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Africa / Southern Africa

South Africa

Cape Town, Kruger safaris, and wine lands. As part of Southern Africa in Africa, South Africa suits travelers drawn to nature and historic. Use this guide to plan where to go, when to visit, and how to structure your days.

South Africa

Start exploring.

Best time to visit: May – Sep

Cape Town

Cape Town is a favorite stop for travelers exploring South Africa, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

Kruger

Kruger is a favorite stop for travelers exploring South Africa, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

Garden Route

Garden Route is a favorite stop for travelers exploring South Africa, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a favorite stop for travelers exploring South Africa, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

What it is known for
facts
  • Table Mountain cable car above Cape Town
  • Kruger National Park Big Five safaris
  • Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
  • Garden Route coastal drive through Knysna
  • Braai barbecue, bobotie, and Cape Winelands pinotage
key City
name
Cape Town
label
Most popular city
why
Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, and nearby Cape Point make Cape Town the face of South Africa for most visitors.
Places to visit
  • area
    Cape Town
    attractions
    • name
      Table Mountain
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Robben Island
      duration
      Half day to full day
      book Ahead
      Book ferries or boat tours 3-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      V&A Waterfront
      duration
      2-4 hours
      book Ahead
      No ticket required; arrive early in peak season for parking and space.
    • name
      Cape of Good Hope
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Kruger
    attractions
    • name
      Kruger National Park
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Sabi Sand Game Reserve
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Blyde River Canyon
      duration
      3-6 hours
      book Ahead
      Check permit rules; popular trails may need booking 1-4 weeks ahead.
    • name
      God's Window
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Garden Route
    attractions
    • name
      Tsitsikamma National Park
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Knysna Heads
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Robberg Nature Reserve
      duration
      4-8 hours
      book Ahead
      Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
    • name
      Storms River Suspension Bridge
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Johannesburg
    attractions
    • name
      Apartheid Museum
      duration
      1.5-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 1-2 weeks ahead for major museums; same-day often fine off-season.
    • name
      Constitution Hill
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Soweto Vilakazi Street
      duration
      1-3 hours
      book Ahead
      No ticket required; go early for markets and late afternoon for squares.
    • name
      Gold Reef City
      duration
      Half day to full day
      book Ahead
      Book ferries or boat tours 3-7 days ahead in peak season.
Itineraries
  • title
    South Africa Highlights Express
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Cape Town
    • Kruger
    • Garden Route
    highlights
    • Full day discovering Cape Town
    • Full day discovering Kruger
    • Full day discovering Garden Route
    best For
    Weekend warriors and short trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Cape Town
      description
      Land in Cape Town, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your South Africa trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Kruger
      description
      Dedicate the day to Kruger: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Garden Route and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Garden Route visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Classic South Africa
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Cape Town
    • Kruger
    • Garden Route
    • Johannesburg
    highlights
    • Cover Cape Town and Kruger
    • Explore Garden Route
    • Explore Johannesburg
    best For
    Outdoor lovers and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Cape Town
      description
      Land in Cape Town, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your South Africa trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Kruger
      description
      Dedicate the day to Kruger: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Explore Garden Route
      description
      Dedicate the day to Garden Route: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      4
      title
      Johannesburg and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Johannesburg visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    South Africa Beaches & Coast
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Kruger
    • Garden Route
    highlights
    • Coastal day in Kruger
    • Coastal day in Garden Route
    best For
    Sun seekers, swimmers, and coastal road trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Kruger
      description
      Check in near the shore and take a relaxed walk along the waterfront. Swim or sunbathe if conditions allow, then settle into a seaside dinner in Kruger.
    • day
      2
      title
      Garden Route and farewell
      description
      Enjoy a final beach morning in Garden Route, visiting Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna Heads, Robberg Nature Reserve before you depart South Africa.
  • title
    South Africa Countryside
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Cape Town
    • Kruger
    • Garden Route
    highlights
    • Rural stop: Cape Town
    • Rural stop: Kruger
    • Rural stop: Garden Route
    best For
    Nature lovers, hikers, and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Cape Town
      description
      Reach Cape Town, drop bags at a rural stay, and take a short walk through nearby villages or trails to get oriented.
