Africa
South Africa
From the wild pulse of the savannah to the calm of wine and sea
Dawns on the savannah with the great animals just metres away, a land's end where the ocean pounds the coast, and vineyard valleys where the afternoon stretches out with a glass in hand. And, for those who dare, a face-to-face encounter with the great white shark.
South Africa is a country of contrasts that fit into a single journey. It begins in a city embraced by the sea and by a mountain that dominates everything, where music, art and African cultures pulse through every neighbourhood and the light changes the coastline by the hour; it continues along a shoreline of cliffs and beaches with colonies of penguins and sea lions that let you watch them up close, and moves into valleys of centuries-old vineyards where you eat and drink slowly, in the shade of the mountains. Then comes the savannah: a safari at a private lodge, with the thrill of setting out before dawn to meet lions, elephants or leopards, and the stillness of nights beneath a sky full of stars. It is a journey that alternates the energy of the ocean with the silence of the bush, and it suits those who want to experience nature up close without giving up a good table or a good night's rest.
Datos del viaje
Experiences
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Face to face with the great white shark, in a cage
A cage dive off Dyer Island, one of the world's most active sighting spots.
View experience: Face to face with the great white shark, in a cage
A boat departure from Kleinbaai to Dyer Island and the famous Shark Alley, with a briefing beforehand on great white shark behavior and all wetsuit gear included. The dive is done in a cage, just meters from the boat, with visibility depending on the day's conditions — an experience that's both adrenaline and a lesson about a protected species.
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Snorkeling with seals at Duiker Island
Swimming alongside the Cape fur seal colony, in the waters of Hout Bay.
View experience: Snorkeling with seals at Duiker Island
A naturalist guide accompanies the boat crossing to the Cape fur seal colony at Duiker Island, off Hout Bay, explaining how to swim safely alongside them. With all snorkel gear included, it's an experience accessible even to those who have never tried this activity — and a way to see up close one of the most playful species on the South African coast.
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Table Mountain: cable car summit, or abseiling for the bold
The peak that defines Cape Town's skyline, on foot, by cable car, or by abseil.
View experience: Table Mountain: cable car summit, or abseiling for the bold
Table Mountain can be climbed via the Platteklip Gorge trail or on the cable car that rotates 360° during the ascent, with views over Cape Town and the Atlantic. For those seeking something more intense, there's the option to descend one of the world's highest commercial abseils: 900 meters of drop, just a rope, and the Cape landscape below.
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Big Five safari at a private Kruger or Sabi Sands lodge
Two daily safaris in the lodge's own vehicle, in one of the world's most prestigious wildlife reserves.
View experience: Big Five safari at a private Kruger or Sabi Sands lodge
A private lodge in Kruger National Park or the adjoining Sabi Sands reserve offers two safari outings a day — at dawn and dusk — in an open vehicle with an expert guide, without the restrictions of a public park. The chances of seeing the Big Five — lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino — are among the highest in Africa, with nights spent in luxury tents or suites within the reserve itself.
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Wine tasting in the Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
A route through South Africa's oldest wine estates, with tastings and lunch among the vineyards.
View experience: Wine tasting in the Winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl form the heart of the Cape Winelands, South Africa's largest wine-producing region. The route — often in an open 4x4, between rows of vines with the mountain range in the background — combines tastings at several centuries-old estates with lunch at one of their manor houses. Franschhoek, founded by French Huguenots more than 350 years ago, is also considered the country's culinary capital.
Itinerary ideas
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9 days
Essential South Africa: Cape Town and Kruger
The most direct circuit: the city and the Big Five safari
View itinerary idea: Essential South Africa: Cape Town and Kruger
Cape Town (4 nights): panoramic city tour, full-day excursion to Cape Point and Boulders Beach, and free time to choose between shark cage diving, seal snorkeling, or Table Mountain. Domestic flight to a private Kruger or Sabi Sands lodge (4 nights), with two daily safaris included. Transfer to Johannesburg for the departure flight.
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13 days
South Africa in Depth: Cape Town, Winelands, and Kruger
The circuit above, extended with the Cape's wine region
View itinerary idea: South Africa in Depth: Cape Town, Winelands, and Kruger
Cape Town (4 nights): panoramic tour, Cape Point and Boulders Beach, and an experience of choice among sharks, seals, or Table Mountain. Transfer to the Winelands (3 nights) for tastings in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Return to Cape Town and domestic flight to a private Kruger or Sabi Sands lodge (4 nights), with two daily safaris. Transfer to Johannesburg for the departure flight.
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13 days
South Africa Honeymoon: Cape Town, Winelands, and the Coast by Sidecar
The same route, with a sidecar motorcycle tour along the Chapman's Peak coast
View itinerary idea: South Africa Honeymoon: Cape Town, Winelands, and the Coast by Sidecar
Cape Town (4 nights): panoramic tour, Cape Point and Boulders Beach — with the option of riding to the reserve by sidecar motorcycle along the Chapman's Peak coast — and an experience of choice among sharks, seals, or Table Mountain. Transfer to the Winelands (3 nights), staying at a historic country house, for tastings in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Return to Cape Town and domestic flight to a private Kruger or Sabi Sands lodge (4 nights). Transfer to Johannesburg for the departure flight.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to travel to South Africa?
It depends on the plan. May to September for safari, in the dry season, and November to March for Cape Town and the Winelands, in the southern summer. If you want to combine both, I choose the transition months and split the days between the two sides of the trip.
How long should a trip to South Africa last and how long does it take to get there?
Between 12 and 14 days lets you combine Cape Town, the Winelands and a safari without rushing. The flight takes 10 to 15 hours: direct to Johannesburg from Madrid or with one connection to Cape Town. The distance between areas usually calls for a domestic flight.
Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa with a Spanish passport?
Not for tourists staying up to 90 days, according to the list published by South Africa's Home Affairs ministry. Since 1 July 2026, moreover, all travellers must submit an electronic customs declaration at most 24 hours before travel. As of November 2026; the list may change, so check the official source.
What do I need to travel to South Africa with children?
The child's valid passport and, according to the South African Government, in most cases the unabridged birth certificate. If travelling with only one parent or other adults, you also need a consent affidavit with a copy of the absent parent's ID. Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends having it translated. Gather it in good time, because it can't be sorted out at the airport. As of November 2026.