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Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in South Africa 2024/2025

Top Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in South Africa. Below you will find 37 of the best tour operators and travel agencies in South Africa offering in total 309 tours and holidays through-out South Africa. Combined they have received 411 customer reviews and an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. The top tour activities offered in South Africa are: Wildlife, landscapes and nature, Adventure and sport & Sightseeing, attractions, culture and history.

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38 Tour Operators in South Africa with 411 Reviews

Viva Safaris

• Address Kruger National Park, Hoedspruit, South Africa
• Response Rate 93%
• Response Time 3 hours

Exodus Travels

• Address Grange Mills, Weir Road, London, England
• Response Rate 85%
• Response Time 2 hours

• Best-in-Class Top 5% of companies
• Excellent Service Top 10% of companies
• Superior Service Top 15% of companies

Intro Travel

• Address Level 2, 332 Kent Street, Sydney, Australia
• Response Rate 89%
• Response Time 1 hour

Abang Africa Travel

• Address 104 Piazza building (1st Floor), cape town, South Africa
• Response Rate 97%

G Adventures

• Address G Adventures Ltd, 60 Bastwick Street, London, England
• Response Rate 90%

Intrepid Travel

• Address 380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Australia

Encounters Travel

• Address Leigh House, Varley Street, Leeds, England
• Response Rate 94%

World Expeditions

• Address 1B Osiers Road, Wandsworth, London, England
• Response Rate 82%

Aukwatowa Tours (PTY) LTD

• Address 47 Flosse Street Nollothville, Port Nolloth, South Africa
• Response Rate 75%

Collette Tours

• Address 162 Middle Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA

Cape Town Day Tours

• Address PO Box 450, Bergvliet, Cape Town, South Africa
• Response Rate 92%

Unique Safaris

• Address Kingfisher Crescent Meyersdal, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Response Rate 0%

Indus Travels

• Address 233, 11951 Hammersmith Way, Richmond, Canada
• Response Rate 98%

• Address Nelson House, 55-59 Victoria Rd, Farnborough, England
• Response Rate 96%

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10 Best South Africa Tour Operators 2024 [Unbiased & With Reviews]

10 best south africa tour operators 2024.

Are you planning to visit South Africa, but unsure which tour provider to select? Now, you no longer have to waste time searching the internet and filling out dozens of contact forms. Simply fill out ONE form, we’ll send it off to multiple tour providers and they’ll contact YOU! You’ll be able to compare rates and find the lowest cost tour for the most affordable trip abroad.

Have you always dreamed of exploring the beautiful country of South Africa? Are you wondering how much a trip of a lifetime to South Africa would cost? Are you looking for tours with some of the highest rated and safest South Africa tour operators ?

South Africa, located at the southernmost tip of one of the most diverse continents in the world, is a country teeming with so much natural beauty, a fascinating history that is far from black and white, a resilient population filled with distinct characters and a burgeoning art scene. The country blossoming with wildlife safaris, exotic beaches, rich winelands, rocky cliffs, verdant forests and turquoise lagoons is an exciting travel destination for most.

While touring South Africa is an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity, it can be confusing when you are searching for a safe South Africa tour company. When you start searching for best South Africa tour companies and packages, hundreds of South Africa tour companies will pop up. All these travel companies were not equally created and worse, some are even completely untrustworthy. Suddenly, finding the right South Africa tour package and planning the trip of your dreams has become a nightmare!

At TravellersQuest, we don’t want to see you choosing a dangerous or poorly-rated South Africa tour company organizing for your South Africa tour package. We want you to join a reputable, safe and the best South Africa tour operator that will be sure to organize one of the best travel experiences of your life!

So, we did the hard work for you. To save you time, we spent thousands of hours researching, and finding the best South Africa tour companies for you, in terms of company reputation, customer satisfaction, reliability, safety and packages available. Our research presents to you a hand-picked selection of the 10 best South Africa tour operators.

Table update Dec 20, 2023

Franschhoek Wine Tram

Franschhoek Wine Tram is a highly regarded tour operator in South Africa, known for offering fantastic Franschhoek Valley tour packages. Recognized by reputable travel associations in Africa, the young company prides itself in creating alternative, unique, and insightful South Africa tours. This award-winning company is owned and operated by a team of highly dedicated travel experts.

The company attempts to create authentic South Africa tours crafted by experts who know South Africa as their own home. The tailor-made, personalized and highly professional tours encompass an amazing mix of culture, adventure and nature, allowing guests to relax while also enjoying one of the best trips of their life.

Franschhoek Wine Tram Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Franschhoek Wine Tram offers great wine testing tour packages in South Africa. You can plan your own day with their Hop-on Hop-off experience , where you choose how long to stay at each stop and what activities to do. They have fantastic wine and food tours led by knowledgeable guides, taking you to famous wine estates for delicious pairings from breakfast to dessert.

They also host a Festival of Lights on their double-decker tram for a fun nighttime adventure that supports charity. And if you’re into wine, you can join a curated experience that includes learning about winemaking, tasting wines, and enjoying a three-course lunch at a local estate. It’s a great way to explore the Franschhoek valley.

Franschhoek Wine Tram Reviews

Franschhoek Wine Tram is the most highly reviewed tour company in South Africa. The company ranks as the best option for wine and other tour activities in Franschhoek, South Africa. They have garnered over 3000 excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and has received multiple awards, making them the top choice for South Africa tour.

We would defiantly recommend the Exceptional Wine & Cuisine Experience. We were a group of 9 people who booked on the same cold and wet day in September. Gilly B

Read Franschhoek Wine Tram Reviews on TripAdvisor .

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Untouched Adventures

Untouched Adventures is a top-tier tour operator in South Africa, with a mission to become a world-class adventure company that brings positive change to people’s lives. Their Operations Manager, Zibonele Mdletshe, has been leading the way for six years.

What sets them apart is their close-knit Adventure Team, composed of locals from the nearby community who are like a family. They prioritize their customers and team members, investing in training and development to help everyone reach their full potential. They’ve even trained over 70 locals in first aid and kayaking, aiming to create one of the best teams in Garden Route adventure tourism.

Untouched Adventures  Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Untouched Adventures in South Africa offers exciting tours for nature lovers. One popular adventure takes you on a kayak and lilo trip up the Storms River Gorge , where you explore deep pools, caves, and ancient forests while enjoying the quiet sounds of nature.

They also have an extended version of Kayak and Lilo trip for those who want more adventure. Another option is snorkeling in the Storms River Mouth’s tidal pools and underwater trails, where you can see amazing marine life up close in a protected area. It’s a great family activity that you can enjoy all year round.

Untouched Adventures Reviews

Untouched Adventures is a top-rated South Africa tour company with 1,798 excellent reviews, and it holds the #1 ranking among Outdoor Activities in Storms River, South Africa. This top tour company has also received several awards and recognition by TripAdvisor and other companies.

Wow, what an experience! Blown away by the natural beauty of the area and the exhilaration of the adventure. Adventure07040457373

Read Untouched Adventures Reviews on TripAdvisor .

Kurt Safari

Kurt Safari is a well-established safari company in South Africa, specializing in open vehicle safaris into the renowned Kruger National Park. Offering day and multi-day safaris departing regularly from Johannesburg, the company is known for its experienced guides, modern vehicles, and commitment to delivering top-quality safari experiences.

Founded by Kurt Schultz, a passionate Kruger enthusiast, the company has grown over 14 years, earning a top rating on TripAdvisor. They employ local guides with extensive safari experience and offer a range of memorable safari packages. Kurt Safari is dedicated to preserving the wild essence of nature and the thrill of encountering wildlife in their natural habitat, making it a top choice for those seeking authentic safari adventures in South Africa.

Kurt Safari Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Kurt Safari offers a variety of South Africa safari tour packages:

Morning Kruger Safaris : These safaris are perfect for spotting active predators like leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and lions. The cooler morning hours are ideal for wildlife viewing. The safari lasts for about 3 hours before a breakfast break and includes visits to waterholes to observe animals quenching their thirst. Knowledgeable guides enhance the experience, and mineral water is provided.

3-Day Best of Kruger Private Safari : Day 1 starts with a private transfer from Johannesburg to Kruger Park, where you check in at Umbhaba Eco Lodge and enjoy a late afternoon sunset-night safari. Day 2 includes a full-day safari in Kruger National Park with meals provided in the park, and Day 3 begins with a morning safari before a private transfer back to Johannesburg.

Kruger and Panorama – 5 Day Safari : This all-inclusive package offers transfers, a night safari on a private concession inside Kruger, full-day and morning open vehicle safaris, quality accommodation with traditional meals, and modern amenities like WIFI and air-conditioning in all rooms. It’s an action-packed safari experience that also explores the stunning Panorama Route.

Kurt Safari Reviews

Kurt Safari is the best South Africa safari tour company. The company boasts 1,488 fantastic reviews and ranks as the #1 outdoor activity provider in Kruger National Park, South Africa. They have received numerous TripAdvisor awards, affirming their excellent service and outdoor adventures.

We were lucky to go on a safari and find out it was just the two of us. Abraham2 (since there are two Abraham’s in the company) was our guide and he was amazing. Anja H

Read Kurt Safari Reviews on TripAdvisor .

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Siviwe Township Tours

Siviwe Township Tours is a local tour company in South Africa that specializes in showing people around the Langa township in Cape Town. It was started by Siviwe Mbinda, who is from Langa and wanted to share his community’s culture. What’s special about this company is that it’s run by local people and provides jobs for folks in the area.

Siviwe is also the founder of the Happy Feet Youth Project, which the tour company supports. This project helps local kids by giving them education, good food, leadership skills, and fun activities like dancing. They do a unique South African dance called Gumboots Dancing, which was originally created by miners in South Africa. So, when you take a tour with Siviwe, you’re not just exploring, you’re also helping local kids have a better life.

Siviwe Township Tours Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Siviwe Township Tours offers a unique opportunity to explore Langa , Cape Town’s oldest black township, with qualified local guides. On their walking tours, you’ll discover four different residential and socio-economic areas, including worker hostels and informal settlements. You’ll even have the chance to greet local residents in isiXhosa, their language. They also incorporate cultural entertainment, such as traditional music and gumboots dance, part of the Happy Feet Youth Project for local children in Langa Township.

Siviwe Tours is flexible and can tailor your township tour to your interests, whether it’s history, art, music, education, social issues, or healthcare. Langa, founded in 1923, is one of the areas established before the apartheid era for Black Africans. It’s named after Langalibalele, a chief who was imprisoned on Robben Island for rebelling against the government. In recent years, Langa has seen improvements in infrastructure and cultural revitalization, including the Guga’sthebe Cultural Centre, which hosts community and cultural activities. During a township tour, you’ll get to experience the authentic Langa and meet individuals making a positive impact in the community.

Siviwe Township Tours Reviews

Siviwe Township Tours is a highly-rated tour company in Cape Town Central, South Africa. With an impressive 1,007 amazing reviews, they are ranked as the #2 tour and activity provider out of 978 options in the area. Their outstanding service and experiences have earned them the Travelers’ Choice award in 2023 from TripAdvisor.

Excellent and very personal tour with Don through all different areas and streets so Langa. His personal life story mixed with the history of Langa made is very interesting and personal… Odyssey29334928877

Read Siviwe Township Tours Reviews on TripAdvisor .

Raggy Charters

Raggy Charters is a well-established Marine Eco Tour company with a conservation focus in Africa, operating since 1992. They specialize in ocean safaris in Algoa Bay, offering opportunities to observe marine wildlife such as whales, dolphins, and penguins. The team, led by owner Lloyd Edwards, is dedicated to conservation efforts, supporting projects like the Live Shark Project and beach clean-ups. They are also part of the South African Whale Disentanglement Network.

Raggy Charters operates a fleet of SAMSA-certified boats designed for various marine activities in Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth. The fleet includes “My China,” a 35-foot catamaran built in 2018 for shark cage diving and whale watching, “Winkle,” a 28-foot catamaran built in 2011 for penguin research and whale watching, and “My Bru,” a 35-foot catamaran designed for longer days at sea, suitable for whale watching and white shark cage diving.

Raggy Charters Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Raggy Charters in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, has awesome tours:

Shark Cage Diving : Swim with Great White Sharks! You also see whales, sardine runs, and penguins. It’s a full-day adventure from April to September, starting at 7 am and ending at 5 pm.

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise : Sail on a catamaran to see whales, dolphins, and penguins in Algoa Bay. Whales are seen from June to early January, and penguins with chicks from March to May. The cruise runs from 8 am to 12 pm.

Deep Sea Fishing : Go fishing! They offer different trips for catching fish and spotting dolphins, whales, and more. They provide gear, but you can bring your own. You need a fishing license, and they include snacks and lunch.

Raggy Charters Reviews

Raggy Charters is highly regarded South Africa operator with 1,150 excellent reviews, earning them the top spot as the #1 ranked outdoor activity provider in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Their excellence is further recognized with the prestigious Travelers’ Choice award in 2023.

Very informative and friendly staff. We saw many whales, dolphins, seals and penguins. Annamarie W

Read Raggy Charters Reviews on TripAdvisor .

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Hike Table Mountain

Hike Table Mountain  is a South Africa tour operator offering hiking guides and experts to help you climb Table Mountain in South Africa, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world towering 3,563 feet over Cape Town. The is recognized as one of the best South Africa Tour Companies and in 2019 was even awarded the Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor.

Hike Table Mountain insists that climbing the mountain is no easy feat and is very tricky to conquer alone. Hikers tend to get lost or waste time trying to find routes when they could in fact be focusing on the beauties of the climb itself. That’s why choosing an expert who knows all about mountains and all their routes is essential. Hike Table Mountain has a dedicated team of Mountain guides who are registered with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and hold accredited qualifications in mountaineering and first-aid, making the climb to the top of Table Mountain as seamless and efficient as possible.

Hike Table Mountain Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Hike Table Mountain offers a variety of South Africa tour packages, such as:

PLATTEKLIP GORGE

If you’re looking for the classic, popular, easiest, and most direct route to the mountain’s summit, choosing the Platteklip Gorge package will be the best option for you, even though this isn’t the one the company itself recommends. Because it is the easiest and quickest route, it is also the least scenic and exciting, but you’ll still get to witness a lot of amazing vistas, just not the best when compared to the South Africa tour company’s other routes.

SKELETON GORGE

Deemed to be one of the more classic routes organized by Hike Table Mountain, Skeleton Gorge is a longer and more strenuous climb recommended for those with an above-average level of fitness. It starts in the famed Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and goes on to cover a large portion of the Table Mountain massif. The route takes hikers up the verdant eastern face of Table Mountain, offering a jungle terrain and striking inland views during the ascent that turn into city views of Cape Town.

Hike Table Mountain offers other exciting South Africa tours featuring climbs up Table Mountain, such as:

• 12 APOSTLES
• HIDDINGH-ASCENSION
• LLANDUDNO RAVINE

Hike Table Mountain Reviews

Hike Table Mountain is a reputable South Africa tour company. Hike Table Mountain’s client satisfaction rate obtained on the basis of South Africa tour company reviews is impressive. Of the total of 1135 reviews made on Trip Advisor, 94% of the customers of the South Africa tour packages organized by Hike Table Mountain rated the operator as excellent, with some even recommending the routes even though they were scared of heights:

The hike was so enjoyable and a beautiful way to take in Cape Town… and guidance you need to face the challenges it poses. We’re both so glad we done it! Mark J

Read Hike Table Mountain Reviews on TripAdvisor .

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Earthstompers Adventures

Founded in 2006,  Earthstompers Adventures  is an award-winning and owner-run South Africa tour operator offering some of the best high-quality tours from Cape Town, along the Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park. Started by a Garden Route-born guide named Hendrik Human, the South African tour company operates with a  big emphasis on the health and safety  of its guest and staff while simultaneously trying to minimize its impact on the environment.

The company attempts to create authentic South Africa tours crafted by local guides and experts who know South Africa as their own home. The tailor-made, personalized and highly professional tours encompass an amazing mix of culture, adventure, and nature, allowing guests to relax while also enjoying one of the best road trips of their life. The company has been widely recognized for its top-rate service, having been awarded Trip Advisor’s famed Certificate of Excellence for six years running as well as having been awarded the “Best Tour Operator in the Western Cape” in 2018 by South Africa’s Lilizela Tourism Award body.

Earthstompers Adventures Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Earthstompers Adventures offers some amazing and longer South Africa tour packages, such as:

10 Day South African Fair Trade Tour

For those looking for a longer itinerary that covers all the best parts of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces in a socially conscious and sustainable way, this is the South Africa tour package for you. With a good mix of nature, culture, and adventure, the tour includes visits to the Cape Peninsula, Winelands, Little Karoo, Whale Route, Addo Elephant National Park, and Route 62.

All of the accommodation and most of the activities on this tour are Fairtrade Accredited and some of the highlights of this 10-day tour include Entrance to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Canoeing, and hiking in Wilderness National Park, Sunset Boat Cruise – Knysna, and more.

Cape Peninsula Private Day Tour

For those with only a day to spare but who are still eager to see the best sights of the Rainbow Nation, this is the South Africa tour package for you. In this day tour to Cape of Good Hope, guests will be driven to the beautiful Atlantic seaside suburbs of Clifton and Camps Bay marvel over the Twelve Apostles Mountains.

Guests will also be able to visit the resident Cape Fur Seals at Hout Bay harbor, before a scenic drive up Chapman’s Peak. Other highlights of the tour include Cape Point National Park and the endangered African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The day ends with a gorgeous wine tasting at Constantia.

