South Africa

South Africa is one of the most complete destinations we book from the UK — a country where you can track the Big Five on safari in the morning and be on a beach or in a world-class restaurant by evening. Most UK visitors split their time between two very different cities: Johannesburg, the country's commercial and cultural engine, and Cape Town, famous for Table Mountain, its coastline, and the surrounding Cape Winelands.

Johannesburg is where most international flights land first. Beyond being a gateway to Kruger National Park and the wider safari region, the city itself has real depth — Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum, the Cradle of Humankind, and Soweto's living history all sit within easy reach. For official, up-to-date information on things to see and do in the city and wider Gauteng province, Gauteng Tourism Authority is the region's official tourism body.

Cape Town is the more scenic half of most itineraries — Table Mountain, Camps Bay, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Winelands around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are all within a short drive of the city centre. It's more seasonal than Johannesburg, at its busiest and priciest from November to March when the weather is at its best. Cape Town Tourism is the city's official tourism authority and a reliable source for current opening times, events, and travel updates.

Many of our travellers fly into one city and out of the other — an open-jaw itinerary — since South Africa's domestic flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town are frequent and inexpensive, and it avoids doubling back across the country. If you're planning a safari as part of the trip, Johannesburg is generally the better base, with most reserves reachable by a short internal flight or a few hours' drive.

Getting there from the UK: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Johannesburg and Cape Town, at around 11 hours each way — one of the more comfortable long-haul routes from the UK given the lack of jet lag (South Africa is only 1–2 hours ahead of UK time depending on the season). For a full breakdown of routes, pricing, and the best time to book, see our dedicated guide: Cheap Flights to South Africa.

Entry requirements: UK passport holders generally don't need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, though South Africa's passport rules (validity and blank-page requirements) are stricter than many European destinations. Always confirm current entry requirements on GOV.UK's South Africa travel advice before booking.

Whether you're planning a safari, a Cape Town city break, or a full multi-city trip combining both, we'll help you find the right flight and put together the trip around it — no online payment required upfront, just a real conversation with our team.