Top South Africa Day Trips & Excursions

Save time, avoid crowds, and see the highlights of the Cape Town area in a single day on this small-group tour. Admire the colorful houses of Bo Kaap, ride a cable car ride up and down Table Mountain, embark on scenic drive along Chapman's Peak, and visit the penguin colony of Boulder's Beach.

Discover the wild scenery, unique culture and rugged coastline of the Cape Peninsula during this 8-hour sightseeing trip. Drive along the roads of this incredible peninsula, stopping to explore pristine beaches, charming coastal towns and local wildlife. Observe a community of penguins on Boulders Beach, visit two oceans and journey to the edge of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope. It’s a great opportunity to get a sense for the unique geography of this stunning area. A guide, some entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport are also included.

Experience the scenic beauty and natural landscapes of South Africa’s Cape Peninsula on this full-day tour from Cape Town. Enjoy the convenience of guided visits, as well as the independence of solo sightseeing and learn about this dynamic region from your friendly, knowledgeable guide. You’ll see seals in Hout Bay (with optional Buiker Island boat trip) and have time to wander the shops. You can explore the Cape Point Nature Reserve at your leisure, and check out  playful families of African Penguins in Simon’s Town. Your return trip to Cape Town even includes a stop at the colorful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Embark on a day of wildlife sightings and Zulu culture with a mini safari tour from Durban. Start at the Natal Lion Park for an incredible up-close view of lions and other animals such as elephants, leopards and wildebeests. Then continue to the region's Bird of Prey Sanctuary, where you'll see resident raptors such as vultures, eagles and owls. Follow this with a trip to the nearby Tala Game Reserve and afterward, the Phezulu Cultural Village and Reptile Park. Here, enjoy an immersive Zulu cultural experience complete with a traditional dance performance.

Spend a day in the gorgeous wine country of Stellenbosch and Paarl Valley, enjoying some of the Cape Winelands’ famous wines along with historic towns and scenic drives. It’s an ideal day trip for wine lovers as well as anyone who can appreciate the area’s history and dramatic beauty.

Embark on a leisurely day-tour of the Cape Winelands from South Africa's Cape Town, with stops in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. Enjoy a series of wine tastings at three different vineyards, including a master tasting pairing 8 wines and cheeses. Along the way you'll experience spectacular scenery, including stunning mountain views and some incredible examples of Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture. Have your camera ready for a brief stop at Drakenstein Prison, where former SA President Nelson Mandela served time.

Get to know the history and landmarks of Johannesburg, also known as the City of Gold, in a full-day tour. Visit Soweto, the hometown of Nelson Mandela, as well as a full city tour and a visit to the Apartheid Museum. All entrance fees, lunch, snacks, and bottled water included. Pickup and drop-off at your Johannesburg hotel.

This small-group full-day tour of Cape Town combines history and culture with epic scenery, ensuring that you make the most out of your stay. Travel by minivan from your hotel to catch the cable car up Table Mountain for sweeping views of the city. Head back down for lunch then continue on to Robben Island in the afternoon to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for so many years.

Visit a penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve all in one day during this tour, including round-trip transport from Cape Town. First, catch sight of the endangered African penguins on the beach, and then travel over to Cape Point in the nature reserve. Spend more than two hours at Cape Point, and keep an eye out for ostrich, antelope, and whales. You can also take part in an optional hike in the reserve if you choose.

See the best of Cape Town including a trip to the top of Table Mountain and a minibus tour of the city’s highlights during this half-day tour. Survey the city from Table Mountain, ride the cable car back down (own expense), and then see Cape Town’s main sights from your minibus. See places such as the Diamond Works and the Malay Quarter on Signal Hill.

Get to know South Africa’s biggest city on a full-day tour that covers all the highlights of Johannesburg and Soweto. Take in the views from the Top of Africa, learn about the city’s history as you visit Constitutional Hill and the Apartheid Museum, then follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela in Soweto, with a tour of the Nelson Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Museum, and Freedom Square.

Embark on a full-day safari tour of Kruger National Park, one of the continent's largest game reserves. Get an early start from Hazyview on your wildlife-viewing adventure in order to catch the animals at one of their most active times. Travel alongside a knowledgable guide in an open-top vehicle, seeking out Africa's big five as well as crocodiles, zebra, hyenas and more. Your guide offers details on local fauna and flora—including a wealth of local birdlife—en route. Stop for lunch (own expense) before setting out on another game drive. 