Earthstompers Adventures Reviews

Earthstompers Adventures is a well-thought-of South Africa tour operator with an impressive client satisfaction rate. Of the total of 960 South Africa tour reviews made on Trip Advisor, 95% of the customers rated the company as excellent:

Excellent 6 day tour of the Garden Route from Cape Town. We were picked up on time from our hotel and instantly felt welcomed by the guide, Roy and the other guests on the tour. PenistoneJames

Read Earthstompers Adventures Reviews on TripAdvisor .

Founded in 1995,  Baz Bus  is a local South Africa tour operator known to be the country’s convenient “Hop on Hop off” door-to-door bus service that picks up passengers from over 200 different backpacker accommodation, guesthouses, lodges, and hostels in South Africa. Started by a man named Barry Zeidal, he and his dedicated and hardworking team helped the company develop a unique transport network through South Africa.

With safety and a one-of-a-kind travel experience at the forefront of the company’s priorities for its customers, and after 21 years of success Baz Bus is recognized as a leading force in South Africa’s tourism industry and carries over 10,000 independent travelers each year catering to every budget and travel style. With amazing tours of South Africa reviews, the tour operator in South Africa has done so well that it was awarded “3 rd  Best Experience” by Trip Advisor.

Bazbus Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Baz Bus offers some amazing South Africa tour packages, such as:

1 day Cape Peninsula Tour

This is the perfect way to see the Cape Peninsula without the hassle of driving yourself. Sit back and relax while the bus takes you through some of the best highlights of South Africa, including driving along the scenic Atlantic Seaboard, Hout Bay Harbour, Twelve Apostles Mountains, Boulders Beach, Simon Town, the Cape Fur Seal Colony on Duiker Island, Cape Point Nature Reserve and more. A must-try for anyone wanting to pack the best of South Africa in a day,

4 Day Kruger National Park Wildlife Safari Tour

For adventurers with a little more time to spare and eager to go on a safari, this South Africa tour package is for you! Experience game viewing and witness wildlife up and close in all its variety at Kruger National Park. Guests will be able to spot the BIG 5 (Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Elephant, and Buffalo) and the open vehicle drive gives you ample excellent photo opportunities. This option also includes 3 nights’ accommodation in either an air-conditioned double room, a lodge & tent or a lodge & treehouse.

Baz Bus offers other exciting South Africa tour packages, such as:

• 21 day Cape Town to Victoria Falls
• 20-day Cape Town to Victoria Falls

Bazbus Reviews

Baz Bus is really one of the best budget South Africa tour companies and most highly-rated. Baz Bus’s client satisfaction rate obtained on the basis of reviews is stellar. Of the total of 2148 South Africa tour reviews made on Trip Advisor, 90% of the customers of Baz Bus rated the company as good and excellent:

Well planned trip, extremely enjoyable, Leon the guide was very knowledgable and gave great commentary throughout the trip. Brian H

Read Bazbus Reviews on TripAdvisor .

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Cape Town Free Walking Tours

Cape Town Free Walking Tours is one of the best tour operators in South Africa. They aim to make Cape Town accessible to everyone by offering educative and entertaining tours run on tips only. With over 120,000 guests, they are a top choice for exploring the city, whether you’re interested in history, looking for things to do, or simply want to meet new people. Their experienced guides also provide recommendations for other attractions, activities, and places to eat in Cape Town.

Cape Town Free Walking Tours Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Cape Town Free Walking Tours offers a range of tours that highlight the fascinating history and culture of Cape Town:

Historic City Tour : This tour lets you explore Cape Town’s history, from its colonial past to the present day. You’ll see important places like the Parliament, Garden, The Castle of Good Hope, Green Market Square and The Slave Lodge.

Bo Kaap Walking Tour : Take a stroll through the lively Bo Kaap neighborhood, famous for its colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage. You’ll visit the oldest mosque, hear the story of Tuan Guru, check out the Atlas Spice Trading Centre, and more.

Apartheid to Freedom Tour : This tour delves into the history of apartheid in Cape Town and how it affected the city and its people. You’ll visit key locations such as the Cape High Court, St George’s Cathedral, District Six and the place where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech as a free man.

Cape Town Free Walking Tours Reviews

Cape Town Free Walking Tours is a highly esteemed South Africa tour company. Cape Town Free Walking Tours client satisfaction rate obtained on the basis of reviews on Trip Advisor is very impressive. Of the total of 1922 reviews made on, a phenomenal 97% of the customers the rated the company as excellent.

We did the BoCap tour at 4pm. The tour was very interesting and the information was passed on well. Questions were also addressed well and answered in detail. Franziska A

Read Cape Town Free Walking Tours Reviews on TripAdvisor .

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Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours

Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours is a leading South African tour operator specializing in private tours, day tours, and safaris across various destinations, including Cape Town, the Garden Route, Durban, and Johannesburg. With a commitment to service excellence, they offer safaris and game drives in private game reserves and national parks, including the renowned Kruger National Park.

Founded in 2008 and officially established in 2012, the company has grown significantly, becoming one of the top-rated tour operators in South Africa, as evidenced by their TripAdvisor reviews. They prioritize staff upliftment, community development, and environmental protection, focusing on sustainable tourism practices and removing animal interactions from their tours. Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours also shares their expertise with local guides, empowering them to register their businesses and succeed in the digital market, all while providing exceptional service to their clients.

Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours Best South Africa Safari Tour Packages

Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours offers a diverse range of safari packages in South Africa and beyond. Their Big 5 Safari allows you to explore the incredible wildlife of Africa, including the iconic African lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo, and elephant, in renowned locations such as Kruger National Park, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Hwange National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Chobe National Park, and Etosha National Park.

For a romantic getaway, their Honeymoon Safari offers breathtaking landscapes, wildlife encounters, luxurious lodges, and activities like game drives, birdwatching, gourmet dining, and hot air balloon rides. If you’re interested in history and culture, their Best of Johannesburg Private Tour in 2 Days provides insights into South Africa’s past, including visits to Soweto, Nelson Mandela’s home, the Hector Pietersen Museum, and Sterkfontein Caves.

Additionally, their Robben Island Tours allow you to explore this historic site and learn about apartheid history while visiting other Cape Town attractions like Table Mountain, Cape Point, and more. Whether you seek wildlife adventures, cultural exploration, or a romantic escape, Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours has a package to suit your desires.

Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours Reviews

Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours is a good South Africa tour company with a growing number of outstanding South Africa tour reviews. Of the total of 2066 reviews made on Trip Advisor, 95% of the customers of the company rated Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours as excellent.

Wilson was timely in picking us up. He then quickly zoomed us to Table Mountain as he knew the lines grew very fast. Keong F

Read Beyond Africa Safaris & Tours Reviews on TripAdvisor .

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The cost of a trip to South Africa can vary widely depending on various factors such as the duration of your stay, the type of accommodations you choose, activities, and your travel style. On average, you can expect to spend around $100 to $250 per day. This estimate includes accommodations, meals, transportation, and some activities.

The best time to visit South Africa depends on your interests and the regions you plan to explore. Generally, South Africa is a year-round destination. The summer months of November to March are ideal for coastal areas and wildlife viewing, while the winter months of May to September are excellent for safaris due to dry conditions and better animal visibility.

South Africa can offer excellent value for travelers, especially if you plan your trip carefully. While it’s possible to find affordable accommodations, meals, and transportation options, the overall cost of your vacation can vary depending on your preferences. South Africa can be considered relatively affordable compared to many Western countries, making it an attractive destination for budget-conscious travelers.

Yes, tourists should consider visiting South Africa. It offers a diverse range of attractions, including stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, rich wildlife, and a unique cultural heritage.

South Africa is one of the best destinations for safari experiences. It boasts numerous national parks and game reserves, offering a chance to see the “Big Five” and a wide variety of wildlife. Popular safari destinations in South Africa include Kruger National Park, Madikwe Game Reserve, and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, each providing unique safari experiences.

Some of the best safari parks in South Africa include Kruger National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and accessibility; Sabi Sand Game Reserve, known for luxurious lodges and exceptional leopard sightings; and Addo Elephant National Park, famous for elephant encounters. Other notable options are Timbavati Game Reserve, Phinda Private Game Reserve, and Pilanesberg National Park, each offering distinct safari experiences.

Safaris in South Africa can be enjoyed year-round. However, the best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry winter months from May to September when animals gather around water sources, and vegetation is less dense, providing better visibility. If you’re interested in birdwatching, the wet summer months from November to March offer a unique opportunity to see migratory birds.

South Africa Tours & Vacations

The whole ‘country of contrasts’ thing has become a bit of a cliche

But what else do you call a place where (in a three-week period) you could happily slalom between penguins waddling on the Cape and lions stalking the bushveld, cinematic coastal switchbacks and burnt Kalahari sand, the oldest wine industry outside   Europe   and cutting-edge fusion cuisine? ‘Contrast’, doesn’t really do South Africa justice. The beauty of a South Africa tour (besides the peace of mind that comes with an expert local guide) is being able to fit so much   Africa   into so little time. From the Stellenbosch winelands to Kruger , Blyde River and beyond, this is a place where you can take your   safari   with a side of espresso.

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South Africa at a glance

Capital city.

Pretoria (official, population 1 million); Bloemfontein (judicial, population 370,000); Cape Town (legislative, population 2.9 million)

Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Tswana, Swati, Tshivenda, Tsonga, North Sotho

(GMT+02:00) Harare, Pretoria

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type M (see D)

Learn more about South Africa

Best time to visit south africa.

South Africa is an excellent year-round destination. Winters are mild, dry and good for wildlife viewing. Summers can get very hot and humid but are a great time for visiting beaches and festivals. Spring is a great time for viewing wildflowers in the Northern and Western Cape provinces, and very little rain falls anywhere in autumn, but the days are warm and the nights cool. Overall, there’s always a good time to head to South Africa.

Learn more about the best time to visit South Africa

Culture and customs

South Africa’s culture is one of the most diverse in the world. From indigenous tribes like the Zulu, San Bushmen and Xhosa to the Afrikaners of Dutch heritage, and immigrants of British descent, visitors will be able to experience a magnificent melting pot of customs and traditions. The significant Indian and Jewish populations also add to the ethnic mix. From the proud, beaded Zulu warriors that have inhabited the land for centuries to newly arrived immigrants from   Europe   and   Asia , South Africa’s culture has been shaped by millions of people. 

The cuisine is generally a combination of Indian, Dutch, English and tribal flavors and techniques, while dress can range from modern fashion in the big cities to simple traditional, tribal dress in the bush. Although South Africa has made significant inroads towards peace and reconciliation since the end of apartheid, racial tensions are sometimes evident, and it is generally best not to contribute to this in any way. Overall, most travelers will find South Africans to be welcoming, appreciative of your visit and ready to share their homeland and stories.

Eating and drinking

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savoring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world.

Foods to try in South Africa

South Africa is fast becoming one of the most interesting wine producing regions in the world. Quality has risen steeply in the past decade so if you’re visiting the Stellenbosch Wine Region, be sure to sample some fine reds, which are world-class.

With such easy access to the Indian Ocean and Southern Atlantic, South Africa boasts some of the best seafood dining experiences you’ll ever have. From an indulgent oyster platter at a Cape Town restaurant to a spicy seafood curry in Durban, the seafood here is fresh, cheap and flavorsome.

Biltong tends to divide people. Some find this preserved, spiced meat snack impossible to refuse and others simply can’t stomach it. Either way, it’s extremely popular and readily available in markets, supermarkets and shops throughout South Africa.

4. Boerewors

Another one for the meat-lovers, this coiled, spicy sausage is a South African delicacy best done on the barbecue. Flavored with coriander, cloves and nutmeg, this is a meat born from South African and Dutch traditions.

Learn more about what to eat and drink in South Africa

Geography and environment

South Africa showcases one of the most diverse and stunning natural environments in the world. Visitors are able to soak up golden rays on sun-drenched beaches, journey through acre upon acre of dry savannah, admire lush, green meadows, walk through tropical forest and stop to take in views of wide, ancient canyons. It’s also possible to stroll the streets of an urban city one day and meander along a dirt track passing small farms and villages the next. South Africa truly is a land of contrasts, and this begins with the landscapes and environment. 

Located on the tip of Southern Africa, South Africa shares land borders with Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland. It also shares a long stretch of coastline with the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. The topography of the land changes remarkably around the country, from the lofty plateaus of the inland region to the low-lying coast and mountainous ranges of the Cape. This variance in topography makes South Africa rich in many species of flora and fauna, something that attracts many tourists and travelers from all over the world.

History and government

Early history.

The land of South Africa has been inhabited for centuries by tribes hailing from different areas of the African continent, including the San and Bantu people. Most tribes relied on hunting and gathering, but gradually were introduced to agriculture and animal husbandry over the years. From around 1200 AD, the tribal people of South Africa started to become influenced by outsiders, including Muslim traders, the Portuguese and the Dutch, who established a settlement in the mid 1600s. 

The Dutch continued to dominate the country until the 1800s, when the British became interested in the Cape Colony. During this time, the native population had become increasingly dissatisfied with being marginalized and treated poorly by their European colonizers. Many native people were used as slaves on plantations and were treated brutally by their ‘employers’ and many resented losing their land, culture and traditional way of life. Further to this, the Dutch descendants (known as Boers) didn’t appreciate the arrival of the British in a territory they had inhabited for years before their arrival. This frustration and anger regularly resulted in confrontation and armed conflict between the British, Boers and Zulus, culminating in a series of wars – most notably the Boer Wars.

Recent history

More recently, South Africa has managed to overcome the Apartheid era, a time where discrimination of black people was legalized. Until 1994, black people were unable to legally own land or vote in elections. Further to this, education, healthcare, beaches and public places like cinemas were segregated. During this time, South Africa was ruled and controlled by the white minority, much to the dissatisfaction of the black population and ultimately, the world. After much international pressure and many attempts at reform, the Apartheid era was finally ended in 1994, with Nelson Mandela stepping up to lead the nation as President. Due to this challenging history, modern day South Africa has many social issues to work on and resolve, but many of its people are filled with hope and optimism. In 2010, South Africa successfully hosted the FIFA World Cup, much to the delight of its citizens and the world.

Top 10 places of South Africa

1. drakensberg mountains.

Use your wide-angle lens to capture the majestic Drakensberg Mountain Range in all its panoramic glory. This impressive mountain range is the highest in Southern Africa and provides a wide and wonderful scope for impressive postcard-worthy shots.

2. Stellenbosch

Rolling green pastures, vineyards and orchards combine to create classic photo moments straight out of a guidebook. This cultured and charming area showcases a different side to South Africa, and will no doubt have people guessing where your photo was taken.

This quaint seaside town located on South Africa’s Garden Route is one of the most photogenic in Africa. Whether you’re snapping the boats in the harbor, the dolphins frolicking in the waves or the wild and rocky coast, it’s hard not to snap Knysna in a good light.

Fans of street art will love capturing the murals and memorials of spirited Soweto. The gritty urban landscapes and candid faces make it simple to capture the soul of this endearing, inspiring community.

This gem of the South African Coast has retained a village atmosphere despite its growing popularity with tourists. The beaches, bays and rock pools provide sensational photography moments, especially at dawn and dusk when the sun gives off incredible, moody light.

6. Cape Town

Easily one of the most picturesque cities in the world, Cape Town has some of the most photo-worthy landscapes in the world. From breathtaking Table Mountain to the stunning coast and beautiful beaches, Cape Town has profound natural beauty coming at you from every angle.

Sure, Durban’s beaches are special but the interesting mix of Indian, Muslim, African and European influences makes for great photography. Durban’s cultural cornucopia of markets, mosques and galleries offers rich fodder for snap-happy travelers looking to capture a different side of Africa.

8. Lamberts Bay

The tremendously large colony of Cape Gannet birds who live off Lamberts Bay is often photographed - and with good reason. The sight of hundreds of birds tightly packed into a small space against a backdrop of azure ocean provides a unique, snap-worthy photo subject.

9. Blyde River Canyon

This canyon is every bit as stunning as America’s Grand Canyon, yet in a different way. Lush greenery grows over most of the area and a diverse range of animal and plant life is supported within its deep cliffs and valleys. It’s difficult to take a bad photo here, as Mother Nature has kindly provided a near perfect canvas.

10. Kruger National Park

This iconic national park has some of the ‘most-photographed’ animals in the world. Visitors love capturing shots of lions hunting prey, elephants drinking at waterholes and cheetahs sleeping under trees. Mesmerizing amber sunsets and rolling savanna only add to the atmospheric magic of it all.

Highlights of South Africa

Brimming with golden beaches and glitzy nightlife, Durban is the perfect coastal city to catch some rays or sample South African cuisine in between your adventures. Try the city's famous bunny chow, take a scenic stroll along the Golden Mile promenade or learn about traditional African medicine at the Durban Muthi Market. Visit Durban on our 9 day Kruger & Coast tour, on our 22 day Kruger, Coast & Cape tour or on our 14 day Garden Route Adventure .

2. Johannesburg

Feel the buzz of urban Africa in Joburg, South Africa's largest city. Check out the cultural hotspots of Newtown, Braamfontein or Maboneng; learn about the country's sobering past at the Apartheid Museum, or venture outside the city to the Cradle of Humankind to see some of the oldest fossilized hominid remains on Earth. Explore Johannesburg on our 11 day Kruger & Cape Town Short Break or on our 18 day Explore Southern Africa tour.

3. Cape Town

Be captivated by the beautiful coast-meets-mountain landscapes of Cape Town. Hit up the city's famous Camps Bay to bask in the sun and swim in a natural rock swimming pool, hike to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views, admire the colourful buildings in Bo Kaap neighbourhood or watch life go by in one of the city's quirky cafes. Let the beauty of Cape Town overwhelm you on our 16 day Experience Southern Africa tour.

