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Unless you plan to stay for months, it will be impossible to compress everything into just one holiday to South Africa. This diverse and enthralling country is Southern Africa’s most visiting country and many people return time and time again.
 
A good starting point for your holiday is Cape Town, one of the world’s most instantly recognisable cities. If you have not been before, we recommend at least three nights here, four or five is better and there is more than enough to keep you busy for a week or more. Climb Table Mountain at the first available opportunity as the ‘Table cloth’, thick cloud which stalks the Cape can cover the top of the mountain and the cable car closes when the wind gets up. Aside from the main sights, we recommend taking time to explore some of Cape Town’s less prominent areas. The V&A Waterfront draws visitors from around the world but the area around Kloof and Long Street is where Capetonians go out in the evening and you will find a lively atmosphere and less inflated prices.

The Garden Route stretches out along the south coast from Cape Town and remains one of the world’s great overland journeys. Allow at least four nights, more if you want to stop in the Cape winelands en route or appreciate the quaint towns of the Klein Karoo at a more leisurely pace. Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are commonly known as the heart of the Garden Route and there are lovely places to stay in both. We tend to prefer some of the lodges outside the towns which have a more relaxed, tranquil setting but remain within easy reach of all the attractions this area has to offer.

No Africa holiday would be complete without a safari and South Africa offers the biggest range of safari options on the continent. We can discuss your requirements to work out what is right for you. Whether you want to drive yourself round one of South Africa’s numerous national parks, stay on a private concession with expert guides or fly in to a remote lodge miles from anywhere, we can arrange a safari to suit.

Many people are drawn by the justifiable reputation of the Kruger National Park, one of the most famous game reserves in the world. Those driving down the Garden Route may prefer to add on a couple of nights in the Eastern Cape. Madikwe Game Reserve northwest of Johannesburg is a good malaria-free option or fly to Tswalu in the heart of the Kalahari for a sophisticated wilderness experience.

Those concerned about getting bored should look no further than a holiday in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa’s eastern province. There are a number of excellent game reserves here along with the battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer conflicts, excellent diving, seasonal whale-watching and turtle nesting and the majestic Drakensberg Mountains – perfect for hiking by day and cosy evenings by the fire.

It is easy to combine more than one region of South Africa even on a relatively short itinerary thanks to a comprehensive network of domestic flights. An alternative which takes longer but gives a far better sense of the sheer scale of the country is to take a luxury train over one or two nights. The Blue Train is South Africa’s most well-known train and operated an overnight journey several times a month between Cape Town and Pretoria. Rovos Rail operates two-night journeys on the same route as well as regular journeys between Durban and Pretoria and Pretoria and Victoria Falls. Ask us for details on how to incorporate one of these magnificent trips into your holiday.

You will find a broader range of accommodation in South Africa than anywhere else in Africa. We favour smaller hotels, lodges and guesthouses, often owner-run, where you can expect plenty of character and a warm welcome. Above all Bridge and Wickers pride themselves on using our experience and first-hand knowledge to put together the perfect South Africa holiday for you, tailored to fit around your time, budget and interests.