Welcome to our beautiful country! If you are looking for reasons to visit South Africa, here are our favourite five, although we must admit that there are so many more.
1. Epic Big 5 sightings
South Africa is a stronghold of the iconic Big 5 and is in fact celebrated by safari-goers and wildlife enthusiasts as one of the top Big 5 safari destinations in Africa. While there is never any guarantee of seeing specific animal species, here in our home Manyoni Private Game Reserve, there is a good chance of seeing four of the Big 5 – elephant, buffalo, rhino, and lion. Due to their often shy nature, leopard can be a little more tricky to spot than their big cat counterparts and game animals. Our rangers are well-versed in tracking these large (and small) animals and have some entertaining, sometimes jaw-dropping stories to share about the Big 5.
Did you know that Manyoni’s lions have been occasionally spotted lounging in trees during the heat of summer? Lions are clumsy climbers so this behaviour is unusual and rare to see. Bongani, Stuart, James and Kyle still get just as excited to see the Big 5 as you would on your first trip. They are able to get the game vehicle close enough to the animals, while still keeping a safe and respectful distance that doesn’t alarm them. Whilst it is great when you can see the wildlife up close, binoculars can really help with spotting animals that are farther away. They can really improve your African wildlife experience.
2. Treat your taste buds
If you’re looking for fantastic culinary delights at unbeatable value for money, look no further! On the country’s eastern seaboard, indulge in a gourmet getaway in the lush hills of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, fortifying yourself for a comfortable hike in the foothills of the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains.
On the country’s eastern seaboard, indulge in a gourmet getaway in the lush hills of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, fortifying yourself for a comfortable hike in the foothills of the magnificent Drakensberg Mountains.
3. Meet new friends
Visitors often comment on the fact that South Africans smile a lot… yes, we are a friendly bunch! We love to meet new people and passionately recommend our favourite places and things to do. We are a melting pot of many fascinating cultures forming one nation, so you’ll hear several distinct accents in our English, notice many different faces, and taste a rich fusion of flavours in our cuisine.
4. Experience (almost) perfect weather
Did you know that Durban, Ballito and the beaches of the KwaZulu-Natal Coast average over 300 days of sunshine a year? Even the December to March ‘rainy season’ over the Kruger is actually quite sunny: rainfall generally consists of short-lived thundershowers in the late afternoons, leaving the air washed clean of dust and making for bright, crisp photographs.
South Africa is blessed with a generally temperate climate, meaning sensational summers and mild winters. Enjoying great weather is vital for a memorable vacation and for many travellers (especially from the northern hemisphere), this is one of the top reasons to visit South Africa.
5. Bring the family
Your kids will love it! Beautiful South Africa has plenty of child-friendly accommodation and loads of great options for a family holiday. Cape Town and the Garden Route are particularly popular for a beach break.
For a family safari in Africa, we recommend the Pilanesberg, Madikwe or one of the Eastern Cape reserves – all malaria-free with superb game viewing. For loud, unrestrained whoops of joy, try thrill-a-minute Sun City, a holiday resort that even has a sandy ‘beach’ and ‘ocean’ built in the middle of the bush, less than a 2-hour drive from Johannesburg.
If you are bringing young children on safari for the first time, ask your Africa Safari Expert to find you a lodge that is geared for kids: many have amazing junior rangers’ programmes, shorter game drives, educational games and special play areas with trained babysitters. Long game drives can be tough on little ones but gentle nature walks with trained guides that teach them about bugs, birds and blooms can be very exciting.
