South Africa Tours

If you're looking for a truly unforgettable safari experience, then our South Africa tours are perfect for you.

Well known as one of the top destinations for thrill-seeking and adventurous travellers, our South Africa tours leave travellers with a lifetime of memories.

South Africa has so much to offer - meet a shark face-to-face, climb Table Mountain, visit the iconic Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was a prisoner, go on a wild safari adventure in the Kruger National Park or visit one of South Africa's bustling cities for great food and fine wine as well as many more amazing activities available on our South Africa holidays.

Unforgettable South Africa tours

Discover South Africa in a way few have before with one of our incredible group tours. Whether you want to visit one of the 21 National Parks, eight World Heritage sites or take advantage of the wide selection of activities that utilise the beautiful 3,500km coastline, South Africa is a great location to visit with friends and family.

Enquire about our South Africa tours

If you want to discuss your South Africa tour packages in more detail, a member of our experienced team is on hand to help. Alternatively, request a brochure and discover the delights that our Southern Africa group tours have to offer.

We can guarantee window seats on our safaris and you won't find any hidden charges on our site. Book your holiday with confidence today.

Want to know when is the best time to go to South Africa? This handy guide should help.

More information about South Africa tours

Do you want to know more about South Africa and its beauty? Or do you need accurate visa information?

Contact the South Africa tourism board for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

While South Africa has a reputation for high crime levels, it is safe to visit if you remain vigilant and sensible. The risk of crime is higher in central urban areas. To limit your risk, it is advisable to stay alert and conscious of personal safety at all times. At Encounters Travel, our experienced tour guides will help you safely navigate your time in South Africa.

The South African rand is the currency used in South Africa (ZAR).

South Africa is a year-round destination, but summer and the high season are from November to March. The shoulder season (April-March & September-October) provides perfect conditions for wildlife and whale watching. June to August is the rainy season in Cape Town and the Western Cape.

It is customary to tip in restaurants in South Africa. The acceptable amount is 10-15%. Most wait staff depend on tips to make up for the low wages they receive.

The tap water is safe to drink in South Africa, and it is said to be the cleanest and safest water in the world.

Your planning will be dependent on the places you want to visit, attractions you want to see and your trip budget. However, by booking a South Africa tour with us at Encounters Travel, we do all the planning for you.

The cost of a meal in South Africa varies and depends on the type of cuisine and restaurant. A typical fast-food meal from a chain like McDonald's will cost between $2.65 and $5.30. While a cappuccino or coffee at most cafes will cost between $1.06 and 1.59.

Yes, people do speak English in South Africa. English is one of the eleven official languages of South Africa and approximately 9.6% (4.8million) of its citizens speak English as a home language. Nonetheless, the majority of South Africans use English as the accepted and dominant vernacular for industry, government, law and commerce.

Generally speaking, there are no compulsory vaccines required to travel to South Africa. However, the following vaccines (while not always necessary) are recommended, especially if travellers are coming from affected areas; Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Cholera and Rabies. Travellers should be up-to-date with routine vaccinations while travelling to any destination.

South Africa is a country of great diversity and incredible natural beauty. Each of its nine provinces has a list of popular destinations frequented by tourists. Some famous tourist destinations in South Africa include; Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park, The Kruger National Park, Addo National Park, Great Karoo, The Garden Route, and Hluhulwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.

There is so much to see and do in South Africa, definitely too much to fit into a weekend alone. We recommend a trip between 7 and 15 days to ensure that you get the full South African experience and allow for travel time.

South Africa is a destination that can be visited year-round, with relatively mild weather conditions across all provinces. Summer stretches from mid-October to mid-February, while winter is June to August. The best time to visit nature parks in South Africa is from May to September, while August into October is the best time for flora.

Depending on the country you are coming from, South Africa is a relatively inexpensive destination to visit. While wildlife parks and certain tourist destinations are on the pricier side, generally day-to-day activities are fairly cheap.On average, you can budget on spending between $50 and $100 per day while being on vacation in South Africa.

