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South Africa

South Africa Holiday Packages & Tours at -45%

Our recommendation to visit South Africa

-45%

From £ 2,369

£ 1,299

Per night: £ 130

South Africa in 11 days +

Cape & Kruger Explorer

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    Cape Town
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    Johannesburg
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    Kruger National Park
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    Pretoria
  • Accommodation
  • All flights
  • All transfers
  • Some meals
  • Activities
Adventure
Nature
Honeymoon
Easter
Culture
Emma, Travel Expert

Emma
Travel crafter

Our classic tour of South Africa, including wildlife spotting in Kruger and the chance to explore Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Live your dream trip then do it again!

Our recommendation to visit South Africa and neighboring countries

Holidays to South Africa

Multi country trips including South Africa

Extraordinary South Africa Trips & Holiday Packages

Walk on the wild side on one of our South Africa tours to the southernmost tip of Africa. Get your blood pumping as you take a front-row seat to experience incredible wildlife safaris, stunning winelands, modern cities, and delicious cuisine. 

Great value means you can shop till you drop in vibrant cities or pop a steak on the braai (barbeque) with friendly locals. Our South African trips to the mother continent include flights, transfers, hotels, and tours.

Trips to South Africa from the UK

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South Africa Tours take you on a magical journey of exploration through the Rainbow Nation. Explore the diverse cultures, mesmerizing landscapes, and extraordinary historical significance this land has to offer.

Travel into the heart of a gold mine in Johannesburg, or gaze over Cape Town from the ultimate viewpoint, Table Mountain. Get up close and personal with the African savannah and its many residents.

Brave the world’s 4th highest bungee jump from Bloukrans Bridge with South Africa tour packages. Or visit the Cango caves, the largest show caves in Africa developed as a result of faulting.

This vibrant country certainly has something for everyone to enjoy a memorable holiday. At Exoticca, we provide the tools you need to embark on the experience of a lifetime without concern.

 

Top points of interest in South Africa

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Locally called Mzansi, this country has a diverse population and equally varied landscapes, languages, and iconic attractions. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the stars of the show. 

Kruger National Park

In the northeast of the country, a trip to South Africa isn’t complete without a visit to this legendary reserve. The park presents an amazing density of wild animals like the Big Five and many more.

Spend up to three days exploring this incredible park and the bushveld punctuated by mountains and tropical forests. It’s an ornithologist’s dream, too, with eagles, vultures, storks, colorful sunbirds, barbets, rollers, and ostrich in the wild.

Cape Town

The “mother city” is one of the most beautiful metropolitan areas in the world and central to South Africa holiday packages. Iconic Table Mountain is an obvious must-see, along with the V&A Waterfront, Two Oceans Aquarium, and Kirstenbosch gardens.

Visit the spartan conditions on Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela spent almost 27 years. Don’t forget the museums, hiking the mountain trails, or visiting the townships for an authentic experience.

When it comes to food and drink, you’re spoiled for choice. The Cape is known as the wine country, and our South Africa tours include packages to Stellenbosch, Paarl, or quaint Franschhoek. These wineries are a hugely popular day out in quite fantastic surroundings and mouthwatering delights.

If the beach is more your speed, hang out in trendy Camps Bay, learn to surf in Muizenberg, or swim with African Jackass penguins at Boulders. Modern, cosmopolitan, gorgeous, and chic, Cape Town regularly rates among the coolest cities in the world. 

Cape of Good Hope

The Cape of Good Hope refers to the western tip at the end of the peninsula. It ends in a rocky promontory called Cape Point. Visit this part of Table Mountain National Park on our South Africa tours. 

Cape Point is often mistaken for the most southerly point of the continent, but Cape Agulhas, about 100 miles east, owns that honor. There are towering cliffs and unique flora as endemic fynbos. Watch out for the baboons and visit the lighthouse for epic views.

Oudtshoorn

About 260 miles (418 km) east of Cape Town, in the Klein Karoo, you’ll find the world’s ostrich capital. Learn more about the flightless bird and its development on a South African tour. Try an ostrich omelet that feeds 15, or sample an ostrich steak or biltong, the local dried meat snack.

Nestled between two mountain ranges, take in the unique semi-desert beauty and colors. It’s home to the Cango Caves, the country’s largest. A series of dripstone caverns open into enormous halls with stalactite and stalagmite formations that developed over millions of years.

Other attractions

Our carefully curated itineraries allow free time during your South Africa tour, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Discover South Africa off the beaten path for a unique experience that you’ll never forget. 

