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
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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
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Lovely trip, this is my second explore trip, the first was a very experienced guide in Costa Rica, Nathi was our guide for this one he said he was new to explore, what he lacked in explore experience he gained in his buzzing personality and local knowledge, he was a great kind and considerate guide nothing was too much trouble. He arranged things and recommend things sharing his knowledge freely. As he gets more experience he’ll be a great asset to Explore. You never know what people you’ll get on such a holiday and I’m always a bit apprehensive since I don’t suffer fools. Fortunately everyone seemed to bond by the end of the 2 weeks. Re the itinerary it was a good balance, maybe include the wine tasting as part of it instead of an option.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Hermanu
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Hermanus, Kruger National Park, Stellenbosch, Garden Route National Park, Cape Winelands, Tsitsikamma National Park, Table Mountain, Blyde River Canyon, Port Elizabeth, Knysna
We had a great time, everything went very well. We were especially impressed by the excellent tour leader who was most knowledgeable, efficient, and courteous and did everything possible and more to ensure that all went smoothly. The hotels were all top-notch. Will definitely book again.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Hut
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port El
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth Airport, Knysna, Kruger National Park, Swaziland, Saint Lucia, Durban, Drakensberg
Embark on an unforgettable South African adventure exploring Cape Town’s vibrant culture, the breathtaking Garden Route, and the untamed wilderness of Addo National Park. Dive into thrilling safaris, scenic coastal drives, and astonishing wildlife encounters. Wander through lush forests, picturesque vineyards, and stunning beaches. Enjoy exhilarating activities such as whale watching, bungee jumping, and exploring ancient caves. With curated experiences at each destination, this journey offers an exceptional blend of natural beauty and exhilarating adventures in South Africa's most iconic regions.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hostel, Resort, Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Cape
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Cape Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Sedgefield, Addo
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.
ABOUT THIS TRIP
Experience the captivating history and vibrant culture of South Africa on this solo tour. Explore the vibrant city of Johannesburg and discover Soweto township, a cultural melting pot with extraordinary heritage sites that will fascinate any visitor. Continue your journey to Kruger National Park, home to extraordinary wildlife where you may spot Africa's Big Five. Next, you will travel to Stellenbosch, a glorious South African town boasting Cape Dutch architecture. This is the warm and wonderful heart of the Cape Wine Lands. Pay a visit to Cape Town, the modern city with an extraordinary history that is regularly voted one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Take the time to stroll along the waterfront and visit Table Mountain — or simply relax and enjoy some last-minute shopping. End your extraordinary tour of South Africa with a bang in Cape Town!
This is a Solo Tour
You don't pay single supplement and get a room for yourself!
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellen
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch, Hazyview, Kruger National Park
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.
It was a great trip with fantastic game viewing and knowledgeable guides. The accommodation was unique & comfortable, but Rhino lodge at Kosi bay was the poorest -the rooms etc were lovely but there was a decidedly run down aspect to the site and the dinning room service was notable lacking -2-3hr wait after ordering but the food when it came was fine -very understaffed and pushed, not helped by sharing facilities with an inebriated wedding group. Wernan the guide was competent, knowledgeable and did all he could to facilitate the experience -including re driving thro the mountains so we could see Gods Window etc as our first journey was thro thick fog etc with no visibility. Great trip, especially for the kids.
Active and outdoorWildlife
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut, Eco Lodge, Guest House
Age Range
7-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Durban, Kosi Bay
Johannesburg, Durban, Kosi Bay, St. Lucia, Graskop, Tshukudu Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Mlilwane
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
What an amazing trip. We saw so many different cultures while visiting. Our tour guide was so enthusiastic about his country. His knowledge was unbelievable. So glad I got to share in the beauty of this country. Every where we went was so interesting and I learned so much. Definitely a trip for your bucket list.
Wildlife
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberh
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, Knysna, Kruger National Park, Eswatini, Hluhluwe, Durban, Drakensberg Mountains, Drakensberg, Chintsa
10% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
This was a great tour - albeit full on and with a lot of travelling involved. However this was outweighed by seeing such a diverse range of landscapes and wildlife and experiencing so much in a short space of time. The game drives were the stand out for me, we were lucky enough to see the big 5 and it was honestly an incredible experience. I'd have loved to have had more time in the Kruger National Park, as our time was limited.
Highlights include: The incredible landscapes in the Drankensberg Mountains, the hippo cruise in St Lucia and the game drives in Kruger. Seeing lions in their natural habitat was a dream come true, but the elephants have to be the star of the show.
As someone who has never been on safari, this was the perfect introduction to this type of holiday and I'm already planning the next. Thanks Explore!
ExplorerActive and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hut, Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Johannesburg, Drakensberg Mounta
Johannesburg, Drakensberg Mountains, St. Lucia, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, Eswatini, Mlilwane, Kruger National Park, Graskop
22% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