    • day
      2
      title
      Kruger countryside
      description
      Explore Kruger at an easy pace: Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Blyde River Canyon with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      3
      title
      Garden Route and farewell
      description
      Wrap up with a slow morning in Garden Route, stopping at Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna Heads, Robberg Nature Reserve before heading home.
  • title
    South Africa Monuments & Hot Spots
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Garden Route
    • Johannesburg
    • Cape Town
    • Kruger
    highlights
    • Must-see: Tsitsikamma National Park
    • Must-see: Knysna Heads
    • Must-see: Apartheid Museum
    • Must-see: Constitution Hill
    best For
    Sightseeing, history buffs, and first-time landmark hunters
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Icons of Garden Route
      description
      Start in Garden Route with Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna Heads, Robberg Nature Reserve, buying timed tickets ahead when possible and finishing with a walk through the historic center.
    • day
      2
      title
      Johannesburg monuments
      description
      Focus on Johannesburg's tourist favorites: Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Soweto Vilakazi Street with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      3
      title
      Cape Town monuments
      description
      Focus on Cape Town's tourist favorites: Table Mountain, Robben Island, V&A Waterfront with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      4
      title
      Kruger landmarks and farewell
      description
      Catch any remaining must-sees in Kruger, including Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Blyde River Canyon, before your departure.
When to go & typical weather
summary
May through September is dry winter in the north, prime for Kruger safaris as animals gather at waterholes and vegetation thins for visibility. Cape Town and the Garden Route flip seasons: their best weather runs Nov-Mar, so split itineraries by region.
typical Weather
Cape Town Nov-Mar (local summer): highs 24-28°C (75-82°F), lows 15-17°C (59-63°F), 15-30 mm rain. Kruger May-Sep: highs 26-30°C (79-86°F), cool mornings 8-12°C (46-54°F), very dry. Johannesburg: mild year-round.
details
  • Jul-Sep is peak safari season; Kruger camps fill months ahead.
  • Cape Town winter (Jun-Aug) is rainy and windy; Table Mountain clouds often close.
  • Whale watching Hermanus peaks Jun-Nov; wildflowers Namaqualand Aug-Sep.
  • Dec-Jan school holidays surge domestic travel to coasts and parks.
most Affordable
period
May – Aug
summary
Southern hemisphere winter offers value when Cape Town is rainy but Kruger safari lodges discount outside peak safari season and Johannesburg hotels cut rates.
details
  • Cape Town hotels discount 30-40% in winter rain season.
  • Kruger rest camps cheaper outside Jul-Sep safari peak.
  • Johannesburg business hotels offer winter promotions.
  • International flights to SA often lowest in May-Jun.
most Expensive
period
Dec – Jan
summary
Summer school holidays drive South Africa's highest demand when Cape Town, Garden Route, and Kruger fill with domestic holidaymakers at peak rates.
details
  • Cape Town and Camps Bay hotels sell out at peak Dec-Jan rates.
  • Kruger rest camps premium in summer holiday season.
  • Garden Route accommodation scarce in school holidays.
  • Table Mountain cableway and tour operators charge peak in summer.
Airports & arrivals
summary
Johannesburg OR Tambo, Cape Town, and Durban King Shaka are main gateways.
airports
  • name
    O.R. Tambo International Airport
    code
    JNB
    location
    Johannesburg
    distance From Center
    23 km (14 mi) east of central Johannesburg
    transfer Note
    Gautrain reaches Sandton in about 15 minutes
  • name
    Cape Town International Airport
    code
    CPT
    location
    Cape Town
    distance From Center
    20 km (12 mi) southeast of central Cape Town
    transfer Note
    MyCiTi buses reach the city
  • name
    King Shaka International Airport
    code
    DUR
    location
    Durban
    distance From Center
    35 km (22 mi) north of central Durban
    transfer Note
    Shuttles serve KwaZulu-Natal
Getting around
overview
South Africans use Gautrain, Metrorail, and minibus taxis; Uber and Bolt operate in cities.
trains
  • name
    Gautrain
    description
    High-speed rail linking Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo Airport.
    ticketing
    Use Gautrain card at station gates.
  • name
    Shosholoza Meyl
    description
    Long-distance sleeper trains between major cities.
    ticketing
    Book at PRASA counters or authorized agents.
ferries
    subways
      public Transit
      • name
        MyCiTi Cape Town
        kind
        public
        description
        Bus rapid transit in Cape Town.
        ticketing
        Use myconnect card at stations.
      • name
        Greyhound South Africa
        kind
        public
        description
        Intercity coaches across the country.
        ticketing
        Buy at greyhound.co.za or terminals.
      ride Share
      • name
        Uber
        kind
        rideshare
        description
        Ride-hailing in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
        ticketing
        Book via Uber app.
      • name
        Bolt
        kind
        rideshare
        description
        Ride-hailing across South African cities.
        ticketing
        Book via Bolt app.
      Rail passes
      name
      Premier Classe / Blue Train packages
      description
      South Africa has no universal rail pass; long-distance tourist trains sell packaged routes between Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.
      ticketing
      Book luxury and economy sleeper services directly with operators for set departures.
      Currency
      code
      ZAR
      name
      South African rand
      symbol
      R
      note
      Carry some south african rand in cash for taxis and markets; card acceptance is strongest in major cities and tourist areas.

