Come Find Your Joy – South Africa Awaits
Welcome to South Africa – the perfect introduction to a land of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Getting here is easy: direct flights from the UK take just 11–12 hours, with only a small time difference so you can start exploring straight away. UK passport holders don’t need a visa, English is widely spoken, and driving is on the familiar side of the road. Plus, with a highly favourable exchange rate, your money goes further – making everyday experiences exceptional value.
From your very first day, you’ll be greeted with South Africa’s legendary warmth and hospitality. Whether you’re seeking iconic highlights or a taste of adventure, your first journey to Mzansi promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Curated Trips Designed for Your First South African Experience
Together with leading Africa travel specialists, we’ve chosen the ideal trips to help you take your very first steps in South Africa. These itineraries bring you the highlights, the must-sees, and a taste of adventure that will make you fall in love with this remarkable country.
10-Day On Safari In South Africa
This very special safari holiday includes an all-inclusive six-night stay at a luxury tented safari camp by Kruger National Park. This intimate, family run safari camp has just six canvas-style luxury tents on elevated platforms amongst the pristine African bush – an essential part of the African safari experience.
** SAVE up to £860 per couple **
From £2,452pp
Including flights
Operated by Newmarket Holidays
- Go in search of the Big Five as you take three safaris in the famous Kruger and Greater Kruger National Park
- Several exciting optional tours to choose from, including a night safari and a boat cruise on the Blyde River
- Picturesque panoramic tour, taking in some of the Lowveld and the Blyde River Canyon’s best sights
- Visit at a local wildlife rehabilitation centre
- Gentle guided nature walk at Camp Bethel
- Fascinating Nyani cultural village tour, including dance performance
- Traditional South African braai (barbeque) on your last night
- Seven nights’ carefully chosen accommodation, including one at the five-star Sanctuary Mandela, and six at Camp Bethel
- 21 meals, including seven breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners
- Activities as detailed in the itinerary including 3 game drives
- Panorama Route scenic drive
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager and wildlife specialist
- Transfers
- Return international flights
- ABTA & ATOL protected
19-Day South Africa With Rovos Rail
From a Mediterranean to desert climate; South Africa offers spectacular scenery with arguably the finest wildlife on earth. This wonderful 16-day tour is designed to highlight South Africa’s truly amazing diversity of cultures, its curious blend of old and new, and its phenomenal scenery and wildlife.
** SAVE up to £1,510 per couple **
From £6,799pp
Including flights
Operated by Riviera Travel
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Witness South Africa’s incredible wildlife with game drives in Kruger National Park and a visit to Hermanus for the world’s finest on-shore whale watching, dependent on season.
- Marvel at the country’s natural beauty on visits to the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon, the legendary Cape of Good Hope and Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
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Take a scenic drive through the beautiful small country of Eswatini.
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Visit three South African cities: two of the country’s capitals – Cape Town and Pretoria, and Johannesburg its second-largest city.
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Stay for two nights on the Rovos Rail on a journey from Cape Town to Pretoria, stopping at Matjiesfontein and Kimberley.
- 13 nights 3* & 4* hotel accommodation
- 2 nights on the luxurious Rovos Rail train (full-board)
- 16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
- 20 included experiences
- Expert tour manager
- All transfers in South Africa
- Return international flights
- ABTA & ATOL protected
15-Day Route 62 Gourmet Self-Drive with Safari
Cross the Cape from coast to coast on an indulgent two-week road trip that takes in the cosmopolitan foodie delights of Cape Town, the celebrated wine region’s headline acts and lesser-known gems along Route 62, and a host of other gourmet experiences from oyster lunches by the sea to high tea and sundowners in a private game reserve.
** Stunning Road Trip **
From £5,995pp
Including flights
Operated by Kuoni
- Enjoy the vibrant city of Cape Town with it’s iconic attractions such as Table Mountain and Robben Island
- Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of the Franschhoek Valley
- Stops include Robertson, Oudsthoorn & Plettenberg Bay
- Seek the Big Five during your stay at the 5* luxury Shamwari Game Reserve
- 11 nights staying in fabulous 4* & 5* hotels
- 3 nights at the 5* Shamwari Game Reserve
- Safari Game Drives
- Car hire
- Return international flights
- ABTA & ATOL protected
12-Day South Africa Family Safari with Teenagers
Travel through South Africa and Eswatini (Swaziland), combining cultural and wildlife experiences on this 12-day family adventure. Search for the Big Five in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, kayak around Kosi Bay and head north into the vast expanses of Hlane National Park.
