Best Places to Visit in South Africa This Summer
As the weather turns cooler in the Northern hemisphere, we in the South are eagerly looking forward to summer. While there are many reasons to visit South Africa at any time of the year, our summers really are spectacular and worth experiencing. Here are our best places to visit in South Africa this summer, if you’re on the market for a getaway.
Best Places to Visit in South Africa This Summer
Cape Town
Cape Town has it all, so if there’s just one place you visit in SA this summer, Cape Town should be it. From the impeccable Blue Flag beaches to the lively restaurant and bar scene, there’s a little something for everyone. And if you were put off by the news of the Cape drought? This winter has been one of the wettest on recent record, and water restrictions have been eased considerably. Cape dams are filling, and the Mother City has her arms wide open for tourism once more. Take in the beaches, the nearby Cape Winelands and even a game drive within an hour of the city. There’s so much to do in Cape Town and the greater Western Cape area, you’ll wish you had stayed longer.
Compass House Boutique Hotel
Where to stay in Cape Town
The Garden Route
Truly one of South Africa’s gems, the Garden Route is one of the most beautiful self-drive holidays you’ll take. You can choose to drive from Cape Town, or fly into George International Airport and drive from there. The road winds along the incredibly scenic coastline, and you can stop at any one of the many hotels, boutique hotels or guesthouses along the way. There are also award winning golf courses, game farms, perfect, sandy beaches and even wine farms making it perfect for the whole family.
Hunter’s Country House
Where to stay on the Garden Route
Belvidere Manor Hotel
Luxury Rail Travel
Rovos Rail
When you travel by luxury train, the journey is the star of the show. Both the Rovos Rail and the Blue Train are incredible experiences – Murder on the Orient Express and you’ll get an idea of the opulence of train travel. Both trains run between Pretoria and Cape Town and can be caught from either end. If you time your visit in Pretoria’s early summertime – September or October – you might be lucky enough to catch the jacaranda blooms. On your three day Rovos Rail journey, you’ll stop at Kimberly and experience a historic tour of Matjiesfontein. A luxury train trip truly is one of the best places to visit in South Africa this summer.
Kruger National Park
One of the best things about the Kruger National Park is that it’s a great destination all year round. At Kruger, summer is the rainy season, filling rivers and watering holes and greening up the brown bushveld after the long, dry winter. In November and December, there are loads of baby animals everywhere which is amazing to see. Keen bird watchers will also be excited to catch the huge flocks of migrant birds that arrive in the summer. It can be really hot during the summer, so aim to book accommodation with air conditioned rooms and game viewing vehicles and you’ll be perfectly comfortable.
Bedroom in one of the private suites, Pel’s Post
Where to stay in the Kruger Park
No matter where you decide to stay and what you do, South Africa has so much to offer especially during the summer months. And experiencing a true African summer is one we wish everyone could have. We hope this collection of the best places to visit in South Africa this summer sends you our way!
Travelling via the Cape? Get in touch with Greatest Africa’s MD, Richard Hilton of Richard Hilton Vineyards and experience private wine tours in the exquisite Cape Region.
