Lions roaring at dawn, penguins in the afternoon, and a glass of Pinotage at sunset.
A tour to South Africa is an adventure full of contrasts – and it was, in fact, the very first destination we sent our guests to when TourCompass began in 2006.
South Africa is often referred to as “A World in One Country” – and once you visit, you’ll quickly understand why.
From iconic wildlife and dramatic mountain ranges to lush vineyards and vibrant cities, South Africa is bursting with contrasts and offers a richness you can never fully explore. And there’s a practical bonus many people overlook: South Africa shares almost the same time zone as the UK, meaning no jet lag – so you’ll be ready to start exploring from day one.
Whether you’re seeking unforgettable safari encounters, breathtaking scenery, or cultural experiences that truly touch your soul, South Africa leaves an impression that stays with both heart and mind.
“For me, South Africa really is ‘A World in One Country’! One day you’re watching lions, the next you’re spotting penguins. Here you’ll find every kind of landscape – desert, mountains, coastline, and forest – all infused with fascinating cultures and delicious food and wine.”
– Winnie, travel expert and Product Manager for Africa – travelled to South Africa for the first time in 2007.
Our tours in South Africa are carefully designed to give you the chance to experience the very best of this fascinating country and its many sides.
Below, you can read about some of the highlights you can experience on a tour to South Africa.
South Africa is an enchanting safari destination, offering unforgettable encounters with diverse wildlife set against dramatic landscapes.
The majority of our South Africa tours take you on safari in Kruger National Park and the surrounding private game reserves, collectively known as “Greater Kruger”. The park impresses not only with its beautiful scenery – shifting from open plains and lush forested areas to rushing rivers – but also with its abundance of wildlife, including Africa’s iconic Big Five, as well as classic safari animals like giraffes, zebras, and hippos.
In the Kariega Game Reserve, located in the Eastern Cape in the heart of the verdant Kariega Valley, you can enjoy an atmospheric game drive in malaria-free surroundings. Here, safaris are conducted in open jeeps that bring you close to the wildlife and varied landscapes, with the experience rounded off by luxurious accommodation.
Your safari holiday in South Africa can also take you to the Nambiti Private Game Reserve, located in a malaria-free region in the heart of the stunning KwaZulu-Natal province. This magnificent natural area, with its mix of savannah, bushland, forests, and rivers, is home to a wealth of bird and mammal species – including the iconic Big Five, for which this private wildlife reserve is particularly renowned.
You can also go on a malaria-free safari in Pilanesberg, one of the most popular safari areas in South Africa. Here, you can experience a diverse array of wildlife, including highlights such as the Big Five and more than 360 bird species, as you travel through a varied landscape of open grasslands, rolling hills, and lush woodlands.
Embark on a tour to Cape Town and soak up the infectious urban energy of one of South Africa’s three capitals. As the country’s second-largest city, Cape Town offers an abundance of experiences. Whether you’re seeking breathtaking encounters with nature or captivating cultural adventures that truly move you, Cape Town promises excitement and inspiration that will keep you engaged for days on end.
You could, for example, visit Cape Town’s iconic landmark, Table Mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent view of the city and the Atlantic Ocean stretching endlessly to the horizon. You might also visit Robben Island, a UNESCO world heritage site that once housed the prison where Nelson Mandela was held captive for 18 years.
But it’s not just the many attractions that make Cape Town such a remarkable destination. With countless restaurants and food markets, Cape Town is the perfect place to savour the delicious South African cuisine, which offers an exciting fusion of African, European, and Asian culinary traditions.
With its stunning and diverse landscapes, South Africa is a destination that offers nature experiences of the highest calibre.
If you want to experience awe-inspiring scenery, head to the Drakensberg Mountains, where dramatic rock formations await. The area offers a range of superb hiking routes that vary not only in length and difficulty but also in the highlights they reveal – for example, a refreshing dip in Neptune’s Pool or panoramic views over one of the world’s largest canyons, the Blyde River Canyon.
You can also experience South Africa’s famous coastal route on a guided tour of the Garden Route, one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. Stretching between Mossel Bay (Western Cape) and Storms River (Eastern Cape), the route is packed with highlights, including fascinating caves, the ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn, the beautiful Knysna Lagoon, and whale watching in Hermanus.
Whether you’re a true wine enthusiast or simply appreciate a good glass of wine, a visit to the South African wine country is sure to exceed your expectations. In popular wine regions such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, you can explore charming vineyards and sample refreshing, locally produced wines while soaking up the views of the lush vineyards.
We offer a range of combination options that pair South Africa with one or more additional destinations. Our most popular combination is Mauritius, providing the perfect way to round off an adventure-filled tour of South Africa. But we also offer combinations with Victoria Falls, Botswana, and Madagascar.
Below, you can read more about the individual combination options.
Combine your tour with a tour to Mauritius and look forward to a relaxing beach holiday on the exotic island nation of Mauritius, set in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Here, you can unwind on the breathtaking beaches and enjoy a range of water sports, diving, and snorkelling. But Mauritius has much more to offer than the beach alone. You can, for example, visit the sacred Ganga Talao Lake – a stunning crater lake nestled in the heart of the island’s mountain range – or explore the iconic Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, famous for its unique geological formations.
Choose a combination with Mauritius if you’d like to spend the final days of your holiday relaxing on the beach, surrounded by luxury.
Combine your tour with Victoria Falls and add awe-inspiring natural wonders to your journey.
The spectacular Victoria Falls lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This mighty waterfall is one of the largest in the world and a truly unforgettable natural wonder. Watching the torrents of water plunge dramatically over the edge into the deep Batoka Gorge is an experience like no other.
