South Africa 12-Day Tours and Trips

We were a big group of 15. Everyone got on well. Our leader, Petro Pretorius, was exceptional. Her knowledge was encyclopaedic and she was warm, open & resourceful. At all times we felt safe & confident in her care. She really went the extra mile for us. The food & wine was outstanding and also ridiculously cheap. Our itinerary was well thought out & enjoyable. Accommodation was always clean & well appointed. Accommodation hosts & local people were unfailingly friendly & helpful

Excellent trip for the family. Some long traveling days, but the travel enabled us to explore & experience the amazing scenery & wildlife South Africa has to offer. Great trip and an excellent guide. (Wern).

This was the most brilliant trip - long cycles - hot days and freezing cold nights - August! The group were great, supportive and fun and the tour guides and cycle guide brilliant.

No matter how much reading you do, you can never be totally prepared for any cycle tour. There are always surprises in store and of course the people you meet, the guides and fellow cyclists are a key factor in the ultimate overall experience. The scenery on this tour was dramatic and at times absolutely fabulous, especially in the 2nd half when we returned to Cape Town along the coast. There were times when the weather was a little difficult and on one stretch of coastline with mountainous cliffs on one side and a sheer drop to the sea on the other, we were frequently 'blown about' or stopped in our tracks by the wind in our faces. It all added to the excitement and sheer enjoyment of the cycling, it certainly wasn't boring! The guides were excellent, they didn't allow us to cycle when it was too dangerous but at the same time we were able to tackle some demanding climbs and descents and the cycling was generally just within the capabilities of the group.

Our Cape Safari and Falls trip with Contiki was an unforgettable 12 days, and a big part of that came down to our tour guide. They were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing insights that really helped us understand each place we visited, while also making sure we felt safe and confident during every activity. Starting in Cape Town was the perfect introduction. The slower pace at the beginning gave us time to settle in and properly learn about South Africa, rather than feeling rushed. It set the tone nicely for the rest of the trip. Heading to Kruger National Park was a real highlight. Seeing such a wide range of animals in their natural environment was incredible, especially witnessing interactions between them. It felt like something out of a documentary, but happening right in front of us. Moving on to Victoria Falls was equally memorable. The falls themselves were stunning, and the optional bridge activities added a real sense of adventure. What worked well was the flexibility, if you didn’t want to take part, there was still plenty to do, from watching others to browsing local street vendors. Finally, traveling into Botswana was a standout moment of the trip. Camping in the park with no fences was both surreal and exciting. Being so close to wildlife, while still feeling safe, made it a unique and memorable experience, and definitely a personal highlight. Overall, it was a well-balanced trip with a great mix of learning, adventure, and downtime. It’s one I’d highly recommend to anyone looking to experience this part of the world in a meaningful and exciting way.

First group tour for me and I was relieved to find I loved it! My husband had done charity group trips before but not a ‘holiday’. Very varied in terms of accommodation styles, experiences, landscape, seascape and people on the trip - both on the minibus and locals. Excellent guide too!