South Africa
The Rainbow Nation offers Africa's most diverse safari experience — from the legendary Kruger to the Cape Winelands, combining world-class game viewing with cosmopolitan cities and stunning coastal scenery.
Highlights
Best Time to Visit
South Africa is a year-round destination with different regions peaking at different times. For safari in Kruger and the private reserves, the dry winter months of May to September offer the best game viewing as vegetation thins and animals congregate at water sources. Cape Town and the Western Cape are best from November to March (South African summer) with warm weather and long days. The Garden Route is pleasant year-round but driest from September to April. Whale watching in Hermanus peaks from August to November. The beauty of South Africa is that you can combine safari and city in a single trip regardless of season.
Budget Guide
South Africa offers exceptional value by African safari standards due to the favorable exchange rate. Self-drive Kruger safaris using SANParks rest camps start from $50-100 per person per night including accommodation. Mid-range private lodges cost $200-600 per person per night all-inclusive. Luxury Sabi Sands lodges range from $600-3,000+ per person per night with twice-daily game drives. Cape Town accommodation runs $50-300/night depending on area and standard. Car rental is affordable ($25-50/day) and road infrastructure is excellent, making South Africa one of the few African countries suitable for self-drive safari. A 10-day trip combining 4 nights in Kruger/Sabi Sands, 3 nights in Cape Town, and 3 nights on the Garden Route costs $2,500-5,000 mid-range or $6,000-20,000+ luxury per person.
Getting There
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is Africa's busiest airport with connections worldwide. Cape Town International (CPT) also receives direct flights from Europe, the Middle East, and select African cities. Most nationalities get 90-day visa-free entry. Kruger National Park is a 4-5 hour drive from Johannesburg or a 1-hour flight to Hoedspruit/Nelspruit airports. Internal flights are frequent and affordable (Johannesburg to Cape Town takes 2 hours). South Africa has excellent road infrastructure and left-hand traffic, making self-drive a popular option.