South Africa is a popular destination for holiday makers, the country has so much to offer from safaris to magnificent beaches that there really is something for everyone. If you are planning on booking a holiday to South Africa, you will probably be wondering what the best time to go is, and this all depends on where you go in the country and what you are hoping to do when you are there.

December through to February is often the peak time to visit South Africa, but because of this you may find that resorts are very business and your holiday may not be as quiet and relaxing as you had hoped for. If you can wait until March or April time you may find that the season has died down a bit and you are able to still bask in the sun but with a quite a few less people around.

If you fancy a spot of Whale watching then October is the perfect time for you. The Whales generally arrive around June time and start matting, so come October you can often see the calves as well as the parents of the newly-borns. The weather is often warm enough in October for you to be able to sit outside and enjoy a glass or wine or three whilst watching the sun set.

Cape Town is a popular holiday destination in South Africa. Many people think of Safari holidays when they think of South Africa, but Cape Town offers a whole new experience for those that are looking for something a little different.

Cape Town is a shopper’s dream with a wide range of shopping places to visit from little boutique shops to high street fashion retailers. If you like shopping, then you will not be disappointed with what is on offer in this magnificent town.

The Mojo Market in Sea Point is open seven days and is a must for all avid shoppers. You can see a wide range of products on offer and try some of the beautiful local cuisine. If you are looking for souvenirs to take home with you then you will probably be able to get them all from Mojo Market. Not only can you shop till you drop but there is also a small stage where musicians perform allowing you some time to relax with a drink whilst looking over all your great buys.

Cape Town is also famous for its nightlife. There is a range of clubs, bars and restaurants – there really is something to suit all. Open until the early hours of the morning, you will not be stuck for things to do on a night out in Cape Town.

With it’s rich cultural heritage and history, South Africa has been an increasingly attractive holiday destination since the end of Apartheid in the 1990s and offers a broad range of holiday experiences.

As with any holiday, getting the most out of your break depends on what you want, so here we cover a couple of the more popular hotspots.

First of all, Cape Town – popular because of it’s glorious beaches, it’s also in the shadow of Table Mountain, not to mention that Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) is only a short trip away.

Next up, Johannesburg – one for the city breakers, especially if you have a keen interest in history; the township of Soweto was home to Nelson Mandela (along with many of his ANC colleagues) and the city boasts the National Apartheid museum as well as rich nightlife.

You may also want to take a look at Kruger National Park – it will leave you breathless with it’s outstanding natural beauty, not to mention it being home to the Big Five game animals.

Last up, Durban is definitely worth a visit if beaches are your thing, particularly if you’re a keen surfer – it boasts some of the best beaches and waves on the continent.

A holiday to South Africa can be a breath taking experience and if you get the chance to do a safari trip, then you should grab it with both hands. Whilst South Africa is an amazing and beautiful country, there is often a problem with mosquitos and you will need to try and avoid getting bitten as not only can some of them be carriers of dangerous diseases they can give you a nasty bite that can spoil our holiday.

You need to buy a good quality high DET spray and apply it morning and early evening to try and repel them, you may also need to top this up if you are in and out of the pool. For some people DET spray is enough but for others they still seem to fall victim to these insects all too often. Some research has shown that if you start to take Vitamin B12 about 1 month prior to going away then your body some how will repel mosquitos. Although there is no medical evidence that confirms this is true, the amount of people that swear by it, is often enough to make people give it a go.

Always be sure to have a plug in in your room at night as this is often when many people get bitten.

A safari trip in South Africa is like no other trip on earth. A safari is a real adventure and it can be enjoyed by people going on their own, as a group or as a family. By going on an African safari and booking with a reputable company you are actually helping to conserve the African wildlife and habitats. A safari can be the most enjoyable and rewarding experience you will ever have, and knowing that your money is going towards helping a good cause makes it even better.

Most safari trips that you can go on have traditionally been easy on the environment but conservationists have developed it even further. By bringing tourists in to the local area and to the local communities money can be raised through park entrance fees, licenses, concessions and employment.

You will often find that the majority of the camps are using sustainable fuel sources such as solar panels rather than diesel or coal. This in the opinions of many is the perfect way to holiday, getting to experience the amazing wildlife and culture whilst helping towards the conservation of it for generations to come.

If you are looking to book a holiday to a country that you have never visited before then you may worry about yours and you family’s safety. Going to a new place can make many people feel anxious, especially if the culture and rules and regulations are quite different from what we are used to in the UK. Often you don’t need to worry nearly as much as you might, but instead just make sure you are well prepared.

Egypt is a place of inspiration – it has a wealthy of history and culture just waiting to be discovered, but over the past few decades, it has become less popular with tourists due to the rise in crime and terrorism. Although this may be enough to put many people off, the risks of this kind of thing happening even in our own Capital, London, are extremely high at present so you need to think about the bigger picture. Egypt as a country are aware of the situations and try to help tourists make the right decisions such as where to go when holidaying there. Be sure to speak to a reputable travel agent when booking your holiday as they will be able to advise you where is and isn’t say to travel to an also of any regulations you may need to be aware of when visiting this country.

South Africa is a fascinating place to visit and is steeped in history and culture. If you are planning a trip to South Africa you may want to spend a bit of time researching the culture there. This way you can try and get involved with the local people and their way of life.

Because of its colonial past, South Africa has a large number of Afrikaans- (descended from Dutch settlers) and English speakers as the British began colonising the region in the 1800s. French, Portuguese and Germans started to arrive in the 1600’s and often bought Indian and modern-day Indonesia slaves with them, meaning that the country also has a very prominent Hindu and Muslim community.

Black African culture is renowned for its dance, music and arts and this is shown on the streets of Africa where you will find many performance going on. The African culture certainly is very lively and will most definitely keep you entertained.

There are many temples and places of interest for you to visit in Africa if you want to take a look at how the people used to live. One place that should be top of your list to visit is the Castle of Good Hope. It is a bastion fort built in the 17th century in Cape Town, South Africa.

South Africa is the perfect setting for a honeymoon although it may not be the first place that comes to mind. With its vibrant cities, beautiful golden sandy beaches and wealth of culture not to mention the breath taking wildlife, it really does offer it all.

South Africa really is the ideal place for all newly weds and has something for everyone. With a huge choice of luxury hotels and lodges to choose from, you certainly won’t be disappointed with the accommodation.

If you have always fancied going on a safari, then you would be in the prime place to try it and because there is so much else to do in South Africa, you don’t have to spend your whole honeymoon on a safari if you don’t want to. Many holiday companies offer packages that include a one day or two day safari trip and the rest of the time in near a beach or busy town allowing you to explore the country in more detail.

Some areas of South Africa do have malaria, so it is worth getting your vaccinations prior to travelling to stay safe. There can also be high levels of crime in certain areas, so be sure to find out where is safe to go and importantly where is not safe to go.