South Africa Christmas Holidays

South Africa is one of the most physically stunning, varied, culturally fascinating countries on the planet, not to mention with balmy temperatures in December and January, making South Africa Christmas holidays a nailed on classic.

Ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

South Africa testimonials

6 reviews
4.7 / 5
"We were kept in the loop at every stage of our journey and felt supported throughout. Seeing a baby kudu that had just been born was an extraordinary moment, and a real highlight of our time at Kwandwe!"
S - UK
Published on 17th February 2026
"The choice of lodges to stay in were brilliant. The settings were amazing as was the food! We were very well looked after. The guides were great too. So knowledgeable. We saw so much. It was good to have the Concierge always available in the background, though everything was so well organised beforehand we didn't really need to use them."
Jill - Surrey
Published on 11th March 2025
"Our honeymoon was absolutely incredible. The booking process was excellent, our consultant showed a great deal of expertise, listened to what we wanted and reassured us. The wraparound services you provide are superb, the whole honeymoon was easy and relaxed. The Original Travel app is extremely clear, as was the itinerary, and it was really useful and exciting to be able to refer back to this. The Concierges were AMAZING. They were so kind, kept in regular communication and were really helpful with recommendations."
Louise - London
Published on 5th September 2024

So what's so special about Christmas in South Africa? Firstly, there's the sociable overnight flight times and minimal time difference - ideal if you're travelling en famille. And then there's the fact that much of the country is malaria-free - a major bonus compared with many other African destinations; again especially for families. But aside from that what really makes South Africa Christmas holidays so special is the old (but very true) precept that South Africa is a world in one country, from buzzing cities to epic wildlife, beautiful coastlines to looming mountains.

One thing most people don't want to compromise on at Christmas is food (who can deny the glory of a turkey-centric feast?) and you can rest assured that the trousers will definitely be feeling a little tighter on the return journey because the quality of food in South Africa doesn't disappoint. Cape Town itself has one of the best city food scenes in the world while if you head into the Cape and Winelands you'll find some excellent restaurants in impossibly pretty settings, and that's before we've even mentioned the wine.

Why not take a walk on the wild side on your South Africa Christmas holidays and go on safari? South Africa is home to some of the best game reserves in Africa and we have the inside track on where best to go to avoid the crowds and maximise the game viewing experience, as well as the best luxury camps to ensure your stay is a truly spoiling one.

And finally, one hefty note of caution: the flights and best hotels book up VERY quickly for Christmas in South Africa so it pays to book well, well in advance.