A South Africa trip also offers evidence of the earliest humans in the Sterkfontein caves, often called the Cradle of Humankind. In the northern Cape, the landscape changes with the red dunes of the Kalahari desert and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Visit the educational Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to learn about the country’s turbulent history. Get lost on the Wild Coast of the Transkei, go whale-spotting near Hermanus, visit Addo Elephant Park, or laze on the golden beaches and warm water of Durban.

Book your trip to South Africa with Exoticca

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South African tours from Exoticca take the stress out of your international holiday planning. Conserve your energy for safaris and sunsets or shopping and sights. Let us sort your schedule to ensure hassle-free preparation.

All included: Flights, hotels, tours & transfers

 

Our tours of South Africa include flights, transfers, hotels, and outings, leaving you free to dream (and pack) for your African adventure. We use our decades of experience to produce a memorable trip.

Our South Africa tours include airport pickups and reliable transfers to ease transitions. We include meticulously planned outings and excursions that educate and explain this intriguing melting pot of cultures.

South Africa trips partially or fully guided


At Exoticca, we bridge the gap between local customs and culture and extensive research with knowledgeable guides. Enjoy your South African trip knowing that your guide is a local with valuable insights to the country’s history, languages, and cultures. It’s a fantastic way to unveil important attractions and hidden gems

Choose fully guided or partially guided tours to suit your needs. With the latter, we provide an extensive, detailed itinerary, leaving you in charge. These tours offer flexibility and allow independence and time for yourself. 

Crafted by our own travel experts


Exoticca offers an extensive selection of tours to South Africa. Our travel experts lean on their personal experiences, creating fascinating and enjoyable adventures for a satisfying and memorable trip.

Book with Exoticca to ensure your once-in-a-lifetime trip lives up to expectations. Our South Africa all-inclusive holiday packages offer a unique experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to tour South Africa?

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Warm summers last from November to March and provide excellent conditions for the beach. It also offers the best weather for the cape peninsula and game parks. You could also embark on your South Africa tours from the UK from May to September for cooler temperatures that are ideal for game drives.

Why is South Africa a great tourist attraction?

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It’s a scenic marvel with dramatic coastlines, stark mountains, bushveld, desert, canyons, and Cape Town. This country has modern cities and infrastructure, mind-boggling nature, incredible fusion cuisine, bungee jumping, cage diving, and 2,000 miles of pristine coastline.

How many days is enough to see South Africa?

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South Africa is almost twice the size of Texas, so the best South Africa tours include the must-see attractions, and we build our itineraries around them. Most tours to the Rainbow Nation are 12–14 days, minimum.

 

Is South Africa affordable to tour?

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Yes, it is. Travelers assume the country is expensive due to the relatively high cost of flights and the luxury the country offers. However, the weakness of the Rand (ZAR) makes it an affordable destination.

What are the top 5 most visited places in South Africa?

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The top five most visited spots in South Africa include the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, uShaka Marine World, and the Drakensberg.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Blyde River Canyon, Namaqualand, wine tours, Robben Island, township trips, and the Cape of Good Hope also deserve a spot on any respectable South Africa tour package.

Exoticca Travel Stories

Creating unforgettable memories, one traveller at a time

South Africa Travel advice

South Africa tourist attractions

More information about South Africa

In the lower portion of the African continent lies South Africa, a diverse and fascinating country with a multitude of natural habitats, culture-filled cities and coastal enclaves to explore. 

Famed for its wildlife, such as the lions of Kruger National Park, South Africa has coastlines on both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and borders Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Swaziland. A holiday to South Africa has such broad appeal because there is simply something to suit every kind of traveller within its vast territory. 

From the scenic cycling trails of the Garden Route to the lush wine lands and vineyards of the Cape Peninsula and the colourful food markets of multicultural Johannesburg, there is no such thing as a typical South Africa tour. The country’s tumultuous history has ignited interest from across the globe, especially the political and social upheavals of the 20th-century, so it’s a fascinating place to visit as you can witness the emergence of a new, forward-looking and optimistic South Africa and get to know the fabric of its diverse society. 

Holiday package to South Africa is particularly popular with adrenalin junkies as it’s wild landscapes offer plenty of opportunities to explore outside your comfort zone. You can get your adrenaline fix in a dose to suit you, from shark cage diving off the coast to a leisurely hike up to the top of iconic Table Mountain; whatever your preference for adventure, South Africa will provide. Three cities share the title of capital: Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Cape Town, the latter of which is known as the ‘Mother City’ and is the most popular destination for travellers to South Africa. 

 

History of South Africa

South Africa, as we know it today, is barely more than 100 years old and was originally a creation of the British Empire, who had colonised many parts of southern Africa, conquered indigenous tribes such as the Zulus in order to take control of more territory. 

