Overland tours & guided safaris
There is so much to see in South Africa, you may be a little confused as to where to start. So perhaps your best bet would be to join an overland trip or a guided safari.
Most of the longer ones do the circuit from Cape Town to the Garden Route (with its forests and beaches) to KwaZulu-Natal (wildlife and Zulu culture) through Mpumalanga (more wildlife, the Kruger National Park and mountain scenery) and end in Johannesburg. Or the other way round.
Some also visit neighbouring countries - Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana and/or Zimbabwe.
Trips usually last about three weeks, but can be longer or shorter. Options range from quite basic, where you sleep in a tiny tent which you put up yourself, to rather luxurious - and the prices differ accordingly. But every one will take you to fantastic places, and all guides are knowledgeable and helpful.
- Compassline, Karibu and Wilderness Safaris run upmarket tours for small groups.
- Big Five African Safaris, Cedarberg Southern Africa Travel, Drifters and Sunway Safaris run mid-range trips with smallish groups.
- Which Way Adventures and Nomad Tours run budget, participatory trips for the more adventurous.
- Flamingo Tours specialise in organising trips for people with disabilities.
If you want to get around with absolutely no hassle but don't really fancy spending three weeks with the same people, the Baz Bus offers a round-South-Africa service, taking you door-to-door between backpacker's hostels. You'll get to all the places you'd visit on an overland trip, but have more time and no rigid schedule - and, of course, no guide.
Source: South African Tourism