Choose a combination including Victoria Falls if you’d like to extend your South Africa safari with even more extraordinary encounters with nature.
Combine your adventure with Madagascar – the home of the lemurs and the world’s fourth-largest island, beautifully located in the Indian Ocean off Africa’s east coast.
Madagascar is particularly famous for its more than 100 different species of lemurs, which are endemic to the island – meaning they live here and nowhere else in the wild. You might, for example, be lucky enough to spot (and hear) the indri lemur, known for its distinctive call, or the sifaka lemur, nicknamed the “dancing lemur” for its graceful, dance-like movements.
In addition to its truly unique natural landscapes and wildlife encounters, Madagascar also boasts a fascinating history filled with kings and queens. In the capital city, Antananarivo, you can visit the Queen’s Palace – the city’s main attraction – and discover why Queen Ranavalona I became known as “the Mad Queen”.
Choose a combination with Madagascar if you’d like to experience lemurs in their natural habitat – right where they come from.
Combine your South Africa adventure with a tour to Botswana. Here, you can enjoy a safari experience in the magnificent Chobe National Park, one of the very best national parks in Africa.
Chobe National Park offers endlessly beautiful, untouched wilderness and a rich variety of wildlife. The park is particularly famous for its large elephant population – in fact, it’s home to one of the biggest concentrations of elephants anywhere in Africa.
Opt for a combination with a safari in Botswana if you wish to experience the country’s wild, pristine nature and discover even more of Africa’s extraordinary natural wonders.
All our tours to South Africa are package holidays.
When you book a tour to South Africa, flights (both international and domestic), transfers at your destination, accommodation, and pre-arranged activities are always included in the price.
Under our practical information section, you can see what you’ll need to arrange yourself (e.g. visas, vaccinations, etc.).
There can be many questions when you’re booking a tour to South Africa for the first time. We’ve therefore answered some of the most frequently asked questions below.
The price of a tour in South Africa varies depending on the length of the tour, departure date, and what’s included in the itinerary.
Our tours are package holidays, which means the price always includes flights, transfers, accommodation, entrance fees to national parks, and more. Prices are typically higher during peak seasons, for example over the summer holidays and around Christmas and New Year, and lower in the off-season.
To get an accurate price based on your travel wishes, we recommend requesting a non-binding quote.
Our shortest tour of South Africa lasts 9 days and includes, among other things, a safari in Kruger National Park and a visit to the stunning Drakensberg Mountains.
The duration of your tour, however, depends very much on your travel preferences, which is why we offer tours of varying lengths to suit different needs.
If you want the best weather for a safari holiday in South Africa, you should travel between May and October. During these months, wildlife is easier to spot across the dry landscapes.
If you’re planning a tour to Cape Town, the best time to visit is between December and February, when the South African summer is at its peak, offering perfect conditions for exploring the city.
However, South Africa is a year-round destination, so you’re guaranteed unforgettable experiences whenever you decide to visit.
Read more about South Africa’s seasons.
Yes, travelling to South Africa is generally considered safe. We always follow the travel advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and work closely with experienced local partners who know the destination inside out.
No matter where in the world you travel, we always recommend using your common sense and following the guidance of the local authorities.
If you have any questions or need assistance along the way, you can reach our travel specialists or local partners at any time through our 24-hour emergency hotline.
As a UK citizen, you will be issued a visa upon arrival in South Africa for stays of up to 90 days, provided your passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond your stay and has a minimum of two blank pages available.
For detailed information about passports and visas, we recommend visiting our practical information page about South Africa or keeping up to date via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.
Yes, you’ll most likely need vaccinations before travelling to South Africa.
The vaccinations you require depend on which ones you already have and whether your route to South Africa passes through a country where yellow fever occurs. While we know a lot about tours, we’re not doctors, so we recommend that you contact a specialist, your GP, or an authorised vaccination clinic for advice on vaccinations.
South Africa holds a very special place in our hearts. It was the very first destination we sent our guests to when we began in 2006 – and since then, many more have followed.
We’ve visited the country countless times and regularly return to rediscover its wonders and seek out new places to include in our tours. We know exactly what it feels like to spot “the Big Five” for the first time in Kruger National Park, to watch the sunrise over Cape Town from the summit of Table Mountain, and that unique joy of sipping a glass of South African pinotage overlooking the vineyards of the Cape Winelands.
If you have any questions about which tour to South Africa to choose, the best time to travel, or what to expect during your adventure, our travel specialists are ready to assist you.
Would you like to explore the wildlife of world-famous national parks, be captivated by some of the planet’s most breathtaking scenery, and immerse yourself in the culture of vibrant Cape Town?
At TourCompass, we offer a wide range of tours that allow you to experience everything that makes South Africa truly unique. If you need help finding your dream holiday or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated travel specialists – they’re here to help.
We look forward to helping you set off on your next great adventure of a lifetime.
TourCompass – From tourist to traveller
You can check out the itinerary and dream yourself away in photos and videos of all our tours. You can read more about accommodation, combination options and all the practicalities – and see prices and departure dates for the next 18 months.
You are always welcome to call or write to us. We are here to answer all your questions, listen to your wishes and provide you with honest and competent advice based on our extensive travel experiences with Africa, Asia and Latin America.
You will receive a detailed quote for the tour, which you can save, print out or share with your travelling companions. If you decide to go ahead and book the tour, you can do this easily via the quote itself.
Catriona is passionate about helping other people fulfill their travel dreams, as she knows how much travel has only improved her life for the better!
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