TOUR REVIEWS

This was my first trip abroad and the Encounters Travel team kept me updated and informed from the moment I booked my tour of Egypt. Encounters Travel team member Ahmad Sol was there, upon our arrival in Egypt, to welcome and assist tour members safely to our hotel. Ahmad Sol was also there to bid us farewell to the stunning country of Egypt at the end of our tour. The food and hotels were wonderful. The Pyramids, Sphynx, the Nile River, the Temples and museum were fantastic, only to be made even more memorable by our Encounters Travel tour guide, Ahmad Kamouna. Ahmad Kamouna is very knowledgeable, charismatic, enthusiastic and passionate about Egypt, its history and future. There are no adequate words to thank Ahmad Kamouna for making my tour of Egypt the trip of a lifetime for me!!!

This was my second trip with Encounters, and I've had a great experience with both. This was a great trip in that we got to see a lot of the country and experience different parts of the culture. Just be aware, unlike some other trips, this one appeared to be contracted locally to a different company, so there was some confusion at the airport pickup when I didn't see my name, and none of the other tour groups had heard of "Encounters." Fortunately, one of them called the contact number for me, so it was all quickly resolved. Before you go, ask for the name of the local tour company, just in case.

Everything went really smoothly on the booking end and on the ground in Egypt. The only surprise was when arriving jet lagged at the hotel being presented with a list of fees that needed to be paid right then. The problem was that everything up until then had these fees in US dollars and now the fees were in Egyptian pounds. It pretty much cleaned out our stash of Egyptian money. Had we known we had to pay in Egyptian currency we would have sought out additional currencies places at home to get us the funds we needed. (Banks wouldn't order the funds). However after that the tour itself was great. Our guide Emad did a great job.

I probably think about parts of this trip everyday. It was well organized and planned by Encounters, and the guides and staff in Egypt are amazing human beings. Go on every extra side trip and mini adventure you can. We went in the pyramids and the camels ride behind the pyramids, went to Ramses II tomb, on a hot air balloon ride over Luxor, and to Alexandria, in addition to the amazing things to do on the trip. It was well worth the money. It was absolutely amazing everyday. Tips: Don't expect customer service to directly answer your questions. Mariska only sends generic emails. At least 4 people on our tour experienced this. The other staff and their amazing customer service makes up for this. Bring toilet paper, small 1 Egyptian pounds for the bathrooms, and expect to tip everyone. Also, its good to bring Imodium, heartburn, and allergy meds just in case i would go on this trip again...

We bought the Encounters Travel Discover Egypt trip through Groupon. The entire experience was amazing. They met us at the airport at the gate, helped us through customs and getting our visa, and every step of the way we were escorted. They would tell us what time to meet and where and we would show up and we'd be escorted off to another fabulous monument. Our Guide Mahmed was extremely knowledgeable and so much fun. My only caution would be that the trip is go-go-go all the time. Very little downtime, and if you do Abu Simbel and the Hot Air Balloon ride it's a lot of early mornings too. However, I cannot think of anything I would have been OK with cutting out, because everything was so amazing, I just wish we could have spent more time everywhere. I highly recommend this trip if you want to get a good overview of Egypt.

Encounters Travel did an amazing job. Everything was so well planned and our tour guide was just exceptional (Sherif). I can not praise both tour guides enough. They went out of their way to ensure that everyone needs were taken care of and that everyone was having a great time. They also looked out for our overall wellbeing. One person left items behind in his hotel room, they were able to get it delivered to him at our next stop. UNBELIEVEABLE!! Everyone was so friendly. The ABSOLUTE best I've been on. Much success in your future adventures.

Before the trip Encounters Travel answered my enquiries promptly and responded to my many concerns. Pre-trip planning was a pleasant experience because they really seemed to understand my concerns and needs. Once on our way, everything was handled professionally and caringly. There was always someone there to meet us and also to return us to our hotel or plane or whereever we needed to be. The security was always evident and at no time did they appear to let their guard down. Our guide, Mohammed, was amazing—very knowledgeable about Egyptian history—a true academic—his classroom is his tour group and when those he has touched return home, ultimately his reach is the entire world. His enthusiasm and love for his country, its history, and its people is contagious as is his sense of humor and energy. There are many short nights—prepare to need a rest when you return home—so much to see and do—amazed we did it all in 2 weeks.

