South Africa tours

Many of our South Africa tours include a safari experience, which gives you the chance to spot some of the country’s incredible wildlife. As you head out on game drives at sunrise and dusk, you’ll be able to search for cheetah, giraffe, zebra and the iconic ‘Big Five’ – lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. Plus, South Africa has around 850 species of bird. Your guide will be able to point out circling vultures, beautiful lilac-breasted rollers, and red-billed hornbills – better known as Zazu from The Lion King.

There are a number of excellent game reserves offering safaris in South Africa. Spanning 7,000 square miles, Kruger National Park is probably the most famous option. But it’s not your only choice. Some of our South Africa tours also include visits to private game reserves, including Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park – the oldest nature reserve in the country.

South Africa is famous for its wine. Whether you like a woody Chardonnay, a refreshing Chenin Blanc or a smooth Pinotage, a visit to the Cape Winelands covers every option. Just 25 miles east of Cape Town, this series of valleys is home to familiar names like Franschhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch and Wellington. And each vineyard is unique.

Franschhoek Valley is surrounded by scenic mountains and, thanks to its French heritage, is best known for its Champagne-like fizz. It’s also something of a foodie haven, boasting several of South Africa’s top restaurants. If you prefer a full-bodied red wine, head to Paarl – this region specialises in Shiraz. The Stellenbosch Wine Route, meanwhile, is the oldest in the country. You’ll see grand Dutch manor houses dotted among the vineyards, as you explore the five sub-routes – Greater Simonsberg, Stellenbosch Berg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Valley and Bottelary Hills.

If you want to combine cultural sites with some beach time, choose a South Africa tour that includes a few days in Cape Town. Occupying a privileged spot on the south-west peninsula, Cape Town has one of the world’s most picturesque city settings. With its distinctive plateau, Table Mountain is a stunning backdrop, while the city sprawling around its base is filled with museums, bars and restaurants.

Cape Town’s numerous beaches offer plenty of sunbathing and surfing opportunities, while the V&A Waterfront is a popular spot for dinner. Further afield, you can go whale-watching, visit Robben Island – the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated – or head to Boulder’s Beach to see South Africa’s wild penguin colony.

Weaving from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the 200-mile Garden Route is a popular part of any South Africa Tour. Running parallel to South Africa’s coastline, this road trip takes you past some amazing scenery. You’ll see mountains, lakes and a carpet of wildflowers, from which the Garden Route takes its name.

If your South Africa tour includes some time on the Garden Route, you’re in for a treat. You can see Bloukrans Bridge and discover beautiful places like Oudtshoorn, complete with vineyards, a network of limestone cave and the dramatic Swartberg Mountains. Meanwhile, the forest-fringed town of Kynsna has a bright blue lagoon, plenty of watersports, and fantastic seafood – it’s known as the oyster capital of South Africa. You can also enjoy coastal walks in Plettenberg Bay, and visit the world’s biggest free-flight aviary at the Birds of Eden.