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South Africa, elephant in the savanna
Home › Destinations › Africa › South Africa
Destination

South Africa

approx. 14 hrs from Frankfurt (with stopover)
May–Sep
Safari · Nature · Coast
Cape TownKruger National Park
90 days
Visa-free (DE passport)
May–Sep
Best time
GMT+2
Time zone
ZAR
Currency
Country Guide

Why a trip to South Africa is worth it

In January, a friend and I spent a good three weeks in South Africa, a trip full of new impressions, adventures and unforgettable experiences. South Africa sits at the southern tip of the African continent and packs an enormous variety of landscapes into a comparatively small area: wide savannas with a high density of wildlife, dramatic stretches of coastline, vineyards and impressive mountain panoramas.

I spent the first two weeks in Cape Town, partly as part of an educational leave program, using every free minute to explore the region's highlights: Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, and the wine regions around Franschhoek. After this educational stretch came a vacation week with a four-day stay in Kruger National Park, where on safaris I experienced elephants, lions, giraffes and many more animals in the wild, an experience that still stays with me today.

Good to know
Sunrise hike up Lion's Head with a view over all of Cape Town, best done as a guided tour for safety reasons
Day trip to the Cape of Good Hope with a seal colony in Hout Bay and penguins at Boulders Beach
Relaxed wine tour on the Franschhoek Wine Tram and a visit to the picturesque Babylonstoren wine estate
Private full-day safari in Kruger National Park with sightings of elephants, a lioness, rhinos and buffalo
Sundowner picnic and scenic drive right on the grounds of the safari lodge, with no extra travel required
Interactive Map

Our Stops on the Map

Highlights

Our stops in South Africa

You'll find accommodations, beaches, food and activities directly on each place's detail page.

Cape Town, South Africa
Western Cape
Cape Town

Cape Town simply has it all: stunning nature, cool cafés and bars, dreamy beaches and plenty of action. The city at the foot of Table Mountain won us over from the first second, with breathtaking views, relaxed beach days and unforgettable experiences. We soaked up the view from Table Mountain, marveled at the coast from a helicopter and glided over the city on a paraglider. Away from all that, we let Cape Town's laid-back atmosphere sink in over cozy cafés and restaurants, discovering a few real favorite spots along the way.

Sunrise hike up Lion's HeadTable Mountain by cable car or on footCape of Good Hope with seals and penguinsWine tour on the Franschhoek Wine TramTandem paragliding flight and helicopter tour over Cape Town
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Kruger National Park, South Africa
Northeast
Krüger-Nationalpark

Kruger National Park is one of the best places to experience Africa's wildlife up close. Elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras roam endless savannas here, a true paradise for nature and adventure lovers. On our classic safari, with a bit of luck, we spotted a few of the famous Big Five. Another highlight was a relaxed evening drive across the grounds, while the setting sun bathed the landscape in magical light. Everything was rounded off with a picnic in the middle of nature.

Private full-day safari with sightings of the Big FiveSundowner picnic in the middle of the wildernessScenic afternoon drive on the lodge groundsAnimals roaming freely right on the Muluwa Lodge grounds
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Everything You Need to Know

Practical Info

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Getting there & transport

Direct flights are available from Frankfurt and Munich to Johannesburg or Cape Town (around 11 hrs). A rental car is very common for independent itineraries, since the road network between the major cities is well developed.

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Accommodation

The range spans backpacker hostels and guesthouses to mid-range hotels and exclusive full-board safari lodges. In and around safari areas, accommodation is generally pricier than in the cities.

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Food & drink

South African cuisine is diverse, shaped by braai (grill culture), game dishes and Cape Malay as well as Indian influences. Tap water is generally safe to drink in most cities and tourist areas.

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Packing list

For safaris, muted, neutral colors work best (no white or black), plus binoculars and a good camera. In Cape Town a light jacket is useful for cooler evenings even in summer.

Sun protection and a hat are important year-round, and insect repellent as well in the safari region. During the South African winter (May–September), nights in safari camps and rural areas can get cool, so warm evening clothing is recommended. An adapter for Type M sockets is needed for devices from Germany.

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Drone rules

Private recreational drones under 7 kg don't need to be registered in South Africa, but clear flight rules still apply. In every national park, including Kruger National Park, simply carrying a drone is already prohibited, regardless of whether it's flown.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is responsible. Additional restrictions apply over residential areas, near airports and over certain security zones. Before your trip it's worth checking the current SACAA rules, and checking with the relevant lodge or national park, since regulations can change.

Full drone guide for South Africa →
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Health & safety

No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry from Germany, standard immunizations should be up to date. In some safari regions in the northeast (e.g. parts of Kruger National Park) there is a malaria risk, so prophylaxis may be worthwhile depending on your route.

Travel health advice before departure is recommended to clarify the individual route's malaria risk and useful vaccinations (e.g. Hepatitis A/B, possibly rabies for animal contact). Medical care is good in the major cities but more limited in rural areas, so overseas health insurance with repatriation cover is advisable. On the safety front: big cities like Johannesburg require heightened awareness, especially at night and in certain neighborhoods, while tourist regions like the Cape area and safari zones are generally considered less problematic. Valuables shouldn't be carried visibly, and it's worth checking current travel and safety advisories (e.g. from the German Federal Foreign Office) before departure.

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Culture & etiquette

South Africa is often called the 'Rainbow Nation' for its great cultural and ethnic diversity. A respectful, open approach to the country's complex history, particularly the apartheid era, is appreciated. A tip of around 10% is customary in restaurants, as is a small tip for guides on safaris and tours.