Explorer trips in Southern Africa. Looking to explore Southern Africa on an explorer tour? We offer 170 explorer tours through-out Southern Africa, backed by over 500 reviews and offering discounts up to 27%. All our trips are offered by expert trip designers and Southern Africa destination experts, with trip durations ranging from 1 to 131 days.
Duration
1 day136 days
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Accommodations
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Ever dreamed of coming face to face with a great white shark? This relaxed-paced, four-day Cape Town trip is designed for thrill-seekers and culture lovers alike. Dive into the adrenaline rush of shark cage diving in Gansbaai, then unwind with guided tours of Cape Town’s striking coastline and exclusive wine tastings at local vineyards. Explore the city’s vibrant culture and savor the region’s culinary delights. With small group camaraderie, comfortable accommodations, and expert-led adventures, this tour’s true highlight is the rare chance for an up-close encounter with one of nature’s most awe-inspiring predators—making it a must for adventure enthusiasts.
Embark on The Grand Tour of Tunisia: History, Desert & Culture, an enriching 9-day journey that perfectly encapsulates the diversity of this North African jewel. Starting in Tunis, you will dive into history by exploring the UNESCO-listed Medina and the ancient ruins of Carthage, balanced with hands-on experiences like a Tunisian Cooking Class and a visit to the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said. The tour then heads south, pausing for cultural immersion with a Harissa-making workshop and visits to the historic coastal medinas of Hammamet and Sousse, including its museum housing magnificent Roman mosaics, before reaching the colossal Amphitheatre of El Jem.
The adventure deepens as you journey into the desert towards Matmata to explore its fascinating troglodyte underground homes and iconic Star Wars filming locations. You will experience genuine local life through a cultural exchange with the inspiring Women of GDA El Ferch cooperative and visit the ancient Berber villages of Douirette and Guermassa before arriving at Douz, the 'Gateway to the Sahara'. The route shifts to the stunning natural beauty of the Atlas Mountain oases, crossing the shimmering Chott el Djerid (Salt Lake) to explore the canyons and springs of Chebika and Tamerza.
The historical narrative continues with a visit to the beautifully preserved Roman site of Sbeitla, followed by the spiritual significance of Kairouan, the fourth-holiest city in Islam, before concluding with a day of relaxation in the elegant coastal resort of Gammarth near Tunis. This comprehensive tour blends guided archaeological exploration with authentic cultural experiences and the breathtaking scenery of the Tunisian desert and coast.
The route operates during the summer months from June until the end of September. If you are plan on travelling at other times of the year, please see our Tunisian Encounters tour
Discover the soul of Tunisia on this immersive journey through the country's rich, yet lesser-travelled Northwest. Your adventure begins in Tunis, the vibrant capital, before immediately plunging into the captivating cultural heartland. The exploration starts with a deeply enriching, hands-on pottery workshop in Sejnane, a UNESCO-listed experience where you will learn the ancient, wheel-less crafting techniques preserved solely by local women. Following this immersion into craft, the tour sweeps you away to the picturesque coast of Tabarka, where the striking red-rock shoreline and a historic Roman fort offer spectacular views where the forest meets the sea. The day culminates with an ascent into the tranquil highlands of Ain Draham, a refreshing mountain retreat known for its cool air and dense cork oak forests.
The journey continues amidst the serene beauty of the Kroumirie Mountains. In Ain Draham, a guided forest hike, led by a local expert, will reveal the region's rich ecological diversity, weaving through shaded paths and offering insights into the unique flora and fauna. A truly memorable highlight is a traditional, intimate lunch shared with a local family within the forest area, providing a genuine taste of regional cuisine and warm Tunisian hospitality. Moving on, the focus shifts to history as you explore the remarkable Roman city of Bulla Regia, famed for its extraordinary subterranean villas. This historical deep dive is balanced with a visit to the atmospheric Medina of El Kef and a unique bread-making experience at the 'House of Bread', connecting you with the essence of Tunisian daily life.
The historical grand finale is the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site of Dougga, North Africa’s best-preserved Roman town. You will spend the morning wandering amongst the majestic ruins, including the Capitol and the ancient Theatre, gaining a direct perspective on the site's profound historical importance. The cultural exploration is perfectly complemented by a practical, sensory interlude: an organic olive oil tasting and a simple, traditional 'farm to table' lunch at a local estate, allowing you to sample local varieties and learn about the pressing process. The trip concludes with a return drive to Tunis for a final evening before your departure, leaving you with lasting memories of Tunisia’s stunning landscapes, ancient history, and authentic, warm-hearted culture.
We also offer a 13-day version of this tour, combining the North and South of the country: Tunisian Encompassed tour
From the majestic Mountain Gorillas, wildlife experiences throughout East African National Parks, enjoying the blue waters of Zanzibar and Lake Malawi, or experiencing the adrenaline fueled Victoria Falls, this is a sure-fire recipe to make an unforgettable journey.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Nairobi, Victoria Falls, Masai Mara, Marangu, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Harare, Great Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Kakamega Rainforest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kigali, Musanze, Lake Mburo National Park, Arusha
Trek to see the mountain gorillas, swim with dolphins, walk in search of rhino or, relax on sandy tropical beaches. Add in a few adrenaline activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, gorge swings or quad biking along with stunning gameparks such as the Serengeti, Etosha, Addo and Ngorongoro Crater and some fantastic activities such as Whale watching and Shark Cave Diving will make this a trip to remember.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Nairobi, Johannesburg, Lake Naivasha, Marangu, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Harare, Great Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Chobe River, Etosha National Park, Kakamega Rainforest, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, Little Karoo, Addo, Lesotho, Royal Natal National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kigali, Musanze, Lake Mburo National Park, Arusha
On this overland tour you have the opportunity to get up close to the amazing wildlife in the Serengeti National Park, home to Zebra and the migration site of 1.5 million Wildebeest. Then, we move on to the World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Crater. As well as sight-seeing, you can chill out on the beautiful white sandy beaches of Zanzibar (home to turtles and dolphins) and Lake Malawi, the waters of which boast the largest number of fish species in the world.