4. Stellenbosch

The Stellenbosch wine region is the place to be to sample the country's most delicious drops. Surrounded by lush orchards and rugged mountains, it's a beautiful place to soak up the scenery while enjoying a glass (or two) of the region’s world-class reds. Drink up on our 5 day Cape Town and Winelands tour.

5. Kruger National Park

Welcome to one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa. Home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species (including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog), you have a pretty good chance of spotting some of South Africa's resident wildlife while on safari here. Go wildlife spotting on our 9 day Vic Falls to Kruger adventure.

From the provincial markets of sleepy towns, through the malls of Johannesburg and to the galleries and cafes of Cape Town, there are many options for parting with money in South Africa. From budget market souvenirs to more indulgent bespoke buys, visitors will be pleased with the variety on offer here.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. United States generally has strict customs laws.

Things to buy in South Africa

1. Zulu beads

Zulu beadwork acts as a form of communication for Zulu people but visitors are usually drawn to buy beads for their vibrancy and visual appeal. Necklaces, bracelets and head pieces are particularly popular.

2. Township art

This urban art form involves recycling common landfill items like soft drink cans, telephone wire, paper and tires, and turning them into jewelry, ornaments, key rings, bags and toys. Township art makes a unique souvenir or gift as it supports local artists and keeps excess waste out of landfill.

3. Gourmet goodies

The Cape area has loads of amazing purveyors and food producers, so this is the best place to stock up on chutneys, jams and preserves made from local mango, fig, oranges and grapes.

4. Rooibos products

This caffeine-free herbal tea has been drunk in South Africa for generations, and is a cheap souvenir option for friends and family back home. You will also be able to find rooibos skincare and beauty products too.

Festivals and events

Freedom day.

This national public holiday commemorates the anniversary of South Africa’s constitution democracy – a very important sentiment to Africans living in the post-apartheid world. Marked by military flyovers, song, dance and other entertainment, this is a time of celebration, peace and unity.

Cape Town Jazz Festival

Cape Town shines with two days of hot jazz performances from African entertainers at this very popular festival. Although many of the shows sell out well in advance, the free outdoor concert ensures no one misses out.

Knysna Oyster Festival

This annual festival held over 10 days in winter offers so much more than oysters. Sure, indulge in some oysters but don’t forget about the fun runs, marathons, wine tastings, eating competitions, live music and cooking demos.

Further reading

South africa travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa

Many countries do not need visas to visit South Africa as a tourist for up to 90 days, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA and the UK.

This is general information only and may be subject to change. It is your responsibility to obtain relevant visa and travel information required for entry, departure and travel to each country or region you visit on your trip. You should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. 

Last updated: 31 May 2023 

What is the weather like in South Africa?

The weather in South Africa varies due to its size, ranging from freezing winter temps in the mountains of the Northern Cape to sweltering summer days on the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal. The climate changes with the seasons, but you can expect most rainfall during the summer months (December-February) in the northern, southern and eastern provinces, while the Western Cape gets the majority of its rainfall in the winter (June-August).

Is tipping customary in South Africa?

It's considered polite to tip service workers in South Africa, as most receive a small wage. As a general rule, add 10-15% to bills at cafes, bars and restaurants (if it hasn’t already been added). Tour guides, drivers, valets and porters also should be tipped (5-10 ZAR should be sufficient).

What is the internet access like in South Africa?

Travelers will be able to access the internet quite easily in the internet cafes of South Africa’s large cities but limited to no access should be expected in rural areas.

Can I use my cell phone while in South Africa?

Cell phone coverage is very good in South Africa’s large cities and towns, but less so in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated before leaving home if you wish to use your cell phone. However, a cheaper option may be to buy a sim card at the airport and purchase a plan with both calls and data.

What are the toilets like in South Africa?

South Africa is modern country with mostly flushable toilets. However, areas like national parks and villages may have squat toilets.

What will it cost for a…?

The currency in South Africa is the South Africa Rand. Here's what you can expect to pay for a:

• Can of soft drink = 15 ZAR
• Coffee in a cafe = 25 ZAR
• Beer in a bar = 25-32 ZAR
• Bottle of wine = 64 ZAR
• Simple takeaway meal = 70-90 ZAR
• Three-course restaurant meal = 300+ ZAR

Can I drink the water in South Africa?

Tap water can be drunk in South Africa’s cities, however drinking tap water in rural areas isn't recommended. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found, some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.

Are credit cards accepted widely in South Africa?

Credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels, modern shops and western-style restaurants but not by smaller vendors. Ensure you have adequate cash to cover purchases not able to be made on credit.

What is ATM access like in South Africa?

There are many ATMs in the big cities and regional towns of South Africa. Rural areas, national parks and small villages will have limited to no ATMs, so be sure to carry other payment options before traveling out of the big cities.

What public holidays are celebrated in South Africa?

• 1 Jan: New Year's Day
• 2 Jan: Public Holiday
• 21 Mar: Human Rights Day
• 14 Apr: Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)
• 17 Apr: Family Day (Monday after Easter Sunday)
• 27 Apr: Freedom Day
• 1 May: Workers' Day
• 16 Jun: Youth Day
• 9 Aug: National Women's Day
• 24 Sep: Heritage Day
• 25 Sep: Public Holiday
• 16 Dec: Day of Reconciliation
• 25 Dec: Christmas Day
• 26 Dec: Day of Goodwill

Please note,  South Africa public holidays may vary.

What's the transport like in South Africa?

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun. 

Depending on which trip you're on while in South Africa, you may find yourself traveling by:

Overland Vehicle

Journey through some of the world’s most famous national parks aboard a customized safari vehicle, specifically designed to enhance wildlife viewing opportunities – you won’t miss a thing.

What's the accommodation like in South Africa?

Traveling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavor to provide travelers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible. 

When traveling with us in South Africa you may find yourself staying in a:

Experience the ultimate in African hospitality while staying with a local family in Zululand. Pick up some local language, be exposed to new customs and sample traditional cuisine on a homestay to remember.

Does my trip to South Africa support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveler. Trips to South Africa directly support our foundation partner, Helping Rhinos.

Helping Rhinos

Helping Rhinos work alongside expert conservationists to create and expand ecosystems where sustainable populations of rhinos, and other critically endangered wildlife, can thrive. Donations from our trips support their all-female ranger program – the Black Mambas – which focuses on anti-poaching activities such as destroying traps, conducting routine vehicle stop-and-searches, installing camera traps and early warning technology, and monitoring suspicious activity.

Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

What is it like traveling on a small group tour?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re about to embark on your first trip, traveling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organizing amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), traveling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

Does my Intrepid trip include airfare?

While our Intrepid trips include many modes of transport, from tuk-tuks to overland vehicles, bullet trains and feluccas, airfare to and from your home country is not included in your tour package.

THE 10 BEST South Africa Tours & Excursions

South africa tours.

• Ports of Call Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full Day Ultimate Pilanesberg National Park Safari from Johannesburg or Pretoria

2. Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour in Private Car

3. Shark Cage Diving and Viewing with transport from Cape Town

4. Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour from Cape Town

5. Big-Five Safari + Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

6. Wine tour to Stellenbosch & Franschhoek with Tastings & Lunch

7. From Cape Town: Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope & Penguins including Park Fees

8. MUST DO: Cape Peninsula Tour & Good Hope from Cape Town! #1 Rated

9. Mossel Bay Scenic Train ride

10. The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour

11. Robben Island Tour including Pick Up & Drop Off from CapeTown

12. Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries

13. Private Full-Day Stellenbosch Wine Tour

14. Aquila Game Reserve Safari with Park Fees, Transport & Lunch

15. Half-Day Tour of Soweto Tour

16. Soweto /Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum Guided Full Day Tour

17. Shark Explorers

18. Cape of Good Hope & Boulder Penguins Full-Day Tour from Cape Town

19. Best of Cape Town Full-Day Private Tour with Table Mountain

20. 2 Day Safari Experience from Cape Town

21. 2 Day South African Wildlife of the Western Cape and 4x4 Safari

22. Port Elizabeth Adventure: Tuk-Tuk, Penguins, & Cape Recife

23. Cape Town Private Group Tour to Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Colony

24. Cape Town Helicopter Tour: Atlantic Coast

25. Ultimate Johannesburg Tour

26. African Story Wine Tours in the Cape Winelands

27. Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point from Cape Town

28. 3 Day Garden Route's Best Highlights with Safari from Cape Town

29. Aquila Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town

30. Quad Bike Adventure in -Atlantis Dunes+Photo Session

What travelers are saying.

South Africa Safaris Companies

Browse the best safari tour companies in south africa.

Find the best South African safari company for your trip using our directory below. South Africa is a large and incredibly diverse country, and the number and standard of South Africa safari tour companies reflects this.  The list of South African safari companies below contains a range from budget safaris to luxury safaris in South Africa.

One very useful resource before you book a South African safari package is  South Africa National Parks (SANParks) , a national organization that can help you confirm how reputable your chosen tour company is.

Before booking, be sure to confirm your safari package in detail – what’s expected and included for each stage of your trip – particularly meals, transfers, accommodation, and game drives. Make sure that you get written confirmation of the number of game drives and all other information, along with start and end dates and times before you make any payments.

Below is a list of our pick of the very best South African safari tours, listed in order of the number of votes our website visitors have given them.

Search South Africa’s best safari companies:

Moriti Private Safaris

We specialise in privately guided tours into Greater Kruger Park, which is a collection of private reserves on Kruger Park’s western boundary, with no fences to impede the movement of the animals. We have private access to over 37 000 acres of big 5 bushveld which allows you the opportunity to go on the most private safari offered in southern Africa! Our tours are innovative and very competitive and we believe that our safaris are so unique you will not find anything else like them on the web!

Nhongo Safaris

Join one of our South African Open Vehicle Safaris into the world-renowned Kruger National Park on either an overnight safari experience or even a Kruger Park day safari. If you’re staying on the perimeter of the Kruger Park this will give you the opportunity of seeing the Big 5 and experiencing the natural wonders of this magnificent game reserve. All our overnight safaris are conducted in our own safari vehicles and include all transfers, accommodation, dinner and breakfast, entrance fees and daily game drives.

Kurt Safari Co

Kurt Safari Co is one of the Kruger’s leading tour operators, with over 20 years spent welcoming guests from all over the world to experience the ultimate Kruger Park safari. We have a diverse selection of fantastic Kruger safaris for our clients to choose from. Each safari is carried out in an open safari vehicle and in the company of one of our professional guides, each of whom has years of experience guiding tours through the Kruger.  Our tailor-made safaris as well as our standard safari packages, offer something for everyone. Whether you are looking to spend a single day, 3, 4 or even 5 days in the Kruger, we have the tour for you.

Bushbaby Adventures

We specialize in Safaris, Transfers, overnight tours & special occasions like small weddings and engagements in Kruger Park. If you feel like a tour through Kruger Park and the surrounding areas, we can cater for you and show you all the beautiful places close to Kruger Park. We cater traditional South African meals and drinks and let you experience the bush in a way you will never forget. Birding tours also on our activity list.

Wild Wings Safaris

Looking for an unforgettable South African safari? Our team of destination experts will help you plan a tailor-made safari experience that is perfect for you. We’ve travelled all over South Africa and beyond, and have been designing custom safari itineraries since 2005. We have offices in the UK and South Africa, and offer full financial protection for your peace of mind. Whatever your dream safari – we can make it come true!

Crossroads Safaris & Tours

Crossroads Safaris is one of the leading tour operators in the Hoedspruit area. Our main focus is on wildlife and game viewing in the Kruger National Park. We offer full day and half-day safaris into the world-renowned Kruger National Park in an open safari vehicle as well as extended safaris into Southern and Northern Botswana and overnight safaris in Kruger. Please have a look at our website for more information.

Other South African safari companies:

• African Routes : www.africanroutes.co.za Specialize in camping and overland tours for both youngsters and older travelers.
• Bird Watch Cape : www.birdwatch.co.za Cape Town based twittching outfit, offering day trips and overnight tours.
• Bundu Safaris : www.bundusafaris.co.za Budget yet high quality overnight safari tours with a focus on backpackers.
• Thompsons South Africa : www.thompsonssa.com A company focusing on high end multi-day safaris across most of South Africa’s national parks.
• Viva Safaris: https://www.vivasafaris.com A leading South African Tour Operator offering value-for-money Kruger Park safari  packages and tours in open game vehicles. 27 different packages and daily departures, 365 days a year.
• Wilderness Safaris : www.wilderness-safaris.com A luxury lodge and safari operator who offer a selection of niche wildlife viewing tours, including cycling safaris, bird watching and a specialized botanical tour.
• Wildlife Safaris : www.wildlifesaf.co.za Johannesburg-based safari operator specializing in small, customized trips to the nearby Kruger.

Have a recommendation for a good safari tour operator in South Africa? Let us know .

View  safari companies in other countries.

National Parks Guide

Known for their natural beauty and diverse wildlife, Africa’s national parks are the world’s premier safari destinations.

When To Go On Safari

Time of year can play a big part in what animals you’ll see on safari, and how accessible certain National Parks are. When’s the best time to go ?

Wildlife Spotting Guide

Read our  beginners guide to spotting wildlife to help you truly make the most of your time on safari.

African safari companies

Botswana safari companies

Kenya safari companies

Namibia safari companies

Rwanda safari companies

South Africa safari companies

Tanzania safari companies

Uganda safari companies

Find & book your South Africa travel & activities

Flights to south africa.

Search, track and book flights to South Africa, from anywhere in the world >>

South Africa Accommodation

Find safari accommodation in South Africa – from budget campsites to luxury lodges >>

South Africa Car Hire

Considering a self-drive safari? Research and book car hire in South Africa >>

Activities in South Africa

Search and book things to do in South Africa – tours, excursions and events >>

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
• Kenya safaris
• Namibia safaris
• South Africa safaris
• Tanzania safaris
• Uganda safaris

Safari basics

• Safari animals
• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
• Wildlife spotting tips

Most read articles

• All about the ‘big five’ animals
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• The world’s fastest land animals
• Apex predators
• 10 Fascinating African tribes
• The biggest animals in the world
• 17 Epic hybrid animals
• The world’s ugliest animals
• Why are flamingos pink?

Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
• Etosha National Park, Namibia
• Kruger National Park, South Africa
• Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
• Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Deals of the Week   Bucket List   Up to 50% OFF

South Africa Small Group Tours

Uncover new and exciting adventures in South Africa by taking part in our small group tours. Go sightseeing at your own pace surrounded by travellers like you. Provided by top tour operators & travel companies, our small group tours in South Africa will offer you the perfect balance between spending time on your own and group activities. View all small group tours .

222 South Africa small group tours with 890 reviews

• Christmas & New Year

Garden Route & Addo Group Adventure - 6 Days

I had the trip of my life! Joined a wonderful group with the best guide I ever had (Wendy!!!). Wendy is just perfect in Organisation and besides that she’s an amazing person. We all had a lots of fun, enjoyed a fantastic trip to Garden Route and Addo and it’s just a question of time when we will come back to have a tour again. I highly recommend Earthstompers ! An unforgettable experience.

5-Day Group Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (one-way)

An excellent tour which we couldn’t fault. Our guide, Rochelle, was superb. She was knowledgeable, always helpful and cheerful. We did everything we wanted to do and more. Highly recommended.

Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys

Good programming and excellent guide , comfortable accommodation with good food. We could cover whatsoever promised. Well done. Dee-our guide was very informative and caring.

11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger

Great communication & quick responses from travel company. Full itinerary in detail given. The company make a good effort to adapt itinerary if want to do a certain activity. Excellent itinerary of places to visit from the garden route to Kurger. Pick ups and drop offs included before and after tour. Friendly guide. Lovely host at guest house & nice accommodation throughout. Tour was still on even with just 2 of us. Overall would highly recommend to use!

7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Combo

An excellent day with an excellent guide

10 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Addo Package

Thoroughly enjoyed my trip. The 10 day package covered everything I wanted to see and do while in Cape Town and on the Garden Route. Accommodation throughout my trip was lovely, and well located. The guide was absolutely amazing!! Everything was so well arranged. Highly recommend!

5 day Best of South Africa Highlights: Garden Route with Addo National Park

The trip was great. Neville, our guide and driver was excellent. He really looked after us and we really enjoyed his commentary. The only downside was that there wasn't much room in the van. There were 12 of us and the seats were too close together. The activities were good, especially canoeing and visiting Cango Caves. It was a well put together trip but tiring as the distances travelled didn't allow us much free time. Great choice of restaurants too Nev. It might have been 5 star if we'd had more leg room.

5-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari & Panorama Route Tour

Super nice experience with good guides and friendly staff!

• €30 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Independent South African Sojourn

• In-depth Cultural

Garden Route, Safari & Winelands Wonder

Nice tour with excellent hotels and good driver. Everyone was very helpful with our luggage and catered to our needs.

5 Day Garden Route Adventure Including Addo

The tour was excellent thankyou Dylan Curtis to take care about the group all the time, he gave us the best Vibes from Africa. Nereida

Super South Africa

I was very pleased with activities, accommodations, and guides. We were taken care of very well, from picking up up from the airport to the trip back to the airport to go home. I will definitely book another trip with Indus Travel again.

• Hiking & Trekking

The Garden Route 10 Days

Beyond expectations. Tour was flawless from the airport connections to the backpackers lodges. Our guide Wendy with earthstompers was superb. Mariska was extremely helpful with tourradar and Nicolene was equally as well with travel encounters. They arranged our side trips for shark cage diving and skydiving as well without having any issues whatsoever. I would highly recommend this your to anyone. This trip to South Africa was a trip of a lifetime.

