Welcome to South Africa

Black-maned lions framed against Kalahari dunes; powdery beaches lapped by two oceans; star-studded desert skies; jagged, lush mountains – this truly is a country of astounding diversity.

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Wildlife

South Africa is one of the continent's best safari destinations, offering the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) and more in accessible parks and reserves. You can drive right into the epic wilderness at Kruger, Kgalagadi and other parks, or join khaki-clad rangers on guided drives and walks. But it's not all about big-game sightings – wildlife watching here also teaches you to enjoy the little things: a leopard tortoise ambling alongside the road, a go-away bird chirping its distinctive chant in the trees, or an encounter with seals, whales or a great white shark along the coast.

Outdoor Adventure

South Africa's ever-changing scenery is the perfect canvas on which to paint an activity-packed trip. Try rock climbing in the craggy Cederberg, surfing off the Eastern Cape coast, abseiling from Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain, bungee jumping from the Garden Route's Bloukrans Bridge, or swinging into Graskop Gorge. If adrenaline sports aren't your thing, opt instead for a hike: options include multi-day treks through wildlife reserves, dusty day walks in the Karoo semidesert, 'slackpacking' trails along the Cape coast, or an overnight hike into the sometimes snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg.

History

To visit South Africa without learning about its tumultuous history would be to miss a crucial part of the country's identity. Museums from Jo'burg to Robben Island, many including exhibits on the apartheid era, might not be lighthearted, but will help you to understand the fabric of South African society and appreciate how far the country has come. Continue your history lesson with a township visit to the likes of Soweto (Jo'burg) or Langa (Cape Town), chatting to locals and learning that, despite the heart-wrenching past, there is great pride here and an immense sense of promise for the future.

Dramatic Landscapes

South Africa's landscapes are stunning, from the burning Karoo and Kalahari semideserts to the misty heights of the Drakensberg range and the massive Blyde River Canyon. Even in urban Cape Town, you need only look up to see the beautiful fynbos (indigenous flora) climbing the slopes of Table Mountain, while nearby, two of the world's most dramatic coastal roads lead to Cape Point and Hermanus. Add the vineyards carpeting the Cape Winelands, old-growth forests along the Garden Route, wrinkly mountain ranges from the Cederberg to the Swartberg, and Indian Ocean beaches, and there's a staggering variety to enjoy.

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Top experiences in South Africa

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South Africa activities

$89.12 Day Trips & Excursions

Cape Peninsula Tour from Cape Town

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Hout Bay, Cape Town Central, Western CapeLocal arts a crafts available / Comfort stop. Optional duiker island boat ride available. NB: should guests decide not to do the boat ride optional, the time at Hout Bay harbour may be reduced.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Newlands, Western CapeEnjoy a short walking tour of the GardensDuration: 45 minutesStop At: Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, Western CapeVisit the Penguin colony Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Town Central, Western CapeCape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora. Here we can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, Reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one of the world's largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Bird-watchers, too, will find many fine species to observe.**NB: timing depends where the Lunch stop is.***Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain National Park, Western CapeThe Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape PeninsulaDuration: 15 minutes
$84.91 Cultural & Theme Tours

