South Africa Tours & Holidays
Join us on a holiday to South Africa
Rolling grasslands, flourishing vineyards, charismatic cities and rugged shores… The world revealed on holidays to South Africa is one full of stories waiting to be told.
When travelling with Newmarket Holidays, you might find yourself heading out on safari at Kruger National Park in search of the Big Five – elephants, rhinoceros, leopards, lions and buffalos – standing on Table Mountain, with Cape Town at your feet or following the Garden Route in search of stunning scenery and world-beating wines.
Dubbed the Rainbow Nation, South Africa has a mix of cultures is as diverse as its landscapes, wildlife and winelands. It is home to Khoi- San Bushmen, a number of Bantu-speaking tribes, and Afrikaner and English-speaking communities descended from European settlers. Make your South African trip a cultural one, and discover the traditions of the country’s earliest inhabitants at the Lesedi Cultural Village, learn about the country’s oppressive past at the Apartheid Museum and experience its bright present and even brighter future on the buzzing streets of Cape Town.
South African tours with Newmarket Holidays offer endless opportunities to come face to face with magnificent animals in their natural habitat. To make the most of this country’s extraordinary natural beauty, opt for a full-day game drive in one of its many National Parks, a bush walk or a sunset drive. Marvel at the spectacular scenery of the Panorama Route, and take in the view from God's Window on the Drakensberg escarpment.
South Africa is a melting pot of cuisines, so make sure you don’t leave without trying its wines, spicy-savoury meat dishes and traditional delicacies.
Our featured South Africa holidays
Encounter ancient traditions and awe-inspiring scenery, and search for the Big Five Kruger on one of our South African tours.
- 7 Excursions Included, 21 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 23 Dates - Apr 2024 - Dec 2026
- 8 Excursions Included, 16 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 5 Airports
- 19 Dates - May 2024 - Nov 2025
- 7 Excursions Included, 21 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 47 Dates - Mar 2024 - Nov 2026
- 6 Excursions Included, 29 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 12 Dates - Mar 2024 - Nov 2025
- 13 Excursions Included, 21 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 7 Airports
- 12 Dates - Jan 2024 - Nov 2025
- 10 Excursions Included, 36 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 9 Dates - May 2024 - Dec 2025
- 7 Excursions Included, 21 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 43 Dates - Feb 2024 - Dec 2026
- 7 Excursions Included, 21 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 14 Dates - Jul 2024 - Dec 2026
- 7 Excursions Included, 21 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 3 Airports
- 40 Dates - Feb 2024 - Dec 2025
- 8 Excursions Included, 21 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 8 Dates - Jan 2025 - Nov 2025
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 26 December 2023
- 10 Excursions Included, 25 Meals Included
- Flights Included - 1 Airport
- 5 Dates - Feb 2024 - Nov 2024
Things to do in South Africa
There are many regions of this great nation to explore, each adding to the picture that you’ll take away with you. With 21 National Parks, eight World Heritage Sites and almost 2000 miles of pristine coastline to discover, it can be hard to decide what to do. To help you in your decision-making we've listed some of the most interesting things to do on your holiday to South Africa.
Track the Big Five at Kruger National Park. Watch elephants at play, catch a glimpse of powerful lions stalking their prey, and keep an eye out for the incredibly illusive leopard. Look out, too, for the birdlife and beautiful flora.
Enjoy astounding natural beauty, from ancient forests, secluded beaches and untouched lagoons, to hidden wine estates, unique wildlife sanctuaries and breathtaking mountainous backdrops.
See the majestic sweep of Table Mountain and the remarkable white beaches of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines of Cape Town. Get to know the Fairest Cape, exploring not just the city but the surrounding winelands at Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
Things to see in South Africa
South Africa tour highlights
Things to see and places to visit on your escorted tour of South Africa
Cape Town
With a cosmopolitan city offering plenty of opportunities to branch off into some of the continent’s most stunning natural scenery and safaris, you can’t go wrong.
South Africa Safari Holidays
Treat yourself to the safari experience of a lifetime, with escorted family-friendly tours and lodge stays in wilderness-rich South Africa.
Kruger Safari Holidays
On a Kruger safari, you can finally go deep into the natural world, experiencing all its thrills, quirks, and beauty.
Food and drink in South Africa
South African cuisine is a unique fusion of many different external cultural influences: African, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese and Indonesian. This has translated into an array of tasty dishes full of textures, tastes and aromas that lure hungry visitors.
The inhabitants of the Western Cape in particular are spoilt for choice, living surrounded by world-class wineries and rich farmland. Spread with lush vineyards and framed by majestic mountain ranges, the Cape Winelands region offers up opportunities to taste some of the world’s best wines at local vineyards, and to sample innovative cuisine at the award-winning restaurants in pretty towns like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Put simply – for foodies it’s an absolute must-visit.
If you’re staying in the bush on your South African tour, don’t miss the chance to experience a traditional South African braai – grilled meat cooked over an open fire. At a roadside stand, try boerewors – a variety of spicy sausage, or the oh-so-chewy and moreish national snack, biltong. Sugary delicacies such as the koeksister and melktert will more satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
Other local favourites include a wide variety of delectable Cape Malay dishes; bobotie, is a delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit with a creamy golden topping that has practically become South Africa’s national dish.
South Africa FAQs
Here are some questions you might have about South Africa.
- Time Zone
- GMT +1
- Avg. Flight Time
- 11.5 hours (Cape Town)
- Visa Required
- Not required
- Currency
- South African Rand
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What are the best South Africa tours?
Some of the best South Africa tours include:
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What is South Africa known for?
South Africa is famous for its vast grasslands, national parks, abundant wildlife, vineyards, safaris, diverse cities and rugged coastlines.
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What’s the currency in South Africa?
The South African Rand is the official currency of South Africa. Visit XE to see the current exchange rate.
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Which heritage sites are in South Africa?
South Africa has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of which include: Robben Island, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Mapungubwe Heritage Site, Cradle of Humankind and more.
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What’s the cuisine like in South Africa?
South African cuisine is a fusion of cultural influences including African, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, and more. Be sure to sample traditional South African braai (grilled meat cooked over an open fire), boerewors (spicy sausage), and South Africa’s signature snack, biltong (meat jerky).
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