It all started with me searching for a good itinerary to visit Petra. Since I didn't have much vacation time, I was looking for something that would cover the places I was interested in visiting besides Petra, that’s how I found Encounters Travel online. At first, I was going to do only Jordan, but there was an option to do Petra and Dubai, so why not? The price was very affordable, the hotels were not the top of the line, but it was my decision to stay with the basic and so I did. Mariska was the person I exchanged emails with it; she made sure I had all the details taken care prior to my trip, and always answered my questions either by phone or via email. Despite the fact this trip was on a “shoestring” category, or more known as “budget” trip, from the time I was picked-up at Amman's airport until the time I was dropped off at Dubai's airport, everything went smoothly. I was part of a big group while travelling in Jordan, but solo in Dubai, yet everything occurred accordingly to the agenda. I’m a happy customer; I’ve already booked another trip with EncountersTravel. Roberto Lima

I haven't traveled yet, so it is a bit premature to be giving a rating. That being said, I have been exceedingly impressed with the service I have received to date. No pushy salesmanship just quick and complete answers to all my questions. It shouldn't be hard to give this sort of service, but I have found it lacking elsewhere. And the itinerary looks to be the best for the time we have, really allowing us to see the places we are visiting instead of seeing how many places we can cram in - but I will be able to comment better on that after the trip.

South Africa Country Guide

Factfile

Time: GMT+2
Dial Code: +27
Area: 1,22 million km2
Elevation: The lowest point in South Africa is Sea level at 0m | The highest point in South Africa is Mafadi 3,450m (11,319 ft.)
Population: 56,433,258 (2018)
Capital: Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein
Government: Parliamentary republic
Language: English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Northern Sotho, Venda, Tsonga, Swati, Ndebele

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. The coastline of South Africa stretches along the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. South Africa's neighbouring countries include Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland to the east and northeast.

This country is the largest in Southern Africa and the 25^thlargest country in the world by land and area. South Africa is also the world's 24^thmost populous nation and the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere.

The society of South Africa is multiethnic and encompasses an assortment of languages, cultures and religions. The country's constitution recognises 11 official languages. From 1994, all ethnic and linguistic groups have been politically represented by the country's democracy. The democracy consists of a parliamentary republic and nine provinces.

As a result of South Africa's multicultural diversity post-Apartheid, the country is often referred to as the 'Rainbow Nation'. South Africa is classified by the World Bank as an upper-middle-income economy and a newly industrialised country. Its economy is the second largest in Africa and the 34^th largest in the world.

The climate of South Africa is generally temperate as it is situated in the Southern Hemisphere and enclosed by the Indian and Atlantic Oceans on three sides. The country is also ranked sixth out of the world's 17 megadiverse countries.

Highlights

Panorama Route - a picturesque road that connects a variety of cultural and natural points of interest.
God's Window - a famous natural landmark and viewpoint along the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga.
Cape Winelands - an excellent wine-producing area with beautiful mountain ranges around Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
Cango Caves - situated at the foothills of the Swartberg range, these natural wonders have unique formations.
Garden Route - a scenic lengthy stretch of the southwestern coast from Mossel Bay to the Storms River.
Addo Elephant Park - a wildlife conservation park and sanctuary near Port Elizabeth with 450 elephants.
Wild Coast - positioned in the Eastern Cape, also known as the Transkei with beautiful bays and beaches.
Cape of Good Hope - a craggy headland on the Atlantic Coast of the Cape Peninsula.

Tips

Most South Africans speak English, so tourists won't have trouble communicating.
Keep an eye out for your valuables and don't flaunt jewellery or electronics in public.
Avoid carrying a lot of cash, as major credit cards are widely accepted.
When visiting a national park, do not touch or feed the animals.
Do not underestimate the sun, and wear sun cream and a hat for protection.
Smoking is not allowed inside restaurants, but many places have a separate smoking section.
Public transport is not very reliable so rather take a taxi or an Uber.
The dress code in South Africa is causal, and bring some layers for the evenings.

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South Africa Tours

Unforgettable South Africa tours

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it safe to travel to South Africa?

What is the official currency of South Africa?

When is the best time of the year for South Africa tours?

Should you tip in South Africa?

Is the tap water safe to drink in South Africa?

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How much is a meal in South Africa?

Do people in South Africa speak English?

Do you need vaccinations to go to South Africa?

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How many days in South Africa is enough?

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Is South Africa expensive?

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South Africa Country Guide

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