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.
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
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
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.
Dreaming of a beach escape with a twist? The 7-day Kruger, Eswatini & Durban Accommodated tour blends wildlife, culture, and coastal fun in South Africa. Starting in Pretoria and ending in Durban, this family-friendly trip includes visits to Hazyview, Saint Lucia, and three other vibrant locales. With hotel accommodations, transport, and meals provided, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy the journey. The standout feature is the rare combination of safari excitement and the laid-back charm of South Africa’s east coast, making it a top choice for families wanting variety in their tour package.
BeachAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kruger National Park, Pretoria
Kruger National Park, Pretoria, Hazyview, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Saint Lucia, Durban
15% 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
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I really enjoyed the trip and the way camping was mixed into the other accommodations.
However, it would have been nice to have some more options for Cape Town add-ons, even if we couldn’t do all of them. I.e see Nelson Mandela’s prison. I also think the township tour should be an inclusion.
The walking safari in Zambia was a bit too expensive though, considering we only did like 30-40min of walking.
was fantastic in the way he welcomed us to his home country and spoke about life in Africa.
Adventure
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Tent, Guest House
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Kruger National Park
Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Okavango Delta, Maun, Johannesburg, Victoria Falls
9% OFF TODAY
This deal is valid for limited time. Book now to reserve your seats.
Leave Durban at 6.30am from your Hotel, Guest House or B&B and drive through the Timber and Sugar plantations and the beautiful Zulu villages which lies in the northern Zululand.
We take you to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve which lies 2.5 hours from Durban and is set in the heart of Zululand where Africa’s Big 5 (Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhinoceros) roam the flourishing savannah. Established in 1895 this is the oldest park in South Africa and is 98,000 hectares.
The Game Drive takes place in our Land Rover or our Toyota Quantum fully air-condition.
At the end of the tour we drop you back to your accomodation. We look forward to giving you a great and safe game viewing experience in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. Game drive has no specified time as we want to see as much animals as we can.
At additional cost, you can also visit The Emdoneni Wild Cat Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre, Isimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park or DumaZulu Cultural Park.
Wildlife safaris and game drives
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The Cape wine lands are divided into various different regions, each offering their own ‘wine route’. The most popular and well-known are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl. The wine farms of Stellenbosch are the closest in distance to Cape Town and are within a 45-minute drive of the city centre.
This is the most well known wine region and is home to a variety of cellars, producing some of the country’s most acclaimed wines. The old town of Stellenbosch (1650) is a university town and the oak-lined almost original Dorp Straat is home to museums and galleries as well as many student cafes and restaurants.
The Cape Winelands Tour is a private tour that can be adapted to your personal interests without additional costs. It takes about 9 hours to complete this tour.