The Garden Route - 8 days

As a first time sole female traveler, my trip was absolutely incredible. My tour guide, Gareth, was so knowledgable about everywhere we were and made it a really good atmosphere for the group to all get to know each other. Every stop was worthwhile and every accommodation blew me away they were so nice. I had an amazing time!

Route 62 Adventure Safari 15 Days / 14 Nights

Die Reise war ein voller Erfolg, wir waren bestens betreut in allem. Es war eine unvergessliche Reise für uns alle, trotz dem schlechten Wetter zwischendurch war es wunderschön. Alain hat die Trips immer so gut angepasst, dass alles möglich war, und er hat uns Südafrika mit seinem reichhaltigen Wissen über dieses Land, sehr bereichert. Kann man nur wärmstens empfehlen. Vielen Dank nochmal für die tollen Eindrücke. Herzliche Grüße Christine

Reviews of Small Group tours to South Africa

It was very strange that the information of Tourradar was totally different then of Earthstompers. It also takes a lot ours to bring people to the airport and other places in Orr Elizabeth. The guide and the trip was good….. not te van, really to small.

This tour was one of the greatest travel experiences I've ever had. Our CEO Alfred Dovey led the way throughout South Africa with such care and knowledge about everything we did while providing clear direction of what each plan of the day was and where we needed to be. I feel was was able to see, learn and experience South Africa in a way I could have never done on my own. I highly recommend this G Adventure tour.

• South Africa Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best Time to Visit South Africa 2024/2025
• 10 Best Family Safari Holiday Packages 2024/2025
• Best 10 Day South Africa Itineraries (with Reviews)

International Versions

• Deutsch: Südafrika Rundreisen Kleingruppe
• Français: Circuits Afrique du Sud en petit groupe
• Español: Circuitos por Sudáfrica para grupos pequeños
• Nederlands: Groepsreizen met kleine groepen in Zuid-Afrika

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• World's Best

The 10 Best Safari Outfitters in 2022

When checking off a major bucket list trip like a safari, customization and convenience are top of mind for Travel + Leisure readers.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite Safari Outfitters.

Spotting the Big Five is the goal for many safari-goers. But chances of actually getting a glimpse of the elephants, leopards, lions, rhinoceroses, and African buffalos depend greatly on the company guiding the trip — especially its attention to the tiniest of details and its expertise on how to responsibly and carefully navigate on the African fauna's home turf. The best safari outfitters accomplish this with aplomb.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey , Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated tour operators and safari outfitters based on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value.

This year, three new safari outfitters entered the top 10 that weren't on last year's list. Deeper Africa (No. 5) is known for going beyond the obvious (a trip to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo with more than 1,000 mountain gorillas, perhaps?), while Africa Adventure Company (No. 7) is operated by the author of a guidebook on the continent's wildlife who has more than three decades of experience, and Go2Africa (No. 9) is run by people born and raised in Africa . Customization options and personalized service were key for travelers. The "passionate" teams at Extraordinary Journeys (No. 2) took the time to understand what guests were hoping to get out of their safari experience and curate itineraries that were nothing short of "magical." One also called out the thoughtful conveniences — like car services and dayrooms in Nairobi — saying they added an elevated level of comfort that wasn't anticipated but "was a godsend."

The challenges of traveling during a global pandemic were also assuaged by the top companies, which, a reader, said addressed "every single one of [their] concerns and questions…before it came to mind," especially in a destination that can feel "complicated." One traveler complimented Extraordinary Journeys for making all the "intimidating" and "ever-changing rules" so "seamless."

Find the full list of this year's best tour operators, as voted by T+L readers, below.

1. Travel Beyond

After coming in fifth last year, this company — which runs tours in Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zanzibar, among others — rises to the top spot. In operation since 1975, Travel Beyond consistently impressed readers with its emphasis on putting travelers' needs first, by paying "close attention to all the details," and by working "very hard to get to know their clients' travel styles and interest." Its custom itineraries put responsible wildlife viewing and touring the area's unique scenery first, but also added in experiences like wine tastings and visits to historic landmarks to create "the most incredible adventures." A female solo traveler said they've planned "several once-in-a-lifetime trips" for her.

Score: 99.64

More information: travelbeyond.com

2. Extraordinary Journeys

Score: 99.29

More information: extraordinaryjourneys.com

3. Alluring Africa

Score: 99.19

More information: alluringafrica.com

4. Micato Safaris

WBA Hall of Fame honoree.

Score: 99.03

More information: micato.com

5. Deeper Africa

Score: 98.53

More information: deeperafrica.com

6. Wilderness Safaris

Score: 97.50

More information: wilderness-safaris.com

7. (tie) Africa Adventure Company

Score: 96.67

More information: africa-adventure.com

7. (tie) Thomson Safaris

More information: thomsonsafaris.com

9. Go2Africa

Score: 96.01

More information: go2africa.com

10. andBeyond

Score: 95.62

More information: andbeyond.com

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16 of the best South Africa tours

South africa is a country of big landscapes, big wines and the big five. here’s how to see it.

J ohannesburg and Cape Town have sophistication and famous cultural sites, the winelands promise some world-beating bottles to taste, the Garden Route is a classic driving trip, while Kruger National Park ranks among the top wildlife-viewing destinations on the planet. Whether you’re hiking up Table Mountain or whale-watching in the Indian Ocean, visiting Nelson Mandela’s former prison on Robben Island or enjoying a sundowner at your lodge after a day of exhilarating safari drives, you’ll find South Africa is a destination that captivates from start to finish. And with such a range of options, there’s something for solos, couples and families alike. Here is a selection of tours, together with the operators who handle the organisation for you.

Main photo: zebras at Kruger National Park (Getty Images)

1. Cape Town and Winelands highlights, Flight Centre

This is a tour targeted at couples who want to get the blood pumping — but who value some luxury in their break too. The week-long trip is perfect for first-time visitors to South Africa, providing the chance to experience the highlights of the region. You might take a cable car up to the top of Table Mountain or head to Boulder’s Beach to see the penguins. A visit to the Unesco-listed Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, is a must, while Stellenbosch promises some of the world’s leading cabernet sauvignons — and even the option to take a Segway tour of the vineyards. Price includes flights and accommodation in four and five-star hotels, but not meals.

Group size private tour Price £

2. Classic tour of South Africa, Riviera Travel

As the name suggests, this is a tour that ticks all the boxes for those wanting a taste of some of South Africa’s best-loved spots — a 16-day trip to safari in Kruger National Park, sample the wines of the Western Cape, tour the battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana, explore Cape Town and Johannesburg, experience the Garden Route, and even dip into the less-visited country of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). It runs at various dates throughout the year, and the price includes flights, activities, accommodation and some meals.

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Group size Maximum 50 Price ££

Video: What’s it like on an escorted tour? We joined one to Tenerife to find out

3. South African safari adventure, Titan Travel

This 15-day tour is all about the wildlife — whether that’s the big five or hyenas or hippos or a host of bird species. You’ll visit four very different reserves and stay in some welcoming lodges, while enjoying jaw-dropping landscapes on the journeys in between. Among the highlights are bush walks in Mapesu Nature Reserve, visits to the Unesco-listed Mapungubwe and its San rock art, and no fewer than 13 game drives. There are various departures between May and October and price includes flights, excursions, four or five-star accommodation in lodges and tented camps, and most meals.

Group size 14 Price £££

• Best safaris in South Africa

4. Highlights of South Africa, Jules Verne

This is a ten-night introduction to the best that a South Africa holiday has to offer. You’ll experience the bustle of Cape Town and the wildlife of Kruger National Park; you’ll taste wine, enjoy game drives and join fascinating city tours — this trip (intended to be concise and affordable) packs an awful lot in. Departing January, April, August, and October, the tour includes all accommodation, flights, breakfasts and two dinners.

Group size 6–28 Price £

5. South Africa family adventure, Activities Abroad

Round up the family for a 14-night adventure that takes in the very best of South Africa. You’ll take in Cape Town, Table Mountain and some beachside relaxation, before going on to look for the big five on a game drive in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Other highlights include the chance to learn about traditional ways of life at the Zulu Cultural Village, snorkelling at Cape Vidal, further game drives at Amakhosi Safari Lodge, and a final two nights at Unhlanga Rocks with unforgettable views of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Running during July and August, the trip includes hotels and luxury lodge accommodation, activities and some meals, but not international flights.

Group size 4–16 Price ££

activitiesabroad.com

6. Travel with purpose in South Africa, andBeyond

Ideal for couples with an interest in conservation and sustainable travel, this 11-day tour — running all year round — will introduce you to varied community and wildlife projects. You’ll track wildlife at the Phinda Private Game Reserve and speak to locals to learn about efforts to improve healthcare and education. For an additional fee, you can learn how to identify rhinos in a rhino-notching experience, which plays a key role in protecting the species. From there, you’ll move to Cape Town to enjoy its café culture and the quality wines of the Cape Winelands, before heading to the whale coast where you can meet those being trained in conservation at the Green Futures College at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Here, you can also visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary, and — if the season’s right — book a whale-watching excursion. The tour includes all accommodation, meals and drinks, but not flights.

Group size private tour Price £££

andbeyond.com

• Best wildlife to see in South Africa

7. Sardine run adventure, Dive Worldwide

Take a deep breath and get down with the sardines: in June each year a remarkable natural phenomenon takes place when millions of migrating sardines appear off the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, attracting a host of predators — sharks, seals, dolphins and even whales and orcas. It’s a smorgasbord of marine wildlife to watch and Dive Worldwide offers five days of diving to experience the spectacle. For five days of your trip the boat heads to the heart of the action to reveal skewers and storm petrels above the waves, while below you’ll hope to spot humpback whales, bull sharks and sailfish. The total trip length is 11 days, with flights, and accommodation and breakfast in the dive lodge included.

Group size Maximum of 6 Price ££

diveworldwide.com

8. Cape Mountain zebra self-drive safari, Expert Africa

This is a trip for those who prefer a self-drive trip of the comfortable kind. With a focus on fine food and top-end accommodation, the 13-day tour provides the good things in life, and takes in Cape Town, peaceful coastal hideaways, spectacular nature reserves and characterful wine farms. You’ll visit Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve, which is thick with wildlife and provides a luxurious retreat where you can do everything from canoeing to excursions to see Khosian rock art. You’ll taste sumptuous food and wine at the Babylonstoren working wine farm and stay at Grootbos Garden Lodge, with its views over Walker Bay. Starting and ending at Cape Town, and available all year, the tour includes accommodation and some meals, but not flights.

Group size private tour Price ££

expertafrica.com

9. Gondwana conservation experience, Gane & Marshall

Spend five nights at the 27,000-acre Gondwana Game Reserve — located on the much-loved Garden Route — and immerse yourself in the conservation work taking place here. You’ll join the conservation team to participate in several of the ongoing projects; the precise activities will depend upon the focus at the particular time of your visit, but involve bush skills, bird identification, monitoring the Cape leopard cameras and community work. Research will require game drives and bush walks, and there’ll be plenty of time to relax in between (perhaps with a dip in the on-site pool). You’ll stay in the solar-powered eco camp, in a tent on a raised platform with its own bathroom, and eat meals in the main tent. This is a tailor-made tour that includes all meals but not flights (which can be arranged for an additional charge). It could be part of a longer trip that includes Cape Town and its surrounds.

ganeandmarshall.com

10. Western and Eastern Capes, Gane & Marshall

Here’s a tailor-made, 18-day self-drive itinerary that takes you from Cape to Cape, before heading to a wilderness reserve in the Cederberg Mountains, the winelands of the Franschhoek Valley, the harbour town of Hermanus, the beaches of Plettenberg Bay, and Kwandwe Game Reserve for several thrilling game drives. At the end of the trip, you’ll fly back to Cape Town (after dropping the car off at Port Elizabeth airport) for the flight home. Price includes accommodation, most meals, car hire, transfers and internal flights.

11. Kalahari conservation experience, Wildlife Worldwide

This new, ten-day itinerary allows you to travel to the Kalahari Desert to do your bit for a pioneering conservation project. At the Kalahari Private Reserve, a former cattle-farming area has been rewilded, its fences removed to allow animal populations to recover. The culmination of this work is the creation of the country’s biggest private big five game reserve. During your visit, you’ll learn from expert guides about the biology and conservation effort in the reserve, and take part in field work from predator monitoring to game counts. The safari camp is as intimate as they come, with just four en suite guest tents. It’s a special experience, based in a landscape that’s home to cheetah, lions, rhino and even brown hyenas. Price includes flights, accommodation and all meals.

Group size 6 Price ££

wildlifeworldwide.com

12. Walking the Drakensberg and the Wild Coast, KE Adventure Travel

This adult-only, nine-day walking trip is well suited to solo travellers wanting to join a friendly group led by an expert guide. And it has a blockbuster opening, the tour kicking off in Golden Gate Highlands National Park with a hike along the Echo Falls Trail up Brandwag Rock for an unhindered view of a spectacular sunset. After that, there will be day walks in the Drakensberg Mountains, with the looming, 3,000m Cathedral Peak, and then the chance to explore the rarely visited and out of the way “wild coast”. Tours depart in February, July, August and November. Price includes lodge/guesthouse accommodation and some meals, but not flights or transfers, which can be added if requested.

Group size 6–12 Price £

keadventure.com

• Best hikes in South Africa

13. Cape Town and the Garden Route, Llama Travel

This is a good one for first-time visitors — a 13-day tour featuring the highlights of Cape Town and the classic Garden Route. Start in Cape Town with an excursion up Table Mountain by cable car or on foot and a visit to Robben Island prison, before going whale-watching in one of the world’s hotspots at Hermanus. At Knysna, you’re perfectly based for the nature reserves, and you’ll see meerkats at Oudtshoorn. Finish in the Winelands at the historic town of Stellenbosch, or extend your trip with a safari in the Kruger or Western Cape. Tours run from January to April, and July to November, and include flights and good hotels, with breakfast.

Group size Maximum 18 (usually around 10) Price ££

llamatravel.com

14. Exploring South Africa’s natural beauty on foot, Reef and Rainforest

You’ll need to be relatively fit for this 18-day self-drive itinerary, which is targeted very much at the active and adventurous traveller who wants to explore South Africa’s landscape on foot. The tour takes you through a range of landscapes, from the sea cliffs and forests of the Garden Route and the mountains of uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park, where you’ll see Tugela Falls, one of the two tallest waterfalls in the world, to the bushlands of Kruger National Park, with its exciting safari drives in search of lions, leopards and rhino. Price includes accommodation and some meals but not flights, which can be added if required.

Group size 2–10 Price £££

reefandrainforest.co.uk

15. Cape, wine, Garden Route and Kruger, Wexas Travel

Soak up the beauty of Cape Town before heading off for a road trip along the Garden Route, stopping for some world-class wine along the way. After that, it’s a short flight to one of the standout wildlife destinations of the planet — Kruger National Park — for a fabulous safari, staying in a luxury lodge. This 13-day tour is aimed at couples, and includes international flights, transfers and domestic travel, a week’s car hire and B&B accommodation (all-inclusive for three nights on safari).

16. Spectacular South Africa, Luxury Gold

For those after a high-end holiday, Luxury Gold has a nine-day South Africa tour with all the trimmings. The first six days are spent in and around Cape Town, where you’ll stay in the renowned Twelve Apostles Hotel — the only one in Table Mountain National Park — and see all the sights, from penguins on Boulders Beach and sunset at the summit of Table Mountain to the colourful market at the Old Biscuit Mill. A visit to Robben Island is followed by lunch with Christo Brand, the former prison guard of Nelson Mandela, who has a tale or two to tell. There’s wine tasting and excellent food in the winelands region too, and then you’ll head to the Kruger for three days of safari drives in open-sided jeeps and a lavish dinner under the stars. Price includes top accommodation, door-to-door airport transfers at both ends, and many meals with wine; international flights are extra.

Group size Maximum 16 (average 10) Price £££

luxurygold.com

• Best beaches in South Africa

Take me there

Inspired to visit South Africa but yet to book your trip? Here are the best options with Virgin Holidays and British Airways . Alternatively, try a tour with one of our preferred partners, here .

Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here .

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SOUTH AFRICA TOURS – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Brief overview of south africa.

South Africa is the powerhouse of Africa with a vibrant economy and an abundance of rich natural resources. It’s had turbulent history dominated by the apartheid era but the country has settled into a period of growth and transformation since it became a democracy in 1994.

The country offers travellers an endless array of attractions; from the rugged protected wilderness areas in the northern region, to the breathtakingly-scenic wonders of the southern and eastern coastline and the vast uninhabited landscapes of the western and central regions. There’s something for everyone on a tour of South Africa.

The cities and towns of South Africa are vibrant with world-class infrastructure; the country towns are quaint and unique in their own way. Throughout, the people of South Africa are warm and welcoming, although crime in South Africa is an issue and travellers need to take the usual precautions to make their safety a priority. Moafrika is proud to offer the best South African tours.

Where is South Africa located?

South Africa is situated at the southern tip of Africa. The icy Atlantic Ocean lies on the west coast and the warm Indian Ocean lies on the east and south Coast, meeting at Cape Agulhas which is officially the southernmost tip of Africa. Most people think the two oceans meet at the Cape Point and for publicity reasons, tourist attractions in the region play on the marketing appeal of the Two Oceans.

South Africa shares a boundary with 6 countries; Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. The Kingdom of Lesotho has the status of an enclave, which means it’s entirely surrounded by South Africa. It’s an independent state and part of the Commonwealth of Nations, although almost entirely dependent on South Africa.

