
Luxury South Africa Holidays
South Africa’s diversity is extraordinary, with wild game reserves, cosmopolitan cities, rolling vineyards, dramatic mountains and rugged coastline all within one country. For safari, Sabi Sands and Madikwe combine exceptional wildlife viewing with beautifully designed lodges immersed in the bush, where Big Five encounters can begin just beyond your room and expert-led drives take you deep into the landscape.
Beyond the savannah, the Cape brings an entirely different rhythm. Cape Town sits beneath Table Mountain, the Winelands unfold through vineyard-covered valleys and Hermanus looks out across whale-rich waters. Further east, the Garden Route threads together forests, beaches and coastal towns on one of South Africa’s great road journeys. Add Johannesburg, Durban and the country’s rich food and wine scene, and South Africa becomes a destination where every region feels completely different from the last, making it ideal for a journey that keeps changing as you travel.
Suggested itineraries for South Africa
These example journeys will give you a starting point from which to plan your holiday to South Africa. This collection of ideas includes our favourite combinations of hotels, regions and destinations. Every Turquoise itinerary is unique, so please treat these as inspiration and get in touch with our destination experts to create your bespoke journey and quote.

Family Fun in the Western & Eastern Cape
11 nights from £25,500 per family
Perfect for families with little ones, this itinerary showcases the very best of South Africa with the ideal balance of…
View Itinerary
South Africa & Victoria Falls In Style
7 nights from £9,950 per person
Explore South Africa & Victoria Falls in Style - from the Cape to 'The Falls'.
View Itinerary
South Africa & Mozambique: Chic Safari and Stunning Island
1 nights
Combine the stunning island of Mozambique with Sabi Sands Reserve in South Africa for this incredible safari beach…
View Itinerary
South Africa: Family Winelands & Safari Holiday
7 nights
7 nights from £11,445 per family South Africa Enjoy an exhilarating adventure which will take you from the Winelands to…
View Itinerary
South Africa & Mauritius Luxury Safari Beach Honeymoon
11 nights from £7,700 per person
For the ultimate luxury escape to South Africa and Mauritius, combine 4 nights at Marataba Safari Lodge in South Africa…
View Itinerary
Classic South Africa Safari & Mauritius Beach
11 nights from £6,820 per person
Journey from a malaria-free safari to Mauritius, combining incredible wildlife with a luxury beach escape.
View Itinerary
Family Safari & Beach in Kenya
10 nights from £26,450 per family
Combine the thrill of a family safari in Kenya with the magic of Lamu, a unique coastal escape perfect for families…
View Itinerary
South Africa & Mauritius: Safari Beach Adventure
11 nights from £36,500 per family
Combine a malaria-free safari with a week long stay on the beach with this fabulous itinerary.
View Itinerary
Ultimate Safari Beach – Kenya & Zanzibar
10 nights from £6,099 per person
Prices start from £5,780 per person. A 10 night journey twinning Kenya's iconic Masai Mara with the powdery beaches and…
View ItineraryBest time to visit South Africa
South Africa’s size means the best time to visit depends on where you are travelling. Cape Town, the Winelands and Garden Route are warmest and driest from October to April, while September to November is excellent for whale watching around Hermanus.
For safari in Kruger, Sabi Sands and Madikwe, May to October brings cooler, drier conditions, thinner vegetation and wildlife gathering around water. Johannesburg is a year-round destination, while Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal coast stay warm for much of the year. Combining safari with the Cape works particularly well in the shoulder seasons.
Regions in South Africa
South Africa
Cape Winelands
No trip to Cape Town is complete without a trip to the winelands. No trip South Africa without a trip to the winelands is…
South Africa
Cape Town & Surrounds
The ‘Mother City' is rightfully one of the world's most beautifully situated cities, held in the bowl of the legendary Table…
South Africa
Safari Lodges
A South Africa has some of the best game reserves in Africa. There are safaris and game reserves here to suit every type of…
South Africa
Garden Route, South Africa
Not only does South Africa’s pleasant year-round climate, beautiful beaches and fabulous safari experiences make it so…
South Africa
Poo Safaris in South Africa
What is a Poo Safari in South Africa? It is a little toungue in cheek, but read on to find out more!
South Africa
Johannesburg
Johannesburg, also nicknamed Egoli (place of gold), and often referred to by locals as ‘Jozi’ or ‘Joburg’ is where the creative…
South Africa
Hermanus & Surrounds
The small fishing village of Hermanus, two hours east of Cape Town, is one of the most accessible places in the world for…

