Tours of South Africa

From wildlife safaris in Africa to tiger tracking in India and visits to the chattering penguins of Antarctica, Explore offers a diverse range of wildlife adventures for everyone, whatever your passion. Join us in Spitsbergen in search of Polar bears or in Madagascar to see reclusive lemurs; experience face-to-face encounters with endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda or track elusive jaguars in Guyana. Search for the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and elephant – in Africa’s world-famous game parks; or for the ultimate African wildlife experience join a walking safari, where the thrill of being on foot among the wildlife is second to none. Closer to home you could observe the rare European brown bear in Finland, the whales and dolphins of the Azores or the prolific birdlife of the Scottish islands. By exploring in small, inconspicuous groups you can not only get into the heart of the animal kingdom for exciting wildlife encounters, but also enjoy longer periods of relaxed observation with excellent opportunities for photography and video.

Zululand & Kruger Wildlife + Cape Escape

Tour Map of Zululand & Kruger Wildlife + Cape Escape

Combine a safari through South Africa and Swaziland with an exciting journey along the 'Garden Route' and the Western Cape. We visit Zulu battlefields, search for wildlife in the renowned Kruger National Park and take a walking safari through Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Travelling to Africa's southernmost region we walk on the beautiful 'Garden Route' coastline, explore great wine estates and climb Table Mountain.

The Best of South Africa

Tour Map of The Best of South Africa

South Africa is a visually radiant land, its natural beauty and diversity perhaps most memorably illustrated in its wildlife-rich national parks and the endlessly scenic Garden Route, a stretch of forests and wetlands, rivers and lakes that fringes the southern coastline. This exhilarating tour includes both a Garden Route journey and a stay at Mala Mala, the jewel in the crown of African safari lodges, along with enthralling visits to unspoilt Swaziland, Pretoria, Durban and colonial Cape Town, set in the iconic shadow of Table Mountain, where luxurious accommodation on the city’s attractive waterfront provides a grand finale to a sensational travel experience.

Excellent value, amazing prices, quality experiences. Camping most nights with some hotel stays to start and throughout. Affordable public and private transport for maximum cultural interaction.

Popular with 18-30-somethings. Yolo trips are built for those who want to take on the planet in a fun and affordable way with a small group of like-minded travellers. Skip the oversized tour bus and truly connect with your destination. Hit the highlights without giving up the freedom to mix it up according to your own tastes.

South Africa & Swazi Quest

Tour Map of South Africa & Swazi Quest

The unvarnished grandeur of South Africa is on display in this comprehensive exploration of one of the continent’s most diverse and fascinating destinations. Africa’s incredible culture and wildlife is at a premium on this tour—from the coastal shores of Tsitsikamma to extensive game drives in Addo Elephant National Park and the famed Kruger. You’ll also have the chance to visit a traditional Swazi village, explore modern Cape Town, and follow the glorious Garden Route. Add in knowledgeable CEOs and some of the best camp meals you’ve ever tasted and you’ve got a recipe for adventure par excellence.

Great value, reasonable prices, quality experiences. Comfortable and varied tourist-class accommodations chosen for location and character. Mix of public and private transport for the best overall experience. All the top highlights included, plus plenty of time to explore on your own.

The trips we've build our reputation on. Designed for maximum variety, these trips are geared towards travellers searching for a healthy mix of active exploration, uncommon landscapes, amazing wildlife and local cultures.

South Africa Camping Adventure

Tour Map of South Africa Camping Adventure

Southern Africa is one of the continent’s most fascinating destinations, and on this two-week trip, you’ll get the best of what this dynamic region has to offer. Going from Cape Town to Johannesburg, you’ll experience the mountains of Lesotho, coastal Zululand, and the hiking terrain of Tugela Gorge, while camping and shared dorms help keep costs down. Cap it off with game drives in Addo NP and Kruger NP before visiting rural Shalati, also home to our G Adventures-supported New Hope project. Wildlife and warm feelings guaranteed.

Sensational South Africa

Tour Map of Sensational South Africa

With opportunities to explore breathtakingly beautiful coastlines and iconic cities, admire views from mountain summits and track the ‘Big Five’ on safari, South Africa can justifiably claim to offer ‘the whole world in one country’. Immerse yourself in this ever-enthralling land on this superb value, fully escorted tour of its three top attractions, each an icon of world travel in its own right. Enjoy spectacular wildlife-watching in Kruger National Park, a journey along the glorious Garden Route and no fewer than four nights in Cape Town, the African continent’s most attractive city with a host of holiday pleasures on its doorstep.

South Africa Highlights

Tour Map of South Africa Highlights

On this trip we discover the highlights of South Africa, learning about its turbulent history in Soweto and then visiting Kruger, the most famous National Park in Southern Africa for two full days of safari, searching for big game. We fly down to the Garden Route to take an incredible journey from Tsitsikamma down to Cape Town, taking in Knysna and Featherbed National Park, Hermanus for some of the best whale watching in the world and of course an overnight stay in the historic town of Stellenbosch, known for its award winning wineries and vineyards. In Cape Town there is the chance to take a trip to Robben Island or the cable car up Table Mountain.

essential South Africa

Tour Map of essential South Africa

South Africa will never cease to amaze and inspire all who visit. The natural beauty is legendary, with incredible mountains, lush forests, stark deserts and rich seas that support innumerable species from huge bull elephants and mighty Southern Right Whales to the small African Penguins which inhabit Boulders Beach. With time to explore the attractive city of Cape Town, with its dramatic Table Mountain backdrop; a day exploring the natural beauty of the Cape Peninsula and the chance to take an optional whale-watching safari; as well as no less than five game drives in wildlife-rich Pilanesberg National Park - a malaria-free zone - there are multiple possibilities to observe South Africa’s inhabitants and beauty on this wonderful holiday.

All the adventure you want, with a softer landing. Handpicked, character-rich accommodations with upgraded amenities services. Upgraded and private transport, including flights to maximize time. More included meals, activities and transfers.

Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park

Tour Map of Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park

Discover for yourself why Cape Town is consistently named one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Then fly on to Johannesburg to explore some highly-celebrated game reserves. Scan the horizon of Kruger National Park for the Big Five and spend time in the wild with a conservationist from the National Geographic Big Cats Initiative. Get to the bottom of Africa and you might just start dreaming up ways to avoid returning home.