The Clubhouse

Your South Africa guide

Safari, delicious cuisine and excellent golf. We explore a few things beautiful South Africa has to offer

Allan Cranston
Allan Cranston
7 mins read
South AfricaAfricaGolf & safariGolf & wine

Located on the southern tip of Africa, South Africa is one of the world’s best kept secrets when it comes to golfing destinations. Popular for Safari trips and the beautiful Garden Route, South Africa has also been blessed with some truly phenomenal championship venues such as Fancourt and Arabella. It’s no coincidence that some of the world’s best golfers originate from the region.

Top Destinations

Cape Town Garden Route Durban Sun City Johannesburg

Whether you’re looking for a golf holiday in Cape Town, Sun City or along the Garden Route, we assure you that South Africa as a destination will not disappoint, with a huge variety of activities and experiences to make your holiday a memorable one.

Getting there

Cape Town or Johannesburg are an 11-hour direct flight from the UK via British Airways, with Durban being the generally cheaper flight option. It's worth noting that internal flights are frequent and extremely good value for those building a multi-destination itinerary.

When to go

South Africa’s climate changes from Mediterranean in the South West (Cape Town) to temperate in the interior plateau (Johannesburg) and subtropical in the North West (Kruger National Park). Durban has the advantage of a consistent, though humid, climate year round, however each region has its own benefits. The summer in Cape Town is dry and warm, with an average temperature of 23-25°c . The long sunny summer days are perfect for a golfing vacation. Winter can be wet and windy, but the sun still shines and the average winter temperature is around 17°c. The best temperature for golf is between 20-25°c, so our dedicated travel agents will suggest the best regions depending on your travel dates.

Cape Town

If you’re a lover of gorgeous views, we recommend taking the 2-hour hike up Table Mountain. If the hike sounds too strenuous, you can take the cableway to the top instead. You can also climb Lion's Head for some spectacular scenery. Experience some South African history with a boat tour from the Waterfront to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 20 years.

Other scenic tours include trips to Hermanus in Spring for a spot of whale watching, or visit scenic Hout Bay harbour for freshly caught seafood. Another favourite tourist destination is Boulders Beach. The sheltered beach is composed of inlets between granite boulders, hence the name of the beach, and is home to the ‘African Penguin', an endangered species.

We suggest that if you visit the Cape Town area you take advantage of the fantastic tours available. Wine lovers can explore the Stellenbosch and Franschoek winelands, home to some of the world’s finest vineyards.

Garden Route

The Garden Route runs eastwards along the coast from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth. The majestic scenery, indeed from Cape Town onwards, will leave travellers with stories to tell for the rest of their lives. With opportunities ranging from shark cage diving and close whale encounters, to bungy jumping and exploring the ancient forests of Tsitsikamma National Park, we guarantee you that you’ll be able to tick off many of the activities on your bucket list.

Seafood lovers can visit Knysna, which is known as the oyster capital of South Africa. Short cruises are available on the Knysna lagoon and many luxury hotels and log cabins offer picturesque accommodation around Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The Garden Route is also home to the luxurious Fancourt Hotel & Golf Estate 5* making it the ideal area for golfers looking for an all-round adventure.

Durban

The city of Durban in KwaZulu Natal on the east coast is the ideal location for beach lovers looking to play a round of golf in the morning before relaxing on the beach and sipping on a refreshing pina colada in the afternoon.

Famous for its subtropical climate and scenic beaches, as well as its 40-acre Marine World theme park and aquarium, uShaka, Durban is the definition of a laid-back city. Most locals walk around the city in just a pair of sandals and shorts!

Johannesburg

Known as the provincial capital of South Africa, Johannesburg is referred to as the 'city of gold' and home to some rather famous attractions. Be sure to immerse yourself in the city's history through the likes of Gold Reef City and The Apartheid Museum, providing a thought-provoking and emotional journey through South Africa's past.

In the adjacent city of Pretoria hosts the Rovos Rail. The Rovos Rail, considered as the most luxurious train in the world, is definitely one for your bucket list. Guests embark on a tour some of the most beautiful, undiscovered provinces in South Africa, whilst playing some of South Africa’s finest courses along the way.

Another must-try attraction is the ‘Extreme Par 3’ located at Legends Golf and Safari Resort. The hole is located on top of a mountain some 430m high, accessible only by helicopter. With a green shaped to look like the continent of Africa, golf balls take over 20 seconds to land, with a $1 million prize for anyone who gets a hole in one!

Sun City

Sun City is a luxury resort and casino situated in the North West of South Africa near the city of Rustenburg, which is only a two-hour drive from Johannesburg. Home to 2 world-class golf courses, namely, the Gary Player course, host of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, and the Lost City course. The resort is extremely popular among golfers and features the huge Pilanesberg National Park on its doorstep, where guests can arrange game drives from the resort.

Fancy a South African golf holiday?
If safari’s, picture-perfect scenery and championship golf courses is what you’re after, then look no further than South Africa.

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Allan Cranston

Personal Travel Expert

"Enquire as to the cost of a room upgrade, they are often less than you think!"

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