How big is South Africa?

South Africa’s total surface area is 1.22 square kilometres. It’s the 24 th largest country in the world and the 9 th biggest in Africa, which is made up of 54 countries. To give you an idea, South Africa is twice the size of France and five times bigger than the United Kingdom. It’s also bigger than any country in Europe, except for Russia.

South Africa has 9 provinces:

• KwaZulu Natal
• Eastern Cape
• Western Cape
• Northern Cape

How many people live in South Africa?

In 2019, the estimated size of the population of South Africa was just over 58 million inhabitants.

South Africa covers an area of 1.2 million square kilometres and the population density is about 48 people per square kilometre.

South Africa’s population is regarded as young; where the medium age is 26.3 years.

When did South Africa become a democracy?

1994 was a turning point for South Africa when the first ‘free and fair’ elections were held and the country for the first time ever became a democracy. The ruling party that was voted in was the African National Congress (ANC), led by the iconic Nelson Mandela. The country’s constitutional law was re-established with the hope that the people of South Africa would never again experience such struggle and division.

Leading up to that milestone election, South Africa was a divided nation and many of its inhabitants had suffered unbearably under the tyrannical rule of the apartheid government. Firstly, it was under British and Dutch rule that many suffered discrimination and inequality; and then under the National Party (NP).

The National Park was the governing party of South Africa from 1948 until 1994, and was disbanded in 2005. Its legacy included apartheid, the establishment of a South African Republic and the promotion of Afrikaner culture. When FW de Klerk became South African president in 1989, he set about dismantling apartheid, lifted the ban on the ANC and ordered the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

Mandela led the ANC in its negotiations to end apartheid rule and establish a democratically-elected government. Both Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 in recognition of the role they played in this tumultuous period to facilitate a smooth transition to democratic rule.

Mandela was elected South Africa’s president after the country’s first free elections and served as head of state until 1999. He retired from politics after serving only one term but remained a global advocate of peace and social justice until his death in December 2013. The ruling party of South Africa is still the ANC under the leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa, who successfully unseated Jacob Zuma who left behind a legacy of gross corruption and economic mismanagement.

Why do they call South Africa the Rainbow Nation?

The Rainbow Nation is an affectionate term for South Africa that was coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a fellow Noble Peace Prize winner. Tutu used it to describe post-apartheid South Africa after its first fully democratic election in 1994.

Rainbow Nation captures the unity of a multi-cultural nation that was once divided down the lines of White and Black. The Rainbow symbolism is also associated with hope, peace and a bright future, taken from the Xhosa culture.

Although not intentional, the Rainbow Nation is represented in the colours of the flag of South Africa. When it was designed and adopted in 1994, the bright and instantly-recognisable flag stood to represent unity with its 6 different colours:

• the red, white and blue colours were taken from the colours of the old Republic flag
• the yellow, black and green were taken from the ANC flag

Black, white and red symbolises the people of South Africa; green the fertility of the land; blue the surrounding oceans and mighty rivers; and gold the mineral wealth beneath the soil.

According to the latest census, the population of South Africa comprises:

• 9% Coloureds

The Black population consists of Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho, Bapedi, Venda, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi, and Ndebele.

The White population are typically descendants of Dutch, German, French, and British immigrants.

The Coloured people are a mixed race descending mostly from the indigenous Khoisan, Blacks, Whites, Malay, and Indian.

The Asian population are mostly Indian and some Chinese.

As a result of its diverse population, South Africa has 11 official languages. They are English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu.

How strong is the South African economy?

South Africa has the strongest economy in Africa and is the powerhouse of the continent; thanks largely to its mineral wealth, incredible natural resources and tourism. Its GDP represents about 30% of the GDP of the entire Africa. South Africa is renowned for its well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy and transport sectors and the Rand is the world’s most actively traded emerging market currency.

However, South Africa has many challenges, mostly brought on by corruption and economic mismanagement that is the legacy of the ousted president. The country officially entered into a recession in the latter quarter of 2018, its first since 2009.

What challenges does South Africa face?

Challenges that the new head of state will have to address for the country to recover its growth potential include amongst others, declining agricultural and mining output as well as rampant corruption and mismanagement in government and parastatal enterprises.

Another significant challenge is poverty and unemployment, particularly amongst the younger section of the population. Declining healthcare and education standards are a concern, and high crime levels which is the knock-on effect of unemployment.

South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world. Murder, carjackings, violent domestic crime and rape are the ugly scourge of what is otherwise a vibrant and cosmopolitan country. Most violent crimes happen in communities that are deeply neglected and impoverished, and these are not areas that tourists enter into unless taken on a tour with a reputable tour operator.

Is South Africa safe to visit?

The international media often represent South Africa in a negative light and describe it as a dangerous place to visit. This is entirely justified if you look at the high crime statistics in the country. However, violent crime is more often a function of poverty and unemployment and is largely restricted to impoverished and neglected townships in South Africa where gangsterism and lawlessness is rife.

These are not areas that your average tourist visits on a trip to South Africa. In particular, if you’re travelling with a reputable tour operator like MoAfrika Tours, your safety is a priority and you should never visit the no-go areas and experience the ugly side of South Africa.

Poor neighbourhoods, informal settlements and derelict inner cities are no-go areas for tourists; you’ll only visit parts of them on a day tour with a reputable tour operator such as MoAfrika Tours who has been taking clients into places like Soweto and Joburg CBD for many years. A township tour is fascinating and a wonderful way to experience South Africa’s rich cultural heritage; however, it’s not advisable to visit these areas on your own.

Political and service protests are common during an election period and often turn violent; but again, tourists will never be put in harm’s way by avoiding these public hotspots. A reputable tour operator in South Africa should keep up-t- date with latest developments if there is political unrest and will make alternative plans to avoid those areas.

Most tourists visiting South Africa head straight to the game reserves in the northern region or head south to the beautiful coastal towns and cities. As long as you’re travelling with a reputable tour operator in a reliable luxury vehicle, you’ll be safe. The most important thing about a holiday to South Africa is that you practice common sense; as you would anywhere else in the world where you may fall victim of petty crime and tourist scams.

Is there malaria in South Africa?

Yes, there is malaria in South Africa but it’s restricted to certain regions in three provinces: parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga and north-eastern KwaZulu Natal. These regions lie at a low altitude and experience summer rainfall and hot and humid summer temperatures which are the perfect weather conditions for malaria-carrying mosquitos to exist.

Not all mosquitos carry the malaria parasite. The ones that do belong to the anopheles group. The risk of contracting malaria is highest between May and September, but it’s advisable to take anti-malaria tablets on any holiday to South Africa regardless of the time of year.

Mosquitos are most active – bite more – between dusk and dawn so take the necessary steps not to be bitten. Wear long pants with socks and closed shoes and a long-sleeved shirt in the evening and liberally spray mosquito repellent on yourself and in your room. Always sleep under a mosquito net if provided.

If you experience any flu-like symptoms within 10-15 days of first arriving in a malaria area, go to a doctor immediately and insist on being tested for malaria. The disease is life-threatening and fatal if not diagnosed and treated early.

Do I need travel and medical insurance for a tour of South Africa?

Travel insurance is highly recommended for South Africa. It should cover theft, loss and medical emergencies and evacuations. Check the small print when taking out travel insurance as some policies don’t cover dangerous activities such as paragliding, scuba diving, helicopter rides and even motorbiking, cycling and hiking.

Medical insurance for South Africa is very important. You can take it out as part of your travel insurance cover or request extra cover from your existing medical aid company. If you need medical treatment in South Africa, you’ll be taken to a private hospital or clinic. State hospitals are not recommended unless it’s an absolute emergency.

Private hospitals in South Africa expect upfront payment in cash from foreigners. Find out from your insurance company if they make payments directly to a medical provider or reimburse you when you return home.

One of the crucial things to cover is transport for an emergency evacuation. This might be an ambulance or helicopter. If you need urgent medical help when you are far from a city or town, sometimes the only option is to have you evacuated by air.

Where do most tourists go when they visit South Africa?

The list of places to visit and things to do in South Africa is exhaustive. It’s a vast country that offers something for everyone; whether it’s diving with sharks, going on a Big 5 safari tour or drinking some of the world’s best wines in the beautiful Cape… the choices are endless by our leading tour operators .

Ask MoAfrika Tours to recommend a perfect tour package to suit your individual needs. Most South Africa tours are a combination of ‘safari and scenery’; with the best that the northern and southern regions have to offer.

South Africa is divided 6 main regions and each area has something unique to offer travellers.

If you draw a line across South Africa; the vibrant city of Johannesburg and the majority of the popular safari destinations fall into the northern region. In the south, you’ll find South Africa’s bucket-list destinations which include the glorious Cape Peninsular, Cape Winelands and magnificent Garden Route.

On the western side of South Africa, you’ll find quirky towns and fascinating nature reserves that look out over the icy Atlantic Ocean. And on the eastern side, you’ll find the tropical splendour of the Kingdom of KwaZulu Natal and the magical Drakensberg Escarpment a bit further inland.

South Africa is the gateway to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and the splendid national parks in Zambia and Botswana. It’s also a friendly neighbour of Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho which offer fun adventures and beach holidays for outdoor enthusiasts.

The choice is endless but MoAfrika’s list of places to stay and things to do are good place to start if you’re planning a holiday in South Africa.

MoAfrika offers the 20 Best South Africa tours for you to choose from.

What are the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa?

The Big 5 and Cape Town draw the most amount of tourists to our shores but there are many more places to visit in South Africa and exciting adventures to experience. If you have to narrow it down, these are the most popular places in South Africa that most tourists visit.

1. Johannesburg & Pretoria ǀ Located in Gauteng

Most tourists arrive in South Africa via the state-of-the-art OR Tambo International Airport and are whisked off to the popular game reserves in the north or down to the Cape. If you give yourself enough time to stop over in Johannesburg, you’ll discover what a vibrant city it is and how much it has to offer.

Pretoria is not really a tourist destination but it’s rich in history and a particularly beautiful city in Spring with flowering jacaranda trees as well as beautiful historic buildings. If you have time, Pretoria is worth a visit on an informative day tour.

In Johannesburg and Pretoria, you’ll find be surprised by the first-world infrastructure and facilities. There are a number of massive shopping malls that impress even the most ardent shoppers as well as an abundance of world-class restaurants, vibey bars and delis, art galleries, entertainment centres and quality accommodations to suit every budget.

To get between the two cities and OR Tambo International Airport, you can use the Gautrain. This is a state-of-the-art high-speed train service that links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni and OR Tambo International Airport.

The best thing to do while staying in the ‘City of Gold’ – or what locals call Jo’burg – is a day tour of the Gauteng Province’s historic destinations. The best day tours offered by the leading tour operators in the city include:

• the inner city of Johannesburg which stood at the centre of the gold mining era
• Soweto, the largest city in South Africa and the birthplace of South Africa’s democracy
• Apartheid Museum, a stark reminder of the horrors of the apartheid era
• Constitutional Hill, a symbol of hope and freedom
• Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and rich in history
• Voortrekker Monument and Heritage Site, a symbol of Afrikaner heritage

An opportunity not to be missed while staying in Johannesburg is a tour of the Cradle of Humankind which is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Regarded by scientists as the birthplace of humankind, you’ll enjoy a fascinating tour of the Maropeng Visitors Center and Sterkfontein Caves.

Johannesburg and Pretoria are the gateway to the majority of South Africa’s most popular Big 5 safari destinations. The most convenient for a quick trip is the Pilanesberg Game Reserve and Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province; both are a scenic 2-hour drive from Johannesburg and located in a malaria-free area so there’s no need to worry about taking anti-malaria tablets.

Interested in a historic and cultural tour of Soweto ?

Moafrika tours is the leading day tour operator and has been taking international visitors to soweto for more than two decades., 2. pilanesberg game reserve ǀ located in the north west.

The popular Pilanesberg Game Reserve is located in the North West Province of South Africa, a comfortable 2-hour drive from Johannesburg. It’s lies tucked between the dry, arid Kalahari Desert and the lush, tropical Lowveld region in a malaria-free ecosystem.

Covering an area of 55 000 hectares, it’s a small Big 5 safari destination if you compare it to the Kruger National Park but you’re guaranteed to see great wildlife sightings on a safari tour of the Pilanesberg because of its high concentration of game. It’s home to in excess of 10 000 animals including elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard which is known as the Big 5.

The Pilanesberg Game Reserve was once neglected and unhealthy farmland which was rehabilitated and restocked through one of the most ambitious animal translocation projects, known as Operation Genesis. Launched in the 1970s, the project re-introduced an abundance of wildlife to the area which had long since vanished from the region.

The geology of the Pilanesberg is fascinating as it’s the site of an ancient volcano, although it didn’t erupt. The ancient mountainous landscape that dominates the game reserve was formed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills which is actually a very rare formation called a ‘ring dyke complex’. There are only three ring dyke complexes in the world and the Pilanesberg mountain is the best preserved of the three by far.

The centre of the inactive volcano did collapse at some stages which formed the crater that the Pilanesberg Game Reserves lies in; and the base creates Mankwe Dam in the heart of the reserve. The area is also rich in cultural heritage and archaeological finds. In fact, the Pilanesberg is a dream destination for archaeologists.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve offers travellers a wide choice of accommodation ranging from camping and caravan sites at two large holiday resorts to luxury accommodation in 5-star safari lodges. Avoid the large holiday resorts in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve such as Manyane Resort and Bakgatla Resort because they get very busy with local holidaymakers and the standards of upkeep have deteriorated in recent years.

The best places to stay in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve are:

Bakubung Bush Lodge

Bakubung means the ‘place of the hippo’ and the resident hippo pod is a tourist delight. The resort offers the best of both worlds; the solitude of the bush and the luxury of modern amenities that make it an unforgettable holiday for the whole family. The resort offers guided safari tours, flood-lit tennis courts, a stunning swimming pool and panoramic views from every room. A shuttle service takes visitors to and from Sun City and the local airport.

Black Rhino Game Lodge

This luxury lodge is nestled in a thicket of Tamboti trees on the private Black Rhino Reserve. A ‘fence drop’ initiative with the North West Park & Tourism Board allows guests traversing rights throughout the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The Tamboti trees attract the elusive black rhino and a wide variety of bird species which makes it a game and birding paradise. The sweet veld vegetation of this low-lying reserve complements the Pilanesberg predominately mixed sour veld and sightings of elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard are common.

Buffalo Thorn Lodge

The exclusive use of this fully-serviced intimate, five-star lodge comes complete with a private safari vehicle, a personal game ranger, outdoor boma and housekeeper. A swimming pool at the edge of the bush offers a glimpse of the Big 5 poolside. Buffalo Thorn Lodge can accommodate up to 10 guests in spacious suites.

Ivory Tree Game Lodge

This spectacular lodge lies snuggly in a natural amphitheatre and is known for its award-winning Amani African Spa. The lodge is surrounded by foothills and immersed in riverine woodlands that are dissected by ancient elephant trails. A large pool, spa, outdoor dining and luxurious suites make this an ideal tourist destination for the discerning traveller.

Kwa Maritane Lodge

This hotel and timeshare resort is a mixture of relaxation and adventure. The lodge has a game viewing hide situated on a private waterhole, with hippos in residence. Bush braais are organised for a spectacular dining option under the African night sky at the resort’s popular Bush Boma.

Morokolo Game Lodge

Morokolo Game Lodge is situated on the northern slopes of the Black Rhino Reserve portion of the Pilanesberg, in one of the most remote and exclusive areas of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Guests have the choice of two camps; each with 8 luxury double suites with modern bath, en-suite facilities, a private courtyard and outdoor showers.

Pilanesberg Private Lodge

This private lodge sits on the western border of the Pilanesberg National Park with access limited to paying guests only. It’s a private retreat that has recently been established in the Black Rhino Reserve and lies at the foot of the majestic Pilanesberg mountain. The lodge has 5 luxury units connected via paved pathways and bridges to the communal area, each designed to offer spectacular views of the surrounding bush.

Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge

This state-of-the-art establishment is located in a private concession adjacent to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Private game viewing, gourmet dining under the African skies and magnificent views combine with the luxury of an award-winning health and beauty spa. The featured architecture and interior design are the hallmark of the whole lodge, and flawless finishes leave no detail overlooked. The lodge offers commanding views of the distant bushveld amphitheatre and offers guests exciting walking trails in this untouched environment.

Tamboti Game Lodge

Contemporary elegance combined with the ultimate in safari luxury makes this a much sought-after lodge in a private concession adjacent to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. You have the choice of dining under the stars around a raging fire in the boma or you can have a delicious meal brought to your private suite. This intimate lodge promises luxury and every occasion is thoughtfully planned and memorable. The luxury suites are surrounded by striking Tambuti trees and offer spectacular bush views.

Tshukudu Bush Lodge

Tshukudu Bush Lodge offers unforgettable luxury and is one of the most romantic settings in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Nestled high within the crater of an ancient volcano, visitors enjoy spectacular views of the ancient volcanic crater. Tshukudu Bush Lodge overlooks a waterhole with the savanna plain stretching out in the distance; sightings of the Big 5 are common from your private suite.

Looking for a romantic breakaway in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve ?

Moafrika tours wants you to enjoy every minute of your excursion. enquire today about your next trip to this spectacular destination., 3. sun city ǀ located in the north west.

Sun City is an artificial city that’s located in the North West Province of South Africa, in a region that was originally an independent state known as Bophuthatswana. It’s the next door neighbour to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve and an easy 2-hour drive from Johannesburg. It’s located in a malaria-free area and offers a world of entertainment for the whole family.

