South Africa Travel Guide

Few destinations can encapsulate astounding wildlife experiences and enthralling cosmopolitan delights like South Africa.

Its famous national reserves, home to the Big 5 and so much more, in addition to a complex culture full of culinary discoveries and sobering history, provides a getaway that encapsulates polar opposite experiences.

To uncover the true wonder of this unique destination explore Zicasso’s South Africa Travel Guide to get inspired for your upcoming trip. When you are ready to learn the full extent of opportunities, submit a Trip Request and speak with a safari specialist.

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Aerial view of Cape Town, South Africa.

Best Time to Visit South Africa

The best time to visit South Africa is from May to September. The country is incredibly diverse, offering experiences that range from safaris to wine...
Chapman's Peak scenic drive along the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, South Africa

Top 9 Things to Do in South Africa

The top things to do in South Africa can take you from the iconic silhouette of Table Mountain to the untamed wilderness of Kruger National Park. South...
Cheetah in Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, South Africa

6 Best Places to Visit in South Africa

The best places to visit in South Africa reveal a "world in one country," a nation of breathtaking diversity and dynamic experiences that can range from...
Father and cub at Kruger National Park, South Africa

How to Plan a Safari in South Africa: Frequently Asked Questions

Take an unforgettable luxury vacation in South Africa, a country where the continent's best wildlife parks meet vibrant culture and breathtaking coastlines....
Bush walk with Marataba Safari, South Africa

8 Reasons to Choose South Africa for Your Safari

South Africa is often described as “a world in one country,” and for good reason. It is a destination of incredible diversity, where a single journey...
Cheetahs drinking at a watering hole in the Kalahri Desert, South Africa

Top 15 Animals of South Africa and Where to See Them

Our top animals of South Africa and where to see them promises you encounters that are classic, memorable, and completely unexpected. When you think of...
Family at the beach in South Africa.

12 Best Places to Visit in South Africa with Family

From the exhilarating first sight of a lion on a bushveld plain to the simple joy of feeling the cool spray of the Indian Ocean, the best places to visit...
Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by SkyPixels - CC BY-SA 4.0

Top 10 Things to Do in Cape Town

South Africa’s “Mother City”, Cape Town, is a melting pot of culture, cuisine, and breathtaking sites brimming with activities, and this article highlights...
Two humback whales breaching off the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Guide to Whale Watching in South Africa: How to See the Marine Giants

South Africa offers an unparalleled opportunity for whale watching, where the annual migration of these immense creatures becomes a national spectacle....
Addo Elephant Park elephant calves playing

South Africa in January: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

In South Africa in January, the country is alive with the high energy of peak summer. Long, sun-drenched days stretch into balmy evenings under starry...
Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa

South Africa in March: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

In South Africa in March, the long, hot days of summer in the Southern Hemisphere country soften into the gentle warmth of early autumn. A festive energy...
Aerial view of Table Mountain in autumn

South Africa in May: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

In South Africa in May, the weather is glorious as the Southern Hemisphere country eases into late autumn. The intense heat of summer has faded, replaced...
Senior couple hiking at The Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

South Africa in June: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

In South Africa in June, the first breath of winter in the Southern Hemisphere country brings a crisp clarity to the air and a gentle, golden quality...
Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa in July: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

In South Africa in July, the landscapes unfold under clear blue skies across most of the country and the chill in the air invigorates the senses. The...
Carpet of wildflowers with Table Mountain in the background.

South Africa in August: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

South Africa in August holds the promise of transition. It’s a time of beauty, when the country begins to shake off the deep chill of winter and hints...
Sailing the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa in December: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

South Africa, a world in one country that boasts breathtaking landscapes, vibrant and diverse cultures, and a unique blend of natural wonders and urban...
Couples hiking Lions Head in Cape Town.

South Africa in Summer: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

Summer in South Africa is full of brilliant sunshine and endless possibilities. The days are long and sun-drenched in the Southern Hemisphere country,...
The blooming spring flowers along the coastline of South Africa, with Table Mountain in the background.

South Africa in Spring: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

Spring in South Africa is a season of transformation and renewal. As the chill of winter recedes in the Southern Hemisphere country, the “Rainbow Nation”...
Woman on a safari in Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa in Winter: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, and More

In South Africa in winter, the air in the north of the Southern Hemisphere country is crisp and clear, carrying the unfiltered sounds of the bush, while...
"Travelers on a safari game drive watch a rhinoceros grazing in the South African bushveld

Kruger National Park Luxury Safaris

South Africa’s Kruger National Park is famous for its incredible wildlife, rugged bushlands, and open savannas. The park is home to the Big Five, namely...
Balloons over Cappadocia in Turkey.

How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip in 4 Easy Steps

Explore the world with Zicasso by working with top travel specialists who will bring your dream vacation to life. Our primary goal is to make planning,...
Aerial view of luxury overwater bungalows on Bora Bora island in French Polynesia.

How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip Budget in 3 Easy Steps

Knowing your budget is an essential component of any trip-planning process. Whether the sky's the limit or you have specific parameters, a customized...

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Reviews of Zicasso's South Africa Safari Tours & Vacations

Based on 195 verified traveler reviews.