Unbeatable Road Trips
Drive from Cape Town through the Winelands and along the Garden Route, staying in glass-fronted clifftop suites, quirky family-run beach houses and vineyard retreats, with whale watching, farm-to-table food and exceptional wine along the way.
Where to stay in South Africa
South Africa is like many different destinations in one country, cosmopolitan cities, wildlife-filled game reserves and sun-soaked vineyards. There are so many options when it comes to stay in South Africa, including a charming boutique hotel in Cape Town, a Cape Dutch farm estate in the Winelands or one of the many luxury out-of-this-world safari lodges, which put you right in the heart of some of Africa's finest wildernesses.
Tuningi Safari Lodge
Set in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Tuningi Safari Lodge is a fantastic choice for families looking to combine luxury, incredible wildlife and a truly special setting. It has a wonderfully warm, relaxed feel, with attentive staff who go out of their way to make families feel at home while creating memorable safari experiences for all ages.
The Last Word Makanyane, South Africa
Last Word Makanyane Safari Lodge is one of our favourite lodges in South Africa, every guest we send here loves their experience, and we have sent numerous very happy guests over the last 10 years!
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
A Capetonian icon for over 100 years, the Belmond Mount Nelson is the most renowned luxury hotel in Cape Town.
Marataba Safari Lodge
This family run safari lodge is set in the Malaria free Marakele National Park, which is 23,000 hectares of private land located in the foothills of South Africa's Waterberg Mountains.
Marataba Mountain Lodge, South Africa
This little known remote eco outpost is one of our firm favourites! It offers an utterly unique experience and is the perfect place to disconnect from the outside world.
Coot Club
Tucked above the Klein River Lagoon in Stanford, Coot Club is one of those rare coastal stays that feels both rugged and welcoming. Surrounded by mountains and water, the setting is quietly dramatic, while inside the mood is lighter - bright, characterful interiors softened with a gentle nautical charm.
Morukuru Beach Lodge
Set in the heart of De Hoop Nature Reserve, between the ancient milkwood forests and the blue ocean, this family owned and run luxury retreat will guarantee a barefoot elegance experience, mixed with the beauty and serenity of the wilderness in the renown Wahle Coast.
Dulini
Superbly located in South Africa’s world renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger National Park, family-owned Dulini comprises three magnificent and luxurious safari lodges – each one unique and exceptional in its own right. This is a place to celebrate the quintessential spirit and thrill of the African wilderness.
Impodimo Game Lodge
Wonderfully positioned on a rocky ridge on the western edge of South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, Impodimo is a little known gem of a safari lodge carved from the hillside with far reaching views.
Rhulani Safari Lodge
This boutique gem of a safari lodge lies in the heart of South Africa's lesser-known Madikwe Game Reserve, the country’s fifth largest wildlife sanctuary which borders Botswana.
Madikwe Lelapa Safari Lodge
Located in the lesser-known Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s premier game viewing regions which runs along the border with Botswana, Lelapa enjoys an exceptional setting in a prime wildlife viewing area.
The Last Word, Franschhoek
Finalist in the World Travel Awards for Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel, this delightful historic residence - now a charming boutique hotel - sits in the heart of Franschhoek village.
Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
One of the original farmhouses built on the slopes of Table Mountain, the boutique Cape Cadogan Hotel is located in Cape Town’s ‘Gardens’ suburb.
Chitwa Chitwa
Chitwa Chitwa offers luxury safari lodge accommodation in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve near Kruger National Park. It's a Turquoise favourite for obvious reasons.
Babylonstoren
Artisanal charm and chic organic living have reached the heart of the beautiful Winelands in the form of Babylonstoren, a stunning and historic working wine farm just under an hour's drive from Cape Town.
Birkenhead House
This glamorous coastal retreat has all the wow factor you’d expect of a stylish contemporary beach house, perched on a clifftop in Hermanus, less than a 2 hour drive south-east of Cape Town.
Cape Grace
Cape Grace is one Cape Town's finest hotels, situated on a private quay in the vibrant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with Table Mountain providing a stunning backdrop.
South Africa highlights
South Africa holiday types
South Africa travel inspiration
Exploring The World Through Food & Wine
The food and wine you enjoy on holiday create some of the most long lasting memories, it is also an incredible way to truly connect with a countries culture. You can learn a lot about the people and their heritage …

