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!
South Africa
Use the map and the information to check your favourite places.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Curious how that looks? Here are our top picks:
- Eastern Loop - for rugged landscapes, remote safari parks, and cultural gems
- Garden Route - adventure and comfort for families
South Africa's Eastern Loop
Start with a visit to the vibrant Johannesburg, travel towards the coast, go on an adventurous overnight hike.
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.
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.
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South Africa is my home; I’m happy to advise you on the best trip based on your wishes!
Anna
Travel Consultant South Africa
With Charlie's Travels, you choose for fair and local travelling
Our team lives and works in Africa
We create our own routes
Your trip is completely tailor-made
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Travel stories of our travellers in South Africa
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!!!
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!
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