South Africa, on the continent’s southern tip, is the 25th-largest country in the world – slightly less than twice the size of Texas – and boasts a lengthy coastline stretching more than 1,500 miles along two oceans, the South Atlantic on the west and the Indian on the south and east. South Africa is neighbored by Namibia in the northwest, Zimbabwe and Botswana in the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeast.
Its natural beauty and scenic wonders are legendary, from its soaring mountain peaks and passes, dense and ancient forests, to its miles of unspoiled coastline, and rolling flower fields and grasslands of every hue. South Africa truly offers something to lift everyone’s spirits.
South Africa is known as the adventure capital of the world, whether it’s seeing the big game animals, diving with Great White Sharks, death defying adventure sports or discovering the humanity and generosity of other cultures. Game viewing and safari in South Africa is as up-close and wild as it gets. Almost anywhere one travels in South Africa he will experience an overwhelming abundance of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and vibe.
Facts
Fast Facts
Travel Style: Safari, Specialty Travel, School Travel, Luxury Travel, Leadership experience, Big 5, Beach experience, Adventure, Volunteer work, Golf safaris, Wildflower tours, Horseback safaris, Veterinary trips
Read More
One of the world’s most captivating cities, Cape Town – and the Cape Peninsula up to Cape Point – are famous for scenic beauty and celebrity beaches, 3,000 foot Table Mountain rising above the city, whale-watching, world-class shopping, nightlife, food & wine, and a laid-back atmosphere. Indeed, with wine regions stretching from the Western to the far Northern Cape and the edge of the Karoo, one can almost taste their way around South Africa.
South Africa’s ‘City of Gold’ is Johannesburg, which pulsates with African heartbeat felt in its endless opportunities for shopping, entertainment, freedom tours and eating out, while world-renowned Kruger National Park is as large Massachusetts, consists of nearly 5 million acres and features 16 ecosystems.
When it’s time to plan the most exotic golf getaway imaginable, think South Africa. The quintet of Sun City, Johannesburg, Cape Town, the Garden Route and Durban will provide the trip of a lifetime and memories for a lifetime, as well.
When To Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Oct
Nov
Dec
Travel Information
Regions
Amazulu Private Game Reserve
Resting on the banks of the Mkuze River, the Amazulu Private Game Reserve is comprised of 10000 hectares of pristine wilderness characterized by savannah, mountains and wetlands. This spectacularly scenic environment serves as an ideal habitat for a remarkable array of African wildlife including: the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo…
andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
Described as “Seven Worlds of Wonder”, &Beyond Phinda encompasses an impressive 28 555 hectares (70 560 acres) of prime Big Five wilderness in KwaZulu-Natal. This Reserve comprises seven distinct habitats – from dry sand forest to wetland systems and mountain ranges. Catch a glimpse of the shy suni antelope, track rhino…
Cape South Coast
The fynbos of the Cape meets the cold seas of at the southernmost tip of Africa. Highlights include the quaint fishing village of Arneston and spot where all of Africa is behind you, Aghulas.
Cape Town
Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, sandwiched between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere…
Cederberg
The Cederberg is wild, rugged, dramatic and above all, breathtakingly beautiful. The region’s valleys are lined with citrus orchards and surrounded by magnificent mountains that become even more spectacular at sunset, when they are bathed in vivid colours. Hiking, bouldering and rock-climbing are popular pursuits in this beautiful natural wilderness, which…
Die Swartland
Swartland advertises itself as a place where the sun shines more and the rain falls less. Renowned for wheat production the area is so much more diverse with mountains, beaches, wines, olives, art and culture on offer.
Eastern Cape
As South Africa’s ‘wild’ province, the Eastern Cape features magnificent stretches of untouched beach, peaceful river estuaries, lush forests, breathtaking mountain vistas, and the arid Karoo Desert landscape. Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) serves as the province’s primary commercial and industrial centre as well as a gateway to the popular Garden…
Gauteng
Gauteng – the place of gold – is home to one of Africa’s most vibrant cities and sub-Saharan Africa’s economic capital Johannesburg, South Africa’s capital Pretoria, the Magaliesberg Mountains and the Cradle of Humankind.