Lizzie Heeley
06 May 20254 mins read
Safari and Beach Holidays
Have you ever dreamed of going on safari? There is something incredibly powerful about that heart-stopping moment you first step foot in the awe-inspiring African wilderness. The colours, the scents, the far-reaching views across the vast savannah, the palpable serenity …

Lizzie Heeley
13 Feb 20256 mins read
The Best Honeymoon Destinations In The World
From turquoise waters, white sands, and blue skies to more eclectic and unique locations, our honeymoon experts are here to help you discover the very best honeymoon destinations in the world. With over 22 years of experience, these honeymoon destinations …

Lizzie Heeley
12 Nov 20247 mins read
Garonga Safari Camp, Makalali Private Game Reserve In South Africa
Overview of a suite / lodge and a pool at Garonga Safari Camp, South Africa

Alessandra Guarneri
05 Aug 20243 mins read
Our Top 40th Birthday Holiday Ideas
Do you or your loved one have a very special birthday coming up, and you are looking for 40th birthday ideas? Our team of specialists would love to help. We have a number of ideas up our sleeves for the …

James Bell
07 Dec 20217 mins read
Where to Go for Your 25th Wedding Anniversary
Twenty five years is a milestone that deserves to be marked in any marriage. For most of us, the journey is one of many ups and downs, with plenty of good times and our fair share of challenges. But hey, …

James Bell
17 Nov 20215 mins read
Where to go for your 50th birthday
James Bell, Managing Director of The Turquoise Holiday Company, shares his thoughts and wisdom for the best 50th birthday holiday ideas.

James Bell
10 Nov 20213 mins read
Three Reasons to Fly with Qatar Airways
As we all start travelling again, the coronavirus pandemic has taught us to really appreciate every moment of our holiday. Most of us just can't wait to dip our toes into the cerulean waters of the Maldives or spot our …

Lizzie Heeley
29 Sept 20213 mins read
Turquoise Holidays' Alternative Olympics
From Tom Daley finally getting the gold medal he's been dreaming of to winning two gold medals in the modern pentathlon (one of the many events we suddenly become experts in every four years), we've loved watching the Tokyo Olympics …

Lizzie Heeley
09 Aug 20216 mins read

Why Choose Turquoise?
Family Owned & Run
We are one of the few remaining family owned and run operators of our size. We have direct relationships with every single destination, island, resort and hotel we work with, in order to deliver exceptional and truly personalised service.
Our Passion Runs Deep
We are - and always have been - mad about travel. For almost 25 years we've been scouring the globe for the best places to stay, the newest routes to take, the perfect people to meet. No-one will care more about your holiday.
Definition of Luxury
Luxury means something different to everyone. Whether you are seeking the silence of vast spaces, the isolation of a private island, the buzz of a new city, the adrenaline of a safari or anything in between, we listen, we learn, we advise.
Fun & Refreshing
We endeavour that every Turquoise experience is unique, fun and refreshing. Travel is all about experiences, about serendipitous moments and endless smiles. It is a joy and an honour to plan each and every Turquoise holiday.
Frequently asked questions about South Africa
Answers to the questions we’re asked most often about South Africa. If you have a more specific question, please get in touch with our destination experts.
British passport holders don’t need a visa to visit South Africa.
The South African rand.
The flight time from London to Johannesburg is around 12 hours and from London to Cape Town, it takes around 12 and a half hours.
The time difference is GMT +2 hours.
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus-Diptheria vaccinations are currently recommended. Prevention against Malaria is advised for those travelling to the lowfeld of Mpumalanga (including Kruger National Park), Limpopo and the Maputaland coastline of KwaZulu-Natal. While Malaria is at low risk in the winter months, we’d advise using mosquito nets and insect repellent to prevent being bitten. If you’re entering South Africa from a Yellow Fever zone, possession of a valid Yellow Fever inoculation certificate is required but for any current travel health advice, you should seek guidance from your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel.
Speak to our South Africa specialists

