Awe-inspiring wildlife, world-class wineries and incredible hotels
Few countries offer as much as South Africa. This is a country of untouched veld and remarkable game reserves, of dramatic mountains and surf-beaten coastlines. It’s the setting for the journey of a lifetime.
Luxury South Africa tours promise more than just safaris and the famous Big Five. Head to the stunning Cape coast to spot whales before venturing into the Winelands to enjoy excellent vintages, discover local and international artworks and dine at award-winning restaurants or watch the sun set over the wild beaches of KwaZulu-Natal.
In the country’s cities, opportunities to learn more about South Africa’s rich and diverse heritage abound, as do excellent guides and myriad opportunities to appreciate South African culture.
Our team of South Africa experts are here to help you create a completely bespoke itinerary based on your interests. Thanks to our personal experience, we can recommend the most luxurious places to stay and most memorable activities, while our Cape Town-based concierges can arrange tables at the best restaurants before you get here.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
Sample fine wines
Taste fine vintages touring the best vineyards in the Winelands.
Go in search of marine life
Spot whales on the Whale Coast and enjoy the slower pace of coastal life.
Meet local artisans
Embark on behind the scenes expert-led tours meeting with local artisans and specialists.
Hike through the Limpopo
Hike through striking landscapes and pristine wilderness in the Limpopo.
Drive Route 62
Take a slow drive along Route 62 to cross the rugged Western Cape Mountains passes and discover the quiet beauty of the Little Karoo’s small towns.
Luxury accommodation in South Africa
There are many incredible places to stay in South Africa. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive hotels, camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife, wineries and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our South Africa example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Where to go
Cape Town
Vibrant and beautiful, Cape Town is an essential stop on any South Africa trip. Table Mountain dominates the skyline and offers exciting outdoor pursuits while the streets below are full of history, culture and buzzing bars and restaurants.
Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg mountains are an epic and exciting place to visit. Huge tabletops, massive ranges, ancient san rock-art sites and crashing waterfalls can be explored on hikes, exhilarating zip lines and expedition horse rides.
Durban
A subtropical climate, beautiful beaches and laid back atmosphere makes Durban a great city to spend time in. It also holds plenty of cultural and political importance as the capital of the KwaZulu Natal region.
Eastern Cape Safaris
South Africa’s Eastern Cape continues to win visitors over with its pristine coastline, accessible and malaria-free wildlife reserves, picturesque villages and surreal hinterland landscapes.
Johannesburg
South Africa‘s ‘Big Apple’, this sunny city is not only one of the world’s largest urban areas and South Africa’s commercial and economic hub, it’s also been branded the new capital of cool.
KwaZulu Natal
Known as the ‘Kingdom of the Zulu’, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa’s most north-easterly coastal province, quite literally has it all.
Limpopo Province
Known as ‘The Great North’ Limpopo is characterised by majestic scenery, ancient landscapes and millions of hectares of protected land. There are numerous outdoor activities including some of the best horse riding safaris in the country.
Luxury Rail Travel
Luxury trains cut through dramatic landscapes, enjoyed from the comfort of stylish carriages. Any journey through South Africa will be a beautiful one and taking the journey by train delivers a wonderful sense of calm or romance.
Madikwe
Madikwe, in the northwest corner, bordering Botswana and the Kalahari desert is a hidden gem for safari-goers. A great spot for families with little children as there are malaria-free areas.
Northern Kruger National Park
The Makuleke is the northernmost section of the Kruger National Park. It is something of an open secret among safari aficionados, a diverse and dramatic region that is perhaps the park’s most beautiful, yet kept wonderfully quiet thanks to its remoteness and community run concession status.
Phinda
Phinda is a private reserve offering exclusivity, conservation-lead hospitality and exciting wildlife encounters. A varied collection of habitats attracts plenty of wildlife and with its proximity to the coast, beach and bush combine perfectly.
Pretoria
Located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, this handsome city is one of South Africa‘s three capital cities. Pretoria is made up of grand buildings, large, leafy green suburbs and wide, tree-lined streets.
Sabi Sands
A private reserve spanning 600,000 hectares and boarding the game-rich Kruger Park means safari experiences here are exclusive and full of wildlife. A place of leopards and wild dogs, luxury lodges and endless savannahs.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route is a place of magnificent natural beauty. The coastline is made up of small bays, beaches and quaint towns. In the distance rolling, green hills and forestland runs down to meet the coast, laden with marine life.
The Kalahari
The Kalahari showcases the massive diversity of the country's landscapes. Unique desert species roam the arid plains, waiting for the rains to bring dry land to life with a flurry of desert flowers.
The Kruger
A world famous national park, and for good reason. The wildlife in the Kruger is abundant, the big five reside here in large numbers. The park is home to many luxurious lodges for a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
The Western Cape Mountains
The Cape Mountains span the northern and southern capes, taking in the Cederberg mountains and most of the Karoo plateau. A perfect place for jaw-dropping road trips on the famous route 62 and all just a convenient distance from Cape Town.
The Whale Coast
On the Atlantic shoreline of the western cape there’s a beautiful collection of bays, towns and villages. Whale watching boat trips can be arranged to spot southern right whales and evenings are spent in fine restaurants and stylish hotels.
The Winelands
Pretty towns and villages punctuate the green rolling hills of South Africa’s Wine Region. Home to fantastic wine, restaurants and plenty of outdoor activities that make the most of the stunning landscapes.
Meet your Africa experts
Explore your way in South Africa
When to visit
Cape Town and along the Garden Route are great to visit any time of year, but early summer when the winds drops are particularly pleasant. If you’re visiting for safari, the dry winter months are often considered the best but the wetter summer months bring full waterholes, lush bushveld and lots of newborn animals.
Wildflowers
August - September
Safari
May - October
Cape Town
October - April
Winelands
February - March
South Africa travel guides
Plan your safari trip to South Africa
Whatever you want from your adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Ask our experts
What makes South Africa a top destination for luxury travel?
South Africa is a top destination for luxury travel because it offers a combination of exclusive, wildlife-rich safari destinations, world-class gastronomy and wine tours and exciting cities. Jacada’s luxury tours in South Africa will typically include a safari to see the Big Five and in-depth explorations of Cape Town, with stays at exceptional hotels and lodges with personalised service and excursions.
Do South Africa luxury tours include guided safaris?
Yes, if you choose to go on safari during your luxury South Africa tour then it will always include an expert guide. Guided safaris are led by experienced guides and trackers. They will use their expertise to help you to spot wildlife and teach you about each plant and animal’s characteristics. Depending on your chosen national park or conservancy, your guided safari can include game drives, bush walks and boat rides.
Where is good to combine with South Africa?
Good destinations to combine with South Africa include Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe and Zambia, for magnificent waterfalls, the Okavango Delta in Botswana for luxury safaris, Namibia for desert adventures and Mozambique for beachside relaxation and remote safaris in Gorongosa National Park. These destinations pair well with South Africa because they offer straightforward connections with direct flights and a variety of different activities to complement your South Africa trip.
What are the best wine regions in South Africa?
The best wine regions in South Africa are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Constantia, Paarl and Swartland. Each of these regions is renowned for its wine production and presents its own specialities, including Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. South Africa’s wine regions are found both on the coast and inland, with a variety of climates offering a diverse selection of wines.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
