South Africa
South Africa packs mountains, two oceans, wine valleys and the Big Five into one country. Cape Town sits at the edge of the continent with a flat topped mountain over the city, and Kruger is a short flight away.
Why it is on my list
Cape Town, Table Mountain and a Big Five safari. It is the rare trip where a city break, a wine country weekend and a proper safari fit into the same two weeks.
Best time to go
November to March: Cape Town summer. Warm, dry and long days, but windy in January and February.
April and May: quieter, with golden vineyards and mild weather.
May to September: dry season for safari, with thin bush and animals at waterholes. Mornings are cold.
June to November: southern right whales near Hermanus, best in September and October.
Where to stay
Cape Town City Bowl and Gardens: walkable, with good restaurants. The Belmond Mount Nelson is the grand old landmark.
Camps Bay and Clifton: beachfront views and sunset bars.
V&A Waterfront: convenient and polished.
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek: wine estates with guest rooms.
Sabi Sand or Kruger private reserves: lodges with guided drives and strong leopard sightings.
Getting there and around
Airports: Cape Town (CPT) and Johannesburg (JNB). Durban and Kruger Mpumalanga (MQP) for regional trips.
From the US: connect via Europe, the Gulf or Atlanta to Johannesburg. Direct flights have operated from New York and Atlanta at times.
Internal: domestic flights are frequent and cheap. Renting a car is easy, and driving is on the left.
Cape Town: Uber, the MyCiTi bus and the Table Mountain cableway, which closes in high wind.
Permits: Kruger and national park entry are paid at the gate or by lodge. Book Robben Island ahead.
What to eat
Braai: South African barbecue, with boerewors sausage and lamb chops.
Biltong: air dried cured meat.
Cape Malay curry and bobotie: spiced mince with an egg topping.
Snoek and fresh seafood: at Kalk Bay and Hout Bay harbors.
Bunny chow: a curry in a hollowed loaf, from Durban.
What to drink
Wine: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Constantia and Paarl. Try chenin blanc, pinotage and Cape blends.
Rooibos: naturally caffeine free red bush tea.
Beer: Castle, Black Label and a large craft scene in Cape Town.
Amarula: cream liqueur from the marula fruit.
Don't miss
Table Mountain: cableway or hike up Platteklip Gorge.
Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope: dramatic cliffs at the continent's southwestern tip.
Big Five safari: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo in Kruger or a private reserve.
Boulders Beach: African penguins near Simon's Town.
Robben Island: Mandela's cell and former prisoner guides.
Bo-Kaap: colorful houses and Cape Malay food.
Chapman's Peak Drive: a famous coastal road.
Day trips and side trips
Winelands: a full day in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
Hermanus: whale watching from the cliff path.
Cape Peninsula loop: penguins, Cape Point and fishing villages.
Garden Route: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma, a few days by car.
Festivals and events
Cape Town International Jazz Festival: usually in March or April.
Cape Town Carnival: usually in March.
Rocking the Daisies: a camping music festival near Cape Town, usually in October.
Music and dance
Amapiano: South Africa's house music export, danced in clubs and shebeens.
Cape jazz: a style with deep local roots in Cape Town.
Nightlife
Cape Town mixes craft cocktail bars, beach clubs and live jazz. Johannesburg has a bigger, later club scene driven by amapiano and house.
When people go out: dinner at 8, clubs from midnight.
Where the action is: Long Street, Bree Street, Camps Bay and Observatory. Maboneng and Rosebank in Johannesburg.
Good to know: take ride apps between venues and avoid walking at night.
Photography spots
Signal Hill: sunset over the city and Table Mountain.
Lion's Head: sunrise hike with 360 degree views.
Bloubergstrand: the classic Table Mountain across the bay shot.
Cape Point: cliffs and lighthouse.
Drones: recreational flying is allowed under civil aviation rules, but national parks and Table Mountain need permission. Check current regulations.
Cost of living
Overall: $$ versus New York.
Coffee: $2 to $3.
Local lunch: $6 to $10.
Dinner for two: $35 to $80 at good restaurants.
Beer: $2 to $3.
Mid range hotel: $90 to $180 per night.
Daily budget: $100 to $200, more for private reserve lodges.
Food and wine offer outstanding value. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: good in Cape Town. Power cuts have affected some areas, so check for backup power.
Coworking: plentiful in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Time zone: 6 hours ahead of US Eastern in summer, 7 in winter.
Longer stays: a remote work visa exists for stays beyond the standard tourist period. Check current requirements.
Nomad rating: 4/5.
Good to know
Language: English is widely spoken, alongside Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa and others.
Currency: South African rand.
Plugs: Type M with three large round pins, 230V. Bring an adapter.
Entry for US citizens: no visa for short tourist stays. Check current rules and passport page requirements.
Getting around apps: Uber and Bolt.
Tipping: 10 to 15 percent in restaurants. Tip car guards and petrol attendants a few rand.
Water: tap water is safe in Cape Town. Bottled elsewhere if unsure.
SIM/eSIM: Vodacom or MTN, or an eSIM.
Useful phrases
Howzit: hello, how are you.
Dankie: thank you in Afrikaans.
Sawubona: hello in Zulu.
Lekker: nice or great.
Meeting people
Social scene: friendly and outdoorsy, with hiking groups, beach clubs and wine bars.
Apps: Meetup, Bumble and Facebook groups.
Etiquette: greet warmly. Braai invitations are an honor.
Stay smart: be thoughtful about history. Visit a township with a local guide.
Staying safe
Cities: do not walk alone at night, and keep valuables hidden in cars.
Transport: use Uber over street taxis.
Hiking: check weather before climbing Table Mountain and go in groups.