I thought after the first day of cycling I was going to hate this trip, but it got much much better. Being on the ground cycling through the dunes or with a random zebra crashing through a fence and bounding across the road in front of you is an amazing experience. Well worth the sometimes challengin cycling.
Mountain bikingBicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Camping, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Windhoek, Otjiwarongwe, Waterber
Windhoek, Otjiwarongwe, Waterberg Plateau, Sesriem, Solitaire, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park
My trip lived up to every expectation I had and more. Both my mom and I could not have been happier with the trip and everyone who was in our group. It really was a top lifetime experience! My mom has some limited mobility and they worked so hard to make the trip great for her while not taking away any experience for the others on the trip.
WildlifeExplorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Tent, Hotel, Eco Lodge, Lodge
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Kruger National Pa
Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
27% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Highlights -
Stunning landscapes, especially around the Namib desert/Sossusvlei, Brandberg area and Walvis Bay/Swakopmund.
Wildlife viewing was excellent - plenty of time to view and observe and search both mammals and birds throughout the trip. You will get some amazing photos and memories!
A knowledgeable guide who sorted everything that needed doing and had a great understanding of the wildlife/country.
A couple of the lodges were above expectations (NB the app stated that there might be changes and there were).
Things that surprised me:
One of the lodges was disappointing but we were only there for one night (Brandberg White Lady Lodge - no proper AC and nowhere to charge anything plus very basic room and the food was also below par).
There wasn't much time to decompress and just enjoy the areas without being on the move - ideally this should be a 14 or 15 day trip with Toshari or Makuti and Swapokmund stays being extended by a further day.
Water is not provided at many of the lodges or at the inclusive meals so you end up buying plastic bottles of water (more costly than a beer!) that you then can't keep chilled as the rooms often did not have a fridge.
One of the recommended excursions in Walvis Bay was a waste of time and very expensive. The Shifting Sands excursion to Sandwich Harbour was vastly more costly (x3) than the Desert Discovery trip (both 3 hours) and yet covered much the same but at a much lower standard. The Desert Discovery Trip had much better guides, much more to see and a far superior dune driving experience. The Sandwich Harbour trip just gave the "dunes meeting the sea" and a fraction of the elements covered in the other trip but for the time/cost and drive it would have been better to have stayed in Walvis Bay and appreciate all the birdlife and coast there. Avoid that if offered.
What I needed on the trip:
The following items were really useful:
A sarong - to sit on a very hot seat or use as a sunshield in various locations; a water bottle flask that kept my water chilled all day;
A broad brimmed hat - in summer a baseball cap did not cut it at Sossusvlei;
Binoculars - even a basic pair;
A power bank for your phone as some days you are on the road for 12 hours and with all the photos you'll need an extra power source.;
A usb adaptor for your phone charger as a few lodges had these in the socket spaces;
Washing powder as you may end up hand washing a lot;
A basic set of general medications..... you never know!
Additionally I would recommend going at least one day earlier so you have time to take in a township and Windhoek tour. The on-cost of the hotel was minimal (arranged directly) but it meant we had no stress of being late and we had a chance to acclimatise, plus had a good look around prior to meeting the rest of the group and the guide. The Mercure has full access to the sister Movenpick which has a great pool area, other restaurants and spa/gym for use by all residents.
If you fly through Germany and direct on to Windhoek, you travel overnight and arrive morning time giving you a whole afternoon plus a whole day before you meet the group at 6pm. Plus your return flight is early evening so you get the departure day too if you extend your room at the Mercure. Well worth it!
Overall a truly great and varied trip even if you have done safaris before.
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Sesriem
Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Sesriem, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Uis, Etosha National Park
11% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Excellent leader, who was able to keep us all well informed, huge knowledge base, was well organised, great attention to detail, couldn’t have been more helpful, witty and pleasant.
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Addo Elephant Nationa
Cape Town, Addo Elephant National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Cape Peninsula, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Cango Caves, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay
21% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Our trip leader Samantha was outsanding and went above and beyond in making sure everyone had a great time and everyone's needs were taken care of. She was attentive, energetic, caring, knowledgeable and funny! She really made our trip that much more amazing!
