Why go on safari in South Africa?

South Africa is a renowned safari destination where you can see lush nature, unique cultural history, and a vast concentration of wild animals, including the Big Five.

It is known as “a world in one country”, which speaks to the diversity of the experiences to be found here. This makes South Africa an excellent choice for those who wish to see some of Africa’s most varied animal life alongside some of the countless other experiences this country has to offer.

Our safari holidays in South Africa

Below you can read about some of the highlights that await you in South Africa. You can explore all the experiences on the different tours.

Kruger National Park

The majority of our tours in South Africa bring you on a safari in the Kruger National Park and the private game reserves that surround it (also known as Greater Kruger).

Here, you can find an impressive nature area with dense vegetation, open fields and forest areas, and the rivers that sustain the animals who live here. On the savannah in Kruger, you will have rich opportunities to spot the national park’s iconic animal life, including classic safari animals like giraffes, zebras, and hippopotamuses, Africa’s Big Five, and more endangered animal species such as the wild dog.

Kariega Game Reserve

Kariega Game Reserve is situated in Eastern Cape at the heart of the lush Kariega Valley, a well-known, malaria-free area where you can go on safari and experience animal life up close in open jeeps.

Kariega is for everyone who dreams of experiencing a private game reserve with luxurious accommodations and numerous game drives in unique, varied nature with rivers, green-clad hills, grassy fields and of course, countless animals in a malaria-free area.

Kapama Private Game Reserve

In Limpopo province in the north-east of South Africa, you’ll find the 15,000-hectare Kapama Private Game Reserve.

Kapama is known for offering a personal and intimate safari adventure with lots of game drives in scenic landscapes and with the opportunity to meet the Big Five, go on bushwalks and relax in the luxurious surroundings of the 5-star lodge. It’s all-inclusive here!

The Drakensberg Mountains

Along the Panoramic Route, you can see the gorgeous, stark Drakensberg Mountains.

These red mountains form a magnificent contrast to the green nature surrounding them, and you can look forward to the Blyde River Canyon, one of the biggest canyons in the world, which impresses with its three beautiful vantage points: God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels.

Combine your South Africa safari with…

Our safari tours in South Africa can be combined in countless variations, all depending on what you want to experience. Check what options are available for each tour.

Read more about your combination options here.

Cape Town

Combine your safari a tour to Cape Town, South Africa’s second-biggest city. The big city offers breath-taking nature experiences, enthralling history and a diverse culture that will keep you busy for many days.

For example, you can visit Table Mountain, which overlooks Cape Town and offers a unique view of both the city and the blue Atlantic Ocean. Or take a trip to Robben Island, which today is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is likely best known for the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years. Be sure not to miss your chance to enjoy Cape Town’s rich cultural life, where its countless restaurants and food markets give you a chance to taste South African cuisine.

Choose a combination with Cape Town if you would like to experience a major South African metropolis that is awash with city life, beautiful mountains, and countless historical experiences.

Victoria Falls

Combine your safari with a tour to Victoria Falls and add some overwhelming nature experiences to your tour.

The magnificent Victoria Falls is situated on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. These waterfalls are among the biggest in the world, making for a nature experience without equal. Seeing the sheer mass of water tumble over the edge into the deep Batoka Gorge is an incredible experience.

Choose a combination with Victoria Falls if you would like to combine your safari in South Africa with an opportunity to get more otherworldly nature experiences.

Safari in Botswana

Combine your South African adventure with a safari in Botswana. Go on safari in the stunning Chobe National Park, one of Africa’s best national parks.

Chobe National Park offers infinitely beautiful and unspoilt nature, not to mention exciting wildlife. It is also known for its large number of elephants. In fact, it is home to one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa.

Choose a combination with a safari in Botswana to experience the wild and untouched nature of Botswana and explore even more of Africa’s unique nature experiences.

Beach holiday in Mauritius

Combine your safari with a holiday in Mauritius and look forward to a relaxing beach holiday in exotic Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Here, you can relax on heavenly beaches and participate in different types of water sports, diving, and snorkelling. But there are also tons of experiences that go beyond the beach too. For example, you can see the sacred Ganga Talao, a beautiful crater lake at the heart of Mauritius’s mountainous region, or the iconic Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, where you can experience unique geographical formations.

Choose a combination with Mauritius if you would like to use the last part of your holiday on relaxing on the beach in the lap of luxury.

The Garden Route

Combine your safari with the Garden Route and experience one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in the world.

The Garden Route stretches between Mossel Bay (Western Cape) and Storms River (Eastern Cape). Here, you can see sights such as grottos and ostriches in the world’s ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn, the beautiful lagoon and shellfish restaurants of Knysna, and whales in Hermanus.

Choose a combination with the Garden Route if you would like to combine your South Africa tour with experiences along this unique coastal route.

South Africa’s winelands

Combine your tour with South Africa’s idyllic Winelands, which are a short drive from Cape Town, and which offer you a taste of the country’s world-famous wines.

Some of the most popular areas include Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, whose landscapes are as incredible as their wines are exquisite. On a visit here, you can see old, white lime vineyards as well as more modern incarnations, all located in ineffably charming surroundings.

Choose a combination with the Winelands if you would like to make your tour complete with excellent wine, good food, history, and beautiful nature.

Lemurs in Madagascar

Combine your safari holiday in South Africa with a trip to Madagascar, home to the lemurs, and the world’s fourth largest island, beautifully nestled in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa.

Madagascar is particularly renowned for its more than 100 different species of lemurs, which are endemic to the island – meaning they naturally live only here. For example, you might be lucky enough to experience (and hear) the Indri lemur, which is famous for its distinctive call, or perhaps the Sifaka lemur, nicknamed the ‘dancing lemur’ due to its dance-like movements.

In addition to unique natural and wildlife experiences, Madagascar also boasts a fascinating history filled with kings and queens. In the capital, Antananarivo, you can visit the Queen’s Palace, the city’s major attraction, and discover why Queen Ranavalona I earned the nickname ‘The Mad Queen’.

Choose a combination tour including Madagascar if you want to see lemurs in their natural habitat.

Package holidays, including flights

All our tours to South Africa are package tours.

This means that the price includes flights (return flights from the UK, as well as domestic flights), transfers at the destination, accommodations, as well as planned safaris and other excursions.

See our practical info about South Africa for questions related to your tour, e.g., about visas, vaccinations, and similar issues.

Do you have questions about South Africa?

If you have any questions about South Africa or our other destinations in Africa, Latin America, Asia, or Oceania, you are always welcome to contact us.

Our travel specialists have many years of experience and regularly visit our destinations, so they are well-equipped to help you find the perfect tour.

We look forward to helping you a holiday of a lifetime.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller