South Africa Tours & Trips 2024/25

Group Of Young People Taking A Selfie Cape Town At The Back

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200+ expertly designed trips across 6 continents
Includes accommodations, local transportation & awesome experiences
Explore with a Trip Manager, driver and other awesome travelers

The complete travel experience for 18-35s

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Why visit South Africa with Contiki?

Safari With the Experts

Travel with the BEST Trip Managers, who are also highly-trained safari guides. They’ll keep a hawk-eye on the wildlife most of us can’t spot easily. (Even nature’s camouflage can’t fool them).

Make a Good Impact

From visiting a shark conservancy to taking a township tour, our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences help you put every penny to good use – whether it’s protecting wildlife or helping local schools.

Stay at Stellar Spots

You’ll be out in the wild on our South Africa trips for 18-35s, so accommodations are key. That’s why we arrange central hotels, beachside resorts and even the chance to sleep under the stars!

Based on 20,000+ independent reviews

South Africa tour reviews

The Garden Route and Addo trip was amazing! Full of incredible adventures, locations and sites that I feel very grateful to have experienced. Our group bonded so quickly, with the help of our lovely tour manager Jesse and our tour manager in-training Melissa!

- Chloe Ball, Garden Route and Addo

We had so much fun and learned so much about the communities and culture on this trip. Because of the size of the tour, we really got to bond with everyone and it made the trip so unique and fun.

- Eric Volfango, Cape, Safari and Falls

This trip has been my favourite Contiki so far. I’ve never experienced such warmth in culture, kindness in people, joy in wildlife and awe of scenery. It's a beautiful slice of heaven in this world. South Africa stole a piece of my heart.

- Emma H, Southern Africa Safari

City Tour of Cape Town
Beaches, botanical gardens and more! Take in the Bo-Kaap, the legendary Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, as well as the city centre. Keep an eye out for the dramatic Table Mountain skyline too.
Take a cable car up Table Mountain
What’s better than a view of Table Mountain? The view from on top of it, of course! Travel by cable car for some awesome panoramic views of Cape Town.
Take a game drive in Kruger National Park
Find the Big 5 (lions, leopards, African buffalo, rhinos and African elephant) on the ultimate African safari. Plus there are incredible birds like storks, vultures and eagles - keep your eyes peeled.
Visit the V&A Waterfront
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is among the most visited South Africa attractions. Stroll around the scenic harbour getting some great snaps, and enjoy the aquarium’s Cape Wheel ride too.
Experience the majesty of Victoria Falls
An essential part of any trip to South Africa, the Zambezi River gives way to the breathtaking Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world.

Highlights of our South Africa tours

Biltong & Droewors
The most globally-loved South African food, Biltong and droewors are delicious air-dried meat that’s great for a quick and tasty snack while out on safari.
Bunny Chow
A unique part of South African food, Bunny Chow is a loaf of bread that’s been hollowed out and filled with a fragrant and moreish curry - enjoy! (Then you can eat the bowl).
Chakalaka and Pap
A hearty traditional food in South Africa, Chakalaka is a stew of veggies and beans, typically served with Pap, a corn-based porridge. Tasty, filling and about as rustic as SA food gets.
Malva Pudding
One of the tastiest and most indulgent South African dishes, Malva Pudding is a luscious sponge cake soaked liberally in syrup and apricot jam, often served with whipped cream.
Braai
SA’s own version of a barbeque, Braai is all about cooking meat, often beef and lamb, to perfection over flame - a real highlight of South African cuisine.

