Frequently asked questions

South African Travellers is a tailor-made travel agency physically based in South Africa, in Cape Town (Western Cape), since 2007. The entire team is on the ground, which guarantees direct field knowledge and access to a local network of lodges, guides and partners that Europe-based agencies cannot offer.

Unlike a standard travel agency that sells off-the-shelf trips from an office in Europe, South African Travellers is a receptive agency: based directly in South Africa, it designs each itinerary from A to Z according to the client's wishes. There is no standard program — every trip is unique, built by an advisor who personally knows the destinations, lodges and partners.

Designing a tailor-made itinerary happens in several steps. The client submits an online quote request specifying their wishes, indicative budget and dates. An advisor reaches out within 24 to 48 hours to refine the project. A detailed itinerary is then proposed, including accommodations, transfers and activities. The trip is confirmed once the client validates and pays a 40% deposit, the balance being due before departure.

South African Travellers creates tailor-made itineraries in 6 countries of Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These destinations can be combined within a single trip to create multi-country circuits.

South African Travellers builds trips around 9 main themes: safari & Big Five, honeymoon, family travel, road trip & self-drive, luxury travel, wellness, beach & diving, eco-tourism and incentive travel. These themes can be combined — for example a safari followed by a beach stay in Mozambique, or a road trip in Namibia with wellness stops.

The South African Travellers team is multilingual and supports clients in French, English and Dutch. A dedicated advisor is available in each of these three languages, including during the trip via a 24/7 assistance line.

Every client has access to a 24/7 assistance line throughout their trip. In case of an unexpected event — cancellation, logistical issue, medical emergency — a South African Travellers advisor is reachable directly from South Africa to intervene in real time with local partners. Clients also receive their full itinerary on the Wetu app, accessible on mobile without internet.

South African Travellers was founded in 2007 by two Belgian travelers based in the private reserves near Kruger National Park. The agency has supported French- and Dutch-speaking travelers for more than 18 years, making it one of the most experienced French-speaking receptive agencies in Southern Africa.

Yes. Combining South Africa and Mozambique makes it possible to pair a safari with a few days on the shores of the Indian Ocean. South African Travellers regularly designs tailor-made trips that combine several Southern African destinations.

It all depends on your desires. For an African honeymoon combining adventure and romance, South Africa seduces with its private safaris, vineyards and coastal panoramas. For a wilder immersion, Botswana offers exclusive lodges on the Okavango Delta, while Mozambique charms with its paradise beaches and overwater villas.

Yes. The islands, the beaches, the secluded accommodation and the chance to combine safari and ocean make it a particularly appealing honeymoon destination. Each holiday can be tailored to the level of comfort and the pace you are looking for.

Yes. Mozambique combines particularly well with a safari in South Africa or with a safari experience within the country. The combination takes you from the bush to the ocean in the same trip.

There is no single most beautiful beach in Mozambique. Bazaruto stands out for its dunes and wide open spaces, Benguerra for its privacy, Vilanculos for its local atmosphere and Tofo for its marine activities.

Bazaruto and Benguerra are particularly well suited to a honeymoon. They can also extend a safari in South Africa in a completely different atmosphere.

Bazaruto is more about landscapes and sheer scale, while Benguerra is particularly well suited to an intimate stay. The choice also depends on the accommodation and the pace you want.

Yes, at lifeguarded beaches. Muizenberg, Cape Vidal or Kosi Bay have protected areas, ideal for families and swimmers. Red and yellow flags indicate safe zones.

Sharks are part of the marine ecosystem, but attacks remain extremely rare. The beaches of Durban and Cape Town are protected by nets and modern surveillance systems.

Shark-related activities are tightly regulated in South Africa. Reputable centres follow strict protocols regarding weather conditions, safe distances and underwater behaviour.

Some dives nonetheless call for a good level of experience, particularly around Aliwal Shoal where conditions can be more technical.

Depending on the region and the season, divers can spot tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, copper sharks or hammerhead sharks.

Sightings naturally remain unpredictable and depend heavily on marine conditions.

Cage diving allows you to observe sharks from a secure cage, without any particular diving certification. Traditional diving offers a more immersive experience, but generally requires more experience and comfort underwater.

Tofo is particularly interesting if diving is one of the main reasons for your trip. Bazaruto suits those who want to combine it with an island stay, while Ponta do Ouro offers a different experience in the south.

Yes. Experiences suited to beginners can be offered depending on the sites and conditions. Snorkelling is also an excellent first introduction to the underwater world.

Yes, notably in the Inhambane region and around Tofo. These animals remain wild and sightings can never be guaranteed.

