South Africa holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your South Africa holiday in Africa
South Africa is a world in one country: Safari in Kruger National Park, Table Mountain above Cape Town, the Garden Route along the coast, top-notch wine regions, and a fascinating history.
Capital
Pretoria/Cape Town
Language
English + 10 others
Currency
Rand (ZAR)
Time zone
UTC+2
Flight time from DE
approx. 11–12 hours
Entry requirements
Passport, 90 days visa-free
Deals for South Africa:
Which hotels in South Africa are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in South Africa — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Hotel River Manor
Stellenbosch, Südafrika
African Pride Melrose Arch, Autograph Collection
Johannesburg, Südafrika
The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
Kapstadt, Südafrika
Rothman Manor
Swellendam, Südafrika
Plumwood Inn Guesthouse
Franschhoek, Südafrika
The Capital Mirage Hotel
Kapstadt, Südafrika
The Westin Cape Town
Kapstadt, Südafrika
The Plettenberg Hotel
Plettenberg Bay, Südafrika
What are the highlights of South Africa?
The best-known highlights of South Africa include Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Garden Route, Stellenbosch, Cape of Good Hope.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Cape Town
Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, Boulders Beach with penguins.
Kruger National Park
Big Five Safari: lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo.
Garden Route
300km coastal road: forests, beaches, whale watching, and bungee jumping.
Stellenbosch
Wine capital: over 200 wineries, gourmet restaurants, and Cape Dutch architecture.
Cape of Good Hope
Where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet – dramatic cliffs.
Hotels in South Africa
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Reise-SIM für South Africa
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für South Africa. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
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Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
The best time to visit South Africa is October–March (Southern Hemisphere summer). In summer: 22–30°C. In winter: 10–18°C.
Recommended travel time
October–March (Southern Hemisphere summer)
Summer
22–30°C
Winter
10–18°C
How much does a holiday in South Africa cost?
A holiday in South Africa costs roughly 40–60€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 60–120€ mid-range and 120–300€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
40–60€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
60–120€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
120–300€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to South Africa?
From Germany you reach South Africa in approx. 11–12 hours.
What travel tips are there for South Africa?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Garden Route as a road trip: plan for 7-10 days
Kruger: self-drive safari is cheaper than guided tours
Wine tasting in Stellenbosch is often free or inexpensive
Safety: do not walk in cities after dark
Cape Town: take the cable car to Table Mountain early in the morning (to avoid traffic)
What do people eat in South Africa?
Typical dishes in South Africa are Braai (BBQ), Bobotie, Biltong, Bunny Chow, Malva Pudding, Pinotage wine.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in South Africa are worth visiting?
13 regions, cities and highlights in South Africa
Regions
Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands east of Cape Town is South Africa's most prestigious wine region and one of the most beautiful wine-growing areas in the world. The combination of Cape Dutch …
Garden Route
The Garden Route is South Africa's most spectacular coastal road and one of the most beautiful road trip routes in the world. Stretching approximately 300 kilometers between …
Cities
Durban
Durban is the third largest city in South Africa with over 3.7 million inhabitants and is located on the subtropical east coast by the Indian Ocean. The port city in the province …
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Gqeberha — known as Port Elizabeth until 2021 — is South Africa's 'Friendly City' on Algoa Bay on the Indian Ocean. The city is the gateway to the malaria-free Addo Elephant …
Hermanus
Hermanus on Walker Bay is considered one of the best places in the world for whale watching from land. From June to December, Southern Right Whales come so close to the cliffs …
Johannesburg
Johannesburg, affectionately known as Jozi or Joburg, is South Africa's largest city and a fascinating melting pot of cultures that is rapidly reinventing itself. The city, which …
Cape Town
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world — framed by the majestic Table Mountain, the dramatic Atlantic coast, and the green vineyards of the Cape Winelands. The …
Pretoria
Pretoria is South Africa's administrative capital and the Jacaranda City — every October, 70,000 jacaranda trees transform the streets into a purple tunnel of blossoms, making the …
Soweto
Soweto (South Western Townships) is a district of Johannesburg and with over 1.3 million inhabitants, it is the largest township in South Africa. Soweto was the epicenter of the …
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is the heart of the South African wine region and one of the most beautiful small towns in the country. Located just 50 kilometers east of Cape Town, the second …
National parks
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is the crown jewel of African wilderness — a nearly 20,000 square kilometer conservation area in northeastern South Africa that hosts the highest …
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is the crown jewel of African wilderness and one of the largest and most biodiverse wildlife reserves in the world. Covering an area of almost 20,000 …
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is Africa's most famous and one of the largest national parks in the world. Covering an area of nearly 20,000 square kilometers — larger than Saxony — it …
Complete guide for South Africa
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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How do I plan a holiday in South Africa?
South Africa is one of the most popular travel destinations in Africa, offering Safari, Nature, Wine and much more. The best time to visit South Africa is October–March (Southern Hemisphere summer), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 40–60€ (Budget) to 120–300€ (Luxury), South Africa is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Pretoria/Cape Town, South Africa can be excellently explored. The official language is English + 10 others, and the currency is Rand (ZAR). From Germany, you can reach South Africa in approx. 11–12 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Braai (BBQ), Bobotie, Biltong, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: South Africa has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your South Africa holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if South Africa is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
Suitable holiday types for South Africa:
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