Best of Luxury South Africa Travel
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South Africa Attractions & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit South Africa
South Africa’s climate is mostly temperate and can be enjoyed year round. However, due to wildlife migrations and plant blooming, certain regions of the country are best visited during specific times.
Observed holiday seasons and busy tourist fluctuations might also be considered when making South Africa travel plans. December and January are both summer vacation times for locals as well as a favorite tourist season so many places can be quite busy. Schools observe holidays in April and July which are favorite family times to travel, especially to Cape Town, Durban and Kruger National Park.
• Northern Region (Kruger, Limpopo, Gauteng) – Best to visit during the winter months of May to September when wildlife is most active. Temperatures are mild, hovering at highs of 22 C, with little rainfall.
• Southern Region (Cape Town, Eastern Cape, Garden Route) – Best to visit during the months of October to March when sunny days and temps of 30 C are the norm. Rainfall is low and a refreshing breeze can be enjoyed from off the Atlantic.
• East Coast – The warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide year-round enjoyment of swimming and other water sports. Lakes in higher elevations can be cold in the winter months.
• Namaqualand (Northern and Western Region) – Being mostly desert, this area draws thousands of visitors from August through September when it bursts forth in an amazing show of floral beauty.
South Africa Highlights
South Africa is a wonderfully diverse country which offers expansive plains, mystical deserts, shadowing mountain ranges and miles of picturesque, rugged coastline sprinkled with golden beaches. The population of South Africa is no less interesting, containing a host of indigenous Africans which speak 11 national languages, as well as transplants from numerous other nations.
African wildlife safari is a big draw to South Africa and an interesting variety of it can be observed throughout the country. The allure of viewing the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) is a high priority on the world traveler’s list.
The vast, wild and well known Kruger National Park is an excellent destination for embarking on exhilarating game drives and experiencing the wild side of the country. Comfortable and charming luxury safari lodges can be found in and around South Africa’s reserves for a comfortable and memorable stay.
The cities and towns offer another fascinating aspect of this amazing land. Cape Town provides the world traveler with chic, cosmopolitan adventure at the tip of South Africa, while Johannesburg, the heart of the nation, bustles with African diversity and colorful ethnicity.
Dutch architecture and culture can be found in towns within wine country where, internationally recognized labels accompany delicious African culinary dishes. Scottish influence, especially in areas with golf courses, lies in the valleys between the picturesque mountains of Drakensburg. Zulu tribal villages in the wilderness of Zululand present the visitor with beehive huts and opportunities to partake in vibrant, traditional celebrations.
The coastline is another beautiful draw for visitors, providing massive cliffs, wave-splashed boulders, lush forests which descend rolling mountains slopes to the ocean’s edge, and the occasional beach for sun worshippers. The Garden Route, which runs from the southeastern tip northward along the eastern Indian Ocean coast, is an excellent journey for those who want to partake of South Africa’s diverse natural and cultural beauty.
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