September 24, 2025, 4:56 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Vibrant cities, stunning beaches, and wild safaris—South Africa offers plenty for the adventurous heart. But what makes a trip there just as worthwhile are the people. That’s why South Africa was nominated for the TRAVELBOOK Award 2025 in the category “World’s Most Hospitable Country.” Absolutely deserved, says TRAVELBOOK author Melanie Hoffmann!
South Africa had been on my travel wish list for quite some time. In February 2025, it finally happened: First, I went to Cape Town, then to the Blyde River Canyon, from there, of course, on safari in Kruger National Park, and finally to Johannesburg. I was prepared for breathtaking cities, landscapes, beaches, wilderness, and animals—but in the end, the South African people also made a great impression on me. They were hospitable in a way I found very pleasant, and they are definitely a reason why I want to return to South Africa someday.
Casually Hospitable
I would say there’s hospitable and hospitable. The South African style of hospitality—as I experienced it—is very pleasant. It has a casualness to it. This was evident in the hotels and lodges where I stayed. Whether at the reception or the bar, the people were accommodating and quickly fulfilled any requests. Afterward, they left you alone. By that, I mean they were nearby and always approachable—also for friendly small talk about their beautiful country, of which they are rightly proud. They didn’t repeatedly ask if you needed anything else. I felt similarly in the restaurants I visited in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Speaking of which, South African cuisine is another reason to travel to South Africa.
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Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa is One of the World’s Top Destinations for a Sustainable Safari
Always Cheerful and Happy to Show Travelers Their Country
What I also found very hospitable in South Africa was the cheerfulness of the people, which was simply infectious. This was especially noticeable in the interior of the country, at the aforementioned canyon, in the national park, and in the (former) townships of Soweto—an absolute highlight of my trip.
With great enthusiasm, the ranger in “Kruger,” as he almost affectionately calls the national park, answered every question for us, safari newcomers. Questions he surely had been asked a thousand times. Nothing seemed routine; instead, he was incredibly eager to introduce us to “his country” and “his animals.” It seemed as if he wished for us to fall in love with them as much as he had. He was very successful with me, by the way.
In Soweto, I was impressed by the remarkable positivity of people who grew up in the shadow of the apartheid system. There, I met young people whose parents or grandparents experienced incredible violence and unimaginable suffering. They were full of love for others and were passionate about bringing history to life. All this with good food, lots of singing and dancing, and plenty of laughter. Welcoming us privileged European travelers with open arms, inviting us into their homes and personal life stories—I found that to be one of the highest forms of hospitality.
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
We say it every year: All nominated regions, countries, and others for the TRAVELBOOK Award are already winners. Even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. This also applies to South Africa. Because: Every country has already made it onto the shortlist beforehand, meaning it was selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. TRAVELBOOK readers then cast nearly 150,000 votes and chose their top travel destinations for 2026.