Cape Town Townships Tour including Robben Island

Start your day with a hotel pickup, and then travel with your guide to the District Six Museum. Here, learn how segregationist laws beginning in 1950 forcibly removed more than 60,000 black South Africans from the district after it was declared ‘a white area.’Then, travel to Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township. During the apartheid era, living areas known as townships were set up in undesirable locations to house the country’s ‘non-whites.’ With your guide, drop by a shebeen (nightlife establishment), meet the locals at a market, talk to the owners of a guesthouse and a daycare center, and visit a traditional healer. Then, head to Guga S’thebe Arts & Culture Centre, the site of many community and cultural activities dedicated to improving the socio-economic status of Langa residents, the majority of whom are from the Xhosa tribe.Travel west back toward Cape Town to reach Gugulethu, originally established to house migrant workers from the agrarian Transkei region in the Eastern Cape province. Witness examples of poverty and development alike, including shanty towns, guesthouses, restaurants and jazz clubs. In the afternoon, enjoy free time for lunch at one of the many restaurants along the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (own expense). Then, ferry north from Cape Town across Table Bay to the rocky outcrop of Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where Nelson Mandela spent the first 18 years of his 27-year prison sentence in a maximum-security facility for political prisoners.On arrival, view his cell, which is approximately seven square feet (0.6 sq m) wide and located around a concrete courtyard. Listen to your guide share details of how Mandela’s leadership surfacing during a rebellion over forced digging in a quarry under harsh conditions.Pay a silent moment of respect as you imagine Nelson Mandela emerging from the prison gates, one step closer to beginning his long walk to freedom. Your tour then concludes with a drop-off back at your Cape Town hotel.Please note: District Six Museum (closed Sundays)

$203.19 Water Sports

Shark Cage Diving and Viewing from Cape Town

Pickup from your centrally located Cape Town hotel, and then relax in comfort during the approx. 2-hour journey.On arrival in Gansbaai, your driver will drop you off to enjoy breakfast (or lunch if your tour start time is delayed due to bad weather) at the shark-diving center, known as the Great White House. During this time, you'll meet the expert guides who are leading you on your adventure and be fitted for your diving gear.Board the specialized diving boat and enjoy an exhilarating 20-minute boat ride to Dyer Island. Your captain will stop in the optimal spot, and then the onboard team will tempt the great whites to the boat with bait so you’ll get a fantastic view of the sharks before heading into the shark-diving cage. The boat will stay anchored for approximately two hours, depending on the shark activity. Your cage is attached to the boat and will stay just a few feet/meters below the water’s surface during your dive, which means it’s quick and easy to get out of the water as soon as you want. While you’re on board the boat, hydrate and refuel with the included drinks and snacks. Once back on shore, enjoy a light refreshment at the Great White House, where you can purchase a professional video of your once-in-a-lifetime experience, if you wish.Your experience concludes with a drop-off at your hotel in Cape Town.
$103.38 Day Trips & Excursions

Cape Point Sightseeing Tour plus Stellenbosch Wine Tasting

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productPass By: Chapman's Peak Drive, Western CapeThe most spectacular marine drive in the world. Stop At: Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Town Central, Western Capetravel to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora. Here we can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, Reebok, Cape Mountain zebra, bontebok and the elusive eland. The reserve is also one of the world's largest breeding grounds for tortoises. Bird-watchers, too, will find many fine species to observe.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Neethlingshof Estate, Stellenbosch, Western CapeEnjoy a Wine Tasting at a Stellenbosch Wine Estate.Wine Estate is subject to change.Duration: 30 minutes
$77.71 Day Trips & Excursions

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Valley Wine Day Trip

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Neethlingshof Estate, Stellenbosch, Western CapeEnjoy a Wine Tasting Stellenbosch. Wine Estate is subject to change.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Fairview Wine and Cheese, Suider Paarl, Paarl, Western CapeEnjoy a Wine tasting in paarl. Wine estate is subject to change.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Dieu Donne Vineyards & Views, Franschhoek, Western CapeEnjoy wine tasting in Franschoek.Wine estate is subject to change.Duration: 45 minutes
$69.87 Food, Wine & Nightlife

Full-Day South African Wine Tour

ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: African Story Wine Tours, Cape Town Central, Western CapeEnjoy a fun-filled yet informative tour through the Cape's beautiful winelands. Our day includes visits to some of the winelands' premier estates and tastings of various wines, sparkling wines, cape ports, and delicious cheeses. There are also olives and chocolates (Subject to availability). An appetizing a la carte lunch is included in the tour.We leave Cape Town daily to the winelands making the day one of your best days of your holiday.Duration: 8 hours
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