South Africa Safari Holidays

South Africa Safari Holidays

Diverse landscapes, Big 5 safari, marine wildlife experiences and luxury game reserves delivered at exceptional value make South Africa an ideal holiday destination.

Highlights

• Enjoy reliable Big 5 game viewing in abundance at the Kruger National Park and Greater Ecosystem.

• Experience premium exclusivity at the super luxurious Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

• Embark upon a unique Big 7 Safari taking in the renowned Big 5 land mammals plus the southern right whale and great white shark.

• Safely safari with the entire family at South Africa’s non-malarial game reserves.

• Combine the wilds of Africa with the bright lights of Cape Town.

• Take the children down to the Cape Peninsula to observe endangered African penguins at Boulders Beach and southern right whales along the whale coast.

• Go in search of some of Africa’s rarest mammals at Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve or Madikwe Game Reserve.

South Africa is the most popular safari and holiday destination on the African continent and for good reason. Its unique appeal is born from its diversity. It is a land of wildlife reserves as large as Israel, private reserves exuding luxury and exclusivity, cosmopolitan cities, world-renowned vineyards, tropical and wild coastlines, and family friendly fun along the famous Garden Route.

Located in the most southerly reaches of Africa, South Africa is the most economically developed country south of the Sahara Desert. At over 1.2 million square kilometres, South Africa has greater than 5 times the land mass of the United Kingdom. Although only 8% of land is protected for conservation this still amounts to a large area, actually as much as the total land surface of South Korea. These protected reserves include 19 National Parks, 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 300 private game reserves, together providing a home for a recorded 299 mammal species and 849 bird species.

Kruger National Park is undoubtedly the flagship wildlife reserve in the country. Its wildlife is as diverse as it is abundant and is home to predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, spotted hyena and the elusive and endangered African wild dog. All the Big 5 are present as are rare antelope such as sable and roan. Sabi Sand, one of the best places on the planet to view leopard, offers the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. The Kalahari Desert reserves of Madikwe and the premium Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve offer the opportunity to observe elusive nocturnal wildlife such as brown hyena, aardwolf, aardvark, Cape porcupine, Cape pangolin and black footed cat. However the main draw of these reserves is the fact they are in the non-malarial zone and therefore safe for all the family to enjoy. The Eastern Cape reserves of Kwandwe and Shamwari also share this major benefit and combine nicely with all the Garden Route has to offer.

The aforementioned diversity of South Africa lends itself well to a combination holiday. We find ourselves regularly designing itineraries combining the above reserves with either softer wildlife or even non-wildlife activities. The Western and Eastern Cape is the area of the country we most often find ourselves recommending. Boulders Beach is the place to share sunbathing space or swim with endangered African penguins. Seasonal whale watching in Hermanus is exhilarating.

A South African holiday links well with neighbouring countries, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. However, it is worth noting the safari experience in these countries is a great deal more wild and authentic. The heavier tourist numbers, occasional sealed roads and luxury accommodation detract from the bush vibe in South Africa. For this reason we rarely recommend South Africa to those travellers wanting a true wilderness experience. However, we find it is a perfect match for families, honeymooners wanting exclusivity and luxury, and first-time safari travellers. South Africa is relatively budget friendly and will offer you a lot of experience for your money.

Contact us to discuss designing your perfect South Africa wildlife adventure or peruse our suggested itineraries below for more information and inspiration.