Dreaming of an African adventure? An expedition that includes a safari in the sun? South Africa is definitely your destination of choice then. This country has so many options you will be spoiled for choice. From luxury game farms where you can stay a day, a week or longer – and get to see The Big 5 animals (elephants, lions, rhino, buffalo and leopard) and more besides – to a whale-viewing boat trip or white shark cage-diving.

South Africa is situated at the bottom of the African continent and has a wealth of fauna and flora. South Africa’s most well known and much visited Kruger National Park, situated in the province of Mpumalanga is highly recommended as is the Addo Elephant Park, in the Eastern Cape region, which is home to one of the most dense elephant populations on earth.

For land or boat-based whale viewing you can’t beat Hermanus in the Southern Cape. Just a few kilometers away is Gansbaai for shark viewing (or cage-diving for the really adventurous).

When you are in the planning phase of your African safari you will need to decide if you are the luxury, 5 star kind of adventurer or if tented camping is your idea of an authentic safari or if you would rather hire a caravan (motor home) and have a mobile holiday taking as much of this beautiful country as you can in your allotted time. Every preference and budget is catered for.

Another important consideration is when to travel. This will depend largely on what your expectations are. Safaris are best in the winter months (May to August). The bush is at its thinnest, so game viewing is easier, the temperatures are mild and there is very little winter rainfall in the north. Namaqualand, which stretches over a vast area of the Western and Northern Cape Provinces, becomes a floral phenomenon in spring (mid-August to mid-October), when the desert-like terrain is transformed into a carpet of flowers, drawing thousands of visitors every year The best season for the beach is summer (November to mid-March).

The southern regions are summer destinations, with low summer rainfall. Temperatures reach 28-30°C or higher on truly beautiful days. The warm waters of the east coast make for almost year-round swimming. South Africans tend to take their annual holidays in summer, causing tourist destinations to be crowded from mid-December to late January, as well as during the other school holidays (check these dates with your travel agent).