George
George is the sixth oldest town in the country and although it started as a remote woodcutters’ outpost it is now the business centre of the Garden Route. Nestled between the majestic Outeniqua Mountains and Indian Ocean, it’s picturesque and lush with a rich and varied history. George is also well-known…
Hazyview
Surrounded by subtropical fruit orchards, Hazeyview is a small farming town and a gateway to the southern part of the Kruger National Park and the Panorama Escarpment. The town and its spectacularly scenic surroundings serve as a popular adventure capital with a remarkable array of exhilarating outdoor activities on offer to…
Hermanus
Built along the beautiful shores and cliffs of Walker Bay, Hermanus has grown from a small seaside resort town to become possibly the best-known place for whale watching in the world. Today, this busy town is more than just a popular holiday destination and offers visitors all kinds of activities, both…
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional…
Karoo
Composed of the Great and Little Karoo, this vast semi-desert region may seem harsh and unforgiving to some, but to others it’s a sanctuary of peace and silence with its own unique, compelling beauty. Extending across 400 000 square kilometres of the country, the Karoo is South Africa’s biggest ecosystem and…
Knysna
Nestled between the imposing Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean and surrounded by world-renowned forests, Knysna offers a wealth of activities for visitors. The beautiful lagoon and more than eight beaches provide opportunities to swim, surf, canoe, yacht, jet-ski, boat, fish, walk on soft sand and take ferry rides. Various markets…
Kruger Private Reserves
All along the world renowned Kruger National Park’s western boundary are private game reserves which combine with the Kruger to create one of the world’s largest game reserves and a truly remarkable destination. These reserves offer excellent game viewing opportunities together with the advantages of smaller, hosted accommodation and game drives…
KwaZulu Natal South Coast
The KwaZulu Natal South Coast is all about beaches and golf. The well developed resorts cater to every need from diving to dining, and 5-star quality golf courses often form the basis of holidays to the area.
Limpopo
Named for what Rudyard Kipling described as the ‘great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River’, Limpopo Province is a region of immense natural beauty, made up largely of pristine savannah plains sheltering a diverse array of wild animals. Home to the northern half of the renowned Kruger National Park, as well as over…
Magaliesberg Mountains
This ancient range with its nooks and cranies, streams and varied vegetation has always stood out from the grasslands of the Highveld and always attracted mankind, from our earliest ancestors to those wanting to climb, hike or just relax away from the hustle and bustle of our big cities.
Namaqualand
Every year in early spring, the arid Namaqualand region of South Africa transforms itself into a kaleidoscope of colour with the flowering of thousands of wildflowers. This short-lived, vibrant explosion of colour in what is usually a barren landscape, brings a multitude of local and international visitors who come for the…
North West Province
Northwest is dubbed the ‘Platinum Province for its immense mineral wealth, and mining makes up over 20% of its economy. In tourism terms, the province is best known for Sun City, an opulent Las Vegas-style resort that combines a casino, golf courses, a water park, children’s activities and luxury hotels. It…
Northern Drakensberg
An imposing wall of rock that rises to 3000m, creating untold inspiring views and hikes. Known to the Zulus as the Barrier of Spears and to the first European settlers as the Dragon’s Mountains. The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg is 1 of 8 South African UNESCO World Heritage sites, uniquely being on for…
Orange River
The Orange River snakes its way through one of Southern Africa’s harshest environments bringing life to an area of sheer rugged beauty. Aside from vineyards in the desert the river also creates a mobile playground from which to explore the area.
Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is famous for its ostriches and the magnificent Cango Caves. Located along the renowned Route 62, which takes motorists past one awe-inspiring sight after another, Oudtshoorn is known as the Ostrich Capital of the World: these huge birds are almost as common as people in this charming town. Other than…
Port Alfred
Port Alfred boasts a great climate, warm water beaches, a Royal golf course, intimate small-boat harbour, and interestingly a world-class training facility for pilots and air traffic controllers. Visitors Royal Alfred Marina can enjoy boat cruises through the Marina canals and if you feel energetic you can hire a water pedalo…
Stellenbosch
A blend of historical architecture, student life, epicurean delights and oak-lined avenues, Stellenbosch is a picturesque university town surrounded by mountains and vineyards. A walking tour of the town centre allows visitors to take in its beautifully preserved Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, as well as the many enticing art galleries…
The Waterberg Biosphere
The Waterberg Biosphere, located in the majestic Waterberg Mountains, is a tourism gem with several great nature reserves and a wealth of wildlife roaming its bushveld savannah. Its major attractions include hot springs, South Africa’s first-ever savannah biosphere reserve, the bird-rich Nyslvley Wetland and the archaeological site of Makapans Valley.
The Wild Coast
The Wild Coast extends for over 200 kilometres along one of South Africa’s most pristine, wild and beautiful sections of shoreline, taking in remote beaches, undulating emerald hills and isolated coves along the way. Those who love peace, quiet and the Great Outdoors would be hard pressed to find a better…
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Timbavati Private Game Reserve shares a common, unfenced border with Kruger Park and encompasses many exclusive private lodges. The region is best known for the ‘white lions of Timbavati’, two unusually pale lion cubs discovered here in the 1970s, their colour due to a rare recessive gene. The Timbavati is a…
Pretoria
The cosmopolitan city of Pretoria, also known as ‘Tshwane’, is situated in the province of Gauteng and functions as one of three capitals of South Africa. Pretoria has been dubbed ‘The Jacaranda City’, which is owed to the annual bloom of magnificent purple blossoms that adorn the Jacaranda trees which line…
Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
The Sabi Sands is South Africa’s premier private game viewing destination. It was here that the southern African safari began and today this famous reserve offers exceptional game viewing and equally exceptional accommodations. Two perennial rivers, the Sabi and the Sand flow through this Game Park, sustaining the diverse fauna and…
Sodwana Bay
Known for offering wonderful diving opportunities, Sodwana Bay is the only tropical dive site in South Africa and one of the few places in the world where dive sites are reached by weaving a path through breaking waves. Divers can enjoy warm water, deserted beaches, exciting coral reefs, a great diversity…
St Lucia
St Lucia lies on the St Lucia estuary, and is a haven of tranquillity that only unspoilt nature can provide. Entirely surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, the residents of little village are protective of their beautiful environment. Mountain biking, hiking, bird watching and deep-sea fishing present opportunities to enjoy the…
Videos
Proud To Be An African
Reviews
Adventure of a Lifetime
I can’t recommend Richard Pace and Southern Sky adventures enough! He’s been travelling all over the continent of Africa for the last 12 years and specializes in an otherwise unknown and intimidating territory. I didn’t know what to expect from South Africa but my trip went off without a hitch and was the adventure of a lifetime. Richard’s easy to talk to and most likely has the answer you need. Africa is obviously his passion and he loves sharing it with others – it’s not about the money for him. His mission is to ensure his customers have the best experience possible, bottom line. In a world of false advertising, rip-offs, over-promising/under-delivery, Richard rises above all the rest. I wouldn’t even consider going anywhere in Africa without Southern Sky Adventures.
Amy, Georgia
Perfect Honeymoon Trip
I would encourage anyone thinking of travelling to Africa to call Southern Sky Adventures.
Richard Pace was recommended to us by several of our friends in New York. Specializing in tailoring trips to fit your objectives, Southern Sky Adventures can, of course, can recommend destinations and “must see” areas of interest.
The great thing about Richard is that he can mix and match all sorts of accommodations and activities to meet almost any budget. He put our entire trip together including flights, hotels, dinner reservations, wine tours, white shark dives, etc. He knows where to stay and makes sure that your rooms are the best – facing the ocean or vineyards. He knows fantastic restaurants big and small tucked away and on main thoroughfares. Also, he’s accessible even while you are in country – we called him several times to ask for recommendations.
As I mentioned, our bags didn’t make the connection through London to Johannesburg. Obviously on our honeymoon we were quite concerned. What’s more we were going immediately by plane from Johannesburg to a remote area in the bush. We called Richard in a panic, and he told us not to worry that he’d handle the whole thing. Sure enough – he managed to get our bags out to us in the middle of nowhere.
