South Africa, Cape Town: A stunning airview showcasing the majestic mountains and the sparkling sea in a single breathtaking frame.

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A world in one country.

South Africa is a world in one country. The country truly has something to offer for everyone, even for returning clients. A land of dazzling contrasts, where Big Five safaris meet world-class vineyards, cosmopolitan cities, and dramatic coastlines. From the game-rich savannahs of Kruger to the white sands of the Cape, it offers one of the most diverse and complete travel experiences on the African continent.

Our Destinations In South Africa

Why Visit South Africa?

Wildlife, wine, culture, and coastlines.

From the world-famous Kruger National Park Safaris, the lesser known but also excellent Madikwe Game Reserve and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, to city breaks in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town, and it's adjacent rural charm vineyards, to world-class diving, this country is able to offer a breadth of sights and experiences that are hard to beat.

🐾 Big Five Safaris

Experience thrilling wildlife encounters in renowned reserves like Kruger, Sabi Sands, and Madikwe.

🐾 Spoilt for Choice

Kwazulu Natal for its excellent and totally underrated game reserves, hiking in the Drakensberg, the spectacular sardine run and endless, deserted beaches.

🐾 Wine & Culinary Scene

Savour award-winning wines and gourmet dining in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

🐾 Unparalled Scuba Diving

Excellent "big fish" scuba diving in the Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It's the perfect destination for the shark diver on a budget.

🐾 Scenic Diversity

From deserts to forests, mountains to oceans, South Africa has it all.

Cape Town, South Africa: A charming group of penguins relaxing on the beach, a unique wildlife experience along the scenic coastline.

Choosing Your Reserve

South Africa’s private reserves span very different landscapes, from the sandstone outcrops of the Waterberg to the coastal reef systems of KwaZulu-Natal, and travellers planning a trip often want more detail before settling on a base. The eight guides below cover reserves across the Waterberg, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, along with the diving grounds at Sodwana Bay.

Entabeni Game Reserve

Entabeni lies within the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere and is malaria-free, with sandstone outcrops overlooking grasslands and wetland-fed lakes. The reserve supports the Big Five among more than 55 mammal species, alongside 380 recorded bird species, and offers game drives, guided bush walks and horseback trails. More detail on lodges and seasons is set out in our Entabeni safaris guide.

Amakhala Game Reserve

Amakhala was formed in 1999 when descendants of the 1820 Settlers combined their family farms in the Eastern Cape into a single, malaria-free reserve. The landscape ranges from open plains to riverine bush, supporting the Big Five and giraffe, and its origins as a community-run conservation project make it a popular base for combining with Addo Elephant National Park and the Garden Route. Further detail is covered in our Amakhala safaris guide.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve

Shamwari, an hour from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, is one of the oldest private game reserves in South Africa and is malaria-free. Decades of conservation work sit alongside the Big Five and a strong record of experienced guiding, with lodges built around privacy and comfort. Full detail is available in our Shamwari safaris guide.

Pumba Private Game Reserve

Pumba, set around the Kariega Dam in the Eastern Cape, is home to one of only two self-sustaining white lion populations in South Africa and runs a leopard rehabilitation programme. Development is limited to two lodges, keeping visitor numbers low alongside sightings of the Big Five, cheetah, hippo and a wide range of birdlife. More detail on lodges and seasons is set out in our Pumba safaris guide.

Manyoni Private Game Reserve

Manyoni was created in KwaZulu-Natal when 17 landowners dropped their fences to form a 23,000-hectare reserve, previously known as Zululand Rhino Reserve. It was selected as a release site for the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and reached Big Five status with the reintroduction of lions in 2011, alongside African wild dogs and translocated elephants. A closer look at what to expect is available in our Manyoni safaris guide.

Nambiti Game Reserve

Nambiti is the only malaria-free reserve in KwaZulu-Natal’s bushveld to hold Big Five status, covering 22,000 acres of savannah, thornveld and riverine bush along the Sunday River. The reserve offers evening and night drives alongside more than 40 additional species beyond the Big Five, and sits close to the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battlefields for travellers wanting to combine wildlife with history. Full detail is covered in our Nambiti safaris guide.

Phinda Private Game Reserve

Phinda, in KwaZulu-Natal near the Indian Ocean coast, spans several distinct habitats including woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, each supporting different wildlife within the same reserve. The Big Five are present alongside a wide range of tropical and aquatic bird species, with six lodges spread across the property. More detail on lodges and seasons is set out in our Phinda safaris guide.

Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay sits within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal and is known for the southernmost coral reefs in South Africa, home to more than 1,200 recorded fish species. Reef dives are named by their distance from shore, and the bay draws visitors for sand tiger shark breeding from December to January, whale sharks between November and March, and nesting sea turtles over the same period. Further detail on reefs and seasons is available in our Sodwana Bay diving guide.

Together, these eight guides give a fuller picture of how South Africa’s reserves and coastal regions differ, helping guests choose a base that suits their pace, budget and the wildlife or marine life they most want to see.

Year-round adventures, seasonal highlights.

Best Times to Visit South Africa

South Africa can be enjoyed at any time of year, with different regions shining in different seasons.

🌿 November to March

​South Africa is an all-year destination, however, it rains in the Greater Kruger Private Reserves area and Kwazulu Natal usually between November and March.

🌿 May to November

The Western Cape has a winter rain climate, so sees most of its rain between May and November.

🌿 May to September (Dry Winter Months)

Best for safaris, with superb game visibility in Kruger and private reserves.

🌿 October to March (Summer)

Warm, sunny weather—ideal for Cape Town, the Garden Route, and coastal escapes.

🌿 June to November

The southern coast is perfect for whale watching and dramatic ocean views.

Everything you need to know before travelling to South Africa.

In most urban areas and major tourist destinations, tap water is safe to drink. In rural areas or on safari, bottled or filtered water is generally recommended, and most lodges provide this for guests.

Malaria is only a concern in certain low-lying regions such as the Kruger National Park, northern KwaZulu-Natal, and parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Many areas, including the Eastern Cape, Cape Town, and the Garden Route, are completely malaria-free. Your Indigo Safaris consultant will advise based on your itinerary.

Yes, you’ll be pleased to know that South Africa is a safe destination to travel. All our itineraries are designed with your safety and enjoyment as our priority.

South Africa uses a unique three-pin plug (Type M). Many accommodations also provide universal sockets or adaptors, but bringing your own is recommended. The voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz.

Most safari activities, such as game drives, require only minimal fitness. Walking safaris or hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains may require moderate fitness levels, but your trip can be tailored to your comfort and activity preferences.

Yes, internet access is widely available in cities, towns, and lodges. Many safari lodges offer Wi-Fi, though in more remote areas the signal can be limited or intermittent, allowing you to disconnect and enjoy the wilderness.

Book Your South Africa Safari Adventure

From Big Five safaris to Cape Town city stays, from wine tasting to whale watching, South Africa offers it all. let us know how we can tailor your South African journey with Indigo Safaris today.

Stories from the Rainbow Nation.

Hear from travellers who’ve explored South Africa with Indigo Safaris. Their reflections capture the diversity, warmth, and unforgettable experiences that make this country truly exceptional.

South Africa – 5-Day Greater Kruger & Lowveld Getaway

Our booking far out weighed our expectations. Our guides where not only very friendly but very informative. We made so many new friends and wanted to bring everyone home to Canada with us lol We are now in the middle of planning our next trip. My husband and I highly recommend using Indigo Safaris for your travel bookings.

Tamsyn
Above excellence

South Africa – Cape Town, Greater Kruger Honeymoon

Working with Ines at Indigo Safaris was an absolute dream! From start to finish, the entire planning process was seamless, stress-free, and truly exciting. This was our first time using a travel agent or tour operator, and we were a bit skeptical at first—but Ines quickly put all our worries to rest. Her flexibility, attention to detail, and genuine care turned our South African honeymoon dreams into reality. Plus she was quick to respond!

She worked within our budget, tailored everything to our preferences, and made planning our Cape Town + Safari adventure so effortless and fun. Every moment of the trip exceeded our expectations—we seriously can’t stop raving about it!

We’ve already started recommending Indigo Safaris to friends and family who are considering a safari. If you’re on the fence—just do it. Booking with Ines was hands-down one of the best decisions we made for our honeymoon. We’re beyond grateful!!!

Ashley Rogan
The Best Decision We Made for Our Honeymoon – Indigo Safaris Was Incredible!

South Africa & Mozambique – 18-day Greater Kruger Safari and Southern Mozambique Diving Adventure

We would definitely recommend Indigo. Ines was so helpful and responded quickly whenever we had a question. The digital itinerary was great and easy to help us keep track of our trip!

John and Kathryn Nicolini
We a great experience with Indigo. All out accommodations were top notch and the transfers were excellent!

Stories from the bush

Browse our blog page for entertaining campfire stories, inspiration for your next trip creature feature fun facts and information.