If you’re looking for winter sun in January and stunning landscapes where two oceans meet, Africa’s southern tip is the place to be.
With warm temperatures and little rain, it’s a popular spot and if you visit in late January, you’ll miss the long school holidays.
If you’re in Cape Town for New Year’s Eve, you can enjoy fireworks over the waterfront.
Just remember to book ahead for a classic itinerary that includes ocean views along the Garden Route, vineyard vistas inland, and beach time around the Cape Peninsula.
But if you’re planning a wider South Africa trip, keep in mind that this is the hottest but also rainiest time in the northeast.
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A Big 5 safari is a top attraction in South Africa, with numerous famous national parks and game reserves where you can see the country’s amazing wildlife.
You can easily add a safari to your South African holiday as many of these areas are malaria-free and easy to reach.
The Western Cape lets you mix the lively city of Cape Town with the wines of the Cape Winelands and two world-class drives; the Garden Route & Route 62.
The beaches, reserves and moving battlefield sites of KwaZulu-Natal are less well-known but just as beautiful a great tropical choice during the South African winter.
Or you can explore the royal kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) with its wonderfully rugged landscapes and rich culture.
South Africa is also home to spectacular mountains like Table Mountain and Lion’s Head where you can enjoy a hike and be rewarded with one-of-a-kind views across the country leading out to the ocean.
There’s also a lot of history to discover including Robben Island that will teach you more about its use as a prison in the Apartheid era and even give you the chance to see Nelson Mandela’s cell.
South Africa’s breadth of activities and environments makes it hard to narrow down exactly where to visit first. It’s home to vibrant cities that are framed by spectacular mountain ranges, while golden sand beaches are perfect to relax on.
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