Back

Africa

A continent of beauty and wildlife

Africa, with all its many diverse nations (54 in total!) has a well-deserved place on many traveller’s bucket lists. Formidable landscapes? Check. Fascinating history? Check. An incredible mixed-bag of cultures? Check Check! Oh and then there’s the small matter of wildlife. Lots and lots of wildlife. And it’s not your run-of-the-mill selection of fauna either. Oh no, Africa is home to all the bona-fide cool stuff. Elephants, leopards, lions, you name it, Africa claims it. Zebra! Yes, plenty of zebra. Giraffe! Lots of them. And then another trillion forms of animal life to marvel at. Showcasing everything from The Big Five, to The Little Five, birds, bushveld and enough critters to make you go cuckoo (and yes they have them too).

You definitely don’t go to Africa and walk away with a simple shrug and a “Hmm not bad.” No way. You walk away with a newfound appreciation for the continent that takes first prize for WOW!

Planning an African Safari holiday? Connect with an Africa holiday travel specialist to create your dream holiday, today.

Flight time.

Flying from Auckland to major destinations in Africa, such as Johannesburg typically takes around 20-24 hours, including at least one stopover.

Best time to go.

For South Africa, the dry winter months from May to October are ideal for wildlife safaris. For East Africa, the dry seasons from June to October and December to March are perfect to witness the Great Migration. North Africa is best visited from October to April.

Time difference.

Africa spans several time zones, but most countries are around 10 to 12 hours behind New Zealand Standard Time (NZST, GMT +12).

Our Africa travel blogs

Tips for first-time travellers to Africa

So, if you’re deciding on your next travel destination and haven't made up your mind yet, think about taking a trip to The Mother Continent, especially if it’s your first time.

Witness the wilderbeast migration in Tanzania

Tanzania

Lets go somewhere different

Here are five destinations we think everyone should experience in their lifetime.

93% of customers who book with House of Travel rate us 5/5

"He can't do enough for us more a friend than a travel agent we book all our travel through Patrick or staff at house of travel ponsonby"

George and Ulini

"I have used Wendy before the reason you go back is she is so helpful she understands her job and is very accommodating she has everything organised for you listens to what you say nothing is a bother to her Wendy is so lovely to deal with ??"

Lynette

"I walked in without an appointment but had an idea what I wanted . Within 45 mins I was booked and paid for all set to go on holiday again"

Amanda

See all reviews

Meet our Africa consultants

See all

Jo Beddard

House of Travel Blenheim

I've been involved in travel for over 30 years. It's more than a job it's a way of life for me! I've visited close to 90 countries and I love using my experiences to help others plan an amazing trip away.

Gemma Pearce

House of Travel Barrington

I love turning people's dreams into reality and enjoy sharing my travel experiences.

Travel is my passion and I feel it’s the only thing you can buy that makes you richer!

Gemma

Antony Boomer

House of Travel Dunedin

I have been in the travel industry since 1987 as a tour leader, travel advisor, traveler visiting the globe, and now Owner Operator of House of Travel Dunedin City.

My travels have encompassed over 100 countries (many on several occasions) initially using all forms of transport from a double decker bus around Europe to rickshaws in Asia to horses in the Middle East and dugout canoes in Central Africa with camels, elephants, donkeys and bicycles in-between.

I am more than willing to travel in a lot more comfort these days visiting the Pacific, Myanmar, India, Vietnam, Ireland, China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan and USA in recent years.

I believe the transition is similar for people of my generation who still yearn to visit anywhere and everywhere but enjoy a bit, or a lot, more luxury. As such I have developed an in-depth knowledge of the whole spectrum of travel options and regularly come up with solutions to the most complex of travel plans.

Tony

Angelique Anderson

House of Travel Rotorua

Walking into a travel agency as a teenager it immediately sparked a passion for travel. Being able to explore various countries, experience different cultures, seeing iconic landmarks right down to getting off the beaten track still fuels this great love of mine.

I have 20 years of travel experience in South Africa where I specialized in Corporate Travel, Groups & Incentive Travel. Winning the ASATA Diners Corporate Consultant South Africa 2013 is one of the biggest highlights of my career.

After 3.5 years out of the industry, I am ecstatic to be back in the intriguing travel industry. It is a privilege to create dream holidays to South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Botswana Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique & Swaziland which were once on my doorstep.

With Europe being an overnight flight from South Africa I had some great opportunities to travel to Europe and visit London, Ireland, France, Greece, Turkey but my all time favorite European destination is Spain.

The Cayman Islands is one of those destinations I often heard of and never dreamed I would visit, but when my brother moved there my family and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit this iconic island.

My husband, our 2 young daughters and I immigrated to New Zealand in 2019. We thoroughly enjoy travelling throughout New Zealand, exploring and experiencing the beautiful scenery wherever we go.

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

Angelique