South Africa

South Africa, our second home alongside Kenya. Here we have built our own network, mapped out our favorite routes, and have a local team that knows the country like no other. From road trips along iconic coastlines to getting lost in vibrant townships and counting stars in the desert: this is the land where every day brings something new, from safari to surfing and from vineyards to wilderness.

Why is South Africa the perfect country for you as a traveler?

South Africa is a country where you can truly experience everything, from the iconic Garden Route to the pristine west coast and our favorite: the Eastern Loop. Add rich local cultures, welcoming people, comfort, and amazing food, and you have a country that really offers it all.

Our on-the-ground team lives and works in South Africa, some of us with children, others pure adventurers, and together we know the country inside out. We constantly test new routes, discover unknown places, and build relationships with local communities.

For you, that means: with us, you discover the full South Africa, full of cultural exchanges, stunning nature, and local accommodations. Travel with your teenagers, friends, or partner along our favorite route, the Eastern Loop. From rugged mountain passes and tropical beaches to wild reserves, here you discover a unique part of southern Africa. For families with young kids, there is the famous Garden Route, but done the Charlie’s way: with local guesthouses, intimate wildlife parks, and places where your kids can safely and playfully get to know nature and culture. Whoever you travel with, South Africa challenges you every day to an unforgettable adventure.

Discover South Africa with our local partners

In this video, our Charlie’s Angels Anna and Emiel immerse themselves in Zulu culture with a cooking workshop! They are warmly welcomed by our friends Stocks, Nomasonto, and Nokwanda. Together with this lively, lovely family, they learn everything about Zulu traditions. It promises to be a day full of delicious food, chatting, and enjoying. Check the video here!

Want to contact us?

South Africa

Use the map and the information to check your favourite places.

Unique experiences

Is South Africa just vineyards and safari parks? Think again. How about:

  • Being invited by a family in a remote Zulu village to cook and taste traditional dishes together.
  • Paddling by canoe on the wild Orange River and pitching your tent on the shore, with only the sound of flowing water around you.
  • Going on an overnight hike to the top of Sibebe in the Drakensberg Mountains and being rewarded with an unforgettable view.
  • Riding horseback through the mountains of Lesotho and getting to know the life of the Basotho people.
  • Exploring the rugged Cederberg in search of ancient rock paintings that connect you directly to the first inhabitants of this land.
  • Discovering the untouched coast of Kosi Bay, where local fishermen take you into their centuries-old fishing techniques.
Safari without a crowd

Skipping Kruger because it’s too touristy? Absolutely. South Africa is full of beautiful, quiet safari spots:

  • Greater Kruger: spot the same Big Five as in Kruger Park, but without the jeep traffic—raw and intimate safari feeling guaranteed.
  • Tembe Elephant Park: a hidden gem, quiet and pristine, where you drive among the largest elephants in the world.
  • Manyoni: our absolute favorite, a place where you not only spot wildlife but also participate in rhino conservation and track pangolins with rangers.
  • Bayala: small-scale, warm, and personal, here you are welcomed like family and stand eye to eye with the bush.
  • Hluhluwe-iMfolozi: South Africa’s oldest park, with rolling green hills and an impressive concentration of rhinos.
For whom?

South Africa suits every type of traveler:

  • For wildlife photographers: chasing the Big Five with your lens or searching for that perfect shot in the bush.
  • For families: kids seeing elephants for the first time, parents enjoying a good glass of wine along the Garden Route, and adventures exciting for all ages, from ziplining to rhino tracking.
  • For groups of friends: endless road trips through rugged mountains, nights by the campfire, and stories that get better with every beer.
  • For lovebirds: from romantic sundowners on deserted beaches to getting lost together in the wilderness, South Africa breathes adventure and love.
Best time to travel

South Africa can be visited year-round, but here are some highlights:

May to September (dry season): perfect for safaris—animals are easier to spot.

November to March (summer): ideal for beach days and lush landscapes.

Our favourite routes

Curious how that looks? Here are our top picks:

Example route

South Africa's Eastern Loop

Start with a visit to the vibrant Johannesburg, travel towards the coast, go on an adventurous overnight hike.

Example route

Fom South African Jo'burg to Maputo

A road trip in a tough 4x4, off to the bush and onto the coast. This trip has it all and is giving it all. 

Example route

Adventure and comfort on the Garden Route

The world famous Garden Route. This iconic route is often praised as the most beautiful in the country, and rightly so.

Request a tailor-made travel proposal

Fill in your travel preferences here, and we will contact you within one working day.

South Africa is my home; I’m happy to advise you on the best trip based on your wishes!

Anna

Travel Consultant South Africa

Our team lives and works in Africa

We create our own routes

Your trip is completely tailor-made

100% insured and safe on your trip

Travel stories of our travellers in South Africa

Blog Nature lovers: nature in South Africa
Nature lovers: nature in South Africa
South Africa is an incredibly large country. So big, in fact, that this country fits over 30 times the size of the Netherlands. Yes, thirty times! South Africa is therefore home to everything from lush jungles to vast savannahs and from the rugged ocean to the most impressive mountains.
Blog South Africa’s Most Beautiful Coastal Towns!
South Africa’s Most Beautiful Coastal Towns!
Blog 4×4 selfdrive in Southern Africa
4×4 selfdrive in Southern Africa
Blog Traveling to South Africa with your toddler?
Traveling to South Africa with your toddler?
Blog The Garden Route: The Most Beautiful Road Trip in South Africa
The Garden Route: The Most Beautiful Road Trip in South Africa

5000+ happy travellers went before you

What a fantastic honeymoon we had with Charlie’s Travels! In just 19 days, we visited three countries: South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique. We spent a few nights sleeping under the stars in our personal camper and a few nights in luxury accommodations. Everything was wonderfully organized!

Martin
Lovebirds
Mozambique, eSwatini, South Africa

We definitely recommend Charlie’s Travels! They organised a great self-drive for us through South Africa, Mozambique and Eswatini. Communication before, during and after the trip was smooth: everything was very clear and they responded very quickly. We had a fantastic trip!

Coco
Travel with friends
eSwatini, Mozambique, South Africa

Together with Charlie’s Travels and my fellow board members, I discovered South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique in 2.5 weeks. Sleeping in tents on the beach or in the wilderness, hiking through Swaziland, Ocean Safari, Game drives, this trip had it all. I recommend everyone to let Charlie’s Travels help you find the perfect trip! 

Lieke
Travel with friends
eSwatini, Mozambique, South Africa

Charlie’s Travels is an excellent tour operator for a trip to South Africa. What also appealed to us was their policy of mostly doing business with local entrepreneurs. We highly recommend Charlie’s Travels to anyone looking for a unique travel experience.

Danny
Travel with friends
South Africa

For our honeymoon, we wanted something special. We came across Charlie’s Travels’ website, and were immediately sold. The promises were great, and during our trip, expectations were exceeded. We can highly recommend Charlie’s to anyone wanting a spectacular, amazing experience!!!

Jannelize
Lovebirds
South Africa

We went with the family to South Africa and that was fantastic! With our input and wishes. Anna only needs half a word and knows the regions and accommodations well. We would arrange our next trip to Africa with Charlie’s again!

Leonie
Family Travel
South Africa