With its rich heritage, vibrant cities, and wildlife-packed savannahs, South Africa offers a diverse range of experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re seeking a wildlife safari, a family adventure, or a cycle tour, small group tours will take you on an unforgettable adventure.
Why Choose a Group Tour in South Africa?
On a guided small group South Africa tour, you can expect an immersive and enriching experience that showcases the best of this diverse and captivating country. Along the way, expert local guides will lead you on unforgettable adventures, from thrilling safaris in iconic national parks to cultural explorations in vibrant cities. You’ll have the opportunity to witness Africa’s iconic wildlife up close, including the Big Five, as well as encounter unique flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth.
South Africa is a country of contrasts, a unique melting pot of diverse cultures, natural beauty, friendly faces, and authentic experiences around every corner. The beauty of a South Africa tour is being able to fit so much Africa into so little time. From the Stellenbosch Winelands to Kruger, Durban and beyond, this is a place where you can take your safari with a side of Pinotage.
Benefits of Small Group Travel
- Unrivaled Access: Small groups offer you special access to sites.
- Expert Local Guides: Amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
- Award-Winning Hotels: Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring.
- Authentic Experiences: Opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
Popular South Africa Group Tours
From trekking and cycling tours to safaris and family adventures, there are South Africa tours to suit every traveler.
- Cape Town & the Garden Route: Embark on an epic journey from Gqeberha to Cape Town filled with iconic South African experiences.
- Cape Town to Victoria Falls: Travel through the spectacular desert landscape of Namibia, wildlife-rich game parks in Namibia and Botswana and finally to the mighty Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border.
- Cycling the Cape & Winelands: Experience the stunning sights of the Cape Peninsula, including the iconic Table Mountain and the renowned Stellenbosch wine estates.
- South Africa: Family Cape Adventure: This family friendly journey promises unforgettable wildlife experiences.
- Southern Africa Safari: Kruger & Coast: Explore the renowned Kruger and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi reserves, and dive into the Indian Ocean for a unique experience swimming with dolphins.
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The Garden Route
This iconic road trip will lead you along the south coast from Cape Town, around Plettenberg Bay and onto Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth). Get the blood pumping with adrenaline-fueled white-water rafting on the Breede River’s rapids, explore the limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, and hike through Robberg Nature Reserve, keeping an eye out for dolphins and seals in the Indian Ocean. If you’re visiting between July and November, you may even spot a whale.
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Kruger National Park
Discover Kruger National Park on a dedicated South Africa Wildlife tour or Family Safari and Beach Adventure - an immense natural landscape, home to more than 140 species of mammal and over 500 species of bird. Rise before dawn and board the safari trucks for a game drive through the park. As the sun casts its rays over this iconic natural landscape, look out for buffalo and antelope drinking from the waterholes and giraffes grazing among the acacia trees.
Kruger National Park, in the heart of the South African lowveldt, boasts one of the highest recorded densities of wildlife - and especially of leopards - in the African continent. On private game drives in Kruger, keep your eyes open for elephants, cheetah, rhinos, wild dogs and, of course, leopards, along with many other endangered and rare mammals, birds and reptiles.
Cape Winelands
For wine connoisseurs, a visit to South Africa’s Winelands is a must-do. Learn how the local wine is harvested and produced, with the opportunity to savor a selection of the best red and white wines that the region has to offer. Stellenbosch boasts an excellent reputation for producing some of the finest Chenin Blanc, best enjoyed with fresh seafood from the nearby Indian Ocean.
The Cape Winelands, South Africa's key wine producing region just outside of Cape Town, is one of the most beautiful in the world. Heading south from Cape Town, follow the wine trail skirting Table Mountain National Park, through towns reflecting their centuries-old Dutch origins, to the Constantia Valley, the heart of the Winelands since vineyards were first established in the region by Dutch settlers in the 17th century.
Essential Information for Your South Africa Tour
Visa Requirements
Passport holders from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and some other select countries are not required to have a visa when entering South Africa for an intended stay of 90 days or less. You will need at least 6 months remaining validity and 2 blank pages in your passport. Citizens of other countries are required to obtain a Visitor’s Visa, but it’s always best to check with your government for official travel advice.
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Best Time to Visit
South Africa’s diverse attractions cater to visitors year-round, providing unforgettable experiences regardless of the season. For safari enthusiasts, the dry season from May to September offers optimal wildlife viewing opportunities, while summer months from October to March are ideal for visiting Cape Town and the Garden Route, enjoying outdoor activities and sunny beaches. South Africa is a year-round destination, as frequently the climate features bright, sunny days.
For the best chance of spotting the Big Five, plan your visit to Kruger National Park during the dry season, from June to October, when the wildlife tends to congregate around waterholes. The trade-off is that conditions will be very dusty and there will be more tourist vehicles out on tracks. Rainy season, from November until May, transforms the landscape into a lush oasis, rich with migratory birds and frequent appearances from elephants, giraffes and zebras near water sources.
Safety Tips
South Africa has high levels of crime, and you do need to have your wits about you - particularly at night. Always take an Uber or similar if you’re looking to go out when darkness falls, and don’t flash your valuables at any point. Avoid inner-city trains, and be careful on walking trails where you can be targeted by robbers.
G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour.
Tipping in South Africa
There’s a tipping culture in South Africa, and the usual ballpark figure is around 10% for good service in restaurants and other hospitality venues. If the service is exceptional, then go for 15-20% instead.
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You can use this guideline for staff on your tour if you'd like to show appreciation:
- CEO: USD $5-8 per person, per day
- Local guides: USD $2-3 per person, per day
- Safari guide/driver: USD $2-3 per person, per day
LGBTQ+-Friendly Travel
South Africa is famous for being Africa’s most LGBTQ+-friendly destination, and it remains the only country in Africa to allow same-sex marriage. Cape Town is probably the epicentre of LGBTQ+ culture, and there’s a whole host of bars, restaurants, and clubs catering to LGBTQ+ people. Be aware though that in certain other areas of the country, it’s much more conservative.
As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgment, free from any discriminatory language or harassment.
Health and Vaccinations
All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler. For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Languages Spoken
There are eleven official languages in South Africa - English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, and Zulu are the most widely spoken - but there are countless other languages spoken here too including Venda, Tswana, and Sesotho.
What to Pack
Generally, lightweight, cotton, short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts, shorts and long pants are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives, especially from June through August, and for evenings. While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes.
Here's a handy checklist for your South Africa adventure:
| Category | Item |
|---|---|
| Clothing | Lightweight shirts, shorts, long pants, jacket, fleece |
| Footwear | Comfortable walking shoes |
| Accessories | Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen |
| Health | Insect repellent with DEET, personal medication |
| Documents | Passport, visa (if required), travel insurance details |
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