12 Day Explore Southern Africa Safari Holiday

Best Time To Visit – South Africa (Month By Month) “There is no bad time to take a South African holiday. But certain parts of the country are far better at specific times of the year.  If a safari will be the main event of your South African tour, most of the country’s key parks and reserves are at their best in the southern hemisphere winter months of May to September, when daytime temperatures are cooler, the bush is less dense allowing for better visibility, and wildlife tends to gather around limited water sources.

For beach-lovers, by contrast, the main coastal resorts are at their best in the southern hemisphere summer (November to March). Special interest groups such as bird-watchers and photographers may also prefer to undertake a safari in summer, when resident bird populations are boosted by large numbers of migrant birds, and the clear sky and greener countryside make for a more photogenic backdrop.”

The best time to visit South Africa for a wildlife safari is from May to September. During these winter months, the east of the country (where the main parks are located) experiences its Dry season. Wildlife is easier to spot during the Dry season because vegetation thins, and animals gather around waterholes and rivers. The ‘Kruger & Around’ sections below relate to the parks and reserves in Greater Kruger and in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Cape Town differs from Kruger and most other parts of South Africa in that most of its rain falls in winter rather than summer. The best time for visiting Cape Town and surrounds is therefore during the dry. summer months of October to March. The ‘Cape Town & Around’ sections below apply to the entire Western Cape and nearby parks.

Best Time To Go by Major Park: Most parks offer year-round wildlife viewing, but they are at their best during the Dry season when wildlife is easier to spot. Kruger National Park and other reserves in Greater Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal can get extremely hot during December to February, which is also when rainfall is highest, so these areas are best visited in cooler, drier months.

What Can I Expect From A Safari With Paradise Adventure Vacations? “Generally South Africa has a more developed feel than other African safari destinations. Most national parks and other reserves can be reached via good, surfaced roads, which certainly isn’t the case in many other parts of Africa. Some, such as Kruger, actually have an internal network of surfaced roads, and it is the only major African safari destination where a 4WD would be a luxury rather than a necessity, and the most suitable one for self-drive safaris.

Likewise, most national park rest camps are well equipped for self-caterers, and many have well-stocked grocery shops. Further, the wildlife in South Africa is as wild as it is in most parts of Africa, the standard of guiding is unusually high, and people on organized safaris can expect excellent close-up sightings of everything from the Big Five to smaller animals such as birds and lizards.”

How Can I Personalize My Trip With Your Services? At Paradise Adventure Vacations, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your South Africa adventure with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalized experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular Botswana trips and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.

Can I see the Big Five in South Africa? Seeing the “Big Five” in the wild is one of the most memorable things one can ever experience. The African continent is the only place in the world where big game still roams freely in great numbers. In particular, the Kruger National Park area and the neighboring private game reserves are famous for the incredible possibilities seeing the Big Five up close. The term “Big Five” is reminiscent of the old safari hunting days. The name is not derived from the size of the animals as many people believe. Rather, these five animals proved to be the five animals that were the most difficult to hunt. Paradise Adventure Vacations Game Reserve offers excellent possibilities for viewing Africa’s Big Five.

Leopard: The most elusive of the Big Five. The African leopard occurs mostly throughout the whole of Southern Africa. The best chance of seeing them is in trees, which they use as an observation platform or as a safe resting place. Leopards are veritable masters of disguise: if they don’t want to be seen, you can be sure not to see them Paradise Adventure Vacations proves to be an excellent place to see these magnificent big cats, and possibly the best in the world as leopards are spotted on a very regular basis.

Lion: Masters of the African savannah and probably the most exciting animals that can be seen when on an African safari. Lions usually live in prides that comprises a few females, their cubs and a couple of young males. It is most likely that you will see lion when asleep as they rest up to twenty hours per day. They are most active early morning and at sunset. The South Africa is privileged to have some very healthy lion prides in the area. Some of these are so famous that they have their own Facebook community.

Buffalo: Although this animal is sometimes referred to as a bush cow, do not underestimate its capabilities. It has been recorded that an African buffalo can run faster than an astounding 55 kilometres per hour. It is a rather common species that can be found throughout Southern Africa. Male buffalos can weigh up to 700 kilograms. Buffalos can be notoriously bad tempered, especially when cornered or wounded they can become very aggressive.

African elephant: This grey giant is the largest living land mammal. Elephants are widespread throughout Southern Africa and live in a variety of different habitats. They can survive in desert environments, but are most commonly found in woodlands, forests and savannahs. Elephants are among the most social animals living in groups up to a hundred individuals. There is nothing more impressive that being amidst a large herd.

Rhinoceros: Two species of rhino can be found in South Africa, the square-lipped (white) rhino and hooked-lipped (black) rhino. These are not names that refer to the colour of the rhino, they both are pretty much grey. The white rhino’s name comes from the Dutch word “wijd”, meaning wide, and refers to the wide muzzle of this particular specie. Black rhinos are much less often spotted. A group of rhinos is referred to as a “crash”.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs: Quick Facts About Travel to South Africa

South Africa passport, visa, and entry requirement information for US citizens.