Historically, this part of the African continent had been inhabited by various different indigenous communities such as San, Khoikhoi and eventually, after their expansion, the Bantu peoples. In fact, South Africa is home to some of the oldest evidence of the existence of mankind in the world, such as in the caves of Sterkfontein, sometimes referred to as the ‘Cradle of Humankind’ and an unmissable sight on a tour of South Africa. Before British involvement in South Africa, Dutch settlers had colonised parts of the country following their arrival in 1652. South Africa was valued, not only for its rich diamond and gold reserves but also for its important location on the trade route from Europe to Asia. British and Dutch, or Boer as they were known, colonialists clashed over territory resulting in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899, a major conflict resulting in huge losses for both sides. 

The British came out of the conflict favourably and eventually established the Union of South Africa in 1910. Although the white population were a minority, they had seized control over much of South Africa, sowing the seeds for the dark decades of apartheid in the later 20th-century. After the election of the National Party in 1948, apartheid was established. Both Dutch and English-speaking white minorities enjoyed the highest standards of living and full rights during this time, whilst the indigenous majority remained disadvantaged in all areas of life. Visitors that choose South Africa holidays are often curious to find out more about this part of South Africa’s history and to understand the lasting effects this had on today’s society. 

In 1992 a referendum ended apartheid, following ongoing negotiations between the recently freed Nelson Mandela and President F. W. de Klerk. Today, South Africa continues to strive towards complete racial equality and, on the whole, looks to the future with optimism. 

 

Nature in South Africa

With so many unbelievably beautiful natural wonders, South Africa packs a punch when it comes to adventure travel. Whilst the rugged coastline of the Cape Peninsula is home to delights as varied as the penguins of Boulder’s Beach and great white sharks, the interior of the country is mostly flat and home to the immense landscapes of the Great Karoo, characterised by its unique flat-topped mountains and sparse grasslands.

 In the north, where South Africa borders Namibia, the landscape transforms into the great dunes of the Kalahari Desert. A South Africa holiday all inclusive is incomplete without contemplating the country’s great biodiversity; lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos and giraffes can be spotted in the Bushveld ecoregion, part of which is encompassed within the famous Kruger National Park. A safari in South Africa is a popular choice for travellers who wish to get up close to the wildlife whilst also appreciating the immense landscapes of the savannah. Other natural sights to explore on a package tour to South Africa include the mighty Blyde River Canyon, the world’s largest ‘green canyon’, where the winding river Blyde cuts its way through a lush, rocky landscape. The red sand dunes of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park offers completely different scenery and the baobab trees of Mapungubwe enchant the imagination of all who lay eyes on them. South Africa’s Garden and Panorama Routes give adventurers a blueprint for their discovery and offer a great introduction into the diversity of the country. 

 

Culture in South Africa

Sometimes referred to as the ‘rainbow nation’, this nickname is a testament to South Africa’s diversity. A total of eleven official languages, including Zulu, Afrikaans, English and Xhosa, show just how intricate and multi-faceted modern South African culture can be. 

Traditional African culture exists mostly in rural areas, whilst the cities have fused westernised and traditional culture to create a vibrant tapestry of urban life, represented in an energetic music and arts scene. If you can incorporate both the modern urban centres and the rural communities into a tour of South Africa, you’ll be rewarded with a more complete picture of the national culture. 

Indigenous communities such as the San and Khoikhoi are known for their artistic heritage. Ancient rock drawings deemed the oldest pieces of art in the world can be linked to these communities. Zulu ethnic groups, who live mainly in the KwaZulu-Natal region, are known for their colourful beadwork, basketry and beehive-shaped huts. On the other hand, the architecture of major cities such as Pretoria and the towns of the Cape Peninsula exhibit the remnants of European influence in South Africa.

 The music and arts of the townships are brilliant representations of modern-day South African culture; often edge and always vibrant. If you have the chance to visit a township during a holiday to South Africa, don’t pass up the opportunity as it is here that you can really understand the culture, history and lives of everyday people. 

Embrace the vast open spaces, exceptional wildlife and multi-faceted culture of the ‘rainbow nation’ on a trip to South Africa. From the laid-back surfing beaches of Cape Town to the wilds of Kruger and trend-setting Johannesburg, South Africa needs to be on your bucket list!

  • Entry requirements

    Passport with a minimum validity of six months from date of entry and two blank consecutive pages. Check the special requirements for travelling with children in South Africa: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements

  • Visa

    No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

  • Time zone

    GMT+ 02:00

  • Currency

    South African Rand

  • Language

    Afrikaans, English, Swazi, Tsonga, Xhosa.

  • Tourist Office website

  • Electricity

    230 V 50 Hz

  • Other useful information

    South Africa is known as the

  • Health

    Vaccinations against Tetanus and Hepatitis are recommended. Please consult your doctor regarding malaria prophylaxis.

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