Lottie Supple
Travel Specialist

Martha McHugh
Senior Travel Specialist

Lara Cowtan
Head of Sales

Lyndsey Newton
Senior Travel Specialist

Nick Prentice
Senior Travel Specialist

Chris Gardner
Senior Travel Specialist

Alessandra Guarneri
Senior Travel Specialist & Africa Product

Bethany Preston
Senior Travel Specialist & Team Leader
What Our Travellers Say
“As enthusiastic retirees with a serious case of wanderlust, my wife and I now travel abroad at least four times a year.We'd been subscribed to The Turquoise Holiday Company mailing list for years, but it wasn't until we spotted a special offer for Thailand in November 2019 that we finally booked our first holiday with them.Interestingly, a few months earlier, while waiting for a flight to the Maldives in June 2019, we noticed another couple travelling with a Turquoise travel bag. At the time, we thought little of it, but looking back, it was perhaps an early sign that we were about to discover a travel company that would become our go-to specialist for luxury holidays.Our first experience with Turquoise was excellent and gave us the confidence to book a Maldives holiday for June 2020. Then, of course, COVID struck and brought the travel industry to a standstill. What impressed us most was the way Turquoise handled an incredibly difficult situation. Rather than leaving us in limbo, they worked tirelessly to rearrange our holiday multiple times, adapting to constantly changing restrictions and circumstances. Eventually, in November 2020, despite flying with a different airline and staying at a different hotel than originally planned, we were able to enjoy a much-needed Maldives escape when many other travel plans around the world had simply been cancelled altogether.That experience cemented our trust in The Turquoise Holiday Company. Since then, we have booked many holidays through them and now use them for the vast majority of our trips abroad.What consistently sets Turquoise apart is the quality of its people. Every member of staff we have dealt with has been knowledgeable, professional, friendly and exceptionally thorough. Their expertise, attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile give us complete confidence that every aspect of our holiday is being carefully managed.In an age where genuine customer service can be hard to find, The Turquoise Holiday Company continues to deliver it in abundance. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for a travel agent that combines expert knowledge, outstanding customer care and absolute professionalism. They have played a major part in some of our most memorable travel experiences, and we look forward to booking many more adventures with them in the years ahead.”
“Right from first contact, Bethany & colleagues were great. Bethany adjusted the holiday offered several times to get it just how we wanted it, & it was everything she said it would be. We went to Coco Bodu Hithi & it was amazing, I thoroughly recommend it. Turquoise have a great app which was really useful & they were there for us all along the way, even sending me updates on flights. I recommend them 100%.”
“Everything was so efficient from our very first contact. We are not seasoned travellers so the support/help/advice we received from Lucy all the way through was so reassuring. Even the daftest question was never too much trouble. Looking forward to booking again for 2028 - we wouldn’t dream of looking forward alternative travel agents. Thank you so much 🥰”
“I am so thankful we used Turquoise Holidays! From start to finish they were exceptional. A shout out to Martha who designed and organised our honeymoon for us - she took the stress out of planning, understood the vision and put together our dream holiday. She was a pleasure to work with and it was beyond anything we could have imagined. I can’t tell you how relieved we were to have all of our transport and transfers sorted the other side. Especially for a trip like ours with lots of flights and travel, using Turquoise Holidays made it so much easier. We also used the concierge services to book activities and they were so helpful and kind. Will definitely use Turquoise again, I can’t wait for our next holiday!”
“Sophie was brilliant from start to finish. From the very first email she was professional but also had that friendly touch. Any amendments I wanted to our honeymoon plans she came back with the updated itinerary. Even after 5 iterations she was still incredible with the responses. I would highly recommend using turquoise travel and we will definitely be using them again”
