Luxury South Africa Vacations 2025/2026

When it comes to family vacations, South Africa is all about the safaris.

Madikwe and the Waterberg region are best as access is easy from Johannesburg, it’s a malaria-free area, and it offers excellent game viewing. One of our most popular lodges for families is the Marataba Safari Lodge, but for larger families or those with a higher budget, the Morokuru private houses are a fantastic option.

Please note that many places do not allow very young children on game drives due to the nature of the safaris. However, there are still many activities available for young children in these areas.

Our number one destination for a honeymoon in South Africa is the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. The oldest private game reserve in South Africa, Sabi Sands borders Kruger National Park and offers lots of choice activities, incredible game viewing, and world-class service for its guests.

It’s also ideally situated to be paired with a trip to Cape Town and Winelands, Victoria Falls, and even the beach. Sabi Sands poses as the perfect experience to start building your South Africa honeymoon from.

Depending on where you want to go in South Africa will determine the best time to go on vacation.

For first-time visitors, we recommend April or October. The climate varies widely across South Africa, but in April and October, the weather in Cape Town and Kruger (two must-visit places for new travelers) is favorable in both places. October is hot in Kruger, so excellent for game viewing, and Cape Town’s weather starts to improve. In April, Cape Town is at its peak whilst the rains are starting to end in Kruger.

If you’ve been to South Africa before or prefer not to travel during those months, you can visit South Africa year-round. There are amazing things to do across the country, so no matter what time of year there’s a perfect vacation waiting for you.

It’s important to note that South Africa is in the southern hemisphere and its seasons run opposite to those in North America. So, when we’re feeling the winter chill, South Africa is experiencing summer and the hottest time of year!

South Africa’s climate is also a mix of coastal subtropics, humid highlands, hot deserts, and snowy mountains – so depending on where you go the weather could be anything! That’s why booking with Scott Dunn is so valuable because we’ll be able to match you with the right destination at the right time and provide clarity when it comes to vacations in vast regions like South Africa.

For our South African tours, we always recommend experiencing one of the country’s breathtaking safaris. South Africa’s private game reserves are renowned for a reason and truly one of the most memorable things you’ll ever do on holiday.

There are loads of things you can do on a South Africa tour, however. From checking out the city sights in Cape Town and whale watching in Hermanus to visiting the gorgeous vineyards and towns in Winelands. Explore our suggested itineraries to start getting an idea of our South Africa tours.

Absolutely! South Africa safari and wildlife holidays are our speciality, whether it’s for a family holiday, a couple’s adventure or a solo trip. Choose from private game reserves or national parks, walking safaris or game drives – we handle it all.

South Africa is known for its eclectic traditional cuisine, calling on the influences of its European and Indonesian past, creating euro-styled dishes made with Eastern flavors and spices.

To try this local cuisine, as well as other favorites, Cape Town and Franschhoek are our top choices. For specific recommendations, our Africa expert Bjorn Behlert had this to say:

“Cape Town and Franschhoek have the greatest selection of incredible dining experiences and restaurants. Some personal favorites are Salsify at the Roundhouse and then Reubens in Franschhoek.”

Absolutely! While luxury lodges are where you’d typically stay for a safari, if you plan on escaping to Cape Town, the Winelands, and along the Garden Route, there are plenty of luxury resorts in South Africa at your disposal, like the Belmond Mount Nelson hotel in Cape Town or the boutique Babylonstoren in Paarl.

There are self-driving and road-tripping routes throughout South Africa, like the Garden Route, however, depending on how far apart your destinations are in South Africa, we recommend flying.

Typically, our South Africa tours utilize a combination of flying and private transfers.

No, US passport holders can travel in South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa.

For more information visit the Government website for foreign travel advice.

The easiest way to travel to South Africa is through the East Coast via Newark, Atlanta, or Dulles. However, depending on where you live in the US will determine your route and flight time. Other routes do include connecting in Europe (London Heathrow) or even the Middle East and are often cheaper.

Our South Africa tours start at about $5000 per person, however, the final price will depend on your finished itinerary.

Don’t worry though, we’ll keep you aware of any and all costs of your trip before you book, including flights, experiences, accommodation, and whatever else we can handle for you.

To book a South Africa vacation with Scott Dunn, start by filling out our online inquiry form or calling us at the number listed below.

From there, one of our travel specialists will be in contact to start planning your dream South Africa trip.