Luxury South Africa Safari Tours

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

Nonstop flights from the U.S. include:

• Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg and Cape Town
• United from Newark to Johannesburg and Cape Town

These routes are particularly convenient for travelers on the East Coast or those able to connect through Atlanta or the New York area.

From the US West Coast:

Most travelers connect through a major U.S., European or Middle Eastern hub. Depending on your starting city and itinerary, connections through London, Amsterdam, Paris, Doha or Dubai can work particularly well.

Middle East connections include:

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

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

Once in South Africa, Ubuntu Travel coordinates regional flights and transfers, including scheduled flights and private charters to safari regions such as Kruger, Sabi Sand, Phinda and Madikwe. We can also arrange onward journeys to destinations including Victoria Falls, Botswana and Namibia.

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 Nature Reserve. Participate in specialist conservation experiences, including pangolin monitoring or rhino conservation at Phinda. Enjoy malaria-free Big Five safaris in reserves such as 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 the best time to visit 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’s northern reserves is generally from May to September. Cooler temperatures, sparse vegetation, and increasingly limited water sources bring animals toward rivers and waterholes, making wildlife easier to find. This is ideal for first-time visitors, wildlife photographers, and anyone looking for strong Big Five viewing.

Top regions to visit during this time include:

• Kruger National Park
• Sabi Sand Nature 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 summer crowds begin to thin, temperatures remain warm, and conditions are excellent for exploring the city and surrounding Winelands.

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

The Best of Both Worlds
If you’re looking to combine Cape Town with safari, March, April, May, September, and October can work particularly well. These shoulder periods offer a good balance between safari conditions in the north and pleasant weather in the Cape, while often avoiding the busiest summer and festive-season crowds.

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 opportunities to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), along with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hyena, and cheetah.

Wild dogs can also be seen in reserves such as Madikwe, Tswalu, and parts of the Sabi Sand. 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 wildlife encounters.

Birdlife: 850+ Species

South Africa is a birding paradise, with more than 850 recorded species across its varied habitats. From lilac-breasted rollers and martial eagles in the bushveld to African black oystercatchers and flamingos along the coast, birding is excellent year-round. The summer months (November to March) are particularly rewarding when migratory species are present.

Marine Life: Whales, Sharks, and Penguins

South Africa’s coastline supports exceptional marine biodiversity, including whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, sharks, and a wide range of coastal and marine species.

• Whale Watching: Southern right whales migrate to South Africa’s coastline between June and November, with excellent viewing around Hermanus, De Hoop Nature Reserve, and other parts of the Cape Whale Coast.
• Shark Cage Diving: Shark cage diving is offered from locations including Gansbaai and Simon’s Town. Sightings vary by season and conditions, with species including bronze whaler and broadnose sevengill sharks, while great white sightings have become less predictable in recent years.
• African Penguins: Visit the Boulders Beach colony near Simon’s Town or Stony Point in Betty’s Bay. These are two of the most accessible places to see endangered African penguins along the South African coast.

Yes, but only in specific regions. Much of South Africa is malaria-free, including Cape Town, the Garden Route, and several of the country’s leading safari reserves.

Malaria-risk areas
Malaria risk is concentrated in parts of the northeast, including Kruger National Park and parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Risk is generally higher during the warmer, wetter summer months from November to April. If your itinerary includes one of these regions, we recommend discussing preventive medication with a travel doctor.

Malaria-free safari options
For families with young children or travelers who prefer to avoid malaria-risk areas, reserves such as Madikwe, Marataba, Tswalu Kalahari, and Kwandwe offer excellent safari experiences in malaria-free regions.

We always recommend speaking with a travel doctor before your trip to confirm the right precautions for your exact itinerary.