South African Tourism UK

21/09/2026

Here’s something for those Monday blues… 🦛💦 When you realise you’ve got an audience on safari, you obviously have to put on a little show!

This tiny hippo wasted no time showing off with a dramatic leap into the water and this lucky safari crowd got front-row seats.

📍 Greater Kruger
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20/09/2026

Pretoria, you look good in purple. 🤩💜

From late September through November, the Jacaranda City starts turning purple as thousands of trees burst into bloom, with petals eventually covering the streets like confetti.

And it’s not just Pretoria - you’ll find plenty of jacaranda-lined streets across Johannesburg too.

We’re very excited to see Gauteng looking like this again. 💜✨

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19/09/2026

Peak whale-watching season is happening right now! 🇿🇦 September is one of the best times to see southern right whales along South Africa’s coastline, with these incredible giants returning to the waters to mate, calve and raise their young.

From Hermanus and the Cape Whale Coast to the Garden Route, keep your eyes on the horizon, you never know when you’ll spot a breach, tail slap or a mother and calf swimming by. 🐋💦

Planning a trip? Mid-September to October is an incredible time to go whale watching. 👀💙

18/09/2026

Looking for an easy escape from Johannesburg or Pretoria? Say hello to Harties. 🌄🇿🇦

Hartbeespoort sits around the Hartbeespoort Dam, with the Magaliesberg Mountains rising around it. And the best bit? It’s close enough to visit for the day.

It’s roughly 45 minutes from Johannesburg and 30–45 minutes from Pretoria, depending on where you start. 🚗

Start with the Harties Cableway for views across the dam and mountains, then spend the rest of the day exploring the waterfront, stopping for lunch or trying one of the many activities around the dam. Not a bad way to escape the city for a few hours. 😉

📍 Hartbeespoort, North West
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18/09/2026

Here in South Africa, a wildlife safari isn't one-size-fits-all. 🐘 Before you start googling “best safari in South Africa”, ask yourself a slightly better question: What kind of safari do I actually want?

Big Five? Safari and beach? A quick add-on to a road trip? Or somewhere that feels properly remote? The answer could take you somewhere completely different.

Swipe to find your safari match. 👀🇿🇦

17/09/2026

Safe to say, Lion’s Head at golden hour is hard to beat. And here's your proof 😉

📍 Lion's head, Cape Town

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16/09/2026

One of South Africa’s most beautiful seasons and definitely one worth planning your trip around. 💜
Have you experienced jacaranda season yet? 🌸

16/09/2026

If your idea of the perfect holiday involves good w**e, beautiful views and absolutely no rush, Club Oenologique’s guide proves the Western Cape should be firmly on your list. 🍷

Just an hour from Cape Town, the vineyards unfold across spectacular landscapes, with some outstanding places to stay along the way. Think long lunches paired with local w**es, balconies overlooking the vines, spa days, outdoor adventures and slow afternoons in the sunshine - all the ingredients for a truly one-of-a-kind holiday. 🇿🇦

Discover five of the Western Cape’s top w**e hotels and villas here:

David Kermode recommends five of the best hotels and villas for lovers of w**e in South Africa’s Western Cape

15/09/2026

South Africa’s coastline has some very large visitors right now. 🐋🇿🇦

From roughly June to November, southern right whales arrive along the South African coastline after migrating from Antarctica to mate, calve and raise their young. The KwaZulu-Natal coast also sees humpback whales migrating past during this period.

Best time: June–November, with southern right whale sightings generally peaking between August and October.

👀 And the best bit? You often don’t need a boat. Many of South Africa’s best whale watching experiences happen right from the shoreline, with whales sometimes coming remarkably close to the coast.

📸 This incredible mother and calf were spotted just last month by in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal

14/09/2026

Safari. Beaches. Mountains. Curry. And hippos wandering through town...Welcome to KwaZulu-Natal. 🇿🇦

It’s one of South Africa’s most varied regions and one that still feels relatively under the radar for UK travellers.

SAVE this 9-night itinerary that flows perfectly:

DURBAN (1 night) - Start with vibrant city life - Golden beaches (don’t miss the Golden Mile!) and eat some seriously good curry (try a bunny chow!).

UMHLANGA (1 night) - Just north of Durban, swap the city buzz for a slower pace by the Indian Ocean. A good place to recharge before heading into the wild.

ST LUCIA (3 nights) - St Lucia sits within the UNESCO listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, with safari, wetlands, beaches and boat trips all on the doorstep. (And yes, hippos really do wander through town at night!)

HLUHLUWE IMFOLOZI GAME RESERVE (2 nights) - Head inland for a proper safari in Africa's oldest game reserves and an important stronghold for rhino conservation.

DRAKENSBERG (2 nights) - Finish in the mountains, with hiking trails, huge views and some of South Africa's most impressive landscapes.