“Amazing Family Holiday and just what we asked for! We wanted a resort and location that was approriate for small kids but had all the luxuries for adults, and Turquoise holidays provided a great service. Commincation was great and they took all the pain out of the small details and provided an excellent service and the value was outstanding!”
“Just got back from a fantastic Holiday in Mauritius with which I booked the Holiday with Turquoise Holidays. This is my first time I have booked with this company and I will have no hesitation in booking again, from start to finish the correspondence I had with Milly and the rest of the team at Turquoise as been outstanding. Thankyou Neil & Jane”
“Enjoyable trip to Canada.Jonty made excellent recommendations as always, hotels were great in every respect.Highly recommend Turquoise for their advice and insight into places and hotels at a very good price point. We have used many times in the past and will continue do use again in the future.”
“Mrs Stone organised all my flights details and extra help extremely well.”
“This was the best travel agent experience we have ever had. We went on a bespoke 5 week trip to Australia. Our agent, Stuart, designed a trip exactly matching our requirements and really listened to us when we described the brief. What came through strongly during the course of the trip was Turquoise’s ability to not just source the best properties/accommodation, but the best rooms in those properties. Likewise with the tours and activities that they organised — everything felt highly curated and considered. When any queries arose or we wanted to change the bugs, the team was super-responsive through the app. We will definitely use them again have recommended them to many friends.”
“We had a really good time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The blend of activity and adventures in Sri Lanka mixed with the relaxation and tranquility of the Maldives, worked extremely well and the itinerary put together by Turquoise was excellent.Overall we were very impressed with Sri Lanka and whilst hectic at times enjoyed our busy agenda. We found all the accommodation wonderful and food was plentiful and enjoyable. We were pleased to have climbed the two rocks to see the sunset/sunrise albeit a bit daunting when we realised the climbing challenge ahead.Special mention has to go to our driver/guide Mahesh who was excellent and really helped make our trip run smoothly. He was knowledgeable, practical and always prompt.In fact our only hiccup occurred when trying to leave the Notary House to fly to Male. We had booked a 4am alarm call, bags to be picked up at 4.20am and “breakfast to go” ready for 4.30am. Fortunately we had used our own phone alarms as we awoke to a completely silent hotel, no alarm call, no bags collected and no breakfast, and no driver.We did however just about hear a car hooting and on seeing some lights at the end of the long drive to the hotel set off and found Mahesh. However, the gates were padlocked shut and Mahesh was locked out and we were locked in! Fortunately Mahesh had a number for the hotel and after ringing several times, an apologetic staff member appeared and unlocked the gate and off we went. Phew !After making our plane we successfully arrived in Male and took the speedboat to Velassaru. We thought the island was impeccably well kept and had obviously been recently modernised in many areas. Our room - 205 - was perfectly positioned close to the Chill Bar, and ideal for drinking cocktails and watching the sunset, yet only a small walk from all other amenities including the buffet restaurant where we ate all our meals. We found the breakfast plentiful and varied but thought the offerings for dinner were less extensive than on other islands( maybe we were a bit spoilt at Six Senses last year ! ). We were also disappointed that given we were half board had we wished to use any of the other 3 à la carte restaurants for dinner then this was additionally chargeable albeit with a 30% discount.And yes, sadly the view from our villa of Thilafushi was certainly not ideal or romantic but overall we still agreed that Velassaru was a lovely island with everything you would expect from a trip to the Maldives.Overall we were very satisfied and would consider doing a similar trip again and definitely using Turquoise albeit I think we would allow for a longer journey from Male and take the seaplane even if that did eat into a bit more of our holiday time.Thanks again to Anthony for listening to our requirement and tailoring our trip to suit our needs.Steve ( and Cathy )”
“Always so helpful, professional and efficient, thank you once again!”

Get in Touch With Us Today
Ready to start planning your holiday to South Africa? Contact our team of experts for first-hand knowledge, expert advice and your bespoke holiday quote.