South Africa, Zimbabwe Travel Review: Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Sabi Sands, Cape Peninsula, Franschhoek, Winelands, Game Drives, Wine Tasting, Scenery, 11 Nights

Zicasso's travel designer was extremely helpful in our trip planning process, giving us multiple suggestions for itineraries and price ranges. He listened to our ideas and shared his experiences to aid us in our final decisions. Communication during the preparation for our trip was amazing. We were very pleased with the five-star accommodations he recommended, the pace of the activities included, and the order of the destinations we visited.

We spent three days in Stellenbosch, three days in Cape Town, three days in Victoria Falls, and three days at the private game reserve in Sabi Sands. The accommodations, service, and scenery started out top-notch and seemed to get better as we went along.

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South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Family Trip Review: Franschhoek, Gansbaai, Sabi Sands, Safari, 3-Week Tour

First, the booking experience with Zicasso's trip coordinator was seamless. She was always very attentive, responsive, and prompt with her replies. She listened to our wants and delivered beyond our expectations. Even our guides commented that she chose well for us. I would highly recommend booking with her.

Our itinerary in South Africa was pure perfection. Everything from the accommodations to the timing was perfect. We cannot say enough great things about the safari in Sabi Sands and the lodge. The lodge in Franschhoek was exceptional and the one in Gansbaai was the ideal ending to our trip.

This was truly a trip of a lifetime for our family. I’m not sure how we will ever top this experience. Thank you to Zicasso for connecting us with our agent.

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South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Family Travel Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Victoria Falls, Chobe National, Okavango Delta, 2-Week Trip

We just returned from a fantastic two-week trip to Africa, coordinated by our Zicasso travel agent. We started in South Africa (Cape Town/Franschhoek), then went up to Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), and to Botswana (Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta). Every step of the trip was well coordinated and seamless. The guides and accommodations were fantastic and comfortable.

I can't say enough positive things about our travel agent. She is the most detail-oriented and responsive travel agent I have ever worked with. She has extensive knowledge of travel in Africa and was able to provide outstanding recommendations for every question we had for her. She checked in with us regularly during the trip to make sure everything was going well, which was greatly appreciated. She genuinely cared about providing us with the best experience possible. I highly recommend using her and her agency if you are thinking about traveling to Africa!


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South Africa, Zimbabwe Travel Review: Cape Town, Winelands, Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls, Boulders Beach, Big Five, Penguins, 12 Nights

Cape Town was lovely. Our tour guide was great. He knew his history about Cape Town. He answered every question we asked. Our guide had a great rapport with my daughter. He was very trusting.

Our tour of the Cape Winelands was great! Our guide knew a lot about wine. Our stay at the guesthouse was lovely. We were very comfortable with the staff.

Our stay at the safari lodge was very special. We were treated like royalty. Our safari guide was the best. He knew about every animal we encountered. He took us on safari twice a day, morning and late afternoon. We saw the Big Five—elephants, Cape buffalo, rhino, leopard, and lions.

Our last tour was of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and knew where the best places were to get the best view of the falls.

Our first trip to Africa was beyond our expectations.

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South Africa, Zimbabwe Travel Review: Local Cuisine, Safari Drives, Glamping, Food Tour, 2 Weeks

The trip was absolutely amazing – truly the trip of a lifetime. The accommodations were perfect for us – the Cape Town hotel with its proximity to the V&A Waterfront and the boutique guesthouse in Franschhoek, which was also within easy walking distance to restaurants and the wine tram. The safari lodge was incredible – the food, service, safari drives, and our very comfortable glamping tent. The other lodge was also very comfortable, with great customer service.  

Our tour guide in Cape Town was the best – very knowledgeable, accommodating, and personable – and truly worked to make our trip extra special. The foodie tour was great – the most food we have ever had on a trip – with nice variety and local selections. 

The transfers were without a glitch.  

We can't say enough to thank our travel agent and her agency for making this a perfect trip.

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South Africa, Zambia Travel Review: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Safari, Houseboat Experience, Devil’s Pool, Elephant Sanctuary, Winelands, 2 Weeks

Zicasso’s travel agent was a delight to work with. He turned our extremely ambitious wish list into a two-week dream itinerary that included stays in Cape Town, the Winelands, a safari lodge, and Victoria Falls, and ended with three nights aboard a houseboat on the Chobe River. All accommodations were superb and perfectly situated for enjoying the local scenery and culture. 

We transitioned from the cosmopolitan beachside vibe of Cape Town’s Camps Bay to a safari lodge that looked out on a busy watering hole frequented by hippos, zebras, elephants, antelopes and giraffes. We took advantage of many excursion opportunities: shark-tank diving, a swim in Devil’s Pool above Victoria Falls, a helicopter ride over the falls, ziplining, wine tasting, quad biking through vineyards, and a visit to an elephant sanctuary that included interaction with the animals.

Thanks to our agent’s meticulous planning, each day flowed seamlessly into the next. Transportation to and from airports and excursions was handled by a friendly cast of drivers and guides, all determined to make sure we had the best experience possible. We went to bed each day feeling like it had been the best day of the journey. It’s rare for my expectations to be exceeded, but our agent and his team did just that. It was an extraordinary experience.

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