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Addo Elephant Nati
Johannesburg, Addo Elephant National Park, Drakensberg Mountains, Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Swellendam, Knysna, Robberg Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma National Park, Port Elizabeth, Saint Lucia, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, Eswatini, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Kruger National Park, Graskop, Port Elizabeth Airport
6% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Discover the breathtaking Garden Route & Wine Adventure in South Africa, an exhilarating escape blending coastal beauty and vineyard visits. Explore lush forests, indulge in premium wine tastings, and encounter wildlife in renowned reserves. Highlights include the scenic Knysna lagoon, rugged Tsitsikamma National Park, and charming Stellenbosch wine estates. Perfect for nature lovers and wine enthusiasts, this immersive journey promises unforgettable experiences amidst dramatic landscapes and exquisite culinary delights along South Africa's famed Garden Route.
ExplorerAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Discover one of the world’s seven natural wonders as you enjoy a spectacular sunset over Cape Town, the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and the Atlantic Ocean—seen from up high on Table Mountain. Explore Cape Town your way with a visit to The Old Biscuit Mill—a vibrant artisan and culinary market, or the District Six Museum—a memorial dedicated to the 60,000 inhabitants forced to relocate after Apartheid destroyed the area. After visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site and former prison of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, meet ex-prison guard Christo Brand for lunch at the Amy Foundation to hear fascinating stories about one of history’s most inspirational figures. At Boschendal Wine Estate, enjoy a Farm-to-Table lunch of locally sourced foods, harvested from the Werf Food Garden and cooked to perfection by Chef Allistaire Lawrence. In Kruger National Park, adventure out on a private open-air safari in search of the Big Five. Led by professional trackers, this once in a lifetime experience unfolds the largest game reserve in South Africa.
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Villa
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Skukuza
Overall this was an excellent tour. The Cape Town section was great with a wide variety of sites to visit. The lunch at Penguino in Hermanus was delicious and hilarious. The Cullinan Hotel was very good and we appreciated the visit to the District Six museum - an eye opener. However, the transition to Hoedspruit was poor - we were not given our flight times, the flight was delayed for 5 hours, there was no direct communication with Trafalgar. That was redeemed at the Karongwe game reserve - great game viewing (Big 5 + cheetahs in 2 days) with skilled rangers and simple, comfortable accommodation. The food was good except, surprisingly, the meat was tough. The staff there were very courteous and friendly. The brief visit to Johannesburg was very good: the guided tours to the Old Fort Prison and new Constitutional Court and to Regina Mundi church and other sites in Soweto were really great. As former South Africans, we thought this tour gave all of us an excellent, short overview of the Cape, the Bush and Johannesburg. And we appreciated the personalized attention to detail from Trafalgar s guides.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Hoedspr
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Hoedspruit, Karongwe Private Game Reserve, Victoria Falls
8% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
No, you’re not dreaming, the incredible beauty of the Western Cape is part of its charm. From the eclectic streets of Cape Town to the wild nature of Cape Agulhas and the Garden Route Game Reserve, you’ll be living out your dream as you dive in to the culture, landscapes and lifestyle of this region.
AdventureMarine wildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Hermanus, Garden Rout
Cape Town, Hermanus, Garden Route Game Lodge, Knysna
Get ready for an unparalleled journey through the cultural diversity and abundant wildlife of southern Africa. Seek out the “Big 5” on 8 different safaris. Get a taste of South African culture at local wineries. Witness the natural beauty of Victoria Falls and learn about its people during a township visit and home-hosted lunch. Greet African elephants and spend time learning about them. Search for animals along the winding Chobe River. Epic scenery and winding coastlines come together in an incredible adventure.
WaterfallsWildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Tent, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pilanes
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, Franschhoek, Victoria Falls, Chobe River, Chobe National Park
6% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Experience the sprawling wilderness and the welcoming people of Botswana on this seven-day Premium adventure through the country’s heart. Set out in search of wildlife on a series of game drives, cruise down the Zambezi River from the Namibian banks, drift through the endless channels of the Okavango Delta and hang out with a family of meerkats at the Ntwetwe Salt Pans. From the rich diversity of Chobe National Park to the curious beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana’s natural wonders will take your breath away.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Lodge
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kasane, Maun, Chobe National Par
Kasane, Maun, Chobe National Park, Chobe River, Zambezi River, Makgadikgadi Pans
Discover the vibrant mix of Cape Town’s culture, the stunning heights of Table Mountain and the unforgettable thrill of a South African safari. Get close to nature as you travel to see the Big 5, and experience local traditions and flavours. This is Southern Africa at its finest.