South Africa holidays open up a land of incredible wildlife, vibrant cities and an array of glorious, sun-kissed beaches.
Johannesburg offers lively nightlife and great restaurants, along with access to some of the best safari parks in the world. In Durban you’ll find powder white sands and sunshine glistening on stunning blue waters.
The iconic Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach, meanwhile, are the stunning backdrops that await you in Cape Town.
Whether you’re looking for an activity-filled adventure or a relaxing getaway, this is a country that really does have it all.
Book your holiday to South Africa with Etihad and look forward to making unforgettable memories in this endlessly fascinating and diverse destination.
Offering stunning beaches, lively cities and the chance to see majestic wildlife up close, there’s much to build into action-packed South Africa holidays.
South Africa is blessed with an abundance of natural wonders, with 300 different species of mammal and more than 850 types of bird.
Look out for the so-called Big Five – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo – at sites across the country. Hluhluwe Umfolozi, a couple of hours up the coast from Durban, is one of the oldest reserves of its kind on Africa, while Dinokeng is only about an hour away from Johannesburg.
Alternatively, take advantage of the country’s exceptionally varied marine life by cage-diving with great white sharks off the coast of Cape Town.
South Africa is a sport-mad country, so it’s well worth taking the time to soak up the atmosphere of a sporting occasion for yourself. Rugby and cricket are particularly popular and there are plenty of spectacular stadiums to check out while you’re in the country.
Johannesburg has the impressive Ellis Park – for rugby and soccer – as well the Wanderers, an international cricket venue. In Durban, Kingsmead hosts top cricket fixtures and Jonsson Kings Park Stadium is the home of rugby and soccer.
Check out Newlands in Cape Town – with the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain – for one of the world’s most iconic cricket grounds, while Cape Town Stadium was built for the 2010 football World Cup.
Explore the country’s history by visiting Johannesburg’s many fascinating museums. Mandela House – also known as the Nelson Mandela National Museum – in the Soweto province of Johannesburg was the home of the legendary activist-turned-president from 1946 to 1962.
About 20 minutes outside Johannesburg, in Gold Reef City, you’ll find the Apartheid Museum. This charts the creation and eventual collapse of this system of oppression, which was finally dismantled in the early 1990s..
Dozens of stunning beaches dot the coastline of South Africa, with each one offering up glorious sands, turquoise waters and sensational scenery.
Cape Town’s Camps Bay is the perfect spot to enjoy a day on the beach or take in the glorious sunsets. With the 12 Apostles mountain range towering over it, this picture-perfect beach is a must-visit if you’re heading to the city.
In Durban you’ll find the aptly named Golden Mile. Vibrant South Beach is at the centre of it all with plenty of places to eat, a water park, aquarium and theme park. If you fancy hitting the surf, head to Bay of Plenty for the country’s finest waves.
If your holiday in South Africa includes a visit to Cape Town then you can’t miss Table Mountain. This imposing peak stands at more than 3,500 feet above sea level, with its flat top attracting hikers from across the globe.
If you don’t want to hike, there’s an aerial cableway that can carry you all the way to the top. It features a rotating floor and is a unique experience in its own right. You’ll be rewarded once you reach the peak with magnificent views across the city below.
Johannesburg’s status as a top tourist destination means there are plenty of tempting hotel choices here. The five-star InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers has an outdoor pool, on-site spa services and a sauna, making it the perfect choice for a luxury holiday in South Africa.
The four-star Reef Hotel is near to Museum Africa and has 120 air-conditioned rooms, a rooftop terrace and fitness facilities.
If you’re booking a South African honeymoon, it’s worth taking a look at the five-star Suncoast Sunsquare & Suncoast Towers. It’s centrally located and just a few steps from Durban Beach, with sea view rooms adding to the romance of your stay. There’s a great spa and pool if you fancy a break from the beach.
You could also try the five-star Hilton Durban, which is close to uShaka Marine World and boasts an outdoor pool, fitness suite and hair salon.
Locals in Cape Town love making the most of the great outdoors. Whether it’s hiking on Table Mountain, surfing the waves or cage diving with sharks, it’s all right here on your doorstep.
Put yourself in prime position with a stay at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. Located at the foot of Table Mountain, this five-star treasure offers colonial grandeur with a contemporary twist. Enjoy the relaxing spa and sit at Nelson Mandela’s favourite table in the exquisite restaurant.
The currency here is the South African rand (ZAR). You’ll find plenty of ATMs in urban areas, while debit and credit cards are widely accepted.
Taxis are the best way to get around South Africa’s major cities, which are also connected by train and bus routes. Car hire is available if you’re looking to explore further afield.
English, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda and Zulu are among the 11 official languages spoken in South Africa. English is widely used in the tourist areas.
South Africa celebrates a number of national holidays, including Workers’ Day (1 May) and Day of Reconciliation (16 December).
The country’s immensely diverse flora and fauna on its own is reason enough to book a holiday to South Africa. There are dozens of guided tours available, including elephant bush rides, bungee jumping, fishing and helicopter trips.
Look for the leopards at Hluhluwe Umfolozi – a Big Five park that is Africa’s oldest game reserve and can be found just a couple of hours up the coast from Durban. An hour north of Johannesburg, the Lion and Safari Park at Broederstroom offers safari tours through this sprawling wilderness park.
You can also take part in a spot of whale-watching at the Cape of Good Hope and find rare bird species in the West Coast National Park, just over an hour north of Cape Town.
South Africa’s history has produced a unique culture shaped by a mix of local, Dutch and British influences – and today it’s a nation that celebrates democracy, equality and individualism.
The country was ruled by the Dutch and the British for more than 300 years, having been identified as a valuable trading post between Africa and the Far East. Find out more about the nation’s history at Johannesburg’s Constitution Hill. In Cape Town, pay a visit to Robben Island – this is where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for most of his 27 years in captivity.
South African cuisine is a mix of tasty traditional dishes and flavoursome imports from other nations. Pick from a range of international restaurants in the cities and look out for South African specialities you should try at least once.
Biltong is a popular form of dried, spiced meat, cured into strips. Beef is the most common type, but you’ll find chicken and ostrich varieties too.
Bobotie originates from Cape Malay and is made with minced beef or lamb and topped with a mix of egg and milk before being baked. It’s comfort food at its finest.
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