Top Travel Deals in South Africa

Contiki really do know how to put an incredible itinerary together, but the Africa Team takes this to a whole other level. The Garden Route and Addo is such an immense blend of the culture, landscapes and adventure that make this specific region of South Africa special. From the rolling hills of award winning Cape Town wineries and the culinary melting pot of different cultures coming together, to the sprawling penguin colonies and incredible communities of the townships, no matter if you’re a diehard foodie, adrenaline nut, serious history enthusiast or animal whisperer, this trip really has everything you could ever ask South Africa for. Special shout out to the TM Luke and driver Pete. If you’re fortunate enough to be in their presence, relish it, they are truly incredible individuals that encompass all what Contiki is about. My only regret? Not booking the entire Sea Safari South Africa trip, if you can do it all, you must!

The trip overall was a great experience, one that I’m glad was planned out for me. The sheer amount of paper work, entry points and what not would be a complete hassle to do and figure out. So all the efforts of the guide was really appreciated. There were definitely locations where we all wished we had maybe a smidge more time in but the trip was overall well planned and now it’s a spot on my list I’d want to go back to and spend even more time at. One thing I will say though is that the pamphlet shared before the trip made it seem like you could only bring a large suitcase and a backpack or small hand bag but having a carryon was definitely possible, even on the smaller flights without extra charge and that may reduce down some of the weight off your back or large bag. But overall better to try to minimize as much as possible with the amount of moving around that’s done on this trip. Definitely a trip of a lifetime!

This is an amazing trip and actually was better than my expectations. Crossing four countries but focusing on Namibia. If you love varied landscapes and animals this is the trip for you.

If you want to immerse youself in Africa this camping trip is an excellent way to discover this amazing continent. There's plenty of opportunities to discover its wildlife, scenery and culture. It's quite full on and does involve some long drives but these are small sacrifices compared with the benefits that such a tour offers.

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.

What a trip, we can highly recommend it! We booked an extra night pre-tour in Cape Town and could easily have filled an extra 2 nights, there is so much to see and do in Cape Town that isn't covered in the tour itininary. A Hop On Hop Off bus is a good option on arrival day, the red route will take you to the cable car for Table Mountain. Ubers are incredibly cheap and the best way to get around. We were pleased that we made the boat trip out to Robben Island, if we'd had an extra day we would have visited the Kirstenbosch National Botancial Gardens. Bee (Bianca) is an exceptional, top rate guide, she made our trip super special for us, particularly as we ended being the only 2 travellers and not the usual Explore small group experience. Although we stuck pretty much to the itininary Bee's flexibility ensured that we got the very most out of everywhere that we visited. We loved our additional stop at the Ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn - an ostrich neck massage is a must-do once in a lifetime experience! The hiking trails in the Robberg Nature Reserve involve steep uneven and precipitous climbs and descents, not for the faint hearted, so instead we opted for a fun boat trip spotting many fur seals and cormorants at the foot of the Robberg cliffs and a trip to the Monkeyland sancturay - both excellent alternatives that we were very pleased that we visited. The accommodation lived up to all expectations, each place unique in its own way; comfy beds, good showers, plenty of hot water and good breakfasts including the novelty of a 'bagged' breakfast from Elna, our fabulous host at De Poort. The sheer variety of this trip, the great hospiltality from the South African people and our superb guide made this a very memorable holiday. Practical notes: power sockets - you need the fat round 3 pin plugs not the skinnier ones that Amazon sell as compatable, not all usb sockets work, many hotels also have European 2 pin sockets; not all accommodation provide hairdryers in the room but you can probably borrow from reception; you can pay for everything with credit card even at Sedgefield market, no surcharge for small purchases, we only used cash for tips; expect to pay roughly half of what you would pay for food and drink in the UK.