See the rugged natural beauty of Cape Agulhas on this tour from Cape Town. Visit the southernmost point of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Return to Cape Town via the whale-watching town of Hermanus.

Experience the beauty of Sani Pass via 4x4 vehicle on a day trip from South Africa into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and back. Set out from Durban and pass through the exquisitely preserved Victorian city of Pietermaritzburg en route to the World Heritage Suni Pass, a steep pass rising 9,429-feet above sea level. Once crossing the border (bring your passport) visit a traditional Sotho village filled with huts built around a central area filled with livestock. Afterward, savor incredible views while enjoying lunch (own expense) at Africa's highest pub.

Explore Pilanesberg Game Reserve and search for Africa's "Big Five" on this safari tour from Pretoria or Johannesberg. With an experienced safari guide to help track and find the animals, learn about their biology and behavior through informative commentary and snap photos from the open-top vehicle. Stop for a picnic lunch near a watering hole where you're likely to see elephants resting and bathing. Pickup and drop-off at Pretoria or Johannesberg hotels included.

Explore South Africa's most famous township with this 10-hour guided tour of Soweto from Johannesburg. Enjoy a personal experience of how vibrant and lively Soweto from your guide, who was born and raised in the township.

Spotting the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo—is a priority for many visitors to South Africa and this tour is ideal for those with limited time. Travel from Cape Town by private vehicle, enjoying views of the Breede River, Hex River Wine Valley, and Table Mountain along the way, then join a group safari drive at a private game reserve and enjoy some incredible wildlife-watching opportunities.

Spend a day exploring the stunning Cape Peninsula with this private 1-day tour from Cape Town, including the Boulders Beach penguin colony. Enjoy a personalized and flexible itinerary, tailored to your group. Visit Hout Bay or check out the seals on Duiker Island. See the Cape of Good Hope and the African penguins at Boulders Beach.

South Africa’s Western Cape is the wine-producing hub of the African continent. On this 9-hour tour from Cape Town, you will tour three vineyards in the Cape Winelands, stopping to taste estate wines at each as well as 'biltong' (cured meat) and cheese. Along the way, learn about the winemaking process from your guide and see the South African countryside. This tour includes stops in the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl.

Immerse yourself South Africa’s ancient history and cultural heritage as you tour two popular attractions in one day—the Lesedi Cultural Park and the Cradle of Humankind. Explore the UNESCO-listed Cradle of Humankind, where some of the world’s oldest hominid fossils have been found, including the Sterkfontein Caves and the Maropeng Visitor Center. After lunch (own expense), learn about the Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, Basotho, and Ndebele tribes on a tour of the Lesedi Cultural Village.

Visit Sun City Johannesburg with entrance fees and round-trip transportation included on this convenient day tour. Skip the hassle of renting a car and simply enjoy the scenery on the way to Sun City. Admission gets you access to all of the amenities, including Water World, the Valley of the Waves, the Maze of the Lost City, and the Animal World and Bird Sanctuary.

Tour the coastal city of Durban and explore the Valley of a 1000 Hills on a informative day trip through greater KwaZulu-Natal. Begin with a visit to some of this busy port city's main highlights, including the bustling Victoria Street Market, the KwaMuhle Apartheid Museum and the Southern Hemisphere's largest mosque. Stroll among orchids and cycads in the Durban Botanic Gardens and see the country's oldest temple complex in the country. Then go outside the city to experience Zulu culture, including a traditional Zulu dance performance.

Visit two totally different but impressive sites on this combination tour. First, go on a mini-safari at Lion & Safari Park, where you can see lions, giraffes, cheetahs, ostrich, crocodiles, and other African animals. Take a game drive through the park, watch the animals being fed, or pick up a souvenir from the gift shop. Then visit the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to explore its cave system and history as the origin of modern man.

Red wine-lovers can drink their fill of South Africa's famous ruby vintages on this private wine tour from Stellenbosch. With a guide to drive and navigate, there's no need to rent a car or choose a sober driver. Visit four local wineries for tours and tastings in the company of a dedicated guide just for you and your private party. Enjoy personalized attention and the benefit of a flexible itinerary.