South Africa Holidays

This spectacular country on the most southern part of the African continent has everything you need for an unforgettable holiday experience.

South Africa is fondly referred to as 'a world in one country' for good reason, with its diverse cultures, cosmopolitan cities, contrasting landscapes and multitude of wildlife experiences.

From the amazing inland safari destination of Kruger National Park and the jaw-dropping beaches of Western Cape to the enchanting forests along the Garden Route and the famous flat-topped Table Mountain above the vibrant city of Cape Town, this awe-inspiring destination will make a big impression on every visitor.

The country’s breathtaking game reserves offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to marvel at wild animals in their natural habitat, including Africa’s iconic Big Five of lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos.

The legendary Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa which covers 7,523 square miles, is the place for the ultimate safari experience, with its vast landscapes and incredible wildlife. Other magnificent attractions include Lion Sands Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, Shamwari Game Reserve and Grootbos Private Nature Reserve.

South Africa’s Cape Point is the place where the mighty Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, and there's no shortage of fun-packed adventures to enjoy on the waves. Take to a metal cage beneath the water for a close up encounter with Great White sharks or head out to sea on a humpback whale-watching trip.

Water sports enthusiasts will also be on the crest of a wave in South Africa. The coastal cities of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban all offer a myriad of offshore water pursuits including kitesurfing, jet skiing, sailing, surfing and waterskiing. The country's major dams also boast a range of water sports including wakeboarding, and wind-surfing, while other popular water-based activities include scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and deep sea fishing.

Golf fanatics can tee off at some of the best courses on the planet in South Africa, a long-established horseracing community offer the chance for a day at the races and the country is also home to world-class country rugby, football and cricket tournaments.

South Africa is a magnet for culture vultures and its major historical attractions include World-Heritage listed Robben Island which features the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years incarcerated in a tiny cell, offering a chilling reminder of the dark days of apartheid.

Johannesburg is home to the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and the sprawling shanty towns of Soweto where the freedom movement was born, while the Union Buildings in the capital Pretoria are the seat of Government, commanding the highest point in the city on Meintjieskop Hill. Key cultural attractions in Cape Town include the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the country's oldest working harbour.

The Cape of Good Hope, a narrow peninsula jutting into the ocean on the southern tip of Africa is a must-see attraction where you can gaze in awe at the mesmerising scenery and watch penguins frolicking in the ocean. The flat-topped Table Mountain in Cape town, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is the country’s most famous and most photographed attraction.

Other amazing natural attractions in South Africa include the wetlands of the Elephant Coast, the misty mountains of the Magoebaskloof, Blyde River Canyon, Sodwana Bay’s Seven Mile reef, the ancient sandstone cliffs of Golden Gate National Park, the peaks of the Drakensberg and the Valley of Desolation in Camdeboo National Park.

When it’s time to dine there’s plenty of delicious fare in South Africa to send your taste buds into raptures of delight. You’ll discover everything from street food favourites including Bunny Chow, Walkie Talkie, Boerewors and Biltong to mouth-watering cuisine in one of the country’s fine dining restaurants.

Popular offerings you’re likely to come across include Cape Malay curry, Chakalaka and Pap, Beef Kvass and Bobotie. A Braai is the South African take on an outdoor barbecue and beer-can chicken is a novel concoction where a whole chicken is grilled with an open beer in the body cavity.

The country’s fertile soil is perfect for growing grapes that produce the high-quality wine South Africa is famous for, while other popular local drinks include Rooibos tea, Amarula cream liqueur and Umqombothi, a home-brewed sorghum beer.