Luxury South Africa Safari Tours

Getting to South Africa is easier than you might think. Most travelers from the U.S. fly into either Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International, JNB) or Cape Town International Airport (CPT).

Direct Flights:

• Delta Airlines offers nonstop service from Atlanta to Cape Town, making it one of the most convenient options for East Coast travelers.

From the West Coast:

• Most routes connect through Europe or the Middle East. For example, you can fly from LAX or SFO to Paris, then directly to Cape Town or Johannesburg with Air France or other SkyTeam partners.

Middle East connections include:

• Qatar Airways via Doha
• Emirates via Dubai
• Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi

These carriers offer frequent connections from major U.S. cities with smooth onward flights into South Africa.

Once in South Africa, Ubuntu Travel handles all regional flights and transfers — including scheduled flights and private charters to safari destinations like Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand, Phinda, Madikwe, and more. We also coordinate extensions to Victoria Falls, Botswana, or Namibia as part of your journey.

South Africa is one of the most versatile and accessible safari destinations in Africa. It’s known for Big Five game drives, exceptional luxury lodges, and well-developed infrastructure. You can combine safari with world-class wine regions, coastal escapes, and vibrant cities like Cape Town.

The country offers diverse landscapes and immersive experiences. Track leopard in the Sabi Sand. Participate in conservation work like pangolin or rhino monitoring in Phinda. Travel malaria-free in family-friendly Big Five reserves like Madikwe or Marakele.

From romantic lodges for honeymooners to private villas for families, South Africa delivers comfort, adventure, and variety. At Ubuntu Travel, we tailor every journey to your travel style. It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding safari destinations to explore.

South Africa is a year-round destination, but timing your trip depends on where you’re going and what you want to experience. Here’s how we generally guide our travelers:

Safari Season in South Africa
The best time for safari in South Africa is during the dry winter months from May to September. Cooler temperatures, sparse vegetation, and low water levels bring animals to rivers and waterholes, making game viewing consistent and dramatic. This is ideal for first-time visitors, wildlife photographers, and anyone looking for Big Five sightings.

Top regions to visit during this time include:

• Kruger National Park
• Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve
• Madikwe and Marakele (malaria-free options)

When to Visit Cape Town (November to March) 
Cape Town shines in the summer months, especially from December to March. Expect warm weather, long days, and a lively social scene. Beaches, bars, and fine dining are in full swing. That said, March is a local favorite, the wind settles, the crowds thin, and the weather is still fantastic.

Winter months (June to August) bring cooler, wetter conditions. But it’s a great time for hiking, wine tasting, and quieter city experiences with better value at boutique hotels.

The Best of Both Worlds 
If you’re looking to combine Cape Town with safari, March, April, May, September and October are excellent. These shoulder months offer great wildlife viewing and more pleasant weather in the Cape. You’ll enjoy fewer tourists, excellent photography conditions, and the kind of breathing room that lets South Africa truly shine.

At Ubuntu Travel, we align your trip with the seasons and your style, whether you want dramatic wildlife encounters, scenic city stays, or a little of both.

South Africa is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife, from classic safari icons to marine megafauna and endemic flora found nowhere else on Earth.

On Safari: Big Game and Predators

Across reserves like Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand, Phinda, and Madikwe, you can expect to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), along with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, and cheetah.

Wild dogs are also regularly seen in private reserves like Madikwe, Tswalu, and parts of the southern Sabi Sands. For exceptional cheetah sightings, look to Phinda, Kwandwe, and Tswalu’s open plains.

These private reserves offer low vehicle density, expert guiding, and outstanding opportunities for close-up sightings.

Birdlife: 850+ Species
South Africa is a birding paradise, with over 850 recorded species across its varied habitats. From the lilac-breasted roller and martial eagle in the bushveld to coastal species like African black oystercatchers and flamingos. Birding is exceptional year-round. Especially during the summer months (November to March) when migratory species arrive.

Marine Life: Whales, Sharks, and Penguins
South Africa’s coastline is one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. The False Bay and Cape Peninsula are hotspots for marine biodiversity, including seals, dolphins, penguins, and reef fish.

• Whale Watching: Southern right whales migrate to South Africa’s coastline between June and November. Peak sightings occur from August to October in places like Hermanus, De Hoop Nature Reserve, and Plettenberg Bay.
• Shark Cage Diving: This is offered year-round, with the best visibility between May and September. Gansbaai and Simon’s Town are the top launch points. While great white sightings have declined due to the presence of orcas known as Port and Starboard, you can still encounter bronze whaler (copper) sharks and other marine species.
• African Penguins: Visit the Boulders Beach colony near Simon’s Town or Stony Point in Betty’s Bay. These are among the most accessible and rewarding penguin-viewing spots in the world.

Yes, but only in specific regions. The majority of South Africa is malaria-free, including Cape Town, the Garden Route, and many of the country’s top safari reserves.

Malaria-risk areas
Low-risk zones include parts of Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand, and Phinda Private Game Reserve, particularly during the rainy summer months from November to April. Risk levels are typically low but still require caution.

Malaria-free safari options
For families with young children or travelers seeking added peace of mind, Madikwe, Marataba, Tswalu Kalahari, and Kwandwe are completely malaria-free. These areas offer excellent Big Five game viewing and top-tier lodges without the need for preventative medication.

We always recommend speaking to a travel doctor before your trip to decide if antimalarials are right for you.