Exclusive South Africa Holidays
A jewel on the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is famous for its staggeringly beautiful scenery, generous people, world-class wineries and epic wildlife encounters.
Watch a herd of elephants appear on the horizon in the pre-dawn light during a private safari in Mpumalanga. Listen to the compelling survival stories of Nelson Mandela’s former prisonmates on Robben Island. Admire sweeping views as you explore the colonial battlefields and Rorke’s Drift in KwaZulu-Natal with a world-class guide. Indulge in a long, generous lunch in the Western Cape, paired with some of the country’s finest wines. This is a country that can accommodate the most discerning traveller’s wishes.
With diverse ecosystems ranging from vast open savannahs to semi-desert, mountains, coast and forest, South Africa offers extraordinary range within a single journey. It is one of the easiest safari destinations for combining wildlife, culture, food and landscape without ever feeling rushed. From the luxury lodges of Sabi Sands and the Greater Kruger to malaria-free family-friendly reserves in Madikwe, the Waterberg, the Eastern Cape and along parts of the Garden Route, South Africa suits both first-time safari-goers and more seasoned visitors. However you decide to spend your time, the Rainbow Nation will welcome you with open arms. Kruger remains one of the continent’s defining safari destinations and is particularly strong for guided bush walks and multi-day walking trails, while malaria-free reserves such as Madikwe and parts of the Eastern Cape are especially attractive for family travel.
Signature South Africa Journeys
Explore our handpicked collection of South Africa’s most extraordinary journeys — each signature journey is designed to immerse you in the heart of the wild.
“Safaris in South Africa offer incredible encounters for both first-time safari goers and more seasoned visitors.”
Where to Go on Safari in South Africa
Cape Town
The energy is infectious upon arrival in the glorious ‘Mother City’ of Cape Town, with the iconic setting of Table Mountain framing the city’s numerous landmarks. The country’s recent history is palpable, never more so than when you visit townships (such as Langa) and the moving District Six Memorial Museum that recollects the displacement of thousands of people from their homes by the apartheid nationalist government in the 1960s. It will change the way you see the world.
The Winelands: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek
Don’t miss a trip through the scenic Winelands to the towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, where the historic streets are lined with art galleries, cafes and restaurants boasting an internationally renowned food scene.
The Garden Route
Outside the cities, take a picturesque drive along the iconic Garden Route, with golden beaches on one side and verdant forests fringing dramatic mountains on the other. This is one of South Africa’s most versatile regions, combining coastline, small towns, marine life and several malaria-free reserves that can add safari to a broader journey.
Greater Kruger & Limpopo
For many travellers, this is South Africa’s defining safari region. The Greater Kruger combines exceptional wildlife density with some of the continent’s most polished private lodges and guiding. In the private reserves bordering Kruger, including Sabi Sands, sightings are often intimate and unhurried, particularly for leopard.
For travellers who want a wilder, less obvious safari, Limpopo opens up rewarding possibilities. Bushveld landscapes, private reserves and walking country give this region a more spacious, exploratory feel.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg blend safari, battlefields, Indian Ocean coastline and one of South Africa’s richest historical landscapes. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, in the heart of old Zululand, is one of Africa’s oldest reserves and remains an important place for rhino conservation. It is also a strong region for walking, with wilderness trails that feel immersive and deeply atmospheric. Beyond safari, private guiding around the Anglo-Zulu battlefields can add another dimension entirely to a South Africa journey.
Madikwe, Waterberg & the Eastern Cape
If you are travelling as a family or simply prefer a malaria-free safari, these regions are well worth serious consideration. Madikwe is one of South Africa’s finest malaria-free Big Five reserves, particularly well suited to polished, lodge-based safaris.
Marakele, in the Waterberg Mountains, sits in a transition zone between South Africa’s drier west and greener east, which helps create notable ecological diversity and supports both Big Five wildlife and excellent birdlife. This part of the country works especially well for those wanting to combine safari with fewer vehicles and a stronger sense of escape.
The Eastern Cape offers equally accessible wildlife experiences in a malaria-free setting, and pairs especially well with Cape Town and the Garden Route.
Why Travel to South Africa with The Explorations Company
Given the sheer scale of the country and the variety of options available, South Africa rewards careful curation. The difference between a good trip and an exceptional one often lies in choosing the right combinations: city and safari, coast and bush, family-friendly and more remote, polished and exploratory.
From our in-depth knowledge of private locations across South Africa’s parks and reserves to our access to expert wildlife guides, photographers and historians, we tailor each itinerary around how you want to travel. We can steer first-time visitors toward the regions that provide the best balance, or help returning travellers go beyond the obvious into walking country, quieter reserves and more specialised experiences.
Throughout the country, we can offer a full range of accommodation options, whether you are looking for classic safari camps, chic apartments in Cape Town or Dutch colonial-style escapes in the Western Cape.
When is the Best Time to Visit South Africa
South Africa is a genuinely year-round destination, but the best time to go depends on what you most want from the trip.
May to September is generally the strongest for safari in Kruger, Madikwe, Limpopo, Marakele and KwaZulu-Natal, when drier conditions and shorter grass make wildlife easier to spot. Kruger’s winter months are especially rewarding, with animals more dependent on water and walking conditions at their best.
October to March is particularly appealing for Cape Town, the Winelands and much of the Garden Route, when days are warmer and longer. This is also a lovely period for travellers wanting a broader country journey with less emphasis on peak safari conditions.
Make a Difference
South Africa offers unusually varied opportunities to travel with meaning. Across the country, conservation, land restoration, community partnerships and heritage interpretation can all be part of your journey, whether that means spending time with conservation-led safari properties, understanding the social history ofthe country in greater depth, or choosing reserves where tourism supports both habitat protection and local employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Africa good for a first safari?
Yes. South Africa is one of the easiest and most rewarding safari destinations for first-time travellers because it combines strong wildlife viewing with excellent infrastructure, high-end lodges, and so much beyond the bush – cities, wine country, beaches and world-class food.
Is South Africa good for a family safari?
Yes. South Africa is particularly strong for family travel thanks to several child-friendly, malaria-free reserves such as Madikwe and parts of the Eastern Cape, as well as the ease of combining safari with Cape Town and the coast.
Where can I do a walking safari in South Africa?
The Greater Kruger is one of the best-known areas for guided bush walks and multi-day walking trails, but there are also rewarding walking experiences in Limpopo, Marakele, KwaZulu-Natal and some private reserves along the Garden Route. In Kruger, trails are led by experienced armed rangers and can last several days.
Which parts of South Africa are malaria-free?
Madikwe and many safari areas in the Eastern Cape are well-known malaria-free options, making them especially attractive for families or travellers who would rather avoid anti-malarial medication.
What are the accommodation options like in South Africa?
South Africa offers a remarkable range: intimate safari lodges, exclusive-use villas, vineyard stays, design-led city hotels and beach properties. It is one of the few destinations where a single trip can move easily between urban sophistication, wilderness and coast without sacrificing comfort.
How do you get to South Africa and travel between regions?
Most journeys begin with international flights into Cape Town or Johannesburg. From there, regional flights, private road transfers and light aircraft make it straightforward to combine the Cape, safari regions and the coast, depending on the pace and style of trip you want.
Luxury South Africa Journeys
Explore our exclusive collection of remarkable South Africa wildlife journeys, where each itinerary offers a curated selection of the most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences created by our travel experts.
Bespoke South Africa Experiences
Explore a variety of unique, personalised experiences that will elevate your journey to South Africa.
