- Ideal trip length
- 10 to 14 nights
- Best time to go
- September to November; March to April
- Time zone
- GMT+2 (South African Standard Time)
- Currency
- South African rand (ZAR)
About South Africa
Most trips combine Cape Town with a safari. Cape Town has Table Mountain, the Atlantic beaches, the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek within an hour. Then a short flight takes you to the Greater Kruger, where private reserves such as the Sabi Sand and Thornybush offer open-vehicle game drives, expert trackers and lodges of real comfort.
Three or four nights at a safari lodge is the sweet spot, with two game drives a day. Combining two lodges in different reserves adds variety. Many travellers also add Victoria Falls or Mozambique's islands as a finale.
When to go
Cape Town is best in its summer, from November to March, while safari in the Greater Kruger is easiest in the dry season from May to October, when animals gather at water. The shoulder months of September to November and March to April work well for both.
Places to go
Cape Town
Table Mountain, Atlantic beaches and the Cape Peninsula.
See hotelsGreater Kruger
Private reserves such as the Sabi Sand and Thornybush, with Big Five game drives.
See hotelsThe Winelands
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine estates, under an hour from Cape Town.
Ask me about hotels hereMy picks in South Africa
The hotels I'd start with, and who each one suits.
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Belmond Bellini Club
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
Cape Town, South Africa
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Four-Star
Virtuoso
Ellerman House
Cape Town, South Africa
3 MICHELIN Keys
Virtuoso
Royal Malewane
Greater Kruger, South Africa
3 MICHELIN Keys
Virtuoso
Londolozi
Greater Kruger, South AfricaBefore you go
Arriving
Getting there
Johannesburg has direct flights from Singapore, with short connections to Cape Town and to Hoedspruit or the safari airstrips.
Getting around
Short domestic flights link Cape Town with the safari areas, and light aircraft land at many reserves. In Cape Town, a private driver is best.
Visa and entry
Singapore, UK, US and Australian passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport needs at least six months' validity on entry and two blank pages. Check the official source before you travel.
Checked November 2026
Money and culture
Money
Cards are widely accepted in cities and lodges. Carry some rand for tips on safari.
Tipping
Tipping is customary: 10 to 15 percent in restaurants, and a daily tip for safari guides, trackers and lodge staff.
Local customs
On safari, follow your guide's instructions at all times, and stay quiet and seated near animals.
On the ground
Language
Twelve official languages, including South African Sign Language. English is widely spoken.
Plugs and power
Type M, with Types N and C also used. Bring an adapter from Singapore.
Safety
Follow local advice in cities: use hotel cars rather than walking at night, and keep valuables out of sight. The Greater Kruger is a malaria area, so speak to your doctor before you travel.
South Africa: quick answers
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
September to November; March to April. Cape Town is best in its summer, from November to March, while safari in the Greater Kruger is easiest in the dry season from May to October, when animals gather at water. The shoulder months of September to November and March to April work well for both.
How long should I spend in South Africa?
10 to 14 nights is a good length for a first visit. Tell me what you enjoy and I'll shape the route around it.
Which luxury hotels do you recommend in South Africa?
My picks are Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel (Cape Town), Ellerman House (Cape Town), Royal Malewane (Greater Kruger) and Londolozi (Greater Kruger). Each hotel page has my write-up, what guests say and the benefits I can add.
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
Singapore, UK, US and Australian passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport needs at least six months' validity on entry and two blank pages. Check the official source before you travel.
Updated November 2026
I pair three or four nights in Cape Town with three or four on safari, choosing the lodge and season for the wildlife you most want to see.
- Benefits arranged before you arrive.
- One point of contact from start to finish.
- Hotels matched to how you travel.