South Africa: Adventure Beyond the Big Five

South Africa may be on the other side of the world (the flight is 18-plus hours from the U.S.), but this southernmost country in Africa is a destination unlike any other. The beautiful country features vast savannahs for safaris, beautiful beaches, lush wine lands, cosmopolitan cities, a rich cultural history, and landmark geography.

Most flights from the U.S. arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, which began as a gold-mining settlement. Its Soweto township was once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu and today offers a glimpse into the country’s struggle to end segregation.

From Johannesburg, adventurers in search of big game head to Kruger National Park on safari, where park rangers guide visitors through the wilderness on a quest to see the big five (elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos). The rugged landscape, dotted with luxury lodging, is a place to connect with nature and truly get away from it all.

No trip to South Africa is complete without a stop in Cape Town, South Africa’s second-largest and most stunning city. Shadowed by Table Mountain, which you can visit via cable car, this buzzy port city is bustling with art galleries, trendy restaurants, great shopping and a coastline of diverse beachscapes. Just 20 minutes outside the city, the Constantia wine route features vineyards dating back to the 1600s. Or enjoy a drive around the Cape Peninsula, stopping to see the penguins at Boulder’s Beach.

The incredible size of the continent of Africa is often hard to believe. The flight time from Johannesburg to Egypt is over twenty hours. Understandably, many of our clients want to maximize their time and see other countries beyond South Africa such as Kenya or Namibia. It can be done but it requires a good amount of time and budget. Let’s explore the options!