South Africa Safaris

COUNTRY

South Africa Travel Packages

From rugged coastlines, astonishing flora, spectacular national parks and cityscapes filled with arts and culture, a South Africa safari will satisfy a wide range of bucket list experiences. Start discovering South Africa with a visit to Cape Town, the ‘best city in the world’, surrounded by breathtaking sights and sounds. The best of South Africa is on show in Cape Town, with adventures to satisfy the most discerning traveller – from hiking to surfing, to art and culture, to history and culinary adventures. Make sure to include a hike on Table Mountain, part of the UNESCO Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site, in your South African holiday. The panoramic views of Robben Island, Table Bay and other fantastic Cape Town highlights are breathtaking.

Make your South African vacation a never-ending visual feast with a trip along the Garden Route, encompassing 300 kilometres of the most beautiful stretches of coastline anywhere in the world. White beaches, lagoons, forests, lakes and dramatic seaside cliffs dot the route that includes the cities of Mossel Bay, George, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna.

Unrivalled in wildlife diversity, a trip to the world-famous Kruger National Park will deliver on its promise of the safari of a lifetime to South Africa. This wilderness gem of nearly 20 000 km² is a safari seeker’s dream. Marvelling at the iconic Big 5 as well as hundreds of other species, including more than 500 different birds, will make your South African wildlife safari unforgettable.

KwaZulu-Natal is a diverse South African safari destination with its incredible mountains and beautiful coastal regions offering various options for exploration and discovery. Add a visit to Isimangaliso Wetland Park, the largest estuarine park in the country, to the itinerary of your South African vacation and come face to face with hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, flamingos, and a variety of other birdlife.

South Africa Safaris with JENMAN

A South Africa safari with Jenman will call to the wildlife wonderer, the adrenaline-seeking adventurer, and the culturally curious. Explore the very best of South Africa on the extensive 20-day World in One Country tour. Included in this itinerary of your holiday to South Africa is the iconic Kruger National Park, the marvellous scenery along the Garden Route and the panoramic views of Cape Town. Discover the highlights of South Africa on the 7-day Cape Town and Kruger Experience. Experience the best of South Africa with a visit to the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town and fall in love with the African bush in the Kruger National Park.

You also have the option to get behind the wheel on your South African vacation on the 9-day Drakensberg to Port Elizabeth Self-Drive tour. Marvel over the magnificent scenery of the Drakenberg Mountains, visit the quaint seaside village of Chintsa East on the Wild Coast and enjoy game drives in Addo Elephant National Park.

For a totally unique safari holiday in South Africa, choose the 4-day Grootbos Experience. Located around two hours drive south of Cape Town, the eco-paradise that is the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve offers incredible flora and marine life at the southern tip of the African continent.

JENMAN African Safaris have popular tour packages that allow you to experience the very best of Africa.

Highlights of a Safari to South Africa

Experience the most magical of journeys with a safari of a lifetime to South Africa. Discover the best of South Africa with an array of natural wonders and a multitude of attractions, from Cape Town in the south to the Kruger National Park in the north.

Start your vacation to South Africa with a visit to Cape Point, a visual feast with turquoise seas, jagged stone cliffs and a diversity of flora and fauna. Hikers, birders, nature lovers, the historically fascinated and culturally curious should all book a day trip to Cape Point.

The Cape Winelands are a firm favourite when it comes to South African safaris to Cape Town. With green rolling hills covered in vines, and grand old manor houses, the region produces international and award-winning wines annually, making it one of the most popular highlights on a trip to South Africa.

Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve is the prime destination for wildlife safaris in South Africa’s province of KwaZulu-Natal. With its amazing wilderness allure, this wildlife haven is a fantastic option to satisfy your safari cravings as it is home to the Big 5 and more than 340 bird species.
A South African holiday is not complete without a visit to the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape. Regarded as one of the best national parks in South Africa, Addo offers incredible game viewing opportunities with the presence of some of the majestic creatures of Africa, including the Big Five, as well as antelopes, zebras, hyenas, warthogs, baboon and springboks.

JENMAN African Safaris have popular tour packages that allow you to experience the very best of Africa.

Currency
The currency is the South African Rand. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes.
Banking
Banks are found in most towns and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services – with cash, bank & credit cards as well as travellers’ cheques. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed.

Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail.
Principal air routes are serviced by SAA and British Airways, operated by Comair. There are 2 low-cost carriers on main routes, namely Kulula.com and Mango.
Facilitating travel around South Africa are 10 airports managed by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). In addition, there are some 90 regional airports, including the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit and the Skukuza Airport, offering access to the Kruger National Park.
An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy. There is also the new Gautrain rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni and OR Tambo International Airport.

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in South Africa are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.
It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads and put ice in your drinks. South Africa’s fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.
Restaurants are subject to South Africa’s food safety control legislation, which is implemented by the local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.
Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.

South African temperatures, which are measured in centigrade, average at highs of 28°C to average lows of 8°C in the summer months while winter temperatures range from 1°C at night to around 18°C in the day. Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry. Much of the rain falls in the Western Cape in the winter, differing from the rest of the country, which experiences summer rainfall. On the plus side, the South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day.

Summer
Bring clothes that are cool, light and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 – 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also, bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don’t forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).
Winter
The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers. But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it’s advisable to bring rain gear along.
General
Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months.
Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter.
For game viewing, neutral-toned items are advised. A good pair of walking shoes is also necessary.

Most accommodation as well as restaurants offer WiFi (free or paid). Camps and lodges generally have good connection, unless extremely remote.

Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug should be brought for your electrical appliances – such adapters are also available at major airports.

Best time to visit South Africa

Planning for your vacation to South Africa is an easy affair as the country is regarded as a year-round destination with balmy summers and mild winters. Depending on chosen activities and preferred interests, South Africa offers ample opportunity to explore the country’s multitude of sights and sounds.

Average day temperatures during the spring and summer months, from September to February, are in the mid to high 20°C. In autumn and winter, between March and August, average temperatures drop to around 15°C, making your South African holiday most enjoyable any time of the year. Discovering South Africa if you are a traveller from the northern hemisphere is ideal, as the South African summer coincides with winter on the other side of the world.

Best Time for a Kruger Safari

If a visit to the Kruger National Park is top of the list, then it is best to plan your South Africa wildlife safari between May and September, during the drier months of the year. The sparseness of the natural surroundings makes for easier spotting of wildlife while the animals also gather around waterholes. If you want to marvel at the sight of baby animals appearing all over the landscape, then the beginning of the rainy season in November is a good time for your vacation in South Africa.

Best Time to visit Cape Town and the Garden Route

Where Cape Town and the Garden Route is concerned, the best of South Africa’s natural beauty in this region is on display between September and May when it is hot and dry.

This is when the fynbos floral kingdom is in full bloom and when the southern right whales visit the coastline. The Western Cape province is cold and wet from June to September.