A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.

All foreign visitors will need to carry a return or onward ticket.

Citizens from most countries do not require a visa and will get a 90-day entry permit on arrival.

If you have minors traveling with you, accompanied by only one or no biological parents, additional documents may be required. Contact your local embassy or check on the official website for more information.

Travelers entering or leaving South Africa must submit their Customs Online Traveler Declaration before they travel.

For more information, please check the website of your local South African embassy/high commission or the government travel advisories below:

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au

Canada: travel.gc.ca

EU member states: consular-protection.ec.europa.eu

Ireland: www.ireland.ie

New Zealand: www.safetravel.govt.nz

United Kingdom: www.gov.uk

United States: travel.state.gov

Currency Restrictions for Entry: ZAR 25,000; Foreign currency unlimited if declared; No Kruger coins.

Currency Restrictions for Exit: ZAR 25,000; Foreign currency unlimited if amount was declared on entry; Up to 15 Kruger coins if proof purchased with foreign currency

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local South African embassy or high commission to verify that the information below is current.

Can I use a credit card?

In most cases, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted.

Should I get travel insurance and what is the cost?

We recommend purchasing travel insurance. A comprehensive travel policy is available through our insurance partners—your South Africa Specialist will be able to direct you to more information. Cancellation fees are charged by our suppliers and are beyond our control. Insurance will cover you for costly cancellation penalties, trip interruption, and missed connections, and offer you protection in the event of illness or accident while abroad.

How To Get There? O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is the main air transport hub of southern Africa. Onward travel is mostly by car. Because South Africa has excellent roads and facilities, some people choose the self-drive option. In most other cases, your local tour operator will arrange pickup from the airport and further transportation as part of your tour package.

Two other airports in South Africa are now served by international flights. Of these, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is becoming an increasingly popular point of entry. The other option is King Shaka International Airport (DUR), near Durban. Some carriers that serve both O.R. Tambo and Cape Town allow you to fly into one city and out of the other at no extra cost.

Flights & Airlines to South Africa

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to South Africa, and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com

Domestic Airlines & Flights in South Africa

There are regularly scheduled domestic flights throughout the country, and various chartered airlines fly to and from safari camps. Several domestic airlines fly to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), near Kruger National Park, and to Skukuza Airport (SZK), which lies inside the park. Federal Airlines has scheduled flights to several upmarket safari destinations.

Domestic flights can be booked with the following carriers:

Airlink (Flies to many towns and Kruger)

FlySafair (Flies to major centers)

CemAir (Flies to major centers and some tourist centers)

Federal Airlines (Flies to safari parks)

Lift (Flies to major centers)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing South Africa Safari Experience
Our South Africa safari with Paradise Adventure Vacations was beyond our expectations. From the first day, everything was perfectly organized, from accommodations to wildlife activities. Our safari drive guide Robert was very professional, knowledgeable, and passionate about wildlife. He made every game drive exciting by sharing interesting facts and helping us spot amazing animals. Mussa organized everything smoothly and ensured we had a safe and unforgettable journey. Highly recommended!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional Service and Wildlife Adventure
We had a wonderful South Africa safari experience with Paradise Adventure Vacations. The planning, communication, and support from Mussa were excellent. Our safari guide Robert was outstanding; his experience in the bush helped us see incredible wildlife and enjoy every moment. He was friendly, patient, and always made sure we were comfortable. This was truly a dream African adventure, and we would gladly travel again with this company.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unforgettable African Safari Holiday
Paradise Adventure Vacations provided us with an unforgettable South Africa safari holiday. Everything was arranged professionally, and the entire trip was stress-free. Robert, our safari drive guide, was fantastic and showed great knowledge of animals, nature, and the best places for wildlife viewing. Mussa was always available to assist and made sure every detail was taken care of. Thank you for creating such wonderful memories for our family.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Professional, Safe, and Memorable Safari
Our South Africa safari with Paradise Adventure Vacations was a perfect experience from beginning to end. We appreciated the excellent organization, comfortable arrangements, and personalized service. Robert was an amazing safari guide who made each game drive special with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Mussa showed great dedication and professionalism in arranging our adventure. We enjoyed every activity and felt safe throughout the entire journey.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Best Safari Company in Africa
We are extremely happy with our South Africa safari arranged by Paradise Adventure Vacations. The service was excellent, and the experience was truly unforgettable. Our guide Robert was one of the best safari guides we have ever had—very skilled, friendly, and knowledgeable about wildlife. Mussa provided exceptional customer care and ensured everything went perfectly. We highly recommend Paradise Adventure Vacations to anyone looking for an authentic African safari experience.