Cape Town’s beaches offer some of the best beaches in the world, boasting the spectacular backdrop of the Cape Fold Mountain range, Cape Town’s beaches are some of the most scenic worldwide. The Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean border the coastal city of Cape Town, offering plenty of choice when it comes to beaches, from the family-friendly beaches in False Bay to the trendy beaches in Clifton, if you’re a sand-and-sea lover looking to soak up the gorgeous African sun and relax in the great outdoors, Cape Town’s beaches are for you!

Mozambique has a warm tropical climate with the average temperature throughout the year being a balmy 28 Degrees Celsius, the best time to visit is June and October as the weather is hot and relatively dry. The coastal areas tend to be sunny year-round offering a paradise with miles of deserted beaches dotted along this Indian Ocean coastline, lending themselves to a wealth of water and land-based activities. The lagoons and tides give life to the mangrove forests, which are popular with East African birds, bush babies, mongoose and monkeys. The hard and soft coral reefs just off the coast are home to many species of small fish and dolphins, offering a host of diving spots ranging from easy to more challenging. Find out more about this breath-taking beach destination here.

The Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape provides unspoiled natural beauty, this part of the South African coastline is nothing short of spectacular, its authentic villages are charming, and the fauna and flora impressive. But, it also has some of the most exquisite beaches on the continent. Comprising of about 300 kilometres of coastline between East London and Port Edward, the name Wild Coast complements the area’s scenery of untamed splendour and cliffs, which in two places feed waterfalls directly into the ocean.

The semi-tropical warm waters of Kwa-Zulu Natal lend themselves perfectly to lazy beach days, frolicking in the waves, and a fun-filled beach holiday for the whole family. Durban is an Indian-influenced harbour city boasting beautiful beaches that continue to attract visitors from all over the world. Durban’s beaches boast surfing spots like Bay of Plenty and Dairy and a bodyboarding favourite, North Beach. Swimming is possible right along the coastline thanks to shark nets and lifeguards on duty. The Indian Ocean is also warmer than its counterparts, promising comfortable swimming conditions almost all year round. The weather in Kwa-Zulu Natal is, generally, hotter than in the rest of South Africa, which means that days on the beach are even possible in winter.

Take a look at our Beach Itineraries, all of which are highly recommended. Still not sure which beach to explore? Contact us to let us discuss the best option suited to your needs or for sample packages showing how a beach destination can be incorporated into an itinerary.

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A self-drive holiday in South Africa or Namibia offers an intriguing mix of adventure, excitement and a sense of freedom – a unique and inspirational experience that will leave you with some great lasting memories of Southern Africa and tales to tell for years to come… Here are a few simple reasons why you should consider a self-drive holiday in South Africa or Namibia as an alternative to the normal way you travel.

The wildlife is astonishing, it is among the most richly diverse and varied on the planet. You could find yourself driving near colossal herds of elephants, African buffalo, beautiful leopards, majestic packs of lions, leaping gazelles and many more. You’ll be able to get up, close and personal with some endangered species, and marvel at them as they hunt and play in the wilderness.

You are able to travel at your own pace and leisure and decide where you want to go and how to long to stay for so you can enjoy the parts you find most special. A self-drive holiday puts you in control. If you come across an area you particularly like, you can explore it further without worrying about holding the entire group up.

You’ll experience the real South Africa, when you’re out there on your own, guiding your own tour of South Africa, you’ll be immersing yourself in the culture on a much deeper level. Those on guided tours often remain in the ‘bubble’ of their tour for the duration of the trip, whereas those on self-drive tours will come into contact with regular South African people, whether it’s at a restaurant, at a petrol station, in a national park or on the road. This makes for a more authentic experience that’s hard to match.

The easy Availability of rental cars, with companies providing a wide range of cars from economy to luxury, with reasonable rental pricing, self-drive trips have become a breeze accommodating planners as well as impulse travellers.

Exposing kids to nature and educating first hand, take the whole family on a self-drive trip away from modern technology and closer to nature. Drive through beautiful, scenic routes and opening curiosity and exposing children to learning life’s experiences while traveling.

There are excellent 4×4 trails across the country,  If you are looking for a 4×4 adventure holiday offering scenery and an abundance of wildlife, South Africa is home to some magnificent 4×4 trails, with something for total beginners and seasoned off-road drivers alike. You’ll find challenging routes that last for days, and simple loops that you can complete in two hours or less.

You’ll save money on travel , by using your own car or hiring one means you can see more of the country without spending endless amounts of money on public transport, taxis or other ways of getting around. You’ll also save on tour costs, giving you extra money to spend on holiday souvenirs because it’s a budget-friendly option!

Spending quality time with the family, it’s lovely to see how a self-drive trip can bring families closer. Talking, laughing, singing, playing along the way. It’s a time most cherished and reminisced and makes one want to plan their next such short trip soon.

With so many advantages of Self-Drive Holidays, it is easy to see why this is becoming a popular way to travel! Please contact us if you would like some more information on a self-drive tour or some sample packages showing how this experience can be incorporated into a package.

The post Why pick a self-drive holiday in South Africa or Namibia? appeared first on Southern Africa 360.