Also, whenever we checked into hotels we ended up w/ the best suites or accommodations. In Plettenberg Bay we had the top honeymoon suite overlooking the ocean (and I can assure you that I didn’t pay for it). In Cape Town, we “somehow” got the VIP suite overlooking the beach – this was a suite w/ an entirely separate dining room (who eats in a dining room on vacation??). Again I didn’t pay for this upgrade.
Richard can also arrange for guides to pick you up and shuttle you around in the country if you are concerned about getting lost or simply safety. Although we didn’t take him up on the offer, a group of girls from NY selected this option and the guide stayed w/ them for most of their trip – driving them to lunches, dinners, and day excursions.
If you are going to South Africa – you must call him before you go!
Wes, New York
Best Travel Experience Ever
I relive that trip in my mind almost daily – it was the best travel experience I’ve ever had. Thank you for all you did to make it perfect. Your local knowledge of the people and places definitely were a plus – you couldn’t have picked more excellent guides, trackers or lodges. I must also add that you’re washing and folding my dirty clothes when we were in Cape Town was service above and beyond the call of duty!
Cecile, Virginia
The Perfect Itinerary
I went to South Africa in December 2008 with three friends and truly had the trip of a lifetime. The country is absolutely beautiful and there are so many amazing things to do from safari to whale watching to fine dining in Cape Town. Southern Sky Adventures planned the perfect itinerary that allowed us to take advantage of all South Africa has to offer but still stayed within our budget.
Lizzie, Georgia
Worry-Free Group Experience
Our fall trip to Africa included 11 wonderful and diverse individuals for four venues, over a two week period. How can this many people enjoy themselves so much for this extended period of time? The answer is Richard Pace! You worked diligently to anticipate our every need, and continued to work even as we slept. Few have ever experienced a worry-free vacation such as this one and today, I am one of those few. Your services allowed us to experience all and more that Africa has to offer, and none of the challenges. Thank you Richard, you earned this one!
Louise, Georgia
A different view of South Africa
I had been looking forward to a trip to South Africa for many years, knowing how special it would be. It was all that and more because of Richard Pace and Southern Sky Adventures. His choice of accommodations, destinations and tours were perfect. Everywhere we went was superb and each destination showed a different view of South Africa. Every detail had been seen to and throughout the trip we were met with great hospitality, great attitudes and once in a lifetime experiences.”
Susan, North Carolina
An Incredible Time
Southern Sky Adventures did a great job helping us to plan our trip to Africa. They covered all of the details—everything from flights and accommodations to safari essentials to in-country cell phone service to restaurant and activity recommendations. Richard even managed to make suggestions on how four women should not over pack…though we did not listen to those! We had an incredible time—I’m ready to go back!
Susan, New York
Once-in-a-lifetime Safari
Thanks for helping us put together such an amazing girl’s trip to South Africa. We couldn’t have asked for a more well-planned adventure. Your guidance, itinerary recommendations, and hard work in arranging the details definitely helped to make this “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” a truly incredible experience for all. Between the 4 of us, I think we have over a thousand pictures! I know it’ll be hard to narrow down, but hopefully I can find a few good ones to send your way.
I also want to thank you for being so highly accessible throughout the entire 2 weeks. Needless to say, it was comforting to know you were only a phone call (or email) away if we needed anything. You don’t come by this level of service that often.
Hopefully I’ll get to revisit Africa again someday. If so, I will definitely look to you to plan my next trip.
By the way, great recommendation on Chapman’s Peak Hotel. I’m still craving the calamari! Wonder if they do take-out overseas?
Date Travelled: 01 Dec 2016 – 15 Dec 2016
Destinations: South Africa, Cape Town, Johannesburg
Shirley, Georgia
An Unforgettable Vacation
Please use our name as a reference. We had a great experience and an unforgettable vacation. Everything you planned for us was flawless.
Date Travelled: 01 Jul 2017 – 07 Jul 2017
Accommodation: Yellow Aloe Guest House
Destinations: Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa
Laurie, New York
Mokoya Lodge
Magaliesberg Mountains