** Adventure Travel **
From £1,611pp
Operated by Intrepid
- Visit a great spread of Southern African game reserves, putting you and your family right in the midst of the mighty ‘Big Five’ game of Africa.
- Camp at Kruger National Park under the African night sky. Experience the sights and sounds of the wild, perhaps the roar of a lion as you and your family drift off to sleep.
- Beautifully lit by candles and paraffin lanterns, your spacious campsite in Hlane National Park is just a stone’s throw from a floodlit waterhole frequented by elephants and rhinos.
- Explore Kosi Bay by kayak – the kids will love paddling around the mangroves and learning about traditional fish traps.
- Meet local families and learn about different South African cultures on an immersive and enriching homestay experience at Phiring village.
- 1 night hotel
- 6 nights camping with basic facilities
- 4 nights chalet lodge
- 11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
- Activities as detailed in the itinerary including 4WD full-day Kruger National Park safari and the Panorama route
- Overland vehicle
- ABTA protected
15-Day Ultimate Family Adventure
With malaria-free game reserves, golden sandy beaches and a multitude of outdoor activities, this holiday has all the key elements for an unforgettable family adventure.
** 6 game drives included **
From £3,799pp
Including Flights
Operated by Trailfinders
- 4* Safari Lodge stay in Amakhala Game Reserve
- Seek the Big Five on 6 game drives
- Stay in 4* and 5* accommodation
- Cape Point & Peninsula tour
- Cango Caves Heritage Tour
- Meerkat Safari
- Check out the restaurants and bars of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront
- Visit the renowned wine estates in Franschhoek
- Discover the Garden Route’s beautiful beaches and the lagoon in Knysna
- Flights
- 14 nights 4* to 5* accommodation
- 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Selected soft & alcoholic drinks on days 12-14
- 6 game drives
- Cape Point & Peninsula tour
- Cango Caves Heritage Tour
- Meerkat Safari
- 12 days Fullsize SUV Premium car hire included
- Private transfer from Cape Town airport to hotel
- ATOL protected
11-Day South Africa’s Battlefields & Safari
This classic holiday to South Africa explores beautiful KwaZulu-Natal, including a Big-5 safari in Hluhluwe National Park, tours of the famous Zulu Battlefields at Isandlwana & Rorkes Drift & Spion Kop in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains.
** Iconic Itinerary **
From £2,395pp
Operated by 2By2 Holidays
- Safari in Hluhluwe to spot the Big Five
- Tours of the famous Zulu Battlefields at Isandlwana & Rorkes Drift & Spion Kop
- Marvel at the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains
- Relax on the warm beaches of the Durban North Coast
- 8 nights Hotel
- 2 nights Safari Lodge
- Activities as detailed in the itinerary
- Private transfers
The Most Popular Places To Explore in South Africa
South Africa offers an array of popular locations to explore, including the vibrant city of Cape Town with its iconic Table Mountain, the world-renowned Kruger National Park for incredible wildlife encounters, and the breathtaking Garden Route with its stunning coastal landscapes.
Cape Town
Being home to iconic mountain ranges, stunning natural wonders, thrilling landscapes and ocean vistas, Cape Town offers no shortage of adventures. We cherish Cape Town for the vibrancy and the views. The cuisine is top-notch too.
Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands are only an hour from Cape Town, so can easily be integrated within anyone’s South African itinerary. Whether you explore Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, South Africa’s wineries are sophisticated and gorgeous. It’s equally great to explore the vineyards on a bicycle or hop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is one of the world’s best self-driving routes, stretching along 200 kilometres of gorgeous coastline from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east. We recommend planning a trip by combining a few days in Cape Town with a stay in the Winelands before commencing along the Garden Route.
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, located in northeastern South Africa, is a renowned wildlife reserve covering two million hectares. Home to the Big Five and a diverse range of other animals and birds, it offers guided game drives, self-drive safaris, and bush walks led by knowledgeable rangers. Experience an unforgettable African safari in this untamed wilderness.
Visiting South Africa Throughout the Year
Exploring South Africa throughout the year offers an ever-changing tapestry of experiences, from the golden savannas and diverse wildlife of its national parks to glorious winelands and stunning coastlines.
Confessions of a Globetrotter blog:
Explore These Highlights For Your South African Odyssey
Cape Town is the perfect place to start your South African adventure, with an array of must-see attractions and experiences, as well as acting as the jumping-off point for an expansive selection of tours, from guided tours to self-drive adventures.
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