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A woman and a man sit in a safari truck, looking out at wildlife whilst on a game drive
A woman and a man sit in a safari truck, looking out at wildlife whilst on a game drive

Holidays in South Africa

 Big skies, bold cities, wild quiet

South Africa from £1250pp

South Africa turns plans on their heads in the best way. You set out for the views, stay for the beaches, then find yourself heading inland because someone mentioned a safari you shouldn’t miss. Add in wine tastings that run long and lunches that refuse to end, and suddenly you’re not following an itinerary, you’re following your mood.

Shape your South Africa holiday

You could try to narrow it down. But why would you? Coastline, city, vineyard, safari, all within reach, all worth your time. Build the trip that does a bit of everything. Then add one more stop you nearly talked yourself out of. That’s usually where it gets interesting.

Most visitors see more than one side of South Africa, and with good reason. Getting around is easy by plane or self-drive, so it’s simple to plan a trip that suits you. Here are a few of our favourite combinations.

Where to stay in South Africa

Cape Town holidaysCape Town holidays

Cape Town holidays

Johannesburg holidaysJohannesburg holidays

Johannesburg holidays

Kruger and surrounds holidaysKruger and surrounds holidays

Kruger and surrounds holidays

Garden Route holidaysGarden Route holidays

Garden Route holidays

View all 46 places to stay

Essential information for South Africa

  1. Time Zone

    UK + 1 hour

  2. Language

    English and Afrikaans

  3. Currency

    Rand (ZAR)

  4. Flight time

    11 hours direct flight

  1. Flight schedule

    Virgin Atlantic flies daily from London Heathrow to Johannesburg. We also fly daily from Heathrow to Cape Town during our winter seasonal service.

  2. Do I need a visa?

    Your UK passport must be valid for at least 30 days from the date you leave South Africa, and have at least two blank pages when you present it at immigration on arrival or departure.

    Find out more about Travel Visas here.

  3. When should I go?

    South Africa’s seasons are opposite to the UK, with summer from November to March and winter from April to October. The north stays warm year-round, while the Western and Eastern Cape, including Cape Town and the Garden Route, feel the cooler winter weather more.

Need more travel tips or holiday help?

If you’re from the UK, good news – you won't need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Just bring a passport valid for at least 30 days after your return, with two blank pages. For other nationalities, check the latest requirements before you travel.

South Africa is just 2 hours ahead of the UK – and during British Summer Time, only 1 hour ahead. No jet lag drama here.

Easy peasy. Multi-centre holidays can be booked through our retail stores or over the phone. Just choose your dream mix (like Cape Town, a safari lodge, and the Garden Route), and we'll do the legwork. Or ask us to build your perfect itinerary.

For safaris, go between May and October (dry season equals more wildlife action). For Cape Town and beaches, November to March is sunshine central.

Tipping is appreciated but not over the top – aim for 10–15% in restaurants. For porters, R10–R20 per bag is the norm, and R20–R50 for guides or drivers, depending on service.

The South African Rand (ZAR) is what you’ll need. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s handy to carry a bit of cash for markets and tips.

Cape Town is a winner – safe, scenic, and packed with fun (think penguins, cable cars, and beaches). The Garden Route is also great for road-tripping families. For wildlife-loving kids, choose a malaria-free safari lodge in Eastern Cape.

No mandatory jabs for most visitors, but it's smart to be up to date on routine vaccines. Heading to Kruger? Ask your GP about malaria precautions. Always check with a travel clinic before you go.

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