South Africa travel guide

South Africa · Africa

South Africa

Discover South Africa - from its landmark cities to its most memorable landscapes and experiences.

Top Experiences

Top experiences in South Africa

Live experience inventory from our Viator partnership - real ratings, real reviews, real prices.

India Venster: sensational half-day route up Table Mountain Live

India Venster: sensational half-day route up Table Mountain

5.0(154)·3 hr 30 min

From

$119

Book
Cape Peninsula & Penguins Private Day Tour, Entrances Included. Live

Cape Peninsula & Penguins Private Day Tour, Entrances Included.

5.0(79)·8 hr

From

$244

Book
HIKE Cape Town-South Africa With a Private Guide Live

HIKE Cape Town-South Africa With a Private Guide

5.0(70)·2 hr

From

$157

Book

Live pricing, ratings and availability from Viator · updated hourly

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Top Cities

Where to go in South Africa

The cities and regions travellers plan their South Africa trips around.

City guides for South Africa are coming soon.

Hotels

Stays in South Africa

Live hotel inventory powered by our Booking.com partnership - every booking supports TourBookings.

Prices, availability and reviews are shown live on Booking.com · affiliate partner · anchor city: Cape Town

Road Trips

Iconic drives in South Africa

Self-drive routes that turn a trip into the story of a lifetime.

Road trip itineraries for South Africa are coming soon.

Travel Guide

Practical tips for South Africa

What every first-time visitor should know before they go.

Currency

See local currency

Language

See local languages

Power / Plug

Check plug type before travel

Visa

Check visa requirements for your passport before travel.

Top tips

  • Book flagship tours and hotels early in peak season.
  • Local SIM or eSIM keeps navigation and translation easy.
  • Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Weather

South Africa at a glance

Weather varies by region and season - check forecasts close to your travel dates.

Jan

5° / 15°

Northern winter / southern summer

Apr

10° / 20°

Shoulder season

Jul

18° / 28°

Peak northern summer

Oct

12° / 22°

Autumn / spring

Best Time to Visit

When to travel to South Africa

Shoulder months usually offer the best mix of weather, availability and pricing in South Africa.

Peak

Peak season varies by region

Shoulder

Shoulder months typically offer the best value

Off-season

Off-season is quieter with lower prices

Featured Tours

Hand-picked tours in South Africa

A curated selection of tours travellers rate most highly right now.

Table Mountain Private Hike Tour of Kasteelpoort Route from Cape Town Live

Table Mountain Private Hike Tour of Kasteelpoort Route from Cape Town

5.0(70)·5 hr

From

$219

Book
Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunset Hike Live

Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunset Hike

5.0(66)·3 hr 30 min

From

$103

Book
Private Garden Route Tour from Cape Town with Game Drive Live

Private Garden Route Tour from Cape Town with Game Drive

5.0(59)·120 hr

From

$808

Book

Live pricing, ratings and availability from Viator · updated hourly

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FAQs

South Africa travel questions

Real answers to the questions our travellers ask most.

Is South Africa safe for tourists?+

South Africa is a popular destination - as always, take normal travel precautions and follow official advice.

What's the best way to get around South Africa?+

A mix of domestic flights, rail and rental cars usually works best - the right combination depends on your itinerary.

Do I need travel insurance for South Africa?+

Yes - comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for any international trip.