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Luxury South Africa Safaris

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South Africa safari: Coastlines, Culture, and the Big Five

South Africa’s variety stands out. Track the Big Five in Kruger, then follow coastal curves along the Garden Route. Hermanus offers shore-based whale watching, and KwaZulu-Natal blends Zulu heritage, Drakensberg peaks, and warm Indian Ocean beaches. Days can balance game drives, coastal walks, and historic sites with ease. Evenings bring good food, fine wines, and relaxed company.

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Your journey, carefully planned and fully supported
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Will it suit how we like to travel?

Yes, your destination specialist will design your trip around your specific interests and preferred pace of travel.

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Who shapes our experience?

Experts who listen first, then connect the days, places, and people into a journey that feels seamless and personal.

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Who helps if our plans change?

Your 24/7 Concierge takes care of the details before your trip and steps in if things do not go as planned, so you can simply enjoy the journey.

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When to go to South Africa

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Talk to a Wayfairer travel specialist who will design a trip around you. No fixed tours, no pressure, just honest advice and ideas tailored to your style.

Ettienne Froneman

Ettienne Froneman

Colin Walsh

Colin Walsh

Alistair Kiwana

Alistair Kiwana

Danielle Wilson Naqvi

Danielle Wilson Naqvi

Ellie Jones-Perrott

Ellie Jones-Perrott

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Where to go in South Africa

Seek the Big Five in Kruger’s diverse habitats. Drive the Garden Route for beaches, forests, and viewpoints. Watch southern right whales from Hermanus cliffs. In KwaZulu-Natal, explore battlefields, Drakensberg hikes, and warm coastal waters. Each region adds a layer to a balanced journey.

Hermanus

Hermanus

The Garden Route is a 300-kilometre stretch of South Africa’s coast, which starts in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape and ends at the Storm River in the Eastern Cape.

Perched between majestic mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Hermanus is globally celebrated as the world's premier destination for land-based whale watching. From July to November, the coastline transforms into a theatre of nature where Southern Right Whales breach just yards from the scenic cliff paths.

Just inland, the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley offers a sophisticated contrast, inviting guests to sample award-winning cool-climate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in a stunning vineyard setting. With its historic boutique hotels and commitment to marine conservation, this seaside enclave provides a refined and restful interlude that perfectly balances the excitement of a safari.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park

Don't miss out on a luxury safari to the Kruger National Park; one of Africa’s largest and most popular wildlife-watching destinations.

Widely regarded as Africa's premier wildlife destination, the Kruger region delivers a safari experience of unmatched intensity. While the National Park offers vast landscapes, the surrounding private reserves like the Sabi Sands provide exclusive access to the Big Five, including the world’s best leopard viewing.

Here, guests escape the crowds to enjoy off-road tracking, guided bush walks, and nocturnal game drives not possible in the public park. Accommodation options are equally spectacular, ranging from award-winning luxury lodges to the unique thrill of staying on a stationary train suspended over the Sabie River. Deeply committed to conservation, these reserves offer a sophisticated adventure that directly supports the preservation of this iconic wilderness.

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal

Explore Kwazulu natal from the stunning beaches to the incredible wild landscapes 

From the soaring granite peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal offers a diversity of landscapes rarely found in one region. Known as the Garden Province, it combines rich Zulu heritage with exceptional wildlife encounters.

Guests can retrace historic footsteps at the famous battlefields of Rorke’s Drift before retreating to the exclusive Phinda Private Game Reserve. Here, rare sand forests offer a unique backdrop for tracking cheetah and the Big Five. Whether snorkeling in the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park or relaxing at a boutique beach lodge, this destination promises a multifaceted journey that seamlessly blends history, safari, and subtropical relaxation.

The Garden Route

The Garden Route

The Garden Route is a 300-kilometre stretch of South Africa’s coast, which starts in Mossel Bay in the Western Cape and ends at the Storm River in the Eastern Cape. 

Spanning 200 miles of South Africa’s southeastern coast, the Garden Route is celebrated as one of the world’s most scenic driving destinations. This verdant corridor weaves through the ancient forests of Tsitsikamma, the shimmering lagoons of Knysna, and the sun-drenched beaches of Plettenberg Bay.

Travelers can explore this diverse landscape at their own pace, perhaps enjoying fresh oysters by the water or hiking the dramatic Robberg Peninsula. The route also offers access to malaria-free game reserves, allowing for effortless Big Five viewing alongside marine encounters. With its wealth of boutique hotels and eco-lodges committed to sustainability, this region promises a refined coastal adventure that perfectly complements a classic safari.

What our customers say

uganda

"Our African adventure in Feb. 2025 was beautifully planned and orchestrated by Wayfairer.  [...] We cannot thank the team at Wayfairer enough for bringing this bucket list trip of a lifetime to fruition for us. "

Janice & Mike W
Traveler
cambodia

"My wife and I agreed that our holiday in Cambodia was without doubt the best we have ever had. [...] It was the absolute brilliance of the staff of the company at every level [...] and when due to a travel delay, caused by extreme weather, rearranging and supporting us in a way that actually enhanced our holiday!"

Nigel D
Traveler
zambia

"We have planned a leopard searching safari, we received the most accurate indications to find them. [...] We stayed in Kafunta and Three Rivers in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, then moved to Umkumbe and Kambaku in South Africa. All this was seamless, made easy for a couple 60+."

Francisco J. O
Traveler
japan

"We just got back from a 2 week trip to Japan. From our arrival to our departure, everything was fantastic! [...] The itinerary was great and having guides for most of our excursions made everything so much more enriching. [...] If they could figure out a way to instantly cure jet lag, they’d get a sixth star."

Jeff L
Traveler
kenya

"We've just returned from a six night safari in Samburu National Park and Ol Pojeta Conservancy.  [...] The before and aftercare was also very thorough and Aggie and Toon were so friendly. [...] It was worth every penny we paid."

Jane & Rex G
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