Discover Popular Reasons to Travel to South Africa
There are many reasons why travellers love to visit South Africa, including its perfect weather, stunning beaches, and much more. Here are our top reasons why you should visit South Africa!
Why Travel To South Africa?
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1 Adult, Economy/Coach
Perfect Weather
South Africa is blessed with a generally temperate climate, offering sensational summers and mild winters. Enjoying great weather is vital for a memorable vacation and for many travellers, this is one of the top reasons to visit South Africa.
Choosing the best time to visit South Africa depends entirely on what you want to see and do. For example, if you plan to explore the Garden Route, you're winning as it's great year-round. However, if you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday in Cape Town, the best time to visit is between November and March. Lots of people visit for the safari, and the best time to go is between May to October. Whale watching is also super popular for tourists, the suggested time to visit is between July and November.
Make sure to do your research on where you want to visit when going to South Africa then decide which time of year is the best for those activities.
Delicious Food & Wine
If you’re looking for fantastic delights at unbeatable value for money, look no further than South Africa. South African cuisine is one of the most varied cuisines in the world, having been influenced by many different cultures and nations across centuries. But it’s not all about food – South Africa also has an amazing wine industry which produces some of the world’s bestselling award-winning wines.
If you are interested in wine, many of the vineyards in South Africa offer tours where you can walk around and try wine samples. Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest ‘foodie’ destination, but Johannesburg is catching up fast! Both hubs for craft beer, great coffee, exciting markets and inspiring restaurants are dished up with typical South African hospitality.
A popular cooking technique is braai, an iconic method used across the country for centuries. This Afrikaans name essentially translates into English as “barbecue”, but in South Africa, it means so much more than that. If you’ve ever spent time in Cape Town, there’s a good chance you’ve tried Cape Malay curry. This delicious and authentic South African curry is served in restaurants all across the city.
Incredible Beaches
The beaches in Cape Town are known to be the best in South Africa, for example, Llandudno Beach is one of the best beaches for surfers and sundowners spots in Cape Town. Along South Africa’s Garden Route and KwaZulu-Natal’s Indian Ocean coastline, you’ll find long stretches of peaceful sandy beaches, for more information on where to visit head over to our page: South Africa travel guide.
There are even tropical coral reefs and excellent diving and snorkelling spots to discover when visiting South Africa. Windmill Beach is a stunning snorkelling hotspot and a well-known family beach with its safe shallow waters and beautiful views located in Cape Town.
A beach famous for its inhabitants more than anything, Boulders Beach is home to a colony of African penguins. The penguins and the national park are the only things to do in this area of Boulders Beach, however, as mentioned above, it makes a wonderful stop on a road trip.
Exciting Experiences
With plenty of sunshine, mountains, sea, and rivers, South Africans tend to treat their country like a massive playground. You can hike to the top of Table Mountain, surf, go shark cage diving, try bungee jumping, ride horses in the Drakensberg, swim, watch whales in Hermanus, and much more. They are also very passionate about cricket and rugby, so while you're visiting, you can catch one of the games.
South Africa is one of the very few places on Earth where you’re able to tick off all of the Big 5 in one day – arguably one of the best reasons to visit South Africa. The country is one of the world’s finest Big 5 safari destinations thanks to its outstanding areas and national parks. If you’re wondering where to visit in South Africa for a safari, we highly recommend Kruger National Park.
Travelling to South Africa can offer you one of the most exciting experiences. So, if you are planning a trip to South Africa, do visit the mentioned places so that you don't regret it later. For more advice on the best places to travel to in South Africa visit our page.
Friendly Residents
Known for its warm and welcoming people, South Africans are typically open to conversations, socialising, and humour, making visitors and newcomers feel at home. As English is a prominent language in South Africa, you won't struggle to communicate with the locals which is always helpful when you need directions or advice on a menu.
This makes such a difference when visiting a country you have never visited before as you are unfamiliar with your surroundings and if the locals are friendly it can make you feel welcome and less stressed about safety.
Although South Africa isn't the safest destination in the world to visit, we still recommend going there as no other country compares to the hospitality and the landscapes you'll discover when exploring.
Major airports in South Africa
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is a major airport in South Africa and It’s a 15-minute drive from the city centre.
- O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is one of Africa's largest and busiest airports. It is usually referred to as 'the gateway of Africa' because of its perfect location, accessibility, and excellent connectivity.
- Another popular airport is George Airport (GRJ) You can fly to George from major cities across South Africa, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein.
Airlines that fly to South Africa
If you're planning to fly from the UK to South Africa airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and Lufthansa are popular options. If you're planning to fly from the USA then consider airlines such as Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines.
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FAQ's
Why is South Africa so popular with tourists?
South Africa is a popular holiday destination due to the hot weather and lots of fun excursions available. Its beaches attract lots of tourists each year and the cuisine never disappoints!
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
If you are visiting South Africa for a holiday then you don't need to worry about getting a visa however, if you are planning on staying for more than 90 days, one of the first things you should get out of the way is your travel visa application.
What is the currency in South Africa?
The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR)
Is it easy to get around when visiting South Africa?
The best ways to get around South Africa include domestic flights, trains, buses and car rentals as it's a big country. For budget-friendly travel, consider exploring South Africa by bus.
How can I save money when booking flights to South Africa?
If you haven't already booked your flights to South Africa, you can do so here at Alternative Airlines. We offer Buy Now Pay Later options so you can split your instalments over time and not have to pay upfront. If you're looking to book flights to South Africa we recommend buying flights and paying later with PayJustNow.