South Africa Holidays
Overview
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A holiday to South Africa will never disappoint. This beautifully diverse and vibrant country has come a long way in the last decade or two, but the best is yet to come! Mix a city break to beautiful Cape Town or the cosmopolitan capital, Johannesburg, with a tour of the vast wine estates, a self drive along the Garden Route or the spectacular wildlife of Kruger National Park. South Africa is also blessed with some beautiful beaches perfect for soaking up the sun.
Unmissable Resorts in South Africa
South Africa Highlights
Cape Town: Fondly named 'Mother City', Cape Town has some great sights as well as fantastic shopping and eclectic nightlife. Familiarise yourself with the city from the top of Table Mountain for stunning panoramas across the bay then enjoy a meal in the V & A Harbour with popular seafood restaurants and trendy bars.
Safari: Those looking for adventure should head to Kruger National Park for excitement, thrills and some of the best big five safaris in Africa. Luxurious lodges, delicious food and expert guides will make sure you have the experience of a lifetime. And if you are short of time, the Eastern Cape is malaria free with almost guaranteed Big Five sightings.
Self Drive: With a fantastic road network, it is incredibly easy and safe to drive. We highly recommend a trip along the famous Garden Route between Cape Town and the game reserves in the Eastern Cape, you will not be disappointed!
Beaches: Fashionable Capetonians are usually spotted sunbathing and socializing along the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, but this country has a beach for every season. On the Garden Route you will find the upmarket resort of Plettenberg Bay but drive a bit further into KwaZulu-Natal and the balmy weather of Durban awaits you. Home to a growing colony of the endangered African Penguin, Boulders Beach is within easy reach of Cape Town. Here you can get very close to these sociable flightless birds in their natural habitat. An amazing experience for children and adults alike!
Adventure: Ever fancied diving in a shark cage? If an adrenaline rush is what you are after, you have come to the right place. Abseiling from Table Mountain, white water rafting, hot air ballooning in Kruger, tree top swinging and rock climbing - the list is almost endless.
South Africa Factfile
When to go
Temperature Range: 10°C - 28°C
Most popular: October - April
Best value: May - August
Best weather: December - April
Travel Information
Direct flights: South African Airways, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
Indirect flights: Emirates, KLM
Visa information: Visa Required
Health information: Vaccinations and anti-malarial protection recommended
Time Difference: GMT +2 hours
When To Go
Best Time to Go
Although South Africa is a year round destination, the best time to go is in the Autumn months of March and April when the temperatures are warm (but not too hot!) and there is less rainfall, allowing you to make the most of your stay.
Most Popular
October to April are the most popular months to visit South Africa as the weather is warm and sunny.
Hottest
The hottest months are December to February with hot sunny weather and frequent short afternoon thunderstorms. The average maximum temperature in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January is 26°C and 28°C in Durban.
Climate
Although the climate varies regionally within South Africa, the key thing to remember is that as this is a Southern hemisphere country the seasons are opposite to the UK. Summer (December to February) is characterised by hot sunny weather often with afternoon thunder storms. Autumn (March to April) sees very little rainfall and warm sunny weather, making this a great time to visit. Winter (June to August) sees crisp sunny days (except for the Western Cape) however it can be chilly, so bring some warm clothes if you plan to visit over these months. Spring (September to November) sees temperatures begin to warm up once more and thousands of flowers begin to bloom. The most rainfall is expected between the summer months of December to February, with the exception of the Western Cape which sees most of it's rainfall in the winter (June to August).
South Africa Travel Information
Flight information
There are a number of carriers flying from the UK to South Africa.
Direct Carriers: South African Airways, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly to Cape Town and Johannesburg. Average flight time is approximately 11 hours.
Indirect Carriers: Emirates flies via Dubai and KLM flies via Amsterdam to both Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Departure Taxes: These are included in the cost of your airline ticket.
Visa information
British passport holders require a visa to enter South Africa. This is free for stays of up to 90 days and can be obtained on arrival. Please ensure you have two blank pages in your passport for your visa or you may be refused entry. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in South Africa. Please contact the South African High Commission for up to date country and visa information on 0207 451 7299.
How to obtain a visa
If you need a visa for your upcoming trip, Hayes & Jarvis are pleased to offer our customers the expertise and experience of CIBT, the Global Visa and Passport professionals. CIBT UK Ltd specialises in fast, dependable visa application services. Don't wait until the last minute. For an application form and discounted pricing call 0844 800 4650 or visit www.uk.cibt.com/hayesandjarvis
