South Africa Holidays

The food, the beaches, the culture. Everything about South Africa screams excitement and we’re loving it. Whether you’re after a day out spotting leopards or want to explore the big cities like Johannesburg, it’s a country that doesn’t disappoint. The local curries are tasty, the beaches are sandy and you may even see an elephant or two on your travels. Experiencing it all whilst being in the warmth of the sunshine, what more could you want from a holiday?

Beaches
With a coastline stretching to more than 2,500km in length, South Africa has its fair share of beaches. Don’t be fooled into thinking their all the same though, with the East Coast bordering the warm Indian Ocean and the West being met with the Atlantic. In the east, Durban is home to the golden mile, a popular and beautiful stretch of shore great for sunbathing and surfing. Nestled within False Bay on the west coast, Muizenberg Beach is one to visit, holding a blue-flag award and featuring the famous colourful beach huts. Further along the coast in Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach lives up to its name with large boulders between the white sand and is a must-visit as it’s home to the adorable African Penguins!

Food & Drink
South Africa’s food scene is as diverse as the culture, fantastic for those who enjoy a little variety in life. Biltong is a popular dry cured meat, usually made from beef or game, which is a perfect tasty snack and a healthier alternative to crisps. Those who love curry are in for a treat with Cape Malay curry, a delicious combination of sweet and savoury ingredients, and Bunny Chow, a street food dish originating from Durban consisting of hollowed out bread stuffed with spicy curry. For a sweet surprise try koeksisters, syrup soaked twists. Let’s not forget drinks, as South Africa is known for its outstanding local wine.

Culture
A tapestry of different lifestyles and languages, South Africa is an outstanding country for absorbing a variety of cultures in one place. From the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, to the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) in Cape Town, there’s so much to learn about the beautiful country. If you’re lucky enough to catch a festival whilst there, it really is an exciting experience. Try the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in late March/early April, or the Grahams Town National Arts Festival in July, which is an 11-day celebration of theatre, street entertainment, opera, music and art.

Nightlife
Like most holiday destinations, heading into the bigger towns and cities, you’ll be greeted with an abundance of bars, clubs and pubs to choose from. Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg have their share of cool clubs and buzzing bars and even in smaller towns such as Dullstroom and Stellenbosch you’ll still stumble across some fabulous night time venues. But, as one of three of the country’s capital cities, there’s no surprise that the show-stopper is Cape Town when it comes to nightlife. With the city having five whole precincts filled with attractive watering holes for every mood, you’ll struggle to find a place that isn’t your kind of night out.

Important Information
Flight Time: 12hrs Direct
Time Difference: GMT +2hrs
Currency: South African Rand
Official Language: South Africa has 11 official languages including Zulu, Afrikaans and English.