Tofo and the Bazaruto Archipelago are among the regions to consider when diving or snorkelling play an important part in the trip. Our travel designers can include these experiences depending on the season and the stay you have in mind.

The best time to visit South Africa is from April to October, when the climate is dry and conditions ideal for safaris. But the country can be visited year-round—the austral summer (November to March) is perfect for beaches and vineyards.

The dry season, generally from May to September or October, is often preferred. The ideal period does, however, vary depending on the regions and the experiences you want. Our travel designers can advise you based on your plans and your dates.

The period from May to September is generally especially pleasant for enjoying the coast. The ideal period should nevertheless be adapted to the region and the experiences you want.

• Atlantic Coast (Cape Town): from December to March to enjoy the sun and flamboyant sunsets.
• East Coast (KwaZulu-Natal): from October to April for warm seas and tropical days.

The best season runs from April to October, the ideal period for safaris and trips combining several countries. Temperatures are mild, landscapes luminous and skies clear. For a beach honeymoon in Mozambique or on the South African coast, the months from May to December offer perfect conditions.

From June to September, migration period along the Cape coast.

Around ten days is already enough to discover several sides of the country, while two weeks give you more options. A 14-day trip could, for example, combine Vilanculos, Bazaruto, Gorongosa, Barra and Tofo.

The budget varies according to duration and desired comfort level. Allow around €6,000 to €8,000 for a tailor-made two-week honeymoon in Southern Africa, including high-end lodges, transfers and private safaris. At South African Travellers, every itinerary is designed to combine exclusivity, authenticity and personalised support.

No mandatory vaccines, but some northern areas require malaria prevention. Consult our health and malaria guide.

From May to October, vegetation is sparse and wildlife concentrates around water points, offering optimal viewing.

Yes. Gorongosa National Park makes it possible to include a genuine safari experience in a trip to Mozambique. It offers a particularly interesting contrast with the landscapes of the Indian Ocean.

Follow the guide's instructions, keep your distance and never try to attract or feed the animals.

A good reserve also limits the number of vehicles around a sighting.

The guide should take the time to explain what the animals are doing, without disturbing them.

Yes, South African Travellers offers itineraries specifically designed for families, including with young children. Advisors select family-friendly lodges, adjust the trip's pace and choose private reserves where age-minimum rules for safaris are less restrictive than in public national parks like Kruger. Activities suited to each age group are built into the itinerary.

Yes, some regions and experiences can fit very well into a family trip. The choice of stops, accommodation and transfers should, however, be adapted to the children's ages and the pace you want.

Some stops, such as Barra or Vilanculos, can suit a family holiday particularly well. The choice does, however, depend on the children's ages, the type of accommodation and the activities you have in mind.

Yes. Diving, snorkelling, beaches and boat trips make it possible to build a holiday in which everyone enjoys the ocean according to their age, level and wishes.

Travelife Certified is the highest level of recognition in the international Travelife programme for travel agencies and tour operators. It is awarded after an independent on-site audit, which checks that the company meets more than 200 mandatory sustainability criteria. These criteria cover environmental management, working conditions, human rights, local communities and supplier relations. The certification covers the practices of South African Travellers as a company. It does not mean that every trip or accommodation we offer is individually certified.

Discover our commitments

In many cases, yes. An agency based on the ground knows local operators better, follows how properties develop and can select partners against criteria of quality, environmental commitment and social impact.

Community tourism refers to tourism experiences that directly involve local people in welcoming travellers or running activities. Its aim is to generate economic benefits for communities while giving value to their cultural heritage and their skills.

A local guide has deep knowledge of the area, its history, its biodiversity and its people. Agencies based on the ground generally work with guides who live in the regions they show visitors and who can bring an authentic perspective on their destination.

No. A certification is a useful indicator, but on its own it is not enough. It is also advisable to examine the concrete actions a company carries out, the transparency of its commitments and its involvement with local communities.

There is no period that is universally more responsible. Travelling outside peak times can, however, help spread visitor numbers and make for a calmer experience, both for visitors and for destinations.

Yes. The level of comfort does not stop a property from managing its resources better, supporting local employment or taking part in nature protection.

You do, however, need to check the concrete actions in place.

Not always. The price depends mostly on the season, the level of service, the location and the experiences chosen.

Some approaches require significant investment.

Other choices, such as staying longer in each region or working with local businesses, do not necessarily create a large extra cost.

No. A certification is useful, but it is only one criterion among others.

Some committed properties do not have a label yet.

It is therefore better to look also at their actions, their transparency and the feedback available.