When you think of an Africa safari vacation, you probably imagine lions chasing down springboks, giraffes reaching to claim that tasty treetop morsel, or a herd of elephants taking a refreshing waterhole dip while you watch them from your lodge’s veranda with a sundowner in hand.
All these images are pure Africa, and when we talk about South Africa, there’s more to explore still. South Africa is both emblematic and unique within this exciting continent. Known as the Rainbow Nation and a World in One Country, here are 10 reasons why South Africa is your perfect gateway to a life-long love affair with Africa.
1. South Africa is easy to reach and easy to enter.
Both Cape Town International Airport and O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg offer flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents with major carriers, including nonstop services from Newark and Atlanta (to both Cape Town and Johannesburg) and Washington Dulles (to Cape Town only). Americans and Canadians can visit South Africa visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days.
2. South African tourism is robust and well-developed.
South Africa has been bringing African safari dreams to life for a very long time, so it has a wide variety of well-established and maintained national parks and private game reserves to choose from, alongside countless other experiences. Well-maintained roads across the country make driving vacations another popular option, particularly in the beautiful Western Cape.
3. South Africa offers a safari vacation to suit all budgets.
South Africa is generally a very affordable destination for North American travellers and offers a wide variety of safari accommodation options. You’ll find plenty of comfortable, mid-price lodgings ideal for exploring national parks like Kruger or Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. That said, spending a little more on your safari vacation can significantly increase your chance of spying more elusive creatures such as leopards and African wild dogs. A night or two at a private game reserve like Sabi Sands or Shamwari, where animals are often more relaxed and safari vehicles have the flexibility to go off-road, is nearly always worth it!
4. There’s no place like Cape Town.
Ideal weather? Beautiful gardens? Picturesque beaches? Amazing wine? An endless range of outdoor activities? Is it California? No, it’s the Western Cape, and it’s becoming a favourite with expats and digital nomads, eager to explore its many adventures. Even if you only have a few days, Cape Town’s perfect blend of culture and nature, from spectacular Table Mountain to delicious Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wines, to a moving visit to historic Robben Island is sure to imprint on your heart, before your next Cape adventure gets it racing again.
5. South Africa is one of the best destinations for seeing the Big Five.
Elephants, black rhinos, African buffalo, lions, and leopards are among Africa’s most coveted sightings. To see them all, plan a South Africa vacation that hits a few different safari spots, since no two parks or reserves are quite the same. Kruger National Park offers a great overall safari experience at a moderate price, with abundant elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hyenas, hippos, zebras, and wildebeest, plus a healthy population of lions, as well as bird species. But add in a more specialized park for those rarer sightings. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is one of the best places in the world to see both white and black rhinos. Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is all about the big cats and is one of the few places where it’s common to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs all in one trip. The cats are plentiful at MalaMala and Madikwe too. While a stay at these private reserves will bump up your safari budget, it’s often worth it to capture that perfect leopard photo.
6. South Africa’s people are so welcoming.
If the animals lure first-timers to South Africa, it’s the people who keep us coming back! A rich tapestry of indigenous cultures, mixed with immigrants from Asia and Europe, South Africa truly shows its Rainbow Nation colours here. Gregarious and welcoming, South Africans own their country’s complicated past and are proud of it now being one of the most progressive nations in Africa. They also know it’s one of the most beautiful on the planet and enjoy showing off its less touristy side. Don’t be afraid to make a local friend or two while you’re in South Africa, and if you’re invited to a braai (more on that in a bit) or to watch a rugby game, you absolutely must go!
7. South Africa puts the “great” in great outdoors.
The Western Cape, in particular, is an adventure-seeker’s paradise, with hiking, biking, horseback riding and bungee jumping (Bloukrans Bridge awaits) to suit all fitness-levels. Beyond the Cape though, visit spectacular regions like the Drakensburg Mountains or Blyde River Canyon. One viewpoint earned the name God’s Window for a reason.
8. South Africa is a (two) ocean playground.
If aquatic adventures call to you, remember that South Africa is the meeting point between two oceans, attracting wildlife and migrations throughout the year. Whale watching is a popular winter pastime, while seals and penguins waddle up the beaches of the Western Cape year-round. Feeling brave? How about a cage dive with great white sharks? South Africa is famous for its healthy population of these beautiful predators and is one of the safest places in the world to visit them in their natural habitat. If that’s a little too much oceanic adventure for you, or you have little ones in tow, uShaka Marine World in Durban brings the ocean’s wonders to you.
9. Sorry, had our mouths full!
We mentioned the braai? If you don’t know what that is, prepare yourself for a cookout like nothing you’ve ever experienced. As much a South African social experience as a culinary one, this local take on the humble barbecue is all about good food and good company. Pay attention to your invitation. Many braais are BYO meat and drinks, while some are BYO everything. What you won’t have to do is cook. In fact, it’s considered extremely rude in South Africa to direct the “braaier” at the grill, so relax with your drink and enjoy the conversation (see point 6). Don’t skip South African street food either. Native to Durban, bunny chow puts a spicy curry in a hollowed-out loaf of bread for a filling and affordable lunch on the street.
10. South Africa is your springboard to Africa.
You could spend months in South Africa and never run out of things to see and do. But just in case you do want to visit the neighbours, a few days in Cape Town is a great way to start a Namibia tour, while Johannesburg puts you within easy reach of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana. If you have time, pop into Eswatini and Lesotho, small but vibrant nations bordering (or encompassed by) South Africa that have each made their own contributions to Southern Africa’s incredible story.
Christian’s first globetrotting adventure saw him get lost exploring the streets of Saigon. Following his nose to Asia’s best coffee, two lifelong addictions were born. A freelance writer and novelist, Christian’s travels have since taken him around his native Australia, Asia, Europe, and much of North America. His favourite trips have been through Japan, Spain, and Brazil, though with a love of off-beat, artsy cities, he’ll seize any opportunity to return to Paris, New York, or Berlin.
Get Inspired
Travel Stories to Inspire You.
Newsletter
Unlock Even More
Sign up to our newsletter to unlock travel Specials, Inspiration, and Expert Guides right to your inbox.
