A trip to South Africa is on a lot of people’s travel lists. From wildlife safaris and winery visits to exploring Cape Town, there’s something for everyone in the diverse country. Whether you want to travel with a large group or on a private tour, many of the most well-known tour groups have guided tours of South Africa that dive deep into natural wonders and bustling city life.
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While many of the best South Africa tours include safaris, there are some that also include train rides, safari boat tours, and even side trips to nearby Victoria Falls in Zambia. No matter what you want out of a South Africa vacation, there’s a group tour that makes it easy to see and do everything on your list.
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These 10 exciting South Africa tours take travelers to some of the most sought-after destinations. One of the best things about group tours like this is that you don’t have to take care of figuring out a travel route, what to do in each town, or worry about booking safari tickets, since all of the logistics are arranged by expert guides.
1. Trafalgar Cape Town Explorer
Travelers looking to see just Cape Town, South Africa will enjoy the Trafalgar Cape Town Explorer tour. The eight-day tour takes the group around the vibrant city and to neighboring sights to experience all that Cape Town has to offer. The trip starts with a visit to Table Mountain and on a city tour. One optional experience that’s not to be missed is the sunset Champagne cruise, where you’ll head out to Table Bay to watch the city come alive as the sun goes down over the water.
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Foodies will love day four, where there is a traditional braai bbq lunch in Hermanus, then a tour of the Bouchard Finlayson winery. Fun fact: the winery is owned by the same family that owns Trafalgar. Throughout the rest of the tour, there’s a full day on your own to explore as you see fit, and another day in the Cape Vineland region for a wine tasting in Stellenbosch.
- Length: 8 days
- Starting Price: $2,775
- Group Size: Up to 40 people
- How to Book: Directly through Trafalgar; via Travelstride, Tourhub, or TourRadar, all which are tour specialist OTAs (online travel agents); or through a travel agent such as AAA
2. G Adventures Cape & Dunes Northbound: Wildlife & Starry Night Skies
For a more rugged outdoor experience in South Africa, consider the G Adventures Cape & Dunes Northbound: Wildlife & Starry Night Skies tour. Over the course of 13 days, travelers have the opportunity to camp outside under the stars while taking part in fun activities like hiking, rafting, and kayaking.
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The tour starts in South Africa and travels North to Namibia. While in South Africa, travelers learn about the history and culture of the Sans people, check out the nightlife in Cape Town, and enjoy some downtime in Orange River. After crossing over the border to Namibia, the tour heads to the Namib Desert, where the red sand dunes are the backdrop of your campsite for the evenings ahead. Near the end of the trip is the highlight moment: a full-day wildlife safari in Etosha National Park.
- Length: 13 days
- Starting Price: $1,612
- Group Size: up to 22 people
- How to Book: Directly through G Adventures; via Travelstride, Tourhub, or TourRadar, all which are tour specialist OTAs (online travel agents); or through a travel agent such as AAA
3. Tauck South Africa: An Elegant Adventure
Travelers seeking a luxury tour experience should consider the Tauck South Africa: An Elegant Adventure tour. The tour runs as both a classic tour with up to 44 people and as a small group tour with up to 24 people. On both, the itinerary is essentially the same. The trip starts in Cape Town, with a sightseeing tour of the city and a venture over to the nearby wineries.
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Highlights of the trip include a two-night stay at Kruger National Park for a safari stay with plenty of game drives. Travelers will also experience game drives at the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Towards the end of the trip in Johannesburg, you’ll be able to see the home of Nelson Mandela. The trip ends with a flight to Victoria Falls, where you can see the Zambezi River flowing over the gorge and have an elephant encounter in Zambezi National Park.
- Length: 12 days
- Starting Price: $10,490
- Group Size: 35 to 44 people
- How to Book: Directly through Tauck; via a tour specialist OTA like Travelstride or Tourhub; or through a travel agent such as AAA
4. National Geographic Expeditions Southern Africa Family Journey: In Search of the Big Five
While some South Africa trips are geared towards adults, the National Geographic Expeditions Southern Africa Family Journey: In Search of the Big Five is specifically designed for those traveling with kids 7 and 17 years old. The trip starts in Cape Town, where everyone gets to check out Boulder Beach to see African penguins, and to visit the Cape of Good Hope.
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Animal lovers will enjoy days four through seven, when the group stays at a lodge near the entrance to Kruger National Park and takes game drives to spot the wild animals that call the reserve home. Travelers will also get to explore Chimp Eden, which is operated by the Jane Goodall Institute of South Africa. The trip ends with a few days around Victoria Falls, where you’ll have the chance to stand at one of the cascades overlooks, take a helicopter ride over the falls, or set sail on a sunset cruise of the Zambezi River.
- Length: 11 days
- Starting Price: $4,399
- Group Size: 20 people
- How to Book: Directly through National Geographic Expeditions via Travelstride, a tour specialist OTA; or through a travel agent such as AAA
5. Collette Spectacular South Africa
On the Collette Spectacular South Africa tour, travelers experience the grandeur of the country without the hassle of planning. Unlike other many other South Africa trips, this one starts in Johannesburg, where travelers will learn about the mining industry that made the city famous, and tour historic military forts.
