Top South Africa Day Trips

Explore the Franschhoek wine region on a hop-on hop-off tram tour, which allows you to explore the wineries that interest you at your leisure. Sit back and enjoy the scenery while you ride through vineyards dotting rolling hills; you're able to taste as much wine as you like without worrying about driving. Convenient pickup and drop-off at Cape Town hotels makes this an easy door-to-door option.

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 a scenic drive along Chapman's Peak, and visit the penguin colony of Boulder's Beach.

This tour is the perfect way to explore the beauty of the Cape Peninsula as well as local wildlife. Travel around in a small-group tour—an intimate alternative to crowded bus tours. Along the way, see the colorful buildings of Bo-Kaap, and admire the natural beauty of the Cape of Good Hope. The tour also visits the pretty towns of Hout Bay and Kalk Bay, as well as the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

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.

Discover the wild scenery, unique culture, and rugged coastline of the Cape Peninsula during this full-day sightseeing tour. 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. A guide, some entrance fees, and round-trip hotel transport are also included.

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 ample time 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.

Raise a glass to an incredible day of wine, food, scenery, and history during this small-group, excursion to the Cape Winelands. Explore the unique wineries and stunning landscape of this region just north of Cape Town, stopping at wineries for tastings accompanied by local meats like biltong (dried meat) and cheeses. In between tastings, discover the historic cities of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and see Drakenstein, the prison that once held South African leader Nelson Mandela. A guide, plus round-trip hotel transport are covered.

Take a leisurely exploration of the amazing scenery and fascinating wildlife of the Cape Peninsula on this flexible-length private tour. Travel by private vehicle, complete with on-board refreshments and Wi-Fi, as you call the shots on what to see and do. Among the potential sights you might pick are a wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards, a visit to the penguins of Boulders Beach, or a visit to the beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. A private guide, private vehicle, and round-trip hotel transport are covered.

The wine regions of Paarl, Franschoek, and Stellenbosch produce some of the finest wines in the Cape Winelands, surrounded by lush mountains and rolling vineyards. On this tour, enjoy a comprehensive introduction to South African wine as you visit four different wineries; sample a wide variety of red and white wines, including port brandy and sparkling wine; stop at a local restaurant for lunch; and taste regional specialties including cheese and chocolates.

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 upmarket air-conditioned 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.

5 hours in the world famous Kruger park inclusive of entry fees and water. Where our guide will do most of the spotting of animals and will explain the behavior of the animals.

Spend the day exploring the 3 top wine regions of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. This day tour to the Cape Winelands – which includes a wine and chocolate pairing with cellar tour, an Urban Wine tasting in Franschhoek as well as an afternoon wine tasting and cheese pairing after enjoying a guided walk in the town of Stellenbosch – a must-do for visitors and locals alike.

If you’ve only got a day to fit in a safari drive, then this visit to Pilanesberg Nature Reserve ensures you make the most of it. Begin with an early morning pickup, then head straight to Pilanesberg for a 4x4 safari drive. During the tour, look out for the “Big Five”, take a break for lunch, then take part in an afternoon drive for even more wildlife spotting.

Combine wine tastings, cheese tastings, and a cellar visit on this action-packed half-day tour of Stellenbosch. Save time figuring out public transport schedules by having round-trip transport from Cape Town included. It’ll be the ultimate day of convenience as wine tastings are included. Venture into Cape Winelands and visit two wine farms for wine and cheese tastings.

Spend a full day at the Aquila Game Reserve, the closest one to Cape Town, on this safari tour. Get excited to see the ‘Big Five’ game animals and endangered species such as the ‘Aquila’ Black Eagle on this worry-free trip, which includes pickup at your Cape Town city center hotel. This is one of the easiest safari tours near Cape Town, on a private game reserve in a malaria-free area.

Get the most possible learning out of your visits to the Cradle of Humankind and Sterkfontein Cave. By traveling with a guide, you'll get the full picture of the remarkable fossil findings there and why the site is so important. Walk through Sterkfontein Caves to see the fossils of hominids such as Little Foot and Mrs. Ples, two of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our time.

The seaside town of Hermanus boasts some of the best land-based whale watching in the world—but that’s not all this tour features. After the chance to spot humpbacks, Bryde’s whales, and southern right whales from the bluffs above the bay, you can take to the ocean with a fully-crewed boat and whale watching specialist to see the massive creatures up close. On the return trip to Cape Town, stop by Stony Point to see penguins and then head back along scenic coastal roads.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise around South Africa's stunning St Lucia Estuary (iSimangaliso Wetland Park) aboard a double-decker boat. Keep an eye out for crocodiles and hippos as you meander through wetland waters, along with possible sightings of eagles, vultures, African broadbills and dozens of other bird species. Enjoy onboard snacks (own expense) as you travel, savoring the surrounding scenery. This day trip includes the expertise of a professional guide.

As one of South Africa’s most visited museums, Robben Island tours are best booked well in advance. This half-day package includes museum admission and round-trip transfer from your Cape Town accommodation, ensuring a hassle-free trip. Learn about the island’s long history from your guide and see the cell that housed Nelson Mandela, then take time to reflect on your voyage back to the mainland.

Visiting South Africa's most famous township can be tricky to do independently. But this half-day tour of Soweto lets you explore with a guide who was born and raised there. You'll hear personal insights into the culture of the township and learn about Soweto's vibrant modern personality.

Get the best possible shot at seeing Africa's Marine Big 5—the African penguin, the Cape fur seal, the great white shark, dolphin, and whale—on this guided tour to Dyer Island. An onboard biologist and experienced crew promise an educational experience focused on learning about the biology and behavior of these marine animals. Additionally, get a chance to visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) either before or after the trip.

The beautiful beaches and stunning natural landscapes of the Cape Peninsula stretch south of Cape Town all the way to Cape Point. On this private tour, travel in the comfort of a private vehicle and stop as often as you like to take photos. Ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, visit the Boulders Beach penguin colony, and follow the famous Chapman's Peak drive.

Visit the Lion Park outside of Johannesburg without the hassle of renting a car. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Johannesburg hotel and admission to the Lion Park, where you can explore at your leisure to see more than 85 lions, including the rare white lion, and other animals such as wild dogs, hyenas, and cheetahs. Take a 1-hour safari drive to see the animals, then stop at Cub World to learn about baby lions and their challenges surviving in the wild.

Get a comprehensive overview of Durban's highlights and landmarks, with transportation in between, on this full-day tour. Listen as your guide delves deep into the history, culture, architecture, and environment of this South African city. Stops include the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Umhlanga Rocks Promenade, Ushaka Village Walk, City Hall, Victoria Street Market, Durban Botanic Gardens, and others.