Pls differentiate btw validation and conversion. A conversion is much more hassle and you are losing your original licence.
The validation gives you the right to exercise certain rights of your original licence in other country like SA.
If you stick with your original question (flying during holidays) it is the validation you have to go for. Takes you some days to arrange and you should start preparing before getting down there. Check other threads with give you guidelines.
Did it with a Flying Club close to Cape Town. They also offer temporary memberships but you will also find others and also flight schools offering hire and fly. I recommend to do the validation with the guys you want to rent the aircraft from later. Watch out: Some check you out for CAA validation but want additional training for their highly valuable C150s
