Lions, Penguins, and Pinotage: Why South Africa Should Be Next on Your Travel List

When I first heard South Africa described as “the world in one country,” I assumed it was the kind of sweeping phrase tourism boards love to use. But it didn’t take long to understand the truth in it. Where else can you spend your morning watching lions and elephants on safari, your afternoon sipping world-class wine in a vineyard, and your evening enjoying a fusion of cultures over a Cape Malay curry? From wildlife encounters to scenic coastal drives, from bustling cities to wide open spaces, South Africa delivers an incredibly diverse travel experience that feels both immersive and refreshingly manageable. I have visited the country half a dozen times - here's why South Africa should be next on your travel list

Johannesburg, City of Gold and tears

Begin your South African journey in Johannesburg, a city that’s often unfairly overlooked. It may not be conventionally beautiful, but there’s a compelling story beneath its gritty exterior. A visit to the Apartheid Museum offers important context, and a guided trip through Soweto brings that recent history into sharper focus. Walking through Vilakazi Street, home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, I felt a deep sense of respect for the resilience of the people who call this city home.

Stunning views along the Panorama Route

From Jo’burg, a road trip leads you along the magnificent Panorama Route, where the mountain passes and dramatic viewpoints like God’s Window and the Three Rondavels offer some of the most stunning landscapes I’ve seen in southern Africa. It is the perfect scenic lead-up to what many come to South Africa for: safari.

Game viewing in Kruger

The Greater Kruger area is, quite simply, extraordinary. I was lucky enough to stay at a private game reserve, which meant fewer vehicles and a more intimate experience. In just one morning, you may see the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant — along with giraffes, zebras, and perhaps a curious hyena. There’s something primal and humbling about watching elephants amble past your open vehicle or hearing a lion’s low growl at dusk. The Kruger National Park itself spans two million hectares and is a conservation success story. It’s where I felt most in awe of nature — and most aware of how fragile that balance still is.

Smaller parks, more wildlife

But South Africa isn’t just about safaris in Kruger. I took a detour to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, one of the oldest reserves in Africa and a stronghold for both black and white rhino. A guided walking safari and a peaceful cruise along the St. Lucia estuary, watching hippos bobbing in the water as the sun set, reminded me that not all wildlife experiences need to happen from a jeep.

Fantastic hikes in the Drakensberg

Before heading to the south coast, be sure to make time for the Drakensberg Mountains — South Africa’s highest range and its most spectacular. The area offers a completely different kind of wilderness. Hiking through the amphitheatre of Royal Natal National Park, I was struck by the sheer scale of the cliffs and the serenity of the grasslands. The air felt thinner, cleaner somehow, and the views stretched for miles across green valleys and jagged peaks. I visited ancient San rock art sites, a reminder of the deep cultural history woven into these landscapes. It was a peaceful, soul-refreshing stop — one I’m glad I didn’t skip.

Along the Garden Route

From there, make your way to the Garden Route, a name that conjures up images of verdant scenery and seaside charm, and rightly so. Storms River and Tsitsikamma National Park provide some of the best hiking I’ve ever done, with well-maintained trails that wind through forest and along dramatic cliffs. The Otter Trail is the most iconic, but even a short walk offers rich rewards: waterfalls, wildlife, and unforgettable ocean views.

The coastal town of Knysna is another highlight. Take a sunset cruise on the lagoon and watch the sun dip behind the famous Knysna Heads with a glass of crisp local Chenin Blanc in hand. Further inland, in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, tour the Cango Caves, a surreal network of ancient limestone caverns that feels like stepping into another world.

Continue west and you will reach Hermanus. I visited during whale season, and from the cliffs I saw several southern right whales breaching offshore — a graceful counterpoint to the raw power of the lions I’d seen just weeks before.

Enjoy great meals and wines

Of course, no visit to South Africa would be complete without a stop in the Winelands. There’s a slower pace here that invites you to linger, to savour. I spent a leisurely afternoon in Franschhoek, wandering through vineyards, sampling local Pinotage, and enjoying a traditional bobotie lunch with views over the valley. The town of Stellenbosch, with its oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch architecture, is another highlight for many.