Option to finish in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
From the majestic Mountain Gorillas, wildlife experiences in some of the best gameparks in East Africa to the blue waters of Zanzibar and Lake Malawi. A sure-fire recipe to make this an unforgettable journey.
There is an option to finish in Lilongwe, Malawi if you don't want to continue on into Zimbabwe and finish in Harare.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Nairobi, Harare, Masai Mara, Marangu, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Kakamega Rainforest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kigali, Musanze, Lake Mburo National Park
Trek to see the mountain gorillas, swim with dolphins, walk in search of rhino or relax on sandy tropical beaches. Add in a few adrenaline activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting, gorge swings or quad biking along with stunning gameparks such as the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Etosha and Ngorongoro Crater will make this a trip to remember.
Note: This is one of our Overland Adventures which are run using one of our specialist famous yellow overland expedition trucks. Trips are run on a participatory basis – you’ll be involved in the day to day running of the trip and have fun taking turns helping to shop and cook for the group. Expect to sometimes get dusty and dishevelled and not to be able to have hot showers every night. Groups of up to 24 people are led by our crew of two.
Please note that the accommodation on this trip is predominantly camping, though there may be opportunities to upgrade this locally where rooms are available. Please see the trip inclusions for an approximate percentage of camping and room nights.
Our Overland Adventures provide once in a life time experiences and whilst some safari activities may be included in the itinerary, or be available to book locally, this should not be considered a traditional safari holiday, though we consider that part of the fun!!
Nairobi, Cape Town, Masai Mara, Marangu, Zanzibar, Lake Malawi, Harare, Great Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Etosha Village, Spitzkoppe, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Stellenbosch, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kigali, Musanze, Lake Mburo National Park, Arusha
On this 15-day family adventure through Namibia, Botswana and finishing in Zimbabwe, you'll get to explore some of the most varied and exciting landscapes in Africa. Starting in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, we start by heading to the Skeleton Coast, before heading east all the way to Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe.
Your starting point on the Namibia leg of this trip is the capital city of Windhoek and from here we'll head to Sessrium National Park and to Sossusvlei to where we'll climb up the famous Dune 45. Our next highlight is Swakopmund, known as the adventure capital of Namibia where thrilling activities, such as skydiving, sandboarding and scenic flights above the stark landscape of the mountainous dunes are available. After passing shipwrecks sitting on the desert sands of the Skeleton Coast we'll visit the Cape Cross Seal Colony and Ozohere Himba Village before heading inland, to one of the best places in the world to see wildlife, Etosha National Park. After meeting local tribes, exploring Namibia's capital, Windhoek, and getting to see wild elephants, zebras, and hippos, our final stop before the Okavango will be Rundu, perched on the Angolan border.
The Okavango is teaming with plant, bird and animal life and is the largest inland delta on the entire planet. Its unique positioning makes it ideal for supporting hundreds of species of wild birds and impressive land mammals such as lions, cheetahs, and giraffes. The Delta splits into thousands of smaller waterways, forming swamps, lagoons and small islands that we give you a chance to explore on and off the water. There are several optional safaris from our camp into the Delta both in traditional mokoro dugout canoes, and with open 4x4 safari vehicles.
Coming to the end of our trip, we cross the border into Botswana and take you to Chobe National Park, famous for its thriving elephant population, before finishing at the stunning Victoria Falls.
This overland family adventure safari holiday allows you to experience the diversity and uniqueness of the different regional cultures, discover the abundance of wildlife, and get your adrenaline flowing with exciting optional activities. Accommodation is a mix of hotels/lodges, permanent camps, and in simple tents next to our truck. Travel is on a specialist expedition vehicle with an experienced tour leader and driver on board.
This family tour has a minimum age requirement of 5 years, with discounted prices available for children aged from 5 to 15. Our trucks have 24 seats on the back, and the group will be a minimum of 8 people and maximum of 18 (plus crew)
Windhoek, Rundu, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, Namib Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park
SMALL GROUP COMFORT CAMPING: Embark on an unforgettable 12-day fully-serviced camping safari, travelling from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, discovering the wild beauty of Southern Africa along the way. Explore the ancient landscapes of Mapungubwe, home to San rock art and baobab-dotted horizons, before crossing into Botswana where you can encounter rhino at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Go in search of wildlife on 4x4 game drives in the wilderness of Moremi and look out for large prides of lions in Savute. Spot herds of elephants as you drive through Chobe National Park and enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. End your adventure in Africa's adrenaline capital, where there's free time to visit the mighty Victoria Falls and enjoy optional activities such as white-water rafting or scenic flights.
