South Africa vacations

Tell people you’re going to South Africa on safari, and they’ll probably think you’re going to Kruger National Park. This huge game reserve is four hours’ drive or a flight from Johannesburg, and home to black and white rhinos, big cats, and African wild dogs. The wildlife-rich south can be a busy place, so our vacations also explore the private game reserves that ring Kruger. These protected areas offer more secluded excursions, and fences between them have been removed, allowing animals to follow their natural migratory routes. You’ll also stay in lodges and camps that make efforts to employ local people.

We have safari experiences for all ages, younger children will love bush craft sessions and night tours, a cacophony of calls and exciting sounds. Children aged eight and over can enjoy more traditional vehicle-led safaris, while older children and teenagers can start to learn about South Africa’s challenging history and multifaceted culture, too, by visiting Johannesburg and having a guided tour of Soweto. You might even want to consider a volunteering vacation. Young children can work with orphaned primates, and even have their own monkey to look after all day!

From here, the only way is up: South Africa is a gateway to the whole continent of Africa and a great starting point for an overland tour. The most popular route from Cape Town to Victoria Falls also allows you to compare the landscapes and traditional culture of Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, and takes around three weeks. If you have less time, you could just nip into Namibia – where its vast deserts provide a contrast to the Cape Winelands. Alternatively, combine safari with a beach break by visiting South Africa and Mauritius – the perfect way to wind down after all those lion encounters.