Duiker Island, Hout Bay, South AfricaVideo: Spasimir Pilev, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in South Africa
South Africa, made simple: mountains, wine country, the Big Five and two oceans
South Africa packs a whole world into one trip. Table Mountain rises over Cape Town, vineyards roll through the Winelands, the Big Five roam Kruger, and the Garden Route and Durban's warm Indian Ocean beaches wait in between. This guide takes the worry out of entry, safety, money and getting around so you can explore with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, seasons, safety advice and park bookings, answered
- LandingJohannesburg or Cape Town, cards, SIM cards and your first night, explained
- Your days in South AfricaCity, coast, winelands and safari, paced so you are not rushing
- Home againDeparture tips, VAT refunds and a calm last day
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain what drives South Africa's costs and where the good value is.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
South Africa should feel thrilling, not nerve-racking. We answer the worries about safety, transport and money before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home to family in Soweto, Durban or the Eastern Cape, or planning your first sunrise game drive? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your South AfricaCity, wine, coast or safari: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, cards, health and safety, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link regions with sensible flights and drives.
Everything your South Africa trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger, the Garden Route and Durban, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, markets, viewpoints and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, plus stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic South Africa trip
Cape Town, the Garden Route, then safari
Most first trips spend four or five days in Cape Town and the Winelands, drive or fly east along the Garden Route, then fly to the Kruger area for three or four days of game drives before leaving from Johannesburg. Two weeks is comfortable; ten days works if you skip the Garden Route.
- Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula
- Wine tasting in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
- Forests, lagoons and beaches on the Garden Route
- Lion, leopard and elephant around Kruger
Start with the destinations
See how the cities, the coast and the parks fit together.
South Africa destinationsWhere to go in South Africa
From a mountain city on the Atlantic to a buzzing highveld metropolis, Big Five bush, a lush coastal road trip and a warm Indian Ocean city.
Western Cape
Cape Town
Table Mountain, Atlantic beaches, penguins, Robben Island and world class wine an hour away.
Read the guidePhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gauteng
Johannesburg
The energetic heart of the country: Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, art, markets and great food.
Read the guidePhoto: Frankbel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mpumalanga and Limpopo
Kruger National Park
One of Africa's great Big Five parks, with self-drive rest camps and private reserves.
Read the guidePhoto: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Cape and Eastern Cape
Garden Route
Forests, lagoons, beaches and adventure on South Africa's classic coastal drive.
Read the guidePhoto: South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban
A warm Indian Ocean city with a long beachfront, famous curries and big day trips.
Read the guidePhoto: South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is South Africa safe to visit?
Millions of visitors travel safely each year, but crime levels are high, so care matters. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps, avoid walking after dark in city centres, keep valuables out of sight and follow your government's travel advice. Tourist areas, parks and the Winelands are generally calm.
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can visit visa free for a set period, while others need a visa or eVisa in advance. Check the Department of Home Affairs official site before you book, and make sure your passport has two blank pages.
Is South Africa expensive?
For many visitors South Africa is good value: food, wine and mid-range stays cost less than in Europe or North America. Private game lodges and peak season in Cape Town are the expensive parts. Self-catering and national park camps keep costs down.
What is the capital of South Africa?
South Africa has three: Pretoria is the administrative capital, Cape Town the legislative capital and Bloemfontein the judicial capital. Johannesburg is the largest city and the main international gateway.
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
May to September is dry season in Kruger and best for wildlife, while Cape Town is at its sunniest from November to March. Spring, September to November, is a sweet spot for the whole country.
How many days do I need in South Africa?
Ten days covers Cape Town and a safari. Two weeks lets you add the Garden Route or the Winelands at a relaxed pace, and three weeks makes room for Durban and the Drakensberg.
Ready to find your Bliss in South Africa?
Use the free trip planner to turn the Cape, the coast and the bush into a route that fits your time.