This incredible holiday destination in South Africa was developed by a visionary hotel magnate, Sol Kerzner, during the height of apartheid when world sanctions has been imposed on the country. Sun City Resort & Casino was opened in 1979 with the dream of offering South Africans and international tourists a fantasy escape and the freedom to play and relax in a top-quality environment. It included the extravagant Palace of the Lost City which was a masterpiece in architectural design in its day.

The best attractions at Sun City are:

• Sun Central: the central entertainment hub where you’ll find the food court and an action-packed kid’s entertainment centre
• Sun City Superbowl: hosting live performances by local and international performing artists
• Sun City Casino: offers hundreds of exciting slot machines and over 40 popular table games; exclusive access to Salon Privé and VIP gaming facilities
• Valley of the Waves: the major outdoor attraction at Sun City and regarded as one of the most exciting water parks in the world; includes a 6 500 square metre wave pool, artificial beach, Temple of Courage with a 17-metre slide and tube rides on the Lazy River
• Palace of the Lost City: an out-of-this-world luxury hotel that’s the brainchild of Sol Kerzner; inspired by the myth of a lost African Kingdom
• Maze of the Lost City: resembles a half-ruined Mayan stone maze and offers visitors a challenging and exciting experience; covers an area of 2 200 square metres and reached by crossing a 90-metre long suspension bridge that in itself is an engineering masterpiece
• Gary Player Country Club golf course: one of two magnificent 18-hole golf courses designed by the golfing legend, Gary Player; rivals some of the best golf courses in the world and hosts international competitions
• Waterworld; offers thrill seekers and adrenalin junkies a wide choice of water activities which include parasailing, jet skiing, wakeboarding and tube rides
• Adrenaline Extreme: offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities; from 3-wheel drift trikes and 4×4 quads to hovercrafts, a giant human catapult and dirt buggies
• Kwena Gardens: a crocodile sanctuary that is both highly educational and exciting; get up close to some of the biggest crocodiles you’ll ever see in your life
• Predator World: the ideal family destination for a whistle-stop wildlife safari; guided tours take you to well-kept enclosures that are home to an array of indigenous animals including lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyena

Places to stay in Sun City range from budget-friendly self-catering chalets at the Sun City Vacation Club to high-end luxury hotels. There are four stunning hotels; all designed to the highest architectural standards with fantasy themes and mystical garden surrounds. Choose accommodation at Sun City that is located close to the entertainment hub or something a bit more private away from the busy crowds.

• Soho Hotel: the first hotel built in Sun City and often called the main hotel; offers guest 4-star exquisitely-decorated accommodation in the heart of the resort
• Cascades Hotel: named for the spectacular waterfalls and crystal-clear natural pools that create a fantasy moat around the hotel; offers 5-star accommodation and an array of facilities in the heart of Sun City
• The Cabanas: situated on the banks of the Sun City Waterworld Lake and positioned next to the Gary Player golf course; offers guests a contemporary twist and a delightful base to explore the magical botanical gardens of Sun City and the outdoor activities centre
• The Palace of the Lost City: an architectural masterpiece and part of Sun International’s premier collection; offers guests 5-star accommodation that’s both awe-inspiring and surreal

Looking for the best shuttle service to Sun City ?

Moafrika tours can help. they also offer bus tours and transfers from pretoria, johannesburg, durban, cape town and port elizabeth., 4. the cradle of humankind ǀ located in gauteng.

The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the richest concentrations of early human fossils in the world. There are 15 major fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind with Sterkfontein Caves being the most famous attraction to visit.

Sterkfontein Caves is the home of Mrs Ples and Little Foot; fossils of the earliest human ancestors known to man. In addition, there are thousands of fossils of hominids, plants and animals. More hominid fossils are found in the Cradle of Humankind than anywhere else in the world.

The protected heritage site spans an area of 47 000 hectares, lying on a bed of dolomite deposited around 2.5-billion years ago. Similar fossils have been found at other sites in south and east Africa but the Cradle of Humankind has produced more than 950 hominid fossil specimens.

The Maropeng Visitor Centre is located in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind and showcases the development of humans over millions of years with exceptional exhibits that transport visitors back in time. The most impressive is an underground boat ride that takes you on a tour of 2 500 square metres of exhibits.

The main exhibition is housed in a state-of-the-art facility called Tumulus building. The pathway to the entrance passes an archaeological excavation of a Stone Age site where geologists found early stone tools belonging to the Acheulean period. These tools belonged to the early hunter-gatherer tribes that used the local rocks to make their tools. Some of these tools have been dated back to between 1.0 and 0.5 million years; an era before the appearance of modern Homo sapiens.

5. Kruger National Park ǀ Located in Mpumalanga

The Kruger National Park is an iconic destination in South Africa. It’s Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserve and the flagship of national parks in South Africa. The vast wilderness region stretches 352 kilometres from north to south with Mozambique lying on its eastern border and Zimbabwe lying on its far northern boundary.

The Kruger Park is home to the Big 5 which includes elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard and is a protected refuge for an abundance of animals as well as 500 recorded bird species. The region is also rich in history and renowned for its San rock art paintings and significant archaeological sites such as Masorini and Thulamela. You’ll discover the best that Kruger Park has to offer on glorious early morning and late afternoon game drives.

Other things to do in Kruger Park include guided wilderness trails, 4×4 adventure trails, photographic safaris and golfing tours. The national park boasts 6 diverse ecosystems and 17 biospheres with vegetation, wildlife and birding changing from one ecozone to the next. Where you go in the Kruger Park depends on what interests you and what safari experience you prefer.

Accommodation in the Kruger Park ranges from the popular rest camps which are affordable and comfortable but somewhat dated, to ultra-luxury 5-star safari lodges located on the private concessions. You can pitch your tent in one of the popular caravan and camping sites in the Kruger Park or you can sleep under the stars as part of a magnificent wilderness trail in a remote corner of the Park. The choice of places to stay in the Kruger Park suits all travel budgets.

The Kruger National Park is managed by SANParks which is a governing body that was established in the early 1920s. The organisation is responsible for 21 national parks in South Africa which combined add up to some 4 million hectares of the most incredible precious land in the country. The Kruger Park is the oldest national park in the SANParks portfolio and the most popular tourist destination in South Africa, together with Table Mountain National Park in the Cape.

Luxury accommodation for the discerning traveller is offered by the safari lodges built on the private concessions in the Kruger National Park. They offer guests a more authentic and intimate safari experience as well as outstanding wildlife sightings on daily game drives.

The private concessions in the Kruger National Park include:

• Singita Private Concession: 15 000 hectares located in the remote and mountainous eastern region close to the Mozambique boundary and at the confluence of two mighty rivers; home to the ultra-luxury Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni safari lodges
• Imbali Private Concession: 10 000 hectares located in the heart of central Kruger Park and home to 3 outstanding luxury lodges which includes Hamilton’s Tented Camp
• Jock of the Bushveld Private Concession: 6 000 hectare concession located in the southern Kruger’s Big 5 country where the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers meet and home to 2 luxurious safari lodges
• Lukimbi Private Concession: 15 000 hectares located in southern Kruger and bordered by three rivers; it’s the largest private concession in the Kruger Park although there is only one luxury safari lodge in the area, Lukimbi Safari Lodge
• Tinga Private Concession: 5 000 hectare located in southern Kruger with the Sand and Sabie rivers passing through the concession; renowned for its high population density of Big Cats which include leopard, lion and cheetah as well as large numbers of spotted hyena and wild dog

Looking for an affordable tour package for the Kruger National Park ?

Moafrika tours offers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 night breakaway packages., 6. greater kruger national park ǀ located across mpumalanga and limpopo provinces.

The Greater Kruger National Park adjoins the Kruger National Park but are entirely different entities. The Greater Kruger is an extension of the national park where 180 000 hectares comprising 18 unfenced private game reserves located to the west of Kruger Park were added to make up a massive protected wilderness region in the north-eastern region of South Africa.

Game is free to roam between the two magnificent Big 5 wildlife areas. However, the same cannot be said for travellers. Visitors staying in the Kruger Park may not freely drive across the private lands in the Greater Kruger which is home to a collection of some of the finest private safari lodges in southern Africa. Guests staying on a private game farm in the Greater Kruger travel a short distance to one of the main gates into Kruger Park and pay the standard entry fee.

The Greater Kruger National Park forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park which in turn forms part of the Kruger2Canyons Biosphere which is designated by UNESCO as an International Man and Biosphere Reserve.

The safari lodges in the Greater Kruger Park are exclusively marketed to the high-end traveller. You pay a premium to stay at these ultra-luxury safari lodges and are guaranteed outstanding wildlife sightings with no traffic congestion on game drives. One of the main differences is safari vehicles operating on the private game reserves in the Greater Kruger are allowed to go off the park roads into the bushveld to get closer to game sightings. This is not allowed in the Kruger Park.

The standard of guiding is exceptional on the private reserves in the Greater Kruger and guests enjoy unparalleled safari tours in pristine bushveld; particularly in reserves such as Sabi Sands which is known as the “Leopard Capital of South Africa”.

The best known private game reserves that make up the Greater Kruger National Park are:

• Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve: 65 000 hectares of pristine wilderness lying on the eastern unfenced boundary of the Kruger Park and home to home to some of southern Africa’s most famous safari reserves such as Singita, Londolozi, MalaMala and Sabi Sabi
• Thornybush Private Game Reserve: 11 000 hectares of open savanna bushveld and home to 6 privately-owned luxury lodges that offer 5-star luxury safari accommodation in spectacular bushveld settings
• Timbavati Private Game Reserve: 53 000 hectares of outstanding wilderness that is home to the Big 5 and some of the most exclusive safari lodges in southern Africa
• Balule Private Game Reserve: 40 000 hectares of unrivalled bushveld and outstanding wildlife sightings and home to only a handful of ultra-exclusive luxury safari lodges
• Kapama Private Game Reserve: 13 000 hectares of open woodland and lush riverine forest and home to a collection of Kapama safari lodges that offer guests an exclusive safari tour as well as unique experiences such as hot-air balloon safaris, elephant-back safaris and sleep-outs under the stars
• Klaserie Private Game Reserve: 60 000 hectares of magical bushveld surrounds and home to the Big 5 and a collection of magnificent private luxury safari lodges
• Makalali Private Game Reserve: 22 000 hectares of acacia scrub, rocky hills and open savanna grasslands and the lush riverine forests that flank the magical Makhutswi River with only a handful of luxury safari lodges in the reserve
• Manyeleti Private Game Reserve: 23 000 hectares lying between the Timbavati Private Game Reserve and Sabi Sands; home to the Big 5 and 3 exclusive safari lodges
• Nkomazi Private Game Reserve: 15 000 hectares on the banks of the Komati River, offering Big 5 safari tours and a collection of tented accommodation close to the Kruger National Park
• Mjejane Private Game Reserve: 4 000 hectares with 10 kilometre river frontage on the southern boundary of Kruger Park between the Malelane and Crocodile Bridge gates; unfenced boundary with the Kruger Park, offering Big 5 safari experience and ultra-luxury accommodation

The exclusive nature of the private game reserves in the Greater Kruger Park means that guests on safari don’t experience the “queue to view” issue that’s sometimes a problem in the busy sections of the Kruger Park. The whole safari experience is authentic and unashameably the domain of the discerning traveller.

The tourist hub of the Greater Kruger National Park is Hoedspruit, which is serviced by the Eastgate Airport. You’ll be astounded at what you’ll find in Hoedspruit which is fast turning into a tourist destination in its own right. Hoedspruit is vibrant and warm-hearted with a fantastic restaurants, pubs and delis as well as a great selection of shops and a wide range of accommodation.

Looking for the best holiday package for Sabi Sands in the Greater Kruger National Park?

Moafrika tours has a wide selection to choose from. from budget to luxury packages including lodges and luxury safari tents (glamping)., 7. panorama route ǀ located in mpumalanga.

Most safari tours that take guests to the Kruger National Park or the private game reserves in the Greater Kruger Park usually travel back to Johannesburg taking the scenic Panorama Route. It takes guests on a breathtakingly-scenic drive that winds its way along the edge of the forested escarpment through the historic towns of the gold mining era to end in the lush Lowveld city of Nelspruit. Stop along the way for pancakes at the famous Harry’s Pancake restaurant, look out of God’s Window, relax at Bourke’s Luck Potholes and gaze down at the incredible Blyde River Canyon.

There’s no rush to get back to Johannesburg because the Panorama Route is a tourist destination on its own; with an enormous amount of things to do in the area which range from gorgeous forest hikes to toboggan rides, the Big Swing and venturing down into the Graskop gorge for a delicious lunch.

The most popular tourist destinations along the Panorama Route include:

• Blyde River Canyon: situated in the Greater Drakensberg Escarpment, this impressive green canyon is the third largest canyon in the world, covering an area of 29 000 hectares which includes famous landmarks such as God’s Window, Pinnacle Rock, the Three Rondawels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes
• Pilgrim’s Rest: a small tourist town with a colourful history that dates back to the gold mining era; founded in 1873, fortune seekers descended on the rudimentary village in search of their fortune
• Graskop: a century-old town that sits on the edge of the Drakensberg escarpment, it’s the closest village to the main attractions of the Panorama Route; the most popular thing to do is visit the Graskop Gorge Lift which takes you 51 metres down into the gorge valley where there are boardwalks that lead you along the valley floor
• Sabie: a popular holiday town that attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, with loads to do from hiking, fly-fishing, mountain biking, horse riding, white water rafting, rock climbing and sightseeing; the town lies nestled in one of the largest man-made forests in the world with panoramic views of the Lowveld region

Looking for adventurous tour packages to the most popular safari destinations in South Africa?

Moafrika tours has a wide selection to choose from to suit your travel needs., 8. cape town ǀ located in the western cape.

Cape Town is affectionately known as the Mother City. It’s the oldest city in South Africa, rich in history and one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. It’s also the legislative capital of South Africa and capital city of the Western Cape.

Standing sentry in the heart of Cape Town is the iconic Table Mountain which falls within the Table Mountain National Park. This iconic biosphere straddles the Cape Peninsula which is a rugged stretch of land that runs some 52 kilometres from Mouille point in the north to the Cape Point in the south.

Highlights of a tour of Cape Town include:

A natural amphitheatre created by the mountains of Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak; where you’ll find the central business district, Port of Cape Town, the Company’s Garden, District Six and Bo-Kaap.

Atlantic Seaboard

The Atlantic Seaboard lies on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, running north to south from Green Point, Mouille Point, Three Anchor Bay, Sea Point, Fresnaye, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and Hout Bay. A great way to take in the beauty of this area, is with a Cape Town helicopter tour .

A gorgeous scenic drive winds its way through the suburbs of the Atlantic Seaboard, running parallel to the glistening Atlantic Ocean. The area is renowned for its beautiful Blue Flag beaches, seafront promenades and a cosmopolitan mix of restaurants, bars and delis. It also boasts the highest number of high-priced mansions in South Africa.

To explore what the locals call Cape Town’s ‘Riviera’, start at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Green Point; it’s the entertainment hub of Cape Town and part of the historic harbour. Don’t miss an opportunity to catch a ferry across to Robben Island; it’s an island in Table Bay that’s rich in history and now a UNESCO World Heritage. It was famously where Nelson Mandela and other struggle veterans were incarcerated during the apartheid era.

Continue southwards to the Cape Point at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, stopping at the beaches along the way and lunch at the historic Hout Bay harbour. The magnificent slopes of Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles are on your left and the splendid Atlantic Ocean radiantly bright on your right.

Southern suburbs

The Southern Suburbs of Cape Town lie in the shadow of Table Mountain National Park on the eastern side; running north from Rondebosch, Newlands and Bishops to Wynberg, Constantia and Hout Bay in the south. This verdant belt of suburbs is the gateway to the quaint and hugely popular coastal towns situated along the route to Cape Point.

The two most popular tourist attractions in the Southern Suburbs are Constantia which is renowned as a notable wine-growing area and for its rich Cape Dutch heritage; and Kirstenbosch Gardens which is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. The Constantia Wine Route takes you to historic wine estates which were originally established by Simon van der Stel, the first governor of the Dutch Colony.

You’ll find an excellent choice of accommodation, restaurants and world-class shopping centres in the Southern Suburbs as well as the famous Newlands Cricket Grounds and the Newlands Rugby Stadium. It’s the oldest rugby stadium in South Africa and the second-oldest rugby stadium in the world.

Places you’ll love to visit if you’re staying in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town include:

• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: a UNESCO World Heritage Site that lies on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain; covering an area of 528-hectares of protected nature reserve, more than 20 000 native South African plant species have been collected, grown and studied for decades in the different sections of the beautiful botanical gardens
• Groot Constantia: the oldest wine estate in South Africa and provincial heritage site in the suburb of Constantia; noted for its production of high-quality red wines, including Shiraz, Merlot and blended red Governors Reserve
• Wynberg’s Village: previously a military station that was established in the late 1700s and now a picturesque village known as Little Chelsea
• Hatfield Village: known for its rambling maze of Victorian and Edwardian semi-detached and detached cottages and side streets, as well as an avenue of trendy shops, coffee bistros and restaurants.
• Constantia Valley: apart from being the heart of the wine growing region, this valley is one of the most beautiful in the Cape with an array of rolling hills, forests and stately homes that lie in the shadow of the Constantia Mountain. You’ll find a selection of fabulous shopping markets, restaurants and delis in the valley as well as excellent guest houses and B&Bs.
• Hout Bay Mariner’s Warf: travel over Chapman’s Peak to spend the day at the historic Hout Bay harbour and enjoy the best fish & chips in town. You can book a boat ferry out to Duiker Island to see the seals and the sharks that follow in their wake.
• Newland’s Forest: this is a much-loved destination for hikers and dog walkers with a number of trails and a contour path that takes you to Kirstenbosch Gardens and the grounds of the University of Cape Town. Don’t miss a chance to stop for tea and scones or a delicious meal at the park’s restaurant or pop down to Foresters Arms Pub & Restaurant for excellent pub grub and great vibes.
• Cavendish Square: an award-winning shopping destination in Claremont offering exclusive fashion, cinemas and premium restaurants and coffee shops. It’s the shopping hub of the Southern Suburbs and spreads across a few blocks, all within easy walking distance of many of the best hotels and B&Bs in the Claremont area.

