If you’re visiting Africa for the first time, South Africa travel is an excellent introduction to the vast continent. Kruger National Park has some of the best Big Five game viewing if you’re wanting to take a South Africa Safari (your Fora advisor can also recommend South Africa luxury safaris for those extra special trips!). Cape Town is a coastal cosmopolitan city with beautiful views from the top of Table Mountain and the beaches below. Then there’s the Cape Winelands, whose beauty will match what you’ll find in Napa or Tuscany. There are two wine valleys, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and they have gorgeous wine estates and some of the best gastronomic offerings in the country.

If a South Africa safari is the focus of your trip, it’s best to go during the dry season from May to August. Meanwhile, Cape Town is at its liveliest and loveliest during the summer, from October to March.

The first step in planning South Africa travel is to think about the type of experience you want to have. Do you want to view the Big Five on a South Africa safari, or do you the magic of Cape Town to captivate you? This will determine what time of year will be best for your South Africa vacation. From there, your Fora travel advisor (aka your personal South Africa travel agent) can provide the best itinerary and accommodations based on your travel style and preferences.

Great question! Your Fora advisor can provide a detailed packing list for a safari in South Africa. When considering what to wear on safari in South Africa, we always recommend: lots of layers (versatile jackets, long-sleeve shirts and tank tops), comfortable pants (or shorts) and sturdy boots. As for what to pack on safari in South Africa, don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses and a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat. Oh! And don’t forget to pack a camera for all those great photo opps!

Your Fora advisor can alert you to specific entry and exit requirements for South Africa travel, and you can check out official government websites for more information. Please be advised that South Africa requires travelers to have two consecutive completely blank pages in their passports upon arrival into the country. In addition, your passport must be valid at least thirty days from your departure date.