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South Africa Safaris, Lodges, & Tours

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Adventure Life's South Africa safaris and tours let visitors experience a wide variety of cultural and wildlife adventures. Retrace Nelson Mandela's steps on Robben Island, explore the vibrant cities of Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, and spot the Big 5 on Safari in some of Africa's most well-known game reserves. From Cape Town to Kruger, and Zulu Kingdom to Durban's Golden Mile, there really is something for everyone in South Africa! Combine your visit to South Africa with a luxury cruise on the Okavango Delta of Botswana for the ultimate luxury African safari. Adventure Life's South Africa experts have hand-picked the best bush lodges, camps, cruises and safari guides to guarantee you'll get the most out of your South Africa trip. Contact us for a free personalized quote.

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10 Best South African Safaris & Tours for 2024-2025

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10 Best Luxury South Africa Expeditions for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
South Africa Snapshot$37709Oct 3, 2024Visit vibrant Cape Town and game-rich Kruger National Park on this 9-day adventure through South Africa. This tour offers the best of both worlds: a …
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South Africa Big Five Safari$34839Oct 3, 2024After arriving in Johannesburg, spend 9 days traveling through KwaZulu Natal and Kruger National Park on this authentic safari in search of the Big 5 …
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Luxury Kruger & Northern Cape Explorer$146149Oct 3, 2024Discover South Africa's rich culture & stunning landscapes on this 9-day adventure. Start in Johannesburg, exploring vibrant neighborhoods & …
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South Africa Luxury Family Safari$1964012Oct 3, 2024Enjoy a 12-day family friendly luxury safari visiting some of the best game reserves & wine lands in South Africa. Explore the vibrant city of Cape …
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Luxury South Africa and Botswana Safari$1859114Oct 3, 2024On this 14-day luxury safari adventure through South Africa and Botswana, begin your journey in Johannesburg. Experience thrilling game drives in …
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South Africa Luxury Winelands$15103Oct 3, 2024From the excellent accommodations at one of the oldest Cape Dutch Farms, Babylonstoren, this luxury 3-day Winelands extension samples wines from …
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Wildlife and the Falls$1369513Oct 6, 2024Enjoy a stay in Johannesburg, a 4-day African river safari aboard the Zambezi Queen, 2 nights in Victoria Falls, 2 nights in Johannesburg and 3 …
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South Africa Luxury Snapshot$157849Oct 3, 2024Begin your 9-day luxurious vacation visiting the highlights of Cape Town, followed by a tour of Robben Island - where you'll learn about the …
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Cape and Delta Luxury Safari$900312Oct 3, 2024On this 12-day luxury safari adventure tour through Southern Africa, discover the vast Tswalu Kalahari and the vibrant city of Cape Town. Explore the …
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Rivers & Rails of Africa$1499513Oct 4, 2024This 13-day tour combines a stay in Cape Town, a Chobe River cruise aboard the comfortable Zambezi Queen, a safari in Chobe National Park, and a stay …
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South Africa Safari Tips & Travel Guide

South Africa is a land of great diversity, and it's all waiting to be explored by you. The culture, wildlife, and landscapes transform as you cross the sun-kissed horizons of this country. Your cruise will acquaint you with some of South Africa's most intriguing sites, like:
  • Cape Town & Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and major political events formed part of the country's dim period of Apartheid.
  • Kruger National Park & Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, for a safari to see the big five game animals (rhinos, lions, elephant, buffalo, & leopards). 
  • An authentic Zulu homestead, where this indigenous lifestyle is not only preserved but still in use today.
  • The vineyards of wine country where you can sip world class South African wines.
  • Johannesburg, which was originally a small gold mining community in the 1800's and has since grown into South Africa's biggest city.
  • Along the Rivers & Rails of Africa, including stops in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Victoria Falls)
As the southernmost country in Africa, this is a great place to base an Antarctic Expedition or a trans-Atlantic journey from the capes of South America all the way to those of Africa.

Best Time to Travel to South Africa on Safari


Overall, South Africa is an excellent destination to visit year-round. Since it comprises the entire southern cone of Africa, there are significant differences in weather depending on where you are planning to visit.

If you are heading to the coast, September through May are the best months to travel, and June, July, and August can be avoided.

The opposite is true for expeditions in Kruger National Park – the best months to visit are from April – November.

If you are planning a trip to both destinations, consider April, May, September, October, or November.


 
The Best Safari Lodges & Tent Camps of South Africa

While we feature over 30 safari lodges & camps in South Africa, here are a few of our favorites:See all safari lodges & camps in Kruger National Park and the surrounding private game reserves.
The Wildlife to Watch for in South Africa

When you set off on your South Africa safari, you never quite know what you'll encounter along the way, but no matter when you go, you're sure to come across some fantastic wildlife, especially in areas like Kruger National Park, including:
  • Black rhino & White Rhino
  • Buffalo
  • Cheetah, Lion, Leopard
  • Elephant
  • Kudu, Eland
  • Hippo
  • Wildebeest
  • Gemsbock
  • Wild Dog

Stunning South African Cruises


Both ocean cruises and river cruises are accessible via South Africa and a fascinating way to see the African continent.

River Cruises + Safari
After spending a day exploring Johannesburg, take a flight to the town of Kasane, Botswana and board a luxurious river cruise boat like the Zambezi Queen where you'll float through Chobe National Park spotting from your luxury suite complemented with traditional jeep safari excursions. Finish your safari cruise in breathtaking Victoria Falls.

Ocean Cruises
The ports of Cape Town and Durban host an exclusive set of nature-focused expedition cruises along the South African coast and to far off destinations such as the tropical Seychelles, and even the white continent of Antarctica.  

Top South African Private Game Reserves & Safari Lodges


Land-based safari expeditions in South Africa immerse you in the heart of the wildlife when you stay at one of these exclusive and unique game reserves or safari lodges.

How Much Does a Tour to South Africa Cost?


Prices to visit South Africa on a tour can start as low as $1,200 for a 3-day experience, but what is recommended, so you don't leave South Africa wanting more, is a trip of between 9 and 15 days; these can range from $8,000 to $15,000.

The South Africa travel experts at Adventure Life can help you choose the right option for you.


South Africa at a Glance

  • Population: 54.3 million
  • Language: IsiZulu (official) 22.7%, IsiXhosa (official) 16%, Afrikaans (official) 13.5%, English (official) 9.6%, Sepedi (official) 9.1%, Setswana (official) 8%, Sesotho (official) 7.6%, Xitsonga (official) 4.5%, siSwati (official) 2.5%, Tshivenda (official) 2.4%, isiNdebele (official) 2.1%
  • Land Area: 470,900 mi²
  • Religion: Protestant 36.6% (Zionist Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%), Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census).
  • President: Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Currency: South African rand
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