Holidays in South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa, bordered by both the South Atlantic and Indian oceans. South African society is a mix of communities, cultures and beliefs. The constitution recognises 11 languages, but there are also many dialects spoken. South Africa has three capitals-- Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein-- which each play a different role in the running of the country. Holidays in South Africa tend to focus, however, on the country's beaches, mountains and wildlife reserves.

Holidays in South Africa: when to go

South Africa has a temperate climate, mostly due to the oceans around it. The best time to visit the country is from September to February: spring and summer. Temperatures at the coast are more moderate, and the east coast, with its warm Indian Ocean, is the perennial favourite among holiday-makers looking for sun, sand and sea.

South Africa: mountains, wine and wild animals

Holidays in South Africa offer everything from wild animals to award-winning wines and cuisine. Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula offer beautiful scenery. In Cape Town, you can admire the famous Table Mountain from the city bowl, or hike or take the cable car to the top, where you can enjoy unparalleled views of the city below. South Africa is also renowned for its fine wines. Tours can be taken through the winelands north of Cape Town, with wine-tasting pit-stops along the way. If you want to meet the famous Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), on your holiday in South Africa, you can go on a safari in the Kruger National Park further north. For shopping and night-life, the “City of Gold,” Johannesburg, is the country's vibrant urban centre.