What to do in Cape Town today ?

Moafrika tours will make sure that your day is filled with sightseeing and adventure., 9. cape peninsula ǀ located in the western cape.

The Cape Peninsula is a rocky peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western tip of the African continent. At the very southern end, you’ll find Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. At the northern end, you’ll find the iconic Table Mountain. It stretches 52 kilometres in length, and has been an island on and off for the past 5 million years when sea levels fell and rose with the ice age and global warming cycles.

The Cape Peninsula has exceptionally rich biodiversity. Its vegetation consists predominantly of several different types of Cape Fynbos (meaning fine bush), including the critically endangered Peninsula Granite Fynbos, Shale Renosterveld and Afromontane forest.

The Cape Peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an estimated 2 200 species of plants that are confined to the Table Mountain National Park. They are endemic to these mountains and are not found anywhere else in the world.

To explore the Cape Peninsula, book a day tour with MoAfrika Tours which will take you on a circular route starting and ending in the Cape Town City Bowl. You’ll stop at the main attraction along the way on a spectacular route that’s regarded as one of the most scenic in southern Africa.

The main destinations on a Cape Peninsula day tour are:

• Llandudno: lies between Camps Bay and Hout Bay; renowned for its magical beaches and some of the most exclusive real estate in Cape Town
• Hout Bay: a popular tourist attraction and enchanting residential suburb; renowned for its beautiful beach, busy marina, art galleries, restaurants and a working harbour where you can get the best fish and chips in town
• Chapman’s Peak: the name of the mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula with a breathtaking road known as the Chapman’s Peak Drive that hugs the near-vertical face of the mountain that drops sharply hundreds of metres into the Atlantic Ocean and links Hout Bay to Noordhoek
• Noordhoek: a laid-back coastal village on the other side of Chapman’s Peak which is known for its incredibly long beach, vibrant artists market and festive pubs and restaurants as well as wine tasting at the award-winning Cape Point Vineyards
• Scarborough: a designated conservation village where development is restricted; surrounded by perfectly-preserved natural landscapes and overlooking the icy Atlantic Ocean
• Cape Point: falls within the southern section of the Table Mountain National Park; renowned for its incredible natural vegetation which comprises the smallest but richest of the world’s 6 floral kingdoms as well as it rugged rocks and sheer cliffs that tower more than 200 metres above the sea and cut deeply into the Atlantic Ocean
• Boulders Beach: known for its striking granite bounders and home to the largest population of African penguins; with wheel-friendly boardwalks which were constructed to accommodate nearly 60 00 visitors that visit the beach each year
• Simon’s Town: one of South Africa’s oldest towns and home to the South African Naval Base; it’s a popular coastal town to stay in with a selection of excellent restaurants and guest houses which overlook the historic naval harbour and warm Indian Ocean
• Kalk Bay: a vibrant coastal town known for its historic working harbour, bohemian shops and vintage bookstores as well as a selection of popular restaurants and guest houses
• Muizenberg: a lively beachside town known as the “Surfing Capital of Cape Town”; also rich in history and a popular summer holiday destination for local and international tourists

10. Cape Winelands ǀ Located in the Western Cape

The Cape Winelands is located in the Boland region of the Western Cape and home to a selection of the finest wine estates in the world. The largest towns in the winelands district are Paarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Robertson, Worcester and Wellington.

In addition to being the place to visit if you’re a wine fundi, you’ll also be impressed by it’s incredible scenery, rich cultural history, Cape Dutch architecture and vibrant city life. It’s renowned for its world-class restaurants and is also the “Culinary Capital of South Africa”. Combine wine tasting with cheese tasting and enjoy the delicious olives, export quality fruit and organic produce that’s produced in the area.

The most popular wine routes in the Cape Winelands are:

• Stellenbosch Wine Route: boasting nearly 200 wine and grape produces, it’s the first region in South Africa to establish an official wine route; where tourists have the choice of 148 wine farms to visit located on historic wine farms
• Helderberg Wine Route: includes the premier wine estates in and around the Somerset West area; offering a diverse array of wines and a selection of outstanding restaurants on the various wine farms along the route
• Durbanville Wine Route: less well-known than the Stellenbosch wine route but equally impressive; the area produces excellent wine
• Franschhoek Wine Route: this region has exploded in popularity; known for its breathtakingly-beautiful scenery and rich French Huguenot heritage, you can take the Wine Tram for a combination of fine wines, delicious cuisine and a fascinating history lesson

Looking for the best tour itinerary for the Cape Winelands ?

Explore the cape winelands with moafrika tours., 11. cape west coast ǀ located in the western cape.

The busy coastal towns of the West Coast lie north of the Cape Town City Bowl, hugging the Atlantic coastline and looking across Table Bay. These include Bloubergstrand, Milnerton, Tableview and Big Bay. It’s a popular weekend destination for locals who enjoy windsurfing, long walks on the beach and eating out at a selection of great restaurants.

Taking the ‘road less travelled’, you’ll continue northwards on what is marketed as the ‘Cultural & Foodie’ Route of Cape Town. It’s the perfect road trip to take at a slow pace; renowned for its outstanding biodiversity, warm and friendly locals and quaint seaside towns.

Popular places to visit on a West Coast roadtrip include:

• Melkbosstrand: a popular seaside village that attracts watersport lovers; the long Main Beach is the perfect picnic spot, otherwise taste your way through a selection of friendly restaurants and delis serving typical West Coast cuisine. Melkbosstrand was where the invading troops landed in 1806.
• Witzand Aquifer Nature Reserve (Atlantis Sand Dunes): a protected conservation area made up of the Silwerstroomstrand Conservation Area and the Atlantis Dunefields; known of its perfect sandy beaches, rocky shorelines and vast dunes which are popular for sand-boarding and 4×4 adventures.
• Silwerstroomstrand: a popular Blue Flag beach that’s safe for swimming, with a small rocky point that provides protection from the swell. There’s a lovely tidal pool for younger beachgoers, a picnic area, caravan park and bungalows if holidaymakers.
• Blaauwberg Nature Reserve: known for its spectacular fauna and flora and view over Table Bay of two iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Table Mountain and Robben Island. It’s also the site of the 1806 Battle of Blaauwberg.
• Koeberg Private Nature Reserve: popular weekend destination for walking trails, offering panoramic views over the West Coast and a rich array of fauna and flora.
• Mamre Mission Station: the town of Mamre is rich in history; where you’ll find the Moravian Mission Station which was established in 1808 as well as the original church and parsonage which are now national monuments. The old watermill was restored and converted into a museum and the church is still used for Sunday services.
• Groote Post Wine Cellar: part of the famous West Coast Flower Route, Groote Post is a historic 18 th century farm where find the West Coast’s popular vineyards. The West Coast climate is perfect for growing grapes and the area produces excellent wines from the Darling Hills.
• Darling: a thriving West Coast town that lies in the heart of the wildflower region; the Darling Wildflower Show is held on the third weekend in September and draws hordes of nature lovers to the area.
• West Coast National Park: a magical protected conservation area which stretches from Yzerfontein to Langebaan; it’s a popular destination for nature lovers and birdwatches, with over 200 species of land and sea birds in the area and strong numbers of springbok, gemsbok, kudu ad the rare mountain zebra.
• Yzerfontein: a pretty coastal village that’s popular with watersport enthusiasts and nature lovers; it’s also famous for having the longest stretch of beach in South Africa.
• Langebaan: the bustling town borders the West Coast National Park and famous as a birding destination. It’s an internationally-acclaimed Ramsar Site which is a wetland area that’s been designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Did you know?

A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by UNESCO, which came into force in 1975.

• Saldana: an historic naval and fishing port that’s located overlooking South Africa’s largest natural bay; famous as one of the best places to see the Southern Right Whale in calving season.
• Paternoster: one of the oldest villages on the West Coast, Paternoster is now a thriving holiday destination, particularly popular with kite surfers, kayakers, hikers and cyclists.
• St Helena Bay: one of the world’s prime fishing areas and one of the best place to see dolphins and the Southern Right Whales in calving season. Traversing a total of 18 bays and fed by the nutrient-rich Benguela Current, it’s a popular destination for local fisherman as well as surfers.
• West Coast Fossil Park: popular with mountain bikers and hikers, this area is a National Heritage Site where mining in the 1950s exposed one of the richest fossil deposits ever discovered in the world. Guided tours provide fascinating insight into the background of the fossils and the climate change that happened.

12. Boland ǀ Located in the Western Cape Province

The Boland Mountain Complex falls within the Cape Floral Region which is one of 6 formal botanical kingdoms on the world. It’s renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to hundreds of endemic fynbos species that are not found anywhere else in the world.

The Berg River and Breeder River are two main rivers which run through the catchment area. The incredible mountain ranges, beautiful rivers and rolling landscapes makes the Boland a popular holiday destination for South Africans who love hiking, nature walks, cycling and photography.

The Boland Mountain Complex comprises a number of superb nature reserves:

• Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve: nestled between the scenic towns of Elgin, Villiersdorp and Grabouw; with towering mountain peaks, plunging valleys, and the Palmiet River winding through it
• Kogelberg Nature Reserve: located south of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, it’s made up of forests, valleys and steep ravines, and boasts 1 800 different plant species, of which 150 are endemic
• Jonkershoek Nature Reserve: located just outside Stellenbosch, the reserve includes the Jonkershoek Mountains and the Jonkershoek Valley which are popular for hiking and for picturesque picnic spots
• Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve: part of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, its known for its massive oak trees, beautiful fynbos, leopard, mongoose, and raptors
• Limietberg Nature Reserve: located close to Paarl and Franschhoek, it offers hikers and walkers a collection of gorgeous trails and excellent fishing with the Breede and Berg rivers flowing through it

13. Garden Route ǀ Located in the Western-Eastern Cape Province

The Garden Route is an breathtakingly-beautiful region that stretches some 300 kilometres from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. It’s aptly named because the verdant region is one of the most ecologically diverse in the country. In 2017, the Garden Route was added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

The Garden Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. The landscape is a magical blend of indigenous forests, inland lakes, wetlands and ocean bays as well as a selection of some of the finest beaches in Africa.

The popular coastal towns of the Garden Route include:

• Plettenberg Bay
• Great Brak River
• Little Brak River
• Nature’s Valley

Inland, you’ll find the quaint towns of the Klein (Little) Karoo which includes Oudtshoorn, the “Ostrich Capital of the World” and home to the famous Cango Caves. You take the historic Swartberg Pass to reach Knysna from Oudtshoorn.

Apart from being mesmerisingly-beautiful, the Garden Route is hugely popular for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The choice of things to do on a holiday in the Garden Route is endless; from nature walks and hiking to bungy jumping, river rafting, fishing, surfing and scuba diving. It’s rich in fauna and flora and paradise for nature lovers and birders.

The most popular destinations on a Garden Route tour are:

• Addo Elephant National Park: located an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth, this is the third largest national park in South Africa; it was founded in 1931 to save the last 11 bush elephants in the region from extinction but has since grown in popularity as a Big 5 safari destination for international travellers
• Birds of Eden, Monkeyland and Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary: located a short drive from Plettenberg Bay, it’s a favourite holiday destination for the whole family with more than 280 species of birds, over 11 species of rescued primates and a selection of rehabilitated white lions, cheetahs, tigers and black leopards to view on a day tour of the Garden Route
• Bartolomeu Dias Museum: a piece of maritime history captured at a museum complex in the town of Mossel Bay; it celebrates the 500 th anniversary of Bartolomeu Dias’s landing in Mossel Bay in 1488
• Bloukrans Bungy: for an adrenalin rush, throw yourself off the Bloukrans Bridge in what is the world’s highest commercial bungee jump; dive 216 metres into the dazzling deep gorge below
• Cango Caves: located a short drive from Oudtshoorn at the foot of the Great Swartberg, the dripstone caverns are part of a deep cave system; the main cavern is renowned for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites that are beautifully illuminated
• Cape St Blaize Lighthouse: completed in 1864, the lighthouse is one of only two along the South African coast that still maintains a 24-hour watch; erected on a striking rocky outcrop jutting out into the Indian Ocean, located close to the harbour town of Mossel Bay
• Featherbed Nature Reserve: a daily ferry shuttle takes tourists on a cruise over the Knysna lagoon to the tranquil nature reserve on the western section of the Knysna Heads; enjoy a short, scenic guided hike, followed by a sundowner cruise on the Knysna Lagoon
• Garden Route Botanical Garden: located in George, the protected wilderness area borders the Outeniqua Nature Reserve; it houses a fine collection of plants native to the southern region in the Southern Cape Herbarium; also popular for idyllic hiking trails
• Goukamma Nature Reserve: located a short drive from the Wilderness National Park, the estuary straddles the Goukamma River and is renowned for splendid rolling dunes, prolific birdlife and a collection of wonderful walking trails
• Knysna Heads & the Knysna Forest: paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts; the lush forests and pristine waters that surround the popular town of Knysna are perfect for long hikes, boat cruises and photographers, with panoramic viewpoints looking out over the Indian Ocean
• Knysna Waterfront Quays: situated on the banks of a magical lagoon with a panoramic view of the Knysna Heads, it’s the most popular shopping and meeting place for tourists with a great selection of restaurants, pubs and delis as well as designer clothing and jewelry stores, curio shops and art galleries
• Knysna Elephant Park: home to orphaned and rehabilitated elephants, the centre offers tourists the opportunity to interact with these gentle giants and learn more about their incredible intelligence and behaviour
• Outeniqua Transport Museum: located in George, the museum houses a variety of steam locomotives including the first narrow gauge steam locomotive as well as the impressive GL Garret from the Royal Train of 1947; as well as an outstanding collection of steam locomotive number plates, model trains, old motor vehicles and a private vintage car collection
• Plettenberg beaches: endless sandy beaches with panoramic views of the Outeniqua Mountain and Indian Ocean, the beaches of Plettenberg Bay are spectacular; the main swimming beaches are Central Beach, Robberg Beach and the beach on Keurbooms Lagoon
• Robberg Nature Reserve: a national monument and a hiker’s paradise located a short drive from Plettenberg Bay; it sits on a 4 kilometre-long peninsula at the foot of the Mountain of the Seal with rocks and caves that date back to prehistoric times
• Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre: located outside of Mossel Bay, the bird centre is responsible for saving and rehabilitating thousands of African penguins, gulls, gannets and other important seabird species
• Storms River Suspension Bridge: located in the magical Garden Route National Park; stretching 77 metres across the churning waters of the Storms River mouth that washes out into the Indian Ocean
• Swartberg Pass: an historic route that takes you over the magnificent Swartberg Mountains from the Little Karoo to the Garden Route, rising up to 2 326 meters in some places and zig-zagging through the towering mountain pass with a spectacular view around every corner
• Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation & Awareness Centre: one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centres in the Cape taking care of some 250-450 injured and orphaned wildlife with the goal being to release them back into the wild; popular attractions include the African wild cats, serval, caracal, cheetah, leopards and lions
• Tsitsikamma National Park: the protected wilderness region sits on a 200 metre high plateau that stretches from the Bloukrans River in the west to the Tsitsikamma River in the east; popular for nature lovers and hikers, it contains a vital marine reserve, deep gorges and thick indigenous forest where you’ll find the Big Tree and towering yellowwood trees
• Wilderness National Park: a gorgeous national park that lies between the towns of George and Knysna and extends to the mouth of the Trouw River, it offers nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts a combination of beautiful lakes, wetlands and estuaries to enjoy; popular for canoeing, fishing, windsurfing and sailing as well as bird watching and magical nature walks

Looking for the best holiday package for the Garden Route ?

Contact moafrika tours for the latest 2019/2020 rates and prices., 14. wild coast ǀ located in the eastern cape.

The Wild Coast is a rugged and splendidly-scenic stretch of coastline on the eastern side of South Africa that stretches north of East London to the Great Kei River in the south. It’s renowned for its striking sea cliffs, wind-swept deserted beaches, lush subtropical forests and rolling hills cloaked in green grasslands.

It’s located in the Eastern Cape Province which is the ancestral grounds of the Xhosa people. During the apartheid era, the Wild Coast was part of the Transkei which was one of four territories which were declared independent states.

You need a 4×4 vehicle to explore the Wild Coast as the terrain is rugged and the infrastructure is not well developed or neglected. To truly appreciate the beauty of the Wild Coast, you can join a guided hike that takes you on a journey that hugs the coastline and passes through the coastal villages of Coffee Bay, Port St Johns, Chintsa and Morgan Bay.

