Southern Africa
South Africa, and the case for a private reserve
Kruger and the private reserves beside it for the big five, then Cape Town, the winelands and the Garden Route. The most self contained safari on the continent.
We hold no photography of our own for this destination yet, so this page is set in type rather than dressed in pictures that are not ours. We also publish no fixed rate card here: it is quoted to order.
In short
The only country where a fortnight can hold a proper safari, a world class city and a wine region without feeling rushed.
Kruger National Park is better value and you can drive it yourself. The private reserves on its western boundary, notably Sabi Sand, cost more but permit off road driving and night drives, which transforms leopard and lion viewing.
From there it is a two hour flight to Cape Town: Table Mountain, the peninsula, the winelands at Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and the Garden Route beyond.
May to September is winter, dry and cool, with thin vegetation and animals gathering at water. That is prime game viewing. October to April is green, warm and better for the Cape.
Signature
Big five and Cape Town
Core areas
Kruger, Sabi Sand, the Cape
Best months
May to Sep
Gateway
Johannesburg or Cape Town
Why go
Four reasons travellers choose South Africa
01
Reliable big five
Kruger and the adjoining private reserves are the most dependable big five region in Africa.
02
Off road viewing
Private reserves can leave the road, which is why leopard sightings there are so consistent.
03
Safari plus city
The strongest safari and holiday combination anywhere on the continent.
04
Self drive possible
If you would rather drive Kruger yourself, we will set up the route, the camps and the permits.
Practical
Getting there, and how we quote it
Travel and access
Most trips route through Johannesburg for Kruger, then fly to Cape Town.
Direct flights connect Nairobi and Johannesburg daily.
Private reserve rates usually include game drives, all meals and often drinks.
How we handle this destination
We quote South Africa to order rather than from a published rate card.
Malaria risk differs between reserves and by season. We will tell you which ones are low risk.
Cape Town, the winelands and the Garden Route can all be added to the same itinerary.
How we work
Quoted to order, with the camps named
We do not publish a rate card for South Africa because the prices move by season and by availability, and a number on a page that we cannot hold is not useful to you. Send us your dates, your group and a rough budget, and we will come back with named properties, a routing and a total. For destinations outside our own operating area we work with vetted local operators, and we will tell you when that is the case.
Quoting
To order
Properties
Named before you pay
Office
Westlands, Nairobi
Registration
Kenya and TRA
Questions
South Africa Safaris questions
Kruger or a private reserve?–
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Kruger is better value and you can self drive. The private reserves beside it allow off road driving and night drives, which changes leopard and lion viewing entirely.
Is South Africa malaria free?+
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Parts of it. Reserves in some provinces are considered low risk, while the Kruger area carries seasonal risk. We will advise per lodge.
How long do I need?+
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Ten to fourteen days for a safari and Cape Town. A safari alone works well in five.
Kenya registered tour operator
TRA registered
Our own 4×4 safari vehicles
In-house driver guides
Westlands, Nairobi
Start planning
Send your dates, group size and rough budget, and we will build a South Africa itinerary rather than send you a brochure.