Best food in South Africa

National Museum of Natural History
Discover the incredible biodiversity of the region with Pretoria’s Natural History Museum, housing a huge collection of fossils, rare minerals and indigenous taxidermied critters.
Apartheid Museum
No trip to South Africa’s Johannesburg is complete without a visit to the Apartheid museum. Gain incredible insight into the history leading to apartheid and the subsequent struggle for freedom.
District Six Museum
A poignant tribute to Cape Town’s brutal history of forced removals and community resilience, this is a vital site where memory and reconciliation come together.
Franschhoek Motor Museum
Discover South Africa’s fascinating motoring heritage. Home to an incredible collection of vintage automobiles, motorcycles and memorabilia, it’s a great attraction for visiting gearheads.
South African National Gallery
An eminent South African museum, get your culture on with an amazing collection of historic art from across Africa, as well as contemporary masterpieces.

Top museums in South Africa

Cape Town Jazz Festival
Bringing in music fans from around the world with world-class live music, talks, workshops, local food and vibrant parties, this is easily one of the best festivals in South Africa.
Freedom Day
A national holiday commemorating the first democratic election in 1994, this country-wide event celebrates the end of apartheid, diversity and unity.
Cape Town Pride
Get out and be proud with Cape Town’s awesome parade celebrating diversity and LGBTQIA+ rights. Enjoy film screenings, street parties and sequins galore in the Mother City.
South African Cheese Festival
Cheese connoisseurs, foodies and gluttons alike come together for a weekend of artisanal cheese tasting, wine drinking, cooking classes and general dairy-filled merriment in Cape Town.
Knysna Oyster Festival
An annual festival 40+ years in the making for seafood lovers. With boundless fresh oysters (obvs), watersport competitions, live music and more, all along the gorgeous Garden Route.

Top festivals and celebrations in South Africa

WANDERLUST
15 best places to visit in South Africa
By Steve Powdrill
WANDERLUST
20 of the most iconic things to do in South Africa
By Danielle Kirk
TRAVEL TIPS
19 interesting facts about South Africa
By Kahlea Allison

Travel inspiration from six-two

Frequently asked questions:

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What are the visa requirements for traveling to South Africa?

This depends on your country of origin. In some cases, your visa is free and you can collect it when you arrive in South Africa. In others, if you’re traveling from New Zealand for example, you’ll need to arrange your visa ahead of time. Click here to find out visa requirements based on your home country.

What is the best time to visit South Africa?

May – September is the best time to visit if you’re here for the safaris. These are the South African winter months, so you’re more likely to spot wildlife congregating around the watering holes (and the weather will be less intense too.)

South Africa has something to offer all year round, though. Visit in November – March for the festivals, September – October for whale watching, or June – August if you’re traveling on a budget.

What should I pack for a trip to South Africa?

Your packing list will depend on where you’re going, the time of year you’re traveling, and the activities you plan to do on your trip. A good starting point would be:

- Sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen
- Hiking boots and comfy socks
- Insect repellent
- A good camera (especially for those safaris)
- Hydration tablets
- A torch/headlamp and binoculars

Read our Africa travel guide for more info.

What are the best national parks to visit in South Africa?

Kruger is South Africa’s most famous national park, and one of the biggest too. Other great areas for game drives include Addo Elephant Park, Pilanesberg National Park and West Coast National Park. Don’t miss Tsitsikamma for its immense natural beauty and views of the Storms River suspension bridges. Table Mountain is also a must-see while you’re there too.

What is the currency used in South Africa?

South Africa’s main currency is the rand, which has been in use since 1961.

Is tipping required in South Africa?

Tipping is the norm in South Africa. Tipping service staff between 10 and 20% would be acceptable.

Do I need travel insurance to go on a trip to South Africa with Contiki?

Yes. In order to travel with us, you’ll need an insurance policy that covers all the activities listed in your trip itinerary.

What is ATM access like in South Africa?

There’s good ATM access throughout South Africa. They accept most major credit/debit cards like Visa and MasterCard. Just be sure to check ahead for those sneaky fees while using your card abroad.

How many days should I spend in South Africa?

We’d recommend at least 1-2 weeks to really get your fill of everything on offer.

Is tap water safe to drink in South Africa?

On the whole, tap water is safe to drink in cities and towns. Some rural areas may not have filtered drinking water, but you’ll easily be able to get bottled water.