Cape Town - The Mother City

Eventually, you'll reach Cape Town, and it will feel like arriving in a different country altogether. Hemmed in by sea and mountain, it’s a city that knows how to make an impression. Table Mountain stands sentinel over the city, and hiking to its summit one morning, I was rewarded with views that stretched from the Twelve Apostles down to the glinting waters of the Atlantic. The V&A Waterfront, with its restaurants and shops, was a great place to unwind, while the ferry trip to Robben Island, guided by a former political prisoner, was one of the most powerful experiences of my trips to South Africa. It’s not easy to face South Africa’s difficult past, but doing so is essential to understanding the present.

Not far from Cape Town lie the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach, where you can spot African penguins waddling among the rocks. It’s a wonderful day trip, combining wildlife with coastal beauty.

A World in One Country

What stood out throughout my journey was how easy it was to experience so many different environments within one trip. South Africa is truly a world in one country. It is well set up for tourism, with excellent infrastructure, friendly locals, and a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget. Whether you’re staying in a luxury lodge, a coastal guesthouse, or a chic city hotel, hospitality feels genuine. And the food — don’t even get me started on the food. From hearty boerewors at a relaxed braai to fine dining in Cape Town, I never had a bad meal.

A few surprises

There were plenty of surprises too. The wildflower bloom in Namaqualand, which carpets the arid landscape in vibrant colour between July and September, was an unexpected delight. And driving the rugged Sani Pass into Lesotho — an unforgettable experience — took me into a world of winding mountain roads and Basotho villages perched above the clouds.

South Africa’s contradictions are part of its appeal. It’s a country where joy and struggle coexist, where wild nature meets cultivated beauty, where you can dive with sharks one day and sip wine in a tranquil valley the next. For travellers seeking variety without needing to cross multiple borders, this place is hard to beat.

Yes, the lions and penguins are reason enough to visit, but it’s the stories, landscapes, and warm human encounters that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home. South Africa gets under your skin in the best kind of way — and it just might be the most complete travel experience I’ve had.

When to go

The best time for a wildlife viewing safari in the north-east of South Africa is the dry season between April and November. Travel to South Africa's south coast and Cape Town can be done year-round, but it gets cool in July and August.

Our tours

We offer a variety of tours in South Africa, from self-drives to small-group tours, to hiking and cycling adventures and luxury tailor-made trips. Here is a selection of tours.

Cape Town & Kruger Experience This week-long journey blends Cape Town’s coastal charm and cultural highlights with wildlife experiences in the Greater Kruger area. From penguins at Boulders Beach to Big Five safaris, and a visit to a community project led by the Shangaan people, it offers a meaningful mix of nature, culture, and connection.

South Africa self-drive This three-week South African self-drive weaves together safari adventures, mountain hikes, and coastal exploration. From game drives in Kruger to cultural encounters in eSwatini, rhino spotting in Hluhluwe, and vineyard visits in the Winelands, it ends in Cape Town—where nature, history, and culture offer a thoughtful and varied conclusion.

South Africa Adventure This three-week small-group journey through South Africa offers a sweeping look at the country’s remarkable variety—from Cape Town’s urban appeal to Big Five safaris in Kruger, hikes in the Drakensberg, and the coastal beauty of the Garden Route. Blending wildlife, culture, and scenery, it truly reflects South Africa’s famous diversity.

Cycling in South Africa The Cape and nearby winelands make for some of the best cycling South Africa has to offer. Spectacular scenery both inland and along the coast is all around you while great food, local produce and terrific wines make for wonderful mealtimes at the end of a good day's ride. This is a classic small-group cycling tour of South Africa with relaxed rides and the opportunity for a few challenging climbs.

Trails & Wildlife of South Africa This small-group tour explores the varied northeast of the country through hikes in the rugged Drakensberg and walks and game drives in several reserves, including Kruger. During our game activities we hope to spot elephant, lion, rhino, leopard, giraffe and hippo and many smaller animals and birds. In addition we visit historic sites, craft markets and explore some of the finest scenery this country has to offer.

Private South Africa This customizable luxury South African journey blends coastal beauty, fine wine, and unforgettable wildlife. Begin in Cape Town, exploring its dramatic setting and layered history, then head to Franschhoek for world-class wine and cuisine. Finish with a safari in a private reserve near Kruger, where exclusive game drives offer close encounters with iconic wildlife.