Destination Guide: South Africa Itinerary

Best time to visit

May - September

Temperate, dry climate throughout most of South Africa best for safaris and wildlife viewing.

April and October

Shoulder seasons with mild temperatures, less crowds and lower prices

December - March

Rainy summer season throughout most of SA. However, ideal climate for visiting Cape Town and other coastal areas.

South African road trip highlights

  • Safari + Wildlife Stops

    Kruger National Park – Big Five, excellent self-drive infrastructure

    Addo Elephant National Park – Malaria-free, dense elephant population

    Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park – Red dunes, black-maned lions, very remote

    iSimangaliso Wetland Park – Coastal game drives and hippo estuaries

    Pilanesberg National Park – Close to Johannesburg, crater scenery

    Hluhluwe-iMfolozi – Oldest reserve in Africa, lush and hilly terrain

    Marakele National Park – Bushveld meets Waterberg mountains

    Mapungubwe National Park – Baobabs, elephants, ancient civilization ruins

  • A scenic view of a green hillside leading to a rocky beach and the ocean, with cloudy skies overhead.

    Beach + Coastal Highlights

    Garden Route (Knysna to Tsitsikamma) – Forests, beaches, and lagoons

    Wild Coast (Coffee Bay, Hole-in-the-Wall) – Remote, undeveloped beaches

    Jeffreys Bay – Surf capital with laid-back vibes

    Cape Agulhas – Southernmost tip of Africa

    Sodwana Bay – Coral reefs, diving, and bush-to-beach feel

    Paternoster – White-washed fishing village with boutique charm

    Mabibi & Kosi Bay – Secluded beaches and traditional fish traps

    Nature’s Valley – Hidden gem with a pristine beach in Tsitsikamma

  • A panoramic view of a coastal bay surrounded by green mountainous terrain with a town along the shoreline and a blue sea under a partly cloudy sky.

    Western Cape Gems

    Cape Town – Table Mountain, Cape Point, city-meets-nature base

    Cederberg Wilderness Area – Rock formations, San rock art, remote trails

    West Coast National Park – Langebaan Lagoon, birding, and flowers

    Swartberg Pass & Prince Albert – Iconic gravel mountain pass

    Tankwa Karoo National Park – Remote desert camping under stars

    Overberg Region – Whale watching (Hermanus), rolling farmlands

    Route 62 – Wine, ostriches, quirky towns (Montagu, Barrydale, Oudtshoorn)

  • Two people kayaking on a calm river surrounded by lush green trees and cliffs under a clear blue sky.

    Top South African Activities

    Self-drive Big Five Safari – Kruger, Addo, or Kgalagadi

    4x4 Mountain Passes – Sani Pass, Swartberg, Baviaanskloof

    Wine Tasting – Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Robertson, Route 62

    Desert Stargazing – Tankwa Karoo or Cederberg

    Hiking Table Mountain or Lion’s Head – Cape Town classics

    Sandboarding or Quad Biking – Atlantis Dunes or Witsand

    Surfing – Jeffreys Bay, Muizenberg, or Elands Bay

    Snorkeling with Seals or Penguins – Hout Bay or Boulders Beach

    Kayaking or Canoeing – Storms River Mouth or Orange River

    Whale Watching – Hermanus (July–November)

    Namaqualand (in Spring) - See the amazing wildflowers

Our favourite campsites in South Africa

1.

Tsendze Rustic Camp - Kruger National Park

A beige SUV with a gray cargo box on its roof parked on a dirt area in a wooded park. There are green trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Coastal landscape with green hillside, rocky shoreline, and ocean under cloudy sky.

2.

Bhanga Nek Campsite - Kosi Bay

2.

Ebb & Flow - Wilderness

Camping area by a river in a lush green valley surrounded by forested mountains during sunset.
Coastal campsite with tents, cabins, and a winding path along rocky shoreline with ocean waves and green hills in the background.

6.

Storms River Mouth Rest Camp - Tsitsikamma

3.

Beaverlac - Porterville, Cederberg

A person walking in a grassy, mountainous landscape with a dog, under a partly cloudy sky.
Hiker sitting on a dirt trail overlooking a desert canyon with a waterfall, rocks, and sparse desert vegetation.

7.

Augrabies Rest Camp - Augrabies Falls National Park

4.

The Growcery Camp - Orange River

A person sitting on a wooden bench under a thatched roof overlooking a river, with mountains and trees in the distance.
A white SUV parked on a dirt landscape at sunset, equipped for camping with a roof cargo box, two camping chairs, and outdoor gear.

8.

Koringkorrelbaai Coastal Camp Site - Namaqualand

Route Planning

Dankie (thank you: Afrikaans)

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Howzit (Greeting ; slang)

•

Ayoba (Cool; Zulu)

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Kunjani (How are you ; Xhosa)

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Dankie (thank you: Afrikaans) • Howzit (Greeting ; slang) • Ayoba (Cool; Zulu) • Kunjani (How are you ; Xhosa) •

Practical travel information

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