      Convert your travel budget ↗

      Visas & official entry links
      Local customs
      summary
      South Africa is multicultural, with eleven official languages and strong regional differences from Cape Town to Kruger. Tipping and car guard culture matter in cities. Load shedding power cuts require patience.
      customs
      • Car guards expect small tips if you use their oversight.
      • Braai barbecue culture is social centerpiece.
      • Handshake greetings standard; personal space moderate.
      dos
      • Tip 10 to 15 percent at restaurants if not included.
      • Use Uber or official taxis in Johannesburg and Cape Town at night.
      • Lock car doors and keep windows up in urban traffic.
      • Ask before photographing townships and ceremonies.
      • Learn basic greetings in local language of region visited.
      donts
      • Do not flash phones at intersections; smash-and-grab risk exists.
      • Do not walk alone at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
      • Do not discuss apartheid lightly or make racist jokes.
      • Do not fly drones in national parks without SANParks permits.
      • Do not drink tap water without confirming local advisories in rural areas.
      Useful travel phrases
      language
      English
      phrases
      • english
        Please
        local
        Please
        pronunciation
        PLEEZ
      • english
        Thank you
        local
        Thank you
        pronunciation
        THANK yoo
      • english
        Yes
        local
        Yes
        pronunciation
        YES
      • english
        No
        local
        No
        pronunciation
        NOH
      • english
        How much?
        local
        How much?
        pronunciation
        how MUCH
      • english
        Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
        local
        Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
        pronunciation
        wair iz thuh NEER-est RES-tuh-raunt or BAR
      • english
        Where is the airport?
        local
        Where is the airport?
        pronunciation
        wair iz thee AIR-port
      • english
        I need help
        local
        I need help
        pronunciation
        eye need HELP
      • english
        I need a hospital
        local
        I need a hospital
        pronunciation
        eye need uh HOS-pih-tul
      • english
        Call the police
        local
        Call the police
        pronunciation
        kawl thuh puh-LEES
      Longer stays
      visa Summary
      U.S. citizens may enter South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism with proof of onward travel and yellow fever vaccination if arriving from risk countries. Critical skills, general work, business, and retirement visas lead to temporary residence through employer sponsorship or financial requirements. South Africa updates critical skills lists and visa rules periodically, so confirm with the Department of Home Affairs.

      Practical tips.

      • Use ride apps or hotel shuttles at OR Tambo and Cape Town airports rather than accepting unsolicited taxi offers.
      • Avoid displaying phones at traffic lights in Johannesburg and Cape Town because smash-and-grab theft occurs at intersections.
      • Book Kruger rest camps and Table Mountain cableway tickets weeks ahead for school holidays and December travel.
      More travel tips ↗

      Locate South Africa.

      Location map of South Africa

      Before you go.

      Check current entry requirements and travel conditions with official sources before booking. Read the current U.S. State Department advisory for South Africa ↗