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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

Laura Cook

Laura Cook

House of Travel Whanganui

Hey there!

I’m Laura, the smiley face you’ll spot as soon as you walk through our office door. With a serious case of wanderlust, I’ve done it all —lived abroad, cruised the seas, island-hopped, and even cruised around South Africa on the back of a motorbike. But let me tell you about my ultimate love affair Africa!

For three incredible years, I bounced between Australia and South Africa, exploring every corner of the country, often on the back of a motorbike. I’ve sat with elephants for hours, watched big cats hunting, and slept under the stars in the middle of a game reserve. My heart belongs to the wild, and if you’re an animal lover like me, trust me, Africa will capture yours too.

Nothing lights me up more than helping people experience this magic. The more I learn, the more excited I get about sharing these adventures with you! Whether it’s a dream safari, a relaxing cruise, or an off-the-beaten-path escape, I’m here to bring your travel dreams to life.

Let’s make your adventure happen!

Laura

Antony Boomer

Antony Boomer

House of Travel Dunedin

I've been immersed in the world of travel since 1987- first as a tour leader, then as a travel advisor, and now as Owner Operator of House of Travel Dunedin City, travel has never just been a profession for me: it's been a lifelong pursuit of discovery. 

Over the years, I've explored more than 105 countries, experiencing travel in its rawest and most authentic forms- from double-decker buses through Europe and rickshaws in Asia, to horseback journeys in the Middle East and dugout canoes deep in Central Africa. Along the way there have been camels, elephants, donkeys and bicycles- each journey adding to a deep understanding of what true adventure feels like. 

Today, while the sense of adventure remains as strong as ever, I pair it with a passion for refined, seamless travel. Recent journeys have taken me to destinations such as Myanmar, India, Vietnam, Japan, Türkiye, Zimbabwe, Peru, Argentina and Antarctica-  experiencing them through a lens of greater comfort, exclusive access, and considered detail. 

Many of my clients share this same evolution- still driven by curiosity and a desire to explore the extraordinary, but with an appreciation for quality, ease, and exceptional experiences. With my breadth of knowledge across both adventurous or luxury travel, I specialise in designing journeys that combine the thrill of discovery with the comfort and sophistication you deserve. 

Whether it's a remote expedition, a tailor-made cultural journey, or a high-end escape with unique touches, I take pride in crafting travel experiences that are seamless, distinctive, and unforgettable. 

I look forward to helping you discover the world- your way.  

Tony Boomer

Tracey Edgecombe

Tracey Edgecombe

House of Travel New Plymouth


I liken planning a holiday to baking a cake. It takes several well measured and thought out ingredients for a great result.

I have been lucky to have travelled extensively myself and being a travel consultant for more than 20 years, I use these 'ingredients' - experience and expertise - to draw on to help create amazing holidays and lifelong memories.

It is such a pleasure to help my clients get the best out of their holidays and manage an incredible team of travel professionals.

Tracey

Tracie Thome

Tracie Thome

House of Travel Hamilton East (formely Calder and Lawson)

My travel career started in South Africa in the early 1990s and I have been involved in many different aspects of the travel industry since then. I thoroughly enjoy the diversity travel offers, especially learning about new and exciting destinations. I am very people focused and thrive on planning the perfect holiday experiences for my clients. 


Tracie

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