The Wild Coast is paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the things to do on a holiday on the Wild Coast include:

• Hole in the Wall: enjoy a leisurely hike to the Hole in the Wall, departing from Coffee Bay; it takes you along the rugged coastline, over rolling hills and past local villages with panoramic views of the brilliant Indian Ocean to reach the famous Hole in the Wall which is one of the most impressive landmarks in the Cape, after Table Mountain
• Mapuzi trail: this trail is for the adventurous at heart; tackling rugged goat paths and steep coastal hills before you reach the end where you jump 8 metres into the water below
• Xhora River: a local lodge takes guests on a canoe trip down the beautiful Xhora River which is renowned for its crystal-clear water and lush riverbanks
• Xhosa village tour: don’t miss an opportunity to visit a local Xhosa village with a tour guide and enjoy a mug of their finest brew in the village shebeen (traditional bar); it’s a chance to learn more about the Xhosa culture and there way of life on the remote coastal hilltops
• Auckland Nature Reserve: enjoy a pleasurable hike in this gorgeous coastal forest which is untouched by commercial development and idyllically tranquil
• Madonna & Child Waterfall: join a combination a guided tour to the Madonna & Child Waterfall where you can abseil from the top into the crystal-clear water below
• Kitchen Windows: the best surf spot on the east coast of South Africa
• Jeffrey’s Bay: the “Surfing Capital of the Cape”, JBay as the locals call it is a laidback coastal town that attracts hordes of surfers, holidaymakers and outdoor enthusiasts

15. Great Karoo ǀ Spanning the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape

The Great Karoo is located in central South Africa and is a vast semi-arid region that covers an area of some 400 000 square kilometres. It stretches over the provinces of the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape. It’s renowned for its endless landscapes, magical mountains, crisp air and picturesque towns as well as its famous Karoo lamb.

The Karoo is divided into two regions; the Succulent Karoo Biome to the west, and the Nama Karoo Biome which covers most of the interior. The Succulent Karoo stretches along the coastal strip of southwestern Namibia and the Northern Cape Province in South Africa. It’s regarded as the world’s richest site of succulent plants and harbours about one-third of the world’s approximate 10 000 succulent species.

The Nama Karoo is predominantly farming land with little urbanisation. The main agricultural activity in the area is sheep and goat farming. Irrigation is restricted to the Orange River valleys. It’s a desolate and arid region but spectacular in its own way; providing photographers with endless sunrises and sunsets to photograph.

The top 4 attractions in the Karoo are:

• Karoo National Park: this vast and unforgiving region is dominated by the grand Nuweveld mountains and rolling semi-desert plains which are home to a wide variety of endemic wildlife, including black rhino, buffalo, the Cape mountain zebra and over 20 breeding pairs of black eagle
• Camdeboo National Park: a unique ecosystem that was formed hundreds of millions of years ago and regarded as one of the great natural wonders of the world; gateway to the Valley of Desolation, the 14 500 hectare park is surrounded by the picturesque town of Graaff-Reinet which lies at the foothills of the Sneeuberg mountain range
• Tankwa Karoo National Park: situated on the southern boundary of the Northern Cape, this unique national park is situated within the Succulent Karoo Biome and renowned for its incredible variety of endangered plant species, prolific endemic birdlife and breathtakingly-beautiful landscapes; ranging from the sheer cliffs of the Roggeveld Escarpment to the moonscapes of the Tankwa Desert
• Witsand Nature Reserve: an unbelievably scenic nature reserve that is renowned for its incredible birdlife, including the endangered Namaqua sandgrouse, sociable weaver and the pygmy falcon; towering white sand dunes are surrounded by copper-red Kalahari plains, acacia woodlands and the Langberg mountain range

16. Durban ǀ Located in KwaZulu Natal

Durban is the capital city of KwaZulu Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It’s known as the “Playground of South Africa”, offering holidaymakers a wide choice of gorgeous beaches, nature reserves and cosmopolitan coastal suburbs. It’s also an important industrial centre with the Port of Durban servicing the country’s import and export industry.

Forged on a turbulent history with clashes between the British traders, the Boers (Afrikaans farmers) and Zulu tribes; Durban is rich in cultural history. It’s the heart of Zululand and also has a strong Indian population who arrive in droves decades ago to work in the sugarcane plantations.

The list of places to visit and things to do in Durban are endless but the most popular attractions are:

• Golden Mile: a bustling beachfront promenade which is lined with high-rise hotels and apartments, entertainment complexes and a selection of popular restaurants; the oceanfront path is busy with walkers, joggers, cyclists and skateboarders as well as surfers on their way to the popular beaches situated along the Golden Mile
• Mini Town: a popular Durban destination for the young at heart; established in the 1980s, it’s a replica of a mini city with buildings scaled down to 1:24 of their size; kids can walk through what looks like a little toy land which includes a miniature harbour with ships and an airport
• Port of Durban: commonly called Durban Harbour, this is the largest and busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa and the fourth largest container terminal in the southern hemisphere; recently widened, the harbour entrance depth is now 19 metres in the approach channel, decreasing to 16 metres within the harbour and with a navigation width of 220 metres
• uShaka Marine World: a hugely popular water-themed wonderland packed with attractions such as Sea World, the Dolphin and Seal Stadium, Penguin Rookery and the Wet ‘n Wild complex which offers holidaymakers a collection of splash pools, slides and super tubes
• Moses Mabhida Stadium: the newly-constructed world-class sporting area located on Durban’s Golden Mile; a tour of the stadium takes you in the Sky Car to the top of the towering stadium roof or you can climb the 500 steps, thrill-seekers can freefall 220 metres of the top on the Big Rush Big Swing
• Durban Botanic Gardens: established in 1849 and one of the oldest surviving botanic gardens in Africa, these beautiful gardens are set on the slopes of Berea Hill; the main plant collection includes cycads, orchids, bromeliads and palms and you’ll spot at least 50 different bird species that are resident in the gardens
• Umgeni River Bird Park: located on the north bank of the Umgeni River, the bird park is home to over 200 bird species that you can view walking along a network of paths that wind through lush landscaping and past gushing waterfalls; the daily bird show is the main highlight of a tour of the Umgeni River Bird Park
• Indian Quarter: spread across Victoria Street Market and Juma Masjid Mosque, it’s a multi-cultural feast of sights, sounds and exotic aromas with Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Somali street vendors selling their wares along narrow pavements; popular restaurants in the busy CBD offer some of the most delicious, authentic Indian meals in Durban
• Umhlanga Rocks: a thriving coastal suburb lying north of the main business centre of Durban, offering holidaymakers a selection of excellent accommodation and entertainment that ranges from kid’s animal parks, great restaurants, golf courses, nature reserves, the KZN Sharks Board and long, powder-white beaches; the Gateway Theatre of Shopping is located in Umhlanga Rocks and is the largest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere
• Ballito: a popular residential and holiday destination in Durban, located 40 kilometres north of Durban; packed with high-rise beach apartments, excellent restaurants and greenbelts, Ballito is much-loved by locals for its superb beaches, tranquil tidal pools, subtropical climate and outdoor lifestyle

Looking for a fun-filled holiday itinerary for Durban ?

Moafrika tours has a long list of activities to choose from to suit your adventure needs., 17. zululand ǀ located in kwazulu natal.

This is a malaria-free region located north of the Dolphin Coast, extending up to Richard’s Bay along the north coast of KwaZulu Natal and inland into the rural heartland of the Zulu Kingdom. It includes Pongola in the north and the towns of Ulundi and Vryheid that lie on the border of the Battlefields Route.

The lush tropical region is renowned for its gorgeous game reserves and wetland parks which are home to the Big 5 and abundance of wildlife and birds. The Zululand Birding Route boasts over 650 species of birds with 70 popular birding spots situated along 14 local birding routes.

The most popular tourist attractions in Zululand include:

• Dlinza Nature Reserve: this protected forest reserve lies just outside the town of Eshowe and is paradise for bird lovers in search of a number of highly endangered bird species found in the reserve as well as an incredible array of butterflies; numerous forest trails and a 10-metre high aerial boardwalk plus lovely picnic facilities make is a popular destination for locals looking to escape the Durban city life
• Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: established in 1895, this is the oldest game reserve in Africa and one of only a few in KwaZulu Natal where you can see the Big 5; it lies deep in the heart of Zululand and was once the royal hunting grounds of King Shaka
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park: located an hour’s drive from Durban, this magnificent wetland park is a World Heritage-listed site (formerly known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park); it protects the largest estuarine system in Africa with 8 interconnected ecosystems which includes coral reefs, rivers, lakes, swamplands, savanna plains and coastal dunes
• Siyaya Coastal Park: 42 kilometres of pristine, unspoilt coastline that stretches from the mouth of the Mlalazi River to the southern boundary of the Amatigulu Nature Reserve; it includes two nature reserves as well as a magical coastal dune forest, mangrove forest, swamp forest, grasslands and ilala palm bushveld
• Sodwana Bay National Park: located on the Elephant Coast and a 2-hour drive from Durban, the national park is renowned for its spectacular coral reefs which are home to an array of colourful tropical fish as well as lionfish, crayfish, moray eels, manta rays and many species of sharks; it’s most popular with scuba divers and snorkelers as well as nature lovers and hikers
• Thula-Thula Game Reserve: located in a malaria-free area 2-hours north of Durban, the private game reserve is home of the late Lawrence Anthony, an avid conservationist and author of the bestselling book “The Elephant Whisperer”; Lawrence dedicated his life to providing a sanctuary for elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo in the Zululand wilderness region
• Umlalazi Nature Reserve: located a short drive from the town of Mtunzini, the nature reserve is home to the Palmnut vulture which is one of the rarest birds of prey in South Africa

18. Drakensberg ǀ Located in KwaZulu Natal

Located in the heart of KwaZulu Natal, the Drakensberg is a world-acclaimed mountainous region that’s breathtakingly beautiful and one of the most popular outdoor destinations in South Africa. The word Drakensberg means “Dragon Mountains” in Afrikaans which aptly describes the regions jagged peaks and deep valleys.

The magical mountain region includes the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Royal National Park which is famous for its natural amphitheatre, 5 kilometre-long rock wall and one of the highest waterfalls in southern Africa. The 3 282 metre-high Mont-aux-Sources rises in the background which is the source of many of South Africa’s mighty rivers.

Not only is it incredibly scenic and rich in cultural history, the Drakensberg is a favourite destination for local holidaymakers who flock to the area for mountain biking, fly-fishing, hiking, wilderness trails, rock climbing and abseiling and river rafting. The majority of popular holiday destinations in the Drakensberg are a scenic 3-hour drive from Durban.

The main natural attractions in the Drakensberg include:

• Nambiti Private Game Reserve: located in the shadow of the magnificent Drakensberg mountains and close to the KwaZulu Battlefields, the private reserve offers guided Big 5 safari adventures in beautiful bushveld surrounds; day visitors are welcome or you can stay in a choice of self-catering or 5-star luxury safari tented lodges
• Sani Pass: one of the most spectacular and daring mountain passes in southern Africa, which connects KwaZulu Natal with the Kingdom of Lesotho; the 8-kilometre mountain path climbs to a height of up to 2 900 metres and travels on through the Mzimkulwana Nature Reserve which is renowned for its towering rock outcrops and green-cloaked mountains and steep ravines

19. Midlands Meander ǀ Located in KwaZulu Natal

The Midlands Meander lies in the heart of KwaZulu Natal and is a collection of arranged routes that offer travellers an assortment of excellent accommodation, conferencing and wedding venues, historic landmarks, fun local events, fabulous restaurants and an assortment of arts and craft destinations. It’s an easy 2-hour drive from Durban and the perfect retreat for an idyllic weekend away in idyllic lush surrounds.

The Midlands Meander was created over thirty years ago by a group of craftsman in the area who wanted to put the small businesses in the lush, sleepy valley on the map. It’s grown to over 150 members and offers local holidaymakers and international tourists an endless list of places to go to and quality handcrafted goods to buy; from sheepskin and leather shoes and handbags to woven baskets, pottery and ceramics, woodwork, batik prints and bronze sculptors.

The Midlands Meander is also famous for its great food and excellent accommodation; ranging from rustic B&Bs on country farms to 5-star guest lodges on country estates. The meander is divided into 5 routes and there’s not enough time to see everything; which is why people keep coming back year after year to enjoy the Midlands hospitality.

The main attractions along the Midlands Meander include:

• Karlkoof Canopy Tours: located outside Howick in a beautiful lush valley, the canopy tours take you on a spectacular journey on ziplines above the tree canopy; flying along at speeds of 70 km/hour and reaching heights of 35 metres
• Nelson Mandela Capture Site: located on the R103 just outside Howick, this historic site is where Nelson Mandela was finally captured while on the run during the apartheid era; it’s an artistic masterpiece with striking steel columns that are cleverly designed to depict the face of Madiba at certain angles, and symbolise his time spent behind bars on Robben Island
• Nottingham Road: this picturesque destination lies at the heart of the Natal Midlands on the R103; it’s hugely popular as a weekend getaway with a fantastic collection of pubs, restaurants and arts & craft shops as well as a popular golf course
• Piggly Wiggly: this popular tourist destination is a place to gather with friends and family for excellent food and shopping; it was established to collectively showcase the many arts and craft businesses found on the Midlands Meander
• Swissland: located high up on a lush rolling hill like a traditional Swiss farm, this is the perfect place to take kids to see the Saanen goats that roam the rolling hills of the family-run farm; and perfect for a picnic and cheese tasting; the farm produces a fine collection of goat cheeses that are free of antibiotics and colourants
• Zulu Mpophomeni Township Experience: KwaZulu Natal is rich in cultural history and home to one of most traditional populations in South Africa; don’t miss an opportunity to visit this cultural community centre to learn more about the Zulu traditions and way of life

20. Kgalagadi (Kalahari) Transfrontier Park ǀ Located in the Northern Cape

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is the most popular tourist destination in the Northern Cape Province, otherwise as known as the “South African Outback”. It’s the largest province in the country and the most sparsely-populated. The region itself is known for its endless arid landscapes, russet red dunes and startling blue skies; as well as the carpets of kaleidoscopic wildflowers that appear in the Spring.

Formerly known as the Kalahari National Park, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier was established in 2000 when the protected wilderness region merged with the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. This created one of the largest conservation areas in the world, covering an area of some 3.6 million hectares.

The Kgalagadi is most famous for its black-maned Kalahari lions as well as strong numbers of leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, meerkats and a vast array of birds. This includes the sociable weavers which construct giant nests in the stark trees that grow in the dry, arid surrounds.

Other popular destinations in the Northern Cape region include:

• Goegap Nature Reserve: located in an area called Namaqualand which spans Namibia and South Africa, this outstanding reserve is renowned for its collection of rare succulents and desert-adapted shrubs and trees; it’s also home to the endangered Hartmann’s zebra, aardwolf, honey badger and over 94 species of birds
• Augrabies Falls National Park: situated on the frontier with Namibia, it’s one of South Africa’s most impressive natural wonders; it’s where the might Orange River plunges in a series of cascades almost 150 metres into an 18-kilometre granite gorge
• Mokala National Park: located an hour’s drive south-southwest of Kimberley, the national park was created to protect some of South Africa’s most endangered species; including the white and black rhino, roan and sable antelope, aardwolf and oryx

INTERESTED IN A TOUR?

Moafrika Tours specialises in day and long-stay tours to the major destinations and tourist attractions in Southern Africa which includes South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We offer a wide array of affordable tour packages created to suit your travel budget and needs. Contact us today for our 2019/2020 rates and prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best south african tours and safaris.

Some of the best South African tours and safaris include: Kruger National Park, Garden Route, Cape Town and the Winelands, the Big Five wildlife experiences, and cultural tours in Johannesburg and Soweto.

What should I expect on a South African tour and safari?

Expect to experience breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife, including the Big Five: lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinoceroses.

How long should I plan for a South African tour and safari?

A South African tour and safari can be planned for anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your interests and the areas you want to visit.

What is the best time to book a South African tour and safari?

The best time to book a South African tour and safari is from April to September, which is the low season for tourism in South Africa and offers more affordable prices and smaller crowds.

What is included in the cost of a South African tour and safari?

The cost of a South African tour and safari can vary depending on the type of tour and the level of luxury you want. However, many tours and safaris include transportation, accommodation, meals, and guided tours or game drives. Be sure to clarify what is included in the cost before making a booking.

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MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).

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Welcome to African Angel Tours, your premier tour operators in South Africa, offering an unparalleled range of Southern Africa Tours. We are one of the leading inbound tour operators in South Africa, with a wealth of experience and expertise in providing bespoke tours that cater to your specific interests, time-frame, and budget.

Southern Africa is a region of incredible diversity, with each country offering its unique charms and attractions. From the majestic wildlife of South Africa to the stunning landscapes of Zambia, the iconic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the breathtaking landscapes of Botswana, and the awe-inspiring deserts of Namibia, there is something for everyone in these destinations .

At African Angel Tours, we understand that every traveler is unique, which is why we offer a range of Southern Africa Tours that cater to different interests and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a luxury safari, an adventure-packed trip, or a cultural immersion, our dedicated team of experts will work with you to create a customized itinerary that meets your needs.

As one of the leading inbound tour operators in South Africa, we pride ourselves on our local knowledge and connections, ensuring that every aspect of your journey is tailored to your liking. Our team of expert guides and tour leaders are passionate about the region and have extensive knowledge of the destinations we visit, providing you with insight into local customs, history, and traditions.

At African Angel Tours, we believe in responsible tourism and strive to create sustainable travel experiences that benefit local communities and the environment. We work closely with our partners and suppliers to ensure that our tours are ethically and responsibly conducted, so you can feel good about the impact your travels have.

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with African Angel Tours, your premier inbound tour operators in South Africa. Contact us today to start planning your dream Southern Africa Tour and let us take you on an adventure you’ll never forget.

Discover the difference with African Angel Tours , one of South Africa’s premier inbound tour operators in South Africa . Our expertise and exceptional services ensure an unforgettable journey.

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