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We absolutely recommend a Big 5 safari in Kruger National Park. We know all the most luxurious places to stay in private game reserves, such as Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, for the most exclusive experience.
There are also many other safari destinations throughout the country, including malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West province and private game reserves like Kwandwe in the Eastern Cape. Furthermore, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve's unique red Kalahari landscape is home to rare species such as the pangolin and aardvark for a different kind of safari.
However, as incredible as a safari is, you should not miss out on experiencing Cape Town! The country's oldest city offers everything from blue flag beaches, hiking in the mountains, fine dining, wine, culture, art, and more. And the nearby Cape Winelands offer even more wines and gourmet food to indulge in! If you visit during winter and spring, the whales are in town, so don't forget to visit the Whale Route.
The good news is that South Africa is a year-round destination. Every season has highlights that make it special, so our rainbow nation really isn't a been-there-done-that destination. You'll want to return again and again to experience it at different times of the year.
With a Mediterranean climate, the weather is relatively moderate. Summer is generally warm, with temperatures between 19°C and 29°C (66.2-84.2°F), whereas winter ranges from 6°C to 23°C (42.8-73.4°F).
When it comes to a luxury South African safari, the dry winter months (from May to October) are ideal for spotting wildlife due to the sparse bush making them easier to see and the limited water sources causing them to gather around the same areas. However, when you visit during the wet summer (from November to April), the bush is green and teeming with birds and newborn wildlife!
The best seasons in Cape Town are spring, summer and autumn. You'll want to visit during spring to see the southern right whales off the Whale Coast or the flowers along the West Coast.
Summer in Cape Town is a busy time, so if you want to skip the crowds, visit in the shoulder seasons. KwaZulu-Natal can get quite hot and humid in summer, so you might want to visit in winter.
Our Travel Experts will recommend the best time to visit South Africa for what you want to see and do here.
All of our South Africa safari packages are tailor-made, so the cost will depend on various factors, including but not limited to the duration of the trip, destinations you'll visit, accommodation, activities, transport, and more.
However, to give you a rough idea, a South African safari cost can usually range between $50 to $2,500 per person per night, depending on service providers, availability, and seasonality.
Well, how much time do you have? There's never enough time to explore everything South Africa has to offer!
However, as a guideline, for the best South African safari tours, we usually recommend a minimum of three nights in destinations like Kruger National Park. The same goes for your city stay in Cape Town. So, if you want to combine the two, you need at least a week in South Africa to experience the best both destinations offer.
Each destination offers plenty of attractions and activities, so you'll never regret adding a couple of days to your itinerary!
Wherever you go, you'll get to see different wildlife. South Africa is home to various species, from birdlife to the Big 5, whales, and the rare pangolin.
When you visit Kruger National Park, you'll most likely see the Big 5 (rhino, lion, elephant, African buffalo, and leopard). But there's more to see than just the Big 5! Other animals include the zebra, giraffe, cheetah, bushbuck, and more.
When you visit during the summer season, the bush is lush, and the migratory birds make their debut. There are also plenty of cute newborn animals during this time! On the other hand, the bush is dry in winter, with wildlife gathering around scattered water sources, making game viewing easier.
In the Eastern Cape and North West, private game reserves are home to endangered species such as African wild dogs. Or, if you want something truly unique, Tswalu Kalahari's distinctive ecosystem offers incredible game viewing, from the rare pangolin and aardvark to meerkats, desert-adapted black rhino, and plenty of antelope such as springbok, red hartebeest, sable, gemsbok, roan, tsessebe, and more.
On the other hand, South Africa's coastline offers excellent whale sightings from June to November every year, particularly around Hermanus, known for the best land-based whale sightings in the world.
When you want the best, you travel with the best! And as the World's Most-Awarded Safari Company, we're the best in the biz.
Africa's Most Awarded Safari Company
