Tours of South Africa

Our Discovery collection draws together the best of our holidays that focus on the culture of a destination, as well as on visiting iconic sights and embracing local traditions. Some of these Discovery holidays will also have an element of activity, combining sightseeing with short walks, for example. Others might have a multi-activity holiday format, including biking and/or rafting, for instance, and these holidays are specifically designed for the adrenaline seeker! Also within our discovery collection are those of our holidays with a wildlife emphasis, photographic workshops, and polar cruise holidays. Never too physically demanding, these are predominantly touring holidays and their grade (usually towards the lower end of our 1 to 12 scale) reflects, in part, the remoteness of the area visited and the conditions likely to be encountered. Our Discovery holidays allow the discerning traveller to get right to the heart of many of the world's most stimulating destinations.

Cape Town and the Garden Route

East of Cape Town, the beautiful 200 kilometre stretch of coastline known as the Garden Route is justifiably famous. Here, mountains crowd close to a shoreline that features golden beaches, pretty towns and several national parks. This excellent discovery tour holiday starts with a couple of game drives at the Addo Elephant Reserve. We walk on forest and coastal trails at Tsitsikamma and Knysna, before crossing the Outiniqua Pass into the Little Karoo, where we see the amazing Cango Caves. Then, after visiting an ostrich farm, we head west to Hermanus, a great place to spend a free day with optional activities such as whale watching. An afternoon of wine tasting in the Stellenbosch winelands is next up, as we make our way towards Cape Town. We bring this inspirational discovery holiday to a close with the hike to the top of Table Mountain and a day's exploration of the Cape Peninsula, with the chance to see the penguin colony at Boulders Beach and to stand at the Cape of Good Hope.

Our tours are packed with action and adventure, travelling through a country to experience its culture and to meet the local people. But they’re also about experiencing the awesome beauty of the natural world, the most inspiring landscapes on every continent. You could join one of our Inspiring Landscapes tours to see for yourself the soaring peaks of the Himalaya, experience the vast emptiness of the Sahara, walk in the immense Amazon Rainforest or witness the spectacular, wind- and water-eroded landscapes of the western United States. Closer to home you could wonder at the soft contours of Tuscany’s rolling hills or the dramatic, lava-strewn volcanoes of Iceland. When you discover these landscapes with Explore you won’t just be having a look, taking a photo and moving on. You’ll appreciate them all the more by staying longer and interacting with nature, usually on foot: getting in amongst the mountains, the trees and the sand-dunes – and really soaking up the atmosphere of the place.

Cape Escape

Tour Map of Cape Escape

Flanked by the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, the Western Cape boasts incredible beaches, beautiful mountain ranges and unparalleled botanical splendour. On this holiday we enjoy coastal walks in Tsitsikamma National Park, visit the Cape's wine estates and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We also enjoy spectacular views from the summit of Table Mountain and game drives in the Botelierskop Reserve.

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 Discoverer

Tour Map of South Africa Discoverer

Explore South Africa's fascinating cultural diversity on this exciting journey through the Rainbow Nation. Chase stunning views through Tsitsikamma National Park and track big game across Addo Elephant National Park. Led by a knowledgeable and dynamic CEO, journey across the southern coast in search of phenomenal wildlife and dramatic scenery. With an itinerary taking in the best of the Garden Route, you'll be talking about this ten-day adventure for a long, long time.