Cape Town

Affectionately known as the "Mother City", Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa, spanning over 300 years. Experience stunning mountains, safari walks, cruises, and streets full of passionate culture.

Best time to visit: Cape Town is best experienced in the beautiful summer months, from December to March. Be sure to book in advance, as local school holidays also happen around this time.

How to get around: there is plentiful public transport, including the Metrorail and Golden Arrow Bus networks. However, as both close early in the evening, a more reliable option is car rental.

Neighbourhoods to know: take epic holiday snaps in vibrant Bo-Kaap, where every house is a different colour. Head to Campus Bay for bars, restaurants, and nightlife. For a more family-friendly destination, Sea Point is full of play parks, pools, and cycle routes.

Things to do: hike to the top of Table Mountain for jaw-dropping, cloud-flecked views over the city. Get up, close and personal with wild penguins in their natural habitat at Boulders Beach and visit Stellenbosch for a wine-tasting tour.

Kruger National Park

Experience the full breadth of Africa's wildlife in one stunning, natural location! One of South Africa's most popular destinations, Kruger National Park has everything from lions and hippos to 517 species of birds.

Best time to visit: with heavy rains in the summer, the park's best viewing conditions come during the dry season, from May to October. Vegetation is sparse at this time, making animals easier to spot!

How to get around: explore 2.2 million hectares of wildlife via an extensive network of reliable roads in a rented car or take an open-vehicle guided tour (if you dare). Many safari tours include food, transport to and from local airports and lodging. The entire package!

Things to do: if you want to break from safaris, there are several alternative options. Fun activities include mountain biking, backpacking, golf, eco-trails and bird spotting. Why not try caving by candlelight with an atmospheric trip through the depths of Sabie's caves that the whole family can enjoy?

Johannesburg

With a population of more than 5.5 million, Johannesburg is South Africa's biggest and most progressive city. Buzzing with culture, breweries, and artisan food, there's no shortage of things to see and do.

Best time to visit: if you'd like to avoid the busy tourist season yet still enjoy relatively warm weather, we recommend either March to May or September to November.

How to get around: constantly expanding, Joburg offers an array of travel options. The train is well connected to all the tourist hot spots, while buses are best suited to journeys from the suburbs to the city centre. 

Neighbourhoods to know: head to the northern suburbs for high-end accommodation and up-and-coming developments. Melville and Parkhurst are cheaper options, with lively street life and family-owned businesses. In Soweto, you can visit the famous former home of Nelson Mandela.

Things to do: take a walking tour of Maboneng market, a bustling on-the-rise inner-city project. Visit Maboneng's Market on Main for an array of arts, crafts and local delicacies. Alternatively, experience the Apartheid Museum for a touching look at racial segregation in South Africa.

Durban

Durban is a gorgeous coastal town dominated by its 3.7-mile sandy beach. Discover exotic restaurants, hotels, and fun things to see and do, including snorkelling, bustling markets, and stunning views.

Best time to visit: with extremely hot and humid summers, the best time to visit Durban is in the cooler months of April to September. Don't worry, temperatures will still hit a bearable high of 24°C!

How to get around: Durban is a very walkable city, with so much to take in everywhere you go. There are many bus services in the city centre to get around. However, several hotspots in the north and south of the coast are not accessible via bus, making car rental an excellent option.

Neighbourhoods to know: Durban Central is the most popular tourist hotspot, filled with museums, markets and a vibrant beachfront. For a more laid-back vibe, Amanzimtoti is a welcoming coastal town just outside Durban, full of surf, sand, and swimming.

Things to do: hire a bike or ride the Funworld cable car by the beachfront and witness dolphins. Sample the famous Durban creation, the Bunny chow - hollowed-out bread filled with curry and salad. Or, if you're brave enough, jump from the top of Moses Mabhida Stadium!