With the very favourable South African rand/sterling exchange rate, one of Africa’s most varied destinations is right now at its most affordable. Charlotte has recently returned from a quick trip to Tswalu, one of our safari favourites, and Cape Town, and can report first hand on the incredible value on offer in this oft referred to ‘world in one country’. With enough wildlife to satisfy the most avid safari-goer, beautiful beaches, huge mountain ranges and staggering scenery, South Africa offers extraordinary diversity and because we fix the currency at the time you book your holiday, you really can be sure you’re making the most of the current exchange rates.

Here are Aardvark Safaris’ South African highlights:

Cosmopolitan Cape Town

where we can recommend a selection of gorgeous boutique hotels and guest houses. You can explore Table Mountain and Mandela’s Robben Island, see the penguins at Boulders Bay, and visit the characterful seaside villages of Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek. There’s the pretty suburb of Constantia to explore with its wine estates and lovely restaurants – serving up world class food at half the cost of anything in London. Just out of town are the Winelands, where Franschhoek and Stellenbosch provide the perfect setting for a day trip. Whale watchers should head to Hermanus between July and September when there’s a great opportunity to marvel at the Southern Right Whales as they migrate up the coast.

Epic game.

Though Kruger National Park is the obvious animal hotspot, we’d suggest you head to the quieter private game reserves like Timbavati and Sabi Sand. The wildlife is prolific and many of the Aardvark team has seen the entire Big 5 just minutes from leaving camp. It’s like a zoo on steroids but without the cages! The reserves are also home to plenty of other species including nyala, oribi, cheetah and wild dog, not to mention a wonderfully exotic array of birdlife. The guides here are some of the finest you’ll find in Southern Africa; superbly knowledgeable, they’ll make every game drive and bush walk entertaining and educational. The accommodation is almost as varied as the wildlife, with a wonderful variety of camps and lodges ranging from rustic to out and out luxury. It’s a perfect spot for families, honeymooners and anyone looking for a tip-top safari experience.

Other favourites

Include Tswalu, Charlotte’s recent pick, where amid the beautiful Kalahari landscape you can walk with black and white rhino, track the magnificent black maned Kalahari lions and sit with friendly meerkats. It’s the largest private game reserve in Africa and comes with a deserved reputation for fabulous conservation work – well worth a visit. The Waterberg, with its smattering of owner-run lodges is another Aardvark favourite – malaria free and very family friendly you can stay working farms, take endless hikes, and even participate in a game census from horseback. For romantics, how about traversing the country aboard one of South Africa’s famous trains? Beautifully restored carriages will transport you in the style of a bygone era, passing through some of the scenic highlights along the way. The bottom line? South Africa is a first world destination: safe, with great infrastructure, top notch accommodation and service, bountiful wildlife, amazing food and hospitality all at unbeatable prices. Give us a call today to begin planning your South African holidays.

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