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Collette’s tour then heads to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in the country, for a few days of open-air safari driving and a traditional braai bbq lunch. The trip also includes a visit to Stellenbosch for a wine-tasting dinner, a trip to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, and time watching the penguins at Boulders Beach.
- Length: 14 days
- Starting Price: $2,749
- Group Size: up to 44 people
- How to Book: Directly through Collette; via tour specialist OTA TourRadar; or through a travel agent such as AAA
6. Adventures by Disney South Africa
Explore Cape Town, Knysna, and the Kapama Game Reserve with the Adventures by Disney South Africa tour. The trip starts in Cape Town, where travelers take a city walking tour and the aerial cableway to the top of Table Mountain. Other highlights of Cape Town include seeing the Cape of Good Hope plus Boulders Beach for African penguin watching.
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The second half of the trip is what many people look forward to most, starting with a walking safari at the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary. And at the Kapama Game Reserve, the group takes morning and evening game drives each day to try to spot the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos.
- Length: 10 days
- Starting Price: $9,699
- Group Size: 35 to 44 people
- How to Book: Directly through Adventures by Disney or through a travel agent such as AAA
7. Abercrombie & Kent Southern Africa Safari & Rail Adventure
One of the newest tours from Abercrombie & Kent is the Southern Africa Safari & Rail Adventure tour. Travelers spend a week in the country of South Africa before moving to Zimbabwe and Botswana on this 13-day tour. While in Cape Town, travelers see Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and learn about national figures like Nelson Mandela. One of the highlights of the trip is traveling from Cape Town to Johannesburg on the Rovos Rail luxury train.
The second half of the trip takes travelers to see Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Then everyone sets out to Chobe National Park in Botswana, where you’ll have morning and afternoon game drives. Also in Botswana, travelers visit the Okavango Delta, which is known for its exclusive camps that have great game viewing.
- Length: 13 days
- Starting Price: $14,995
- Group Size: up to 18 people
- How to Book: Directly through Abercrombie & Kent; via Travelstride, a tour specialist OTA (online travel agent); or through a travel agent such as AAA
8. Road Scholar Lions, Hippos & Zebras, Oh My! Africa Safari With Your Grandchild
Grandparents who want to take their grandkids on an epic adventure should consider the Road Scholar Lions, Hippos & Zebras, Oh My! Africa Safari With Your Grandchild tour. The two-week adventure has programs for kids ages 10 to 13 or 14 to 17, depending on the departure date. The trip starts in Johannesburg, where travelers visit the Lesedi Cultural Village to learn how to make traditional African bracelets, then moves to the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre for a day of wildlife spotting.
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The animal spotting continues at the Plumari Game Reserve, with open-air game drives and an elephant encounter. The adventure then moves to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for safaris to spot some of the big five. One of the biggest highlights of the trip comes on day 10, where the group will cross the Kazungula Bridge, which goes over the Zambezi River and is the spot where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe all meet.
- Length: 14 days
- Starting Price: $7,699 for adults, $6,899 for children
- Group Size: 13 to 24 people
- How to Book: Directly through Road Scholar; via Travelstride, a tour specialist OTA (online travel agent) that offers more than 1,500 Road Scholar trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA
9. Smithsonian Journeys South Africa for Families: A Tailor-Made Journey
If you’re looking for a trip that can be completely customized to your family or group preferences, check out the Smithsonian Journeys South Africa for Families: A Tailor-Made Journey tour. The 10-day trip has a suggested itinerary, but activities can be swapped out or changed in lieu of something else.
The tour starts with four days in Cape Town, where you’ll visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain, and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. There’s also an entire free day where your family can visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held as a prisoner, or take a bike ride through the nearby vineyards.
The second half of the trip focuses on animals. In Hermanus, you’ll go to Walker Bay in search of whales, dolphins, sharks, and penguins on a wildlife cruise. Then you’ll go to Port Elizabeth and the Addo Elephant National Park where you’ll head out on a safari in search of the big five, go on birdwatching outings, and do wildlife walks.
- Length: 10 days
- Starting Price: $5,495
- Group Size: Just your group or family
- How to Book: Directly through Smithsonian Journeys or through a travel agent such as AAA
10. Globus Splendors of South Africa & Victoria Falls
With the Globus Splendors of South Africa & Victoria Falls tour, you and your small group of new travel friends will see the natural wonders and lively city life of South Africa. The trip starts in Cape Town with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and a tour of the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Before leaving Cape Town there’s a full day to explore the South African city on your own.
The trip continues with a few days at the Makalali Private Game Reserve, where you’ll set out on private wildlife viewing game drives in search of some of Africa’s most popular animals. The trip ends with a trip to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Here, you’ll depart on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River and take a guided walk at the falls.
- Length: 12 days
- Starting Price: $5,790
- Group Size: 20 people
- How to Book: Directly through Globus; via Travelstride, Tourhub, or TourRadar all which are tour specialist OTAs (online travel agents) that offer hundreds of Intrepid trips; or through a travel agent such as AAA