View from a lush hillside looking down towards a pristine white-sand beach that's lapped by turquoise water.

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Holidays in South Africa

With 11 official languages, nine distinctive provinces, eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, a complicated history and a diverse population, South Africa is no easy country to get your head around!

There are so many types of holiday to have in South Africa. For instance, you could take a sophisticated food and wine journey through the Cape Winelands, relax at a beach retreat in Durban, spot mighty lions in Kruger National Park, or tour a multitude of museums and historical sites – the list goes on and on.

What’s more, South Africa is one of the best ‘bang-for-your-buck’ holiday destinations in the world.

Top South Africa destinations

South Africa

Cape Town

South Africa

Johannesburg

Sun City

Wildlife in South Africa

One of the biggest lures of South Africa is its wild animals. In Hermanus, a quaint seaside town south-east of Cape Town, you can enjoy some of the world’s best whale watching between August and November, while between May and July, South Africa’s east coast experiences the Sardine Run, one of nature’s most spectacular migrations. During this time, millions of sardines swim northward to warmer waters, creating a spectacular display in which thousands of predators, including sharks, dolphins and whales, join in to feed on the migrating fish.

On land, there are game reserves and safari parks all over the country, where the ‘Big Five’ – that’s the lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard – can be spotted in their natural habitat. A mix of options are available, from single afternoon visits around a game reserve to luxury safari stays for several days. Most safari lodges operate on an all-inclusive basis and include game drives, but it’s possible to find cheaper package holidays too.

For a wildlife experience that’s easy on the budget but still breath-taking, plan a trip to Boulders Beach, where thousands of penguins cluster together on the sands, oblivious to the gawping tourists snapping photos around them.

When to go to South Africa

The best time to go on holiday to South Africa depends largely on your destination and desired activities. May to September is the best time for seeing wild animals – there’s not as much foliage in which they can hide and less water available in the bush, forcing them out to water holes. However, if a beach holiday is what you’re after, a good bet is to visit Durban between June and August when the weather is dry and comfortably warm.

You can visit Cape Town pretty much any time of the year, although you should expect to pay more for a package holiday to Cape Town in December and January.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival, held in March and April, features a series of concerts and classes for jazz fanatics.

The Hermanus Whale Festival in late September offers visitors some of the best whale watching opportunities in the world.

Currency: South African Rand
Capital city: Cape Town (Legislative Capital), Pretoria (Administrative Capital), Bloemfontein (Judicial Capital)
Language: Afrikaans and English are the main languages
Key phrase to learn: Smaaklike ete! (Enjoy your meal!)
Time difference: South Africa is 1 hour ahead of the UK
Average flight time: 11 hours and 30 minutes to Cape Town
International phone code: +27
Emergency services number: 112
Public holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Human Rights Day (March 21), Good Friday (Friday before Easter), Family Day (Monday after Easter), Freedom Day (April 27), Workers’ Day (May 1), Youth Day (June 16), National Women’s Day (August 9), Heritage Day (September 24), Day of Reconciliation (December 16), Christmas Day (December 25), Day of Goodwill (December 26)
Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa