Uncover wild South Africa
Book flights to South Africa and travel to a country of contrasts, boasting wide, expansive plains and national parks alongside modern, skyscraper-filled cities.
Encounter widlife on a safari, enjoy the urban side of South Africa in the country’s thriving cities, or relax on one of the sun-kissed beaches that line the coast.
Enjoy a safari to Kruger National Park, home to the ‘Big Five’, or navigate your way along South Africa’s stunning Garden Route, with its pristine beaches.
Explore the country’s history with a visit to the home of Nelson Mandela or take a moment to gaze out over Cape Town from the iconic Table Mountain.
Whichever route you take, your visit to this incredible country is sure to be an unforgettable one that’s filled with memories to treasure.
Begin your journey to this wonderfully diverse nation when you book flight tickets to South Africa with Etihad Airways.
Flying to South Africa with Etihad
Johannesburg (JNB)
Get a fascinating insight into South Africa’s history with a trip to the vibrant city of Johannesburg. Galleries and museums line the streets of Jozi, as it’s affectionately named by locals, while a booming youth culture makes for an enjoyable journey into the country’s music and art scenes.
Cape Town (CPT)
Enjoy a South African adventure in the mesmerising city of Cape Town. Situated on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain, the country’s stunning ‘Mother City’ offers sweeping vistas across the ocean, incredible sandy beaches and national parks galore.
Durban (DUR)
With the Indian Ocean on one side and a bustling metropolis on the other, Durban is a popular year-round destination for flights to South Africa. The Golden Mile extends from the Port of Durban to North Beach and is the perfect sun-soaked paradise.
Reasons to visit South Africa
Go wild with safaris and sharks
There are few places in the world with a natural landscape quite as diverse as South Africa’s, one that hosts some 300 species of animals and more than 850 types of bird.
First, there’s the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo — to spot, then there are the giraffes, cheetahs and zebras. A safari here creates a series of breathtaking moments and a lifetime of memories.
The coast is just as beguiling. Book plane tickets to South Africa and you’ll find that it boasts exceptionally rich marine life from the African penguin to the Great White Shark.
Drive the Garden Route
There’s a 180-mile stretch of coastal road meandering along the south-west tip of South Africa that’s regarded as the most beautiful region in the country. Beginning at Mossel Bay and ending at Port Elizabeth, it’s named the Garden Route after the national park that it covers and the array of vegetation and wildlife you’ll encounter along the way.
The route is home to almost a dozen nature and marine reserves, winding through the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountain ranges for dramatic panoramic views. Around halfway you’ll reach Knysna, the most famous town on the route. Unwind by the beautiful lagoon and take a ferry to the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
Relax across hundreds of miles of coastline
Dozens of Blue Flag beaches line the coast of South Africa, their sandy shores, pristine waters and sensational scenery offering a stunning escape from the everyday.
Camps Bay and Clifton in Cape Town, North Beach on Durban’s Golden Mile and Mossel Bay’s Diaz Beach are all standouts but there are plenty more to discover. Each one offers warm waters, golden sands and stunning views to enjoy.
Flying to South Africa: FAQs
Where should I fly to in South Africa?
South Africa has three main airports serving its most populous cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. The country may be vast, but travelling between cities is reasonably simple thanks to well-organised public transport networks and a range of domestic flights.
Will I need a car in South Africa?
While the main cities are well connected by public transport routes, even the most organised bus networks will not stop at national parks or safaris. Visitors are therefore advised to hire a car from a wide range of rental companies on arrival in South Africa.
How many days do you need to visit South Africa?
First time visitors will often find two weeks is enough to see the main cities and attractions on holiday in South Africa — even if you travel a lot within the country.