This captivating city will not disappoint! Combined with a safari and maybe a meandering drive along the Garden Route, Cape Town will start or end your trip on a great note.

In terms of accommodation, Cape Town offers so much choice. Budget travellers will love the funky, glam backpacker accommodation that the city’s hostels provide. Those after something a little more discerning may want to opt for one of the many luxury boutique hotels or guesthouses - we can even arrange a stay in a cave or a treehouse if you so desire! And there are plenty of decent, mid-priced and well located hotels available as well.

The biggest drawcard for many is the opportunity to take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain and admire the city from a birds’ eye view. Choose your timing carefully - often clouds will obscure the top of the mountain, like a tablecloth - hence the name Table Mountain!

Another must do in the city is to take a boat over to explore the prison on Robben Island. This experience sells out a couple of days in advance, normally, so we would highly recommend purchasing your tickets well ahead of time. 

Spoil yourself in the many boutiques dotted along the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, find a secluded beach to relax on, and head out to the wineries to taste some of the best food and wine anywhere in the world. 

Cape Town really does offer everything that one looks for on a holiday - and you will hit the ground running without any jet lag - South Africa is conveniently in the same time zone as the UK!

Whether it’s your first safari, or tenth, South Africa’s national parks will always hit the spot.

Kruger is the most well known of them all, and is a great option for first timers as sighting the Big Five is almost guaranteed. Lions, buffalo, elephants, rhinos and the sometimes lesser spotted leopard abound. Zebras and giraffes will surely make an appearance and there is nothing quite like having a sundowner drink in the back of your jeep, watching nature unfold around you.

You can self drive, or we can organise a private itinerary for you, complete with your own ranger and private vehicle. You can opt to stay in high end safari lodges or we can keep costs down by organising a camping itinerary instead. 

Kruger National Park also offers the opportunity to view the wildlife from a hot air balloon, you can visit an animal rehabilitation centre or take a horseback safari.

If you don’t have time to spend three or four days on safari, then there are some more conveniently located National Parks that work well for day trips.The Addo Elephant Park is a must do if you are on a Garden Route itinerary. Or the Aquila Private Reserve offers day trips from Cape Town. 

This stunning stretch of coastline is ideal for a self drive itinerary, or adventure touring. Pick your car up in Cape Town, and head East - through the winelands of Stellenbosch and Froenschoek, before you reach the coast. You will soon reach the tiny towns of Hermanus and Gansbaii. If you want to brave a shark cage dive, then now is your chance!

Heading further east, you will be amazed by the coastal views and charming little towns along the way. Visit the southernmost tip of Africa in Agulhas, and get a selfie in front of the lighthouse. You will pass plenty of flora and fauna as you drive, keeping things interesting. 

Tour the fascinating Cango Caves before arriving at the Ostrich Farm in Oudtshoorn, the Feather Capital of the World!

Take a boat cruise in the beautiful Knysna Lagoon, and hike into the forests and sea caves surrounding it. 

Carry on driving through beachy towns and surf beaches until you reach Port Elizabeth, where you can hand in your rental car and get a domestic flight to your next location. 

The Garden Route should be on every road trip lover’s bucket list. We would recommend anything from four to fourteen days to complete the drive.

Self driving in South Africa is very popular for good reason. Car hire is generally great value, and the roads are in good condition. There are plenty of service stations along the main tourist routes, and being able to drive yourself door to door is very safe and convenient. 

The Garden Route is by far the most popular route in the country. Another great itinerary would be to pick the car up in Johannesburg, then head to Kruger National Park. No permits are required, but we would recommend pre-booking your accommodation as options can be limited. Drive slowly, and be patient. Use the plentiful rest stops dotted around the park and remember - wildlife has right of way!

If you’re a solo traveller but looking for a group holiday we can help. We have some small group guided tours, don’t worry! They’re not the traditional stuffy tours of the 1980s! These are modern cycling or trekking tours with plenty of free time, other solo travellers and a guide. Contact our team to find out more.

South Africa has a bit of a reputation for being dangerous which might put off some less hardy families, but if you follow the usual safety guidelines that would be advisable in any destination, this country can make for a fascinating, memorable and educational trip for those travelling with children.

We would suggest perhaps it is a destination for slightly older children though - 12 and up, ideally. If they are below the age of 12, this will rule out many lodges and safari companies due to insurance reasons. 

Remember also, that malaria tablets will likely need to be taken, and these are not recommended for children aged under five. 

If you’d like to see more of South Africa than a typical holiday, why not consider joining one of our small group guided tours? These aren’t the old fashioned stuffy coach tours and we promise there won’t be any guides with flags in sight! These are guided but free flowing adventures taking you to explore your destination and experience the local life. Certainly most tourists won’t experience where these tours will take you. We can also offer you some amazing overlanding itineraries, with game drives and really take you off the beaten track!

Locals tend to use minibus taxis to get around urban areas, but this is not considered safe for tourists. We would recommend hiring a car (even for short breaks in Cape Town, having your own transport is safe and convenient) or organising a private itinerary with a local guide or driver. 

Internal flights are generally cheap and plentiful, or if you’re feeling fancy, and want to get between Johannesburg and Cape Town, consider booking onto the famous Blue Train - the most luxurious train journey in the world!

There are also bus services such as Greyhound and the Baz Bus which connect the major cities - but flying is not much more expensive. 

If you are hoping to go on safari, then May to September are the optimal months for game viewing. These are the winter months, but means the grass is shorter for easy spotting, and it is also the dry season, meaning the animals are more likely to congregate by watering holes. May and September is perfect months to travel, as they are slightly warmer.

If it is the beaches and cities that are your priority, then summer time is October through to March. These are also the best months for bird watching.

The shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November will bring glorious weather, fewer tourists and lower prices.

The currency in South Africa is the Rand.

Flying time from the UK is about 12 hours. 

Local emergency numbers are:

Ambulance - 10177

Local Police - 10111

At The Holiday People we give you full financial protection.

Simply, when you make a booking your money goes into a sperate business account and stays there until you go on holiday.

Your money is separated from the money we use to run the business. Your money enters into either a Trust Account or Client Account pending what elements of a holiday your booking.

This means that we will always be able to refund and even if, for some reasons The Holiday People failed, you'd be able to get a refund or go on holiday because your money is separated from the business.

The Holiday People offers some of the most comprehensive financial protection in the travel industry. Many travel companies do not offer the protection we do so even if you don't book with us, please do check how you are protected!

We hope this makes sense!

For more information please click here or contact our team.