to finish."
Colourful Bo-Kapp Houses, Cape Town
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Flower Safari on the Grootbos Reserve
Lionesses in South Africa's arid Kalahari
Beach retreat, KwaZulu Natal
Elephants in the Kruger
Spectacular scenery in the Cape Winelands
Game drive in the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Golf in the Drakensberg Mountains
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.
The only country able to offer malaria-free safaris, South Africa is a wonderful choice for many looking for a luxury safari experience. Enjoy the abundance of wildlife on offer in some of the most exclusive private reserves, before exploring cosmopolitan Cape Town, where the glamour of the city meets the rugged outdoors.
See the splendour of South Africa as a family on this exclusive safari. Spend your days exploring captivating Cape Town, enjoying the delights of the Winelands and on safari, seeking out the abundant wildlife that roams the wilderness. No matter your age, this iconic safari will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
With opportunities to see the Big Five of both land and sea, along with incredible scenery, enormous national parks, world-class vineyards, a fascinating history and vibrant, friendly people, South Africa frequently tops the lists of the world’s best holiday destinations. Even so, less than 1% of the world's travellers make it here, so it’s a place where you’ll find yourself with a few select, like-minded and discerning adventurers who have discovered this gem of a country. It’s a place you could return to for the whole of your life and never tire of it.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
If you’re looking for a country that’s got everything, choose South Africa. Renowned for the spectacular views of the Garden Route, vibrant Cape Town, malaria free safaris, fascinating history and outstanding wildlife, the whole family will fall under the alluring spell of this diverse country.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the first person to call South Africa “the rainbow nation”. It’s a reflection on the fascinating diversity of this country, not only in the identities of its people but in the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and activities it offers. South Africa is a country which, because of its variety, can be all things to all people, truly a rainbow of varied opportunities and experiences.
in South Africa
Without a shadow of a doubt, South Africa is one of the very best places to watch wildlife in the world. The Kruger National Park — a protected area the size of Wales — is certainly the most famous and popular safari destination, but with Journeysmiths you’ll escape the crowds to explore vast, wildlife-filled private reserves, in the company of the best guides.
Cape Town is one of the world’s great cities with a unique setting beneath Table Mountain.
To experience a little bit of everything that South Africa has to offer, you can hardly do better than to drive along the coastal road of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It’s an extraordinary journey, and there’s wildlife on both land and shore, endless beaches, historic battlefields, and the vineyards are never far away. One day you might be whale spotting at Hermanus — renowned as one of the best whale watching locations in the world — and the next you could be learning about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, handling antique weapons and scrambling over the British and Zulu positions.
Formerly the Zulu Kingdom, the province of KwaZulu Natal runs along South Africa’s dramatic Indian Ocean coastline. The Drakensberg Mountains create a natural border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and offer some excellent hiking routes.
For families of all ages there is so much to see and do in South Africa, making it an excellent and diverse travel destination. We’ve chosen 20 of the best experiences to immerse you in the culture, wildlife and beautiful places of this remarkable country.
South Africa is an excellent choice for family travel with children of all ages. Its wildlife is abundant, with a great diversity of species, including the Big Five: rhino, leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo. There are vast malaria-free reserves and it’s easy to get from safari regions to Cape Town and the beach.
Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary
Working in partnership with globally recognised conservation organisation; Care for Wild, the world’s largest rhino orphanage, we have curated a truly unique and exclusive experience giving a privileged few behind-the-scenes access to this otherwise incredibly private sanctuary.