Visit South Africa – Africa’s Most Visited Holiday Destination

The best time to visit South Africa is year-round as it is a perfect vacation destination with beautiful sceneries, exotic wildlife and diverse cultures.

Known as “The Rainbow Nation”, South Africa is home to “The Big 5” (Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Elephant and Cape Buffalo), historical landmarks, stunning beaches and adventure Safaris.

Where to visit in South Africa?

The most popular city in South Africa is Cape Town. And, for good reason. Known as “The Mother City”, Cape Town is home to popular SA landmark areas such as Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Point, Signal Hill, Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak. As a coastal city, there are plenty of opportunities to view seal, whale and dolphins while picnicking on the beautiful mountaintop. Adventure lovers have a variety of activities they can take part in such as hiking on renowned trails, camping on Safari, biking and other adventure sports.

The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s biggest game reserve and one of the most popular tourist destinations – it is a top stop for Safari lovers. The park is home to a large population of elephant, buffalo, lion, cheetah, hyena, leopard and African wild dog, which are occasionally spotted in the park. It also has areas where crocodiles and hippos breed, as well as bird sanctuaries.

Johannesburg is another remarkable area and a highlighted tourist destination with its A-list malls, theatres, museums, cultural villages, restaurants and indigenous gardens. The key point of interest in Johannesburg is its historical sites. Tourists can take a historical trip down memory lane while visiting the famous Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, which pays tribute to the honourable Nelson Mandela. Adventurers can trace back to the beginning of humankind with the Cradle of Mankind and take a trip to Johannesburg’s Lion Park and large zoos. There are plenty of light-hearted fun areas in Johannesburg too, such as Gold Reef City and Monte Casino.

Why visit South Africa?

There are many reasons to visit the beautiful landscapes of South Africa. Apart from its stunning sceneries, wildlife and culture, visiting South Africa is affordable and caters to anyone seeking an exciting outdoor lifestyle. SA offers everything from cycling, shark cage diving, bungee jumping and rafting.

The opportunity to see Mother Nature’s Big 5 is not one to be missed, as it is an opportunity of a lifetime. With its remarkable flora and fauna, SA is home to over 9,000 species of plants, making it more diverse than the Amazon is. It is also home to the second highest waterfall, The Tugela Falls as well as part of the 900,000 square kilometres of the famous Kalahari Desert.

South Africa’s warm climate is welcoming to all visitors who want to visit its beautiful beachfront. Take a trip to the harbours or cruise along the shorelines that are all renowned for their friendly culture.

 When Is The Best Time To Visit South Africa Game Parks?

South Africa’s weather is quite predictable apart from the odd thunderstorm now and then in the summers, making it a good environment to visit throughout the year. Spring, which runs from September to December, is the best time to visit the South African game parks. If you want to go on a safari, and to the Kruger in particular, this time of year promises excellent wildlife sightings. During the dry season, foliage is thinner and this provides the viewing experience for wildlife. This along with the abundance of flowers is a photographers dream.

Safari game parks in the warmer areas such as Durban has an increase in tourists during this season, as summer can be too humid for some travellers.

How Many Tourists Visit South Africa Each Year?

Millions of tourists visit South African every year. In 2017, for instance, it was estimated that over 16 million visited compared to the previous total of 15,52 million in 2015. It is also estimated that over 16,85 million tourists would have visited the country by the end of 2018. This shows that there has been a significant increase of 6,85 million visits since 2006. Summer is regarded as the busiest time of year as millions of tourists flock to South African shores to visit the beautiful beaches and enjoy the summer sunshine.

According to National Statistics, most of these travellers are from countries such as the USA, UK, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Johannesburg, South Africa?

September to April is the best time to visit South Africa in terms of ideal weather for travelling purposes. This is the period between spring and summer when the weather has warmed up after the winter months. There are fewer crowds during spring and prices are affordable making it ideal for tourists who want to travel around the city for sightseeing. This is also a great time to visit the variety of parks, sanctuaries and casinos. Safaris in and around Johannesburg also have the best viewing experiences and packages available to tourists between Spring and Summer.

The autumn and winter months are ideal if you are on a budget and want an affordable travel experience. Autumn has cooler temperatures, lower airfare and travel packages, as there are fewer travellers. Safaris are beautiful and cooler during this time, which makes for a good viewing experience. Winter is the most affordable as travel costs to South Africa and tourist numbers are at its lowest. This, however, is not an ideal time to visits and tourists tend to avoid this time of year due to the colder weather and rainfall.

When To Visit Cape Town, South Africa? 

Cape Town is the best place to be during the summer months (between November to March) for the perfect beach holiday. The weather is ideal for travelers to sunbathe and shop while touring the coastline. Tourists can see the best of Cape Town at this time of year and take part in adventure sports. Hotels and attractions are overflowing with travelers during this time. The months between March and September are ideal for less busy days and cooler temperatures.

Travellers on a budget can take advantage of great deals during the spring (September to November) when the weather is cooler than it is in summer; however, plants are in full bloom. This is also an ideal time for the best Safari wildlife spotting, as animals come out to hunt after the colder winter months.

Reasons Why Tourists Visit South Africa

South Africa is a year-round ideal vacation spot for international travellers as it is affordable, has kaleidoscopic attractions, breathtaking sceneries and a culture rich in diversity. Safaris are the most popular attraction as tourists get the best viewing experience of a lifetime, spotting rare flora and fauna and remarkable wildlife. In addition to this wildlife, South Africa is also home to spectacular ocean wildlife and migration events such as the “Whale Watching” on the west coast and the “Sardine Run” in KwaZulu Natal.

Apart from the weather and wildlife, the South African currency (Rand) is relatively low in comparison with other currencies. This means that tourists can get the most for their money while visiting the country. The culture is vibrant and it is easy for tourists to mingle with locals while visiting an abundance of hotspots. Many tourists easily travel to casinos, malls and famous wine lands across the country during their visit. They also take historical trips to World Heritage Sites in South Africa, such as Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, Robben Island, the Richtersveld desert, Mapungubwe, the Cape Floristic Region, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Vredefort Dome and the “Cradle of Humankind” in Maropeng.

With so much to do and experience in South Africa, it is no doubt that it will remain a popular tourist destination for many years to come. The best time to visit South Africa is today, learn more about it with Demand Africa’s Streaming service.