Live South Africa
Welcome to South Africa, a captivating destination with diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and captivating wildlife. The flight from the UK typically takes around 11 to 12 hours, making it a convenient journey. The time difference is minimal, so jet lag won’t be a concern. Moreover, UK citizens do not require a visa for entry, and driving is on the same side of the road, English is widely spoken, and the country’s extremely favourable exchange rate makes day-to-day expenses incredible value as well. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure and create cherished memories in this mesmerising country. South Africa’s warm and friendly locals look forward to welcoming you to Mzansi.
Recommended Tour Itineraries That Are Perfect To Start Discovering South Africa
We’ve delved into the holiday portfolio from a number of our favourite Africa travel experts and found what we believe are the best trips you can book to introduce you to what this incredible nation has to offer those new to exploring South Africa.
12-Day Cape Town, Garden Route & Big Five Safari
Escorted Tour
Experience the perfect introduction to South Africa, one of the world’s most beautiful countries, on an extraordinary-value tour crammed with unforgettable highlights. This tour provides the perfect mix of experiences for you to enjoy alongside your travel companions.
Why we love this tour…
Head out on three game drives in search of the Big Five
Spend two nights in the privately owned Garden Route Game Lodge
Visit the whale-watching town of Hermanus
Enjoy wine-tasting on a Franschhoek wine estate
Tour Stellenbosch with included bubbly and a nougat experience
Ride Table Mountain’s rotating cable car
Take a cruise on Knysna Lagoon
ABTA & ATOL protected
** SAVE up to £595pp **
From £2,691pp
Price includes 9 nights hotel accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis, 3 lunches, 4 dinners, 3 game drives, air-conditioned coach travel, experienced tour manager, transfers and return flights
Operated by Newmarket Holidays
12-Day Boutique Self-Drive With Kruger Safari
Self-Drive Holiday
Experience the highlights of South Africa on this 12 day self-drive adventure that gives you the chance to see the best of Cape Town, the wine region, Garden Route and experience a safari at Motswari Game Reserve. This fly drive is ideal for travellers who love smaller, more intimate accommodation stays.
Why we love this trip…
Witness the famed penguins of Boulders Beach
Explore the art galleries and cafes of the quirky town of Stellenbosch
Set up a base in Outdshoorn to go and visit the Cango Caves and Klein Karoo
Admire the breathtaking scenery of the Garden Route en Route to Plettenberg Bay
Enjoy game drives and lodge accommodation in the private Motswari Game Reserve
ATOL protected & award-winning tour operator
** Lovely Boutique Hotel & Lodge Stays **
From £3,799pp
Price includes 11 nights accommodation, daily breakfast, all meals & game drives at Motswari Game Reserve, car hire, internal flight and return flights
Operated by Travelbag
25-Day The Very Best of South Africa Tour
Escorted Tour
Over 25 unforgettable days, explore lively cities, head out on safari in search of the Big Five, travel through stunning scenery and take one of the world’s most luxurious train journeys. If you’re wanting to see everything South Africa has to offer – all in one extensive holiday, this trip ticks all the right boxes.
Why we love this trip…
Ride aboard the luxury Blue Train
Visit Kimberley’s ‘Big Hole’ diamond mine
Take a short cruise from Hout Bay to Duiker Island to witness the seals
Follow the scenic Helshoogte Pass in the Winelands
Explore the Panorama Route with sensational views at the Three Rondavels
Enjoy a 4×4 game drives in Kruger National Park
Spend time at leisure in Cape Town, Umhlanga, Knysna and Pretoria
ATOL protected & award-winning tour operator
** Once-in-a-Lifetime, Bucket List Adventure **
From £6,195pp
Price includes 4* to 5* hotel accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis, 10 lunches, 1 high tea, 6 dinners, 2 nights aboard the Blue Train with all meals on-board and selected beverages, activities as detailed in the itinerary, experienced tour manager, modern air-conditioned coaches, internal flight and return flights
Operated by Distant Journeys
16-Day Classic Garden Route & Safari
Self-Drive Holiday
From iconic Table Mountain to the coastal Garden Route and on to the plains of the Eastern Cape game reserves, discover South Africa’s most popular fly drive route. This holiday is great for those seeking independence on their travels.
Why we love this trip…
Take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain
Check out the restaurants and bars of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront
Spend time at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Visit the renowned wine estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl in the Cape Winelands
Discover the Garden Route’s beautiful beaches and the lagoon in Knysna
See the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard) found in the Eastern Cape Reserves
** Stunning itinerary **
From £1,325pp
Price includes 15 nights 4* to 4*+ hotel accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis, all drinks on days 13 and 15, 6 game drives & 13 days fully-inclusive car hire
Operated by Trailfinders
13-Day Cape Town, Safari & Mozambique Beach
Independent Multi-Centre Holiday
A good one for friends, family clans or honeymooners alike, this stylish two-week itinerary allows you to explore or relax with enough options at your fingertips to keep you thoroughly entertained. If you’re looking to unwind with a luxury beach stay at the end of your safari adventure, this trip is for you.
Why we love this trip…
Stay at Cape Town’s Pepperclub Hotel & Spa and unwind by the rooftop pool
Enjoy tented luxury at Garonga Safari Camp
Spend a night under the stars on Garonga Lodge’s sleep out deck
Experience a slow safari, spotting wildlife at an easy-going pace
Spot dolphins and whales from your Machangulo Beach Lodge in Mozambique
Spot exotic fish while snorkelling in the Indian Ocean
ABTA & ATOL protected
** Glorious Accommodation Choices **
From £4,995pp
Price includes 4 nights Cape Town hotel accommodation, 3 nights luxury camp, 5 nights beach hotel, internal flights and return flights
Operated by Kuoni
14-Day Garden Route Adventure
Small Group Adventure Tour
Follow the coastal trail to Cape Town on an adventurous 14-day adventure along the Garden Route and Wild Coast of South Africa. This itinerary is perfect for those on a budget – who want to cram in as many highlights as they possibly can within a two-week trip while travelling with a group of like-minded individuals.
Why we love this trip…
Search for gentle giants on a game drive through Addo Elephant National Park
Go hiking amongst the antelope in Bontebok National Park
Embark on a half-day guided walk in the mighty Drakensburg Range
Explore the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park
Enjoy a stroll along Grotto Beach in Hermanus – home to incredible whale watching
Journey the classic R320 route – stopping by a couple of wineries for local tastings
ABTA & ATOL protected
** SAVE up to £513pp **
From £1,197pp
Price includes 8 nights camping accommodation (with facilities), 3 nights dormitory, 2 nights lodge, 13 breakfasts, 3 lunch, 12 dinners, activities as detailed in the itinerary, local guides and overland vehicle
Operated by Intrepid Travel
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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