Top African destination by month – DECEMBER IN SOUTH AFRICA

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For December I would say that South Africa is the best destination, why? Well, it’s summer, it’s the holiday season and South Africa has everything you need for adventure,  family fun, and tradition, you can celebrate in a beautiful city, go on a fantastic safari and enjoy incredible beaches, all this in one country. 

December is the peak season for South Africa, especially Cape Town, and it is when we welcome the most tourists as well as people from other parts of the country, making Cape Town a city full of energy, vibes and of course events, the beaches are full, the weather is perfect and as always, there are lots of things to do here. 

When it comes to a safari, it’s the beginning of the rainy season so the vegetation is not as dry as in winter, making it a bit more beautiful (if this is possible).

But also it’s babies season, most of the animals would have given birth in September or October so it’s a great time to see all the newborns. When I say rainy season, please don’t be alarmed, it’s sporadic rainfall and not as often as it would be in January or February. It rains in bits and not necessarily everywhere.  

Oh! Another bonus, the river starts filling up, and if you like thunderstorms, you will definitely get those in Johannesburg.

What to do and where to go.

In Cape Town, I would recommend the Pod hotel, or The Marly hotel, not only because they are fantastic hotels but also because they are within walking distance from the beach. If you prefer something closer to the city, for me, The Winchester Hotel is the best, halfway between the city bowl and the beaches, right on the promenade it is perfectly located. I normally don’t recommend hotels in the city bowl just because I personally prefer the ocean views and the closeness to the sea. However, if you insist, La Botessa would be one that I’d recommend, also Gorgeous George and Camissa House, without forgetting the Silo Hotel and The Cadogan Boutique Hotel.

A day in the Winelands is a must as well as the Cape Point Tour, but also taking a couple of days to relax and enjoy the beaches, Camps Bay, Clifton, Llandudno, etc. There are also a lot of activities to do all year round but some of these are much more fun in Summer like Scuba diving through a Kelp Forest or Snorkeling with seals, an Ocean Safari to look for whales and dolphins, Paragliding, Kayaking, Sandboarding, Skydiving, and plenty more. There’s something for everyone. 

Something a lot of people love to do is the Garden Route, it’s a great way to enjoy a road trip visiting some incredible beaches and then end up with a Safari near Port Elizabeth, if you are not the type that likes road trips, you can always fly to the Kruger National Park area and do a safari in one of the most fabulous private game reserves in the country for example, Royal Melawane, Singita, Earth Lodge, Saseka, etc.

Need some help planning your December holiday?

Book a FREE 30-minute consultation with German – for the perfect advice on where to stay, what to do, and how to get there & back.

What Our Clients Say

Vik Patel
Vik Patel
2023-12-17
From start to finish my experience with Nanan Travel to book our trip to Cape Town was superb! German is ultra-responsive and was a pleasure to work with throughout. His suggestions were great and he crafted an itinerary to meet my specific needs but also made sure I didn’t miss anything. All of the tours he scheduled were perfect and the airport transfers and guides were friendly and knew the areas we visited well. We really enjoyed the hotel we stayed at and all of the restaurant recommendations that he suggested based on my culinary preferences. Even when our trip started with an unexpected delay due to a passport issue, German went above and beyond to try and help us get here. I would highly recommend Nanan Travel for your trip. He will make it the trip of a lifetime for you!
Paola Izaguirre
Paola Izaguirre
2023-11-04
100% recomendado. Germán planeo con nosotros nuestro viaje a africa. Estuvo literal 24/7 durante todo el viaje, haciéndonos sentir seguros durante las 3 semanas que estuvimos en Africa. Los hoteles donde nos quedamos súper bonitos y súper bien ubicados, sus recomendaciones también súper! Definitivamente entendió lo que queríamos en este viaje. Los guías que nos puso todos con bastante conocimiento, muy buen inglés y amigables. Y en Capetown definitivamente Germán nos hizo sentir como locales y en casa! Ahora a planear africa parte 2 y con muchas ganas de volver a Cape Town! Thanks German!
Federico Dinenzon
Federico Dinenzon
2023-11-04
Germán is the bes. He knows everything in Africa and his service and attention to details is another level. Fully recommended
Daniel Georgiou
Daniel Georgiou
2023-11-04
This is the second time we have used Nanan Travel, and again we have been thrilled with our holiday. German took all of the hard work out of planning a complex holiday that involved travel to multiple countries in three weeks. Because German is based in Africa he has a local knowledge and has actually visited many of the destinations and hotels, which means he can provide first hand advice on where to visit and stay. The trip was meticulously planned by German and everything went smoothly. If we decide to go on another trip to Africa, German will be the first person we contact. We highly recommend!
Enrique Valdivia
Enrique Valdivia
2023-10-25
Hola Germán, queríamos aprovechar por agradecerte todas las gestiones! El avión me encantó el servicio, las hostess y hasta el piloto que avisaba con tienda si iba a haber turbulencias o no. El hotel también nos pareció perfecto! El location ideal, no mucha gente (como hubiera sido el Waterfront) y las camas y almohadas comodísimas! Los tours también excelentes. El del yate recontra simpático y conversador y Gabriel lo máximo también, reclntra puntual y sabía todo! Al pobre lo hemos hecho hablar sin parar por dos días y siempre con buenísima disposición!
Zeena Farouk
Zeena Farouk
2023-10-20
I was excited about my trip to Cape Town but was reluctant about going on a Safari on my own, however, German planned it all for me (and smoothly), and the whole experience has been one of the best (and for a frequent globe trotter like me) I have ever experienced! I will definitely be recommending German to anyone who has a mere interest in exploring Africa 🤎
Manuel Uribe
Manuel Uribe
2023-10-20
Everything in this trip was PERFECT!!! All the people and the appointments on time, the people all very nice, and the Hotels all prepared to take us in the best way and wonderful experience. The besto of the best!!!!
Miguel Silva
Miguel Silva
2023-10-19
German, es un gran profesional, cuida todos los detalles y la comunicación es super fluida y efectiva, adicional a eso es súper conocedor de todo lo referente a Sudáfrica, tiene los mejores contactos y las mejores alternativas, si duda es la mejor opción, cuando regresemos lo contactaremos sin pensarlo 02 veces.
Daniel Cacic
Daniel Cacic
2023-10-16
Highly Recommended! Toda la experiencia con Nanan fue A1. Los hoteles nos sorprendieron, todos fueron espectaculares y la experiencia con gorilas 'once in a lifetime'! Si no tienen a Africa en su bucket list, se lo están perdiendo! Volvería a ir!
Rodolfo Alexander Bernal
Rodolfo Alexander Bernal
2023-09-27
Egipto un destino que no podemos dejar de conocer, todo muy bien pensado y organizado, hoteles espectaculares, egiptólogos de primera, el crucero Historia en el Nilo totalmente recomendable, comida, atención y comodidad de primera, el hotel Cataract una joya a orillas del Nilo y el Marriot Mena House con la mejor vista de las pirámides, un viaje inolvidable. Gracias German!!!! Hasta nuestro próximo de viaje.

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