Foodie holidays in South Africa

Foodie holidays in South Africa_Carbon Bistro Carbon Bistro in Johannesburg

South Africa’s larger cities have thriving culinary scenes and visitors will find the quality to be very high and prices very affordable by international standards. A celebrated facet of South Africa’s cuisine is the superb variety of good, affordable wine produced mainly in the Western Cape. Cape Town and the nearby Cape Winelands are rightly renowned as the culinary capitals of South Africa, and would form the obvious starting point of any foodie tour of the country.

Foodie holidays in South Africa_Reubens One and Only Crayfish risotto at Reuben’s at the One and Only Hotel, Cape Town

Seafood is particularly recommended anywhere along the coast, while excellent venison can be enjoyed in the vicinity of the Kruger National Park. Oudtshoorn in the Karoo region is famed for its lean, free-range ostrich meat (and eggs), while Durban excels when it comes to Indian restaurants, the latter usually offering a good vegetarian selection.

Foodie holidays in South Africa_roti Roti is a very popular side to curries and stews in Cape Malay cuisine

Don’t forget to try some of the several dishes that are more-or-less unique to South Africa. ‘Cape Malay’ specialties include sosatie kebabs (a variation on the Indonesian satay) and a fruit-sweetened baked mincemeat dish called bobotie. Spicy boerewors ‘farmer’s sausage’ is an integral component of any casual braai (barbecue) countrywide, while biltong is an air-dried strip of salted and spiced beef or game meat reminiscent of American jerky.

Foodie holidays in South Africa_La Motte The Cape winelands pair fine dining with delicious wines | Credit: Sarah Graham

Changing money in South Africa

The South African rand (ZAR) trades at very favourable rates to most international currencies. There’s no need to bring large amounts of hard currency cash or to buy rands in advance. Major international credit/debit cards (for instance Visa, Master and to a lesser extent American Express) can be used to draw local currency at 24-hour ATMs throughout the country (the one exception…

South Africa in October

It’s dry during October in the Kruger. Animals congregate at watering holes in large numbers | Credit: National Geographic Johannesburg and the highveld is warm by day, cooler at night and will receive occasional rainfall. Cape Town and the Western Cape is hot by day, cooler at night, and generally dry, while the Kruger Park and surrounds is hot by day, warm at night, and…

South Africa in September

Spring marks the start of the annual wildflower takeover along the West Coast of South Africa Johannesburg and the highveld is warm by day, cold at night, and dry. Cape Town and the Western Cape is mild by day, cool at night and receives regular rainfall. The Kruger Park and surrounds is hot by day, mild at night, and dry. September is an ideal time for beach holidays on the Indian…

Gauteng, Kruger and the North

South Africa’s major safari destinations are mostly clustered in the country’s northern interior. Foremost among these is the iconic Kruger National Park and bordering private reserves, which collectively protect a vast tract of low-lying bushveld that offers some of the finest Big Five viewing anywhere on the continent. Also very popular, particularly for those who want to avoid the…

South Africa in June

The Drakensberg experiences snow during June Johannesburg and the highveld is cool but sunny by day, very cold at night, and dry. Cape Town and the Western Cape is warm by day, cool at night, and receives regular rainfall. The Kruger Park and surrounds is hot by day, cool at night, and dry. June is an ideal time for beach holidays on the Indian Ocean coastline of the KwaZulu-Natal…

South Africa in April

Lush foliage can hide wildlife in its fold during April Johannesburg and the highveld is warm by day, cool at night and might receive occasional rainfall. Cape Town and the Western Cape is mild by day, cool at night and might start receiving occasional rainfall to mark the start of the wet winter period. The Kruger Park and surrounds sees the seasonal shift towards autumn with…

Popular South Africa Safaris

These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates