South Africa Tours

Pick Exodus for a South Africa holiday that goes far beyond the headline sights (without missing the essentials). Led by an expert local guide, you’ll enjoy carefully planned itineraries that take you to the heart of the country’s culture, landscape and traditions. Here’s why travellers choose us:

Expert local guides: Our local tour leaders are the heart of our adventures in South Africa, sharing their insider knowledge, introducing you to the local people, bringing the group together and handling on-the-ground logistics.

Award-winning adventures: Our awards page speaks for itself. Among others, we’ve been named a Which? Best Rated Recommended Provider and a Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Award winner.

Small groups: Solo travellers, couples and friends make up our welcoming groups, with an average group size of 10 to 12.

Immersive itineraries: Our itineraries are purposefully designed to immerse you in the best of the country, so expect a balance of iconic sights and authentic local experiences. In South Africa, that might mean you’re spotting elephants and lions on safari in Kruger National Park, exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Garden Route, discovering Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula, or sampling wines in the vineyards of Stellenbosch.

Sustainability: As a certified B Corp, we take a nature-positive approach and aim to contribute to the communities in the destinations we visit.Stress-free logistics: We arrange accommodation, transport, transfers and many included activities, leaving you free to focus on experiencing South Africa rather than planning the details.

Absolutely, a guided tour of South Africa can unlock experiences only available with the necessary local insight and connections. That’s especially true if you’re planning on visiting multiple destinations, as the transport, accommodation and other logistics are sorted for you – saving plenty of time and stress.

South Africa is a vast and diverse country, with considerable distances between the major cities, national parks, coastal regions and wine-growing regions. Travelling between destinations such as Cape Town, the Garden Route and Kruger National Park can involve long journeys and careful planning, particularly when combining wildlife safaris with cultural and scenic highlights.

On an Exodus small-group tour, your expert local guide handles on-the-ground logistics and smooths any issues. They also share their local knowledge and insights into the wildlife, history, cultures and communities of South Africa, bringing greater depth to the places you visit.

An Exodus small-group tour of South Africa includes everything you need for a hassle-free adventure. While inclusions vary by itinerary, you can typically expect:

Accommodation: Think locally run hotels, guesthouses and lodges, plus some tented safari camps.

Transport: We’ll get you from place to place, usually by private minibus, with some itineraries also including 4×4 safari vehicles. Airport transfers are included, typically at set times.

Expert tour leader: An expert local guide who handles the daily logistics, while sharing their insider knowledge on the history, culture and traditions of South Africa.

Meals: Most breakfasts, plus selected lunches and dinners – check the itinerary for a full rundown of what’s included. 

Activities: A range of guided activities and sightseeing experiences, allowing you to discover South Africa on foot, by bike, or on a 4×4 game drive. Depending on your itinerary, you could hike in the Drakensberg Mountains, search for whales along the coast at Hermanus, explore the forests and coastal trails of Tsitsikamma National Park, see the penguins at Boulders Beach on the Cape Peninsula or discover the highlights of Cape Town. See your Trip Notes for full details of what’s included, along with any optional activities.

Support: 24/7 support from our local team throughout your adventure, plus the help of in-house travel experts, who can help you book flights or extra nights.

An Exodus small-group tour takes the stress out of exploring, combining expert local guides, thoughtfully crafted itineraries and seamless logistics, allowing you to focus on what really matters – immersing yourself in South Africa. Here’s what you can expect:

Landscapes, culture & history: Our itineraries reveal the remarkable diversity of South Africa, from the dramatic peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains and the forests and coastline of the Garden Route to wildlife-rich national parks and the vibrant streets of Cape Town. Search for elephants, lions and rhinos on safari, explore the coastal trails of Tsitsikamma National Park, discover the country’s complex history and cultural heritage, or visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach on the Cape Peninsula.

Expert local guides: Every Exodus tour is led by an expert local guide, keen to share their fascinating insights on the history, traditions and cuisine of South Africa, while taking care of the daily logistics, allowing you to relax and enjoy the experience.

Sociable, small groups: With an average group size of 10 to 12, our tours offer a welcoming atmosphere, while giving you more opportunities to connect with local people and experience South Africa. Groups stay in carefully selected accommodation, using locally owned properties where possible.

As a certified B Corp, we take a nature-positive approach and aim to contribute to the communities in the destinations we visit.

We prioritise experiences that support local livelihoods, from partnering with independently owned accommodation and family-run eateries to working with knowledgeable local guides whose expertise brings each destination to life.

Beyond our trips, the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation invests in lasting community and conservation projects focused on protecting ecosystems and restoring nature for future generations.

Travelling on a guided tour can make exploring South Africa easier and more reassuring, particularly if it’s your first visit.

As with any destination, it’s important to take sensible precautions and remain aware of your surroundings, especially in cities and when exploring independently. Your expert local guide will offer practical safety advice throughout the trip, including guidance on activities, free time and local customs, helping you explore with greater confidence.

If you have specific safety concerns before booking, our team of travel experts will be happy to discuss them.

For a first-time visit to South Africa, many combine Cape Town, the Garden Route and a safari region such as Kruger National Park. Cape Town is a natural start point, providing easy access to Table Mountain, Robben Island and the vineyards of the Cape Winelands. From there, travelling along the Garden Route offers the chance to experience coastal drama and inland contrasts, such as the Tsitsikamma forests, seasonal whale watching in Hermanus, and the ancient Cango Caves. Finally, a safari means spotting iconic African wildlife in its natural habitat, with Kruger National Park widely regarded as one of the best wildlife-watching destinations.

South Africa is blessed with many ‘must-visit places’, all of which you can find on Exodus itineraries. For culture, head to the Mother City, Cape Town, an excellent base to explore the Cape Winelands, Cape Malay heritage in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, and Robben Island. Elsewhere, the Garden Route is often named among the world’s great road trips, ideal for cyclists and coastal culture. For a safari thrill, Kruger National Park is considered among the top destinations in the world.

South Africa is generally considered one of the world’s great wildlife-watching destinations. With Exodus, you can visit Kruger National Park to scan the bush for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos, as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and antelope. Along the Garden Route, Addo Elephant National Park offers another classic safari setting, while Hermanus is renowned for seasonal whale watching. Near Cape Town, Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town adds a coastal twist, with African penguins waddling between granite boulders and the sea.

On a small-group guided tour of South Africa, the wildlife is only the beginning. You can pair game drives in Kruger National Park or Addo Elephant National Park with Cape Town’s Table Mountain and V&A Waterfront, the vineyards of Stellenbosch, and the coastal drama of the Garden Route. That route alone allows you to visit the forests and suspension bridges of Tsitsikamma, the sandstone cliffs of Knysna Heads, the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, and whale watching in Hermanus. Few destinations make it so easy to move from big cats to big skies, wine estates and wave-battered coastlines in one holiday.