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South Africa

Wild beauty, bold cities and once-in-a-lifetime moments


Wildlife, wine and wonder

South Africa is a country that dazzles with diversity – from wild savannahs to edgy cityscapes to the turquoise coastline and white sands of your dreams.

Watch elephants, giraffes and rhinos roam at sunrise in Kruger National Park, feel the sea breeze on your face at Cape Point, or hike Table Mountain for panoramic views that will leave you utterly speechless.

In Cape Town, colourful neighbourhoods, harbourside precincts and buzzing food markets are brimming with life, while Johannesburg hums with creativity and a bold, artistic spirit.

Food and wine lovers are in for a treat – sip award-winning vintages in the Cape Winelands, feast on fiery Durban curries, discover Cape Malay flavours in Bo-Kaap, and tuck into sizzling braai (barbecue) wherever you go.

Up for adventure? South Africa has it in spades – cage-diving with great whites, hiking, kayaking with penguins, river rafting, cycling and so much more.

Get chatting with our South African specialists – your adventure of a lifetime is calling!

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Flight time

The flight from Auckland to South Africa takes roughly 20 hours with a stopover. It's a bit of a haul but that will immediately be forgotten when you see your first baby elephant or herd of zebra.

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Best time to go

The best time to visit South Africa depends on where you're headed: May to September is ideal for safaris, spring and autumn shine in Cape Town, and Durban’s coast offers warm, beach-perfect weather year-round.

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Time difference

South Africa is 10-11 hours behind New Zealand depending on Daylight Saving here so there's a bit of an adjustment to be made.

Your Africa adventure starts here - Download our Africa Brochure

Packed with expert tips, insider info and bucket-list inspiration for your next unforgettable Africa Small Group Wildlife Tour

Meet our South Africa specialists

Lesley Masters

Lesley Masters

House of Travel Lower Hutt

Why book with me?

Because your holiday deserves more - it deserves care, tailored advice, and personal attention every step of the way. 

With over 20 years of experience as a travel consultant, I specialise in designing trips that fit your needs perfectly, whether it's a fun family escape to the Gold Coast or a complex, multi-country adventure across the globe. I'm here to handle the details, solve the unexpected and make sure your travel experience is seamless from start to finish. 

Travel isn't just my job - it's my lifelong passion. Since catching the travel bug at age 12 on a trip to England, I've explored around 35 countries, discovering the joys of rail journeys, river and ocean cruises, guided tours and solo travel. This hands-on experience means I can give you first-hand tips and recommendations. 

My favourite destinations include Italy, England and Niue, but truly, I've fallen in love with almost everywhere I have explored. Next on my list? Japan, Samoa and Sri Lanka - always planning, always exploring, so I can share the very best with you. 

I feel privileged to work in such an exciting, dynamic industry, and I'd love to help to plan your next unforgettable holiday. Let me take care of everything - so all you have to do is enjoy. 

Lesley


Angelique Anderson

Angelique Anderson

House of Travel Rotorua

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer" - and I'm incredibly lucky to have built a career around that belief, helping people turn their travel dreams into unforgettable real-life experiences. 

I've spent years exploring the world, from iconic cities to hidden gems, and I love sharing that first-hand knowledge with my customers. 

Growing up in South Africa meant almost 40 years of adventure in my own "backyard" - from incredible wildlife to breathtaking landscapes. Africa will always have my heart. 

Beyond that, my travels through the UK, Spain, Greece, Turkey and wider Europe have deepened my love of history, culture, and those authentic little local moments you remember long after you get home. 

These days, my perfect holiday is anywhere I can be with my husband and our amazing daughters. As a family, we're drawn to island escapes - they offer something for everyone, from relaxation to adventure. Some of my all-time favourites include the Cayman Islands, Madagascar, Fiji and the Seychelles.

These days, my perfect holiday is anywhere I can be with my husband and our amazing daughters. As a family, we're drawn to island escapes - they offer something for everyone, from relaxation to adventure. Some of my all-time favourites include the Cayman Islands, Madagascar, Fiji and the Seychelles. 

Professionally, I bring 20 years' experience in the South African travel industry, specialising in Corporate, Group and Incentive Travel. A career highlight for me was being named ASATA (Association of Southern African Travel Agents) Corporate Consultant of the Year in 2013 - recognition I'm still incredibly proud of. 

Now I'm thrilled to bring that experience to the New Zealand travel industry, here at House of Travel Rotorua. I pride myself in rapid response times, strong attention to detail as well as my calm and systematic approach. All of which help save you time, stress and guesswork. 

Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a multi-generational family holiday, business travel, a school tour or a tailor-made itinerary that's completely unique to you. I'll work with you to create a trip that fits your needs, style and budget.  

Don't just dream about it - let's start planning. Get in touch today and let me turn YOUR travel dreams into your next boarding pass. 

Ang

Gavin Rasikaran

Gavin Rasikaran

House of Travel Auckland City

I'm Gavin Rasikaran, your dedicated travel expert with a passion for exploring the world and a commitment to making your travel dreams a reality.

With over 40 years of experience in the travel industry, I've had the privilege of helping countless clients embark on unforgettable journeys to destinations near and far.

When it comes to planning an International trip, be it just one destination or an around the world journey, it can all become overwhelming and daunting. Together with you, I will help you plan a perfect holiday taking the stress away, personalised to you.

Gavin
Megan McCall

Megan McCall

House of Travel Christchurch City

Megan brings to the team a fantastic sense of humour and positive attitude along with a wealth of international knowledge from her own travels throughout the world. 

Whether it be a business meeting in Singapore, or coordinating a sports team travelling to international competitions; Megan's extensive expertise with airlines and airfares is first class. 

"I understand what is important to you and your organisation for all your business travel needs."

Megan's wealth of travel knowledge with 30 years travel industry experience is an asset to our team. See for yourself how Megan's easy, welcoming, and professional approach provides confidence for any travel requirement. 

Favourite place to visit: Thailand 
Next place on the list to visit: USA

Megan

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