4.7/5 Excellent
Excellent
428
Great
130
Average
9
Disappointing
2
Terrible
2
South Africa Tour & Trip Ratings
Tour Reviews
We booked this trip for our Honeymoon, it was something we always wanted to do and we enjoy trekking. We said we would keep a very open mind when getting to South Af...
A truly memorable holiday but be prepared for some log journeys between stops. 1. Watching a sleeping lion being woken by the distant and faint roar of an...
Great walking and excellent organisation from experienced and committed guides Walking with cheetahs and walking in and around the Drakensberg amphitheatre Outstand...
A wonderful holiday which really explores the east side of South Africa. Wonderful walks, great game viewing! Could not ask for more. Being 3000m high in the Drakens...
A great mix of walking and wildlife, culminating in the stunning Drakensberg mountains. So many to comment on......stunning sunrises and sunsets, the beautiful envir...
A good mix of wildlife and walking. A choice between walking within 5 metres of a cheetah in the bush one evening and watching the rainclouds break and disappear in ...
Fantastic trip, with great walks, awesome sights and great opportunities to get pretty close to the wildlife. This trip highlights what a diverse country South Afric...
My first trip with Exodus but I have travelled with similar companies although not including camping.I found the trip to be exactly what I was expecting and as ...
Trusted Customer
Nov 2023
Poor tour leader almost ruined trip for everyone.
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
The safari was amazing and all the day trips were good. We covered a lot of ground and squeezed a lot into the 2 week trip. Definitely saw a good few of South Africa...
Janice
Oct 2023
The trip was great, we saw and did so much, but there was so much driving, especially the first few days. This was not unexpected, and is necessary for the itinerar...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
Wildlife was fantastic from the Kruger to Whales. ...
Trusted Customer
Oct 2023
Highlight whale watching in hermanus
Trusted Customer
Aug 2023
All the animals from Kruger to whale watching. Backed up wit...
Jennifer
Aug 2023
Amazing trip, just 4 in our group and our guide Walt was brilliant, I was expected the safari at Kruger to be the highlight and it was exceptional but every day was ...
Trusted Customer
Apr 2023
kruger animal safari was good but accomidation too far away
Trusted Customer
Apr 2023
Kruger National park excellent great place to stay fabulous food
Very good communication and service. By all means living up to expectations! The safari was magic!!
Editor’s Take
Most trip reviews tend to focus on some or all of these 5 key areas, not all of which may be relevant to you: the tour guide, travel company, service level, country or countries traveled in, and the trip itinerary.
Remember, just because you see a 1 star review doesn’t necessarily mean that person disliked the country.
First, for a majority of travelers, the flight to South Africa is long. From many spots in the United States, you’ll spend near 21 hours each direction in the air. Australia and Asia experience similarly long flights. For travelers who find themselves having a layover, consider an overnight layover, where you can spend a night sleeping in a bed. This helps ease exhaustion, especially for those who can’t sleep on planes. You’ll arrive ready for your South African adventure.
There are some security issues when it comes to South Africa, which can be a shock for some travelers. Especially if you go to Johannesburg, you’ll feel the more “dangerous” sides just by being outside and driving through the city. This should not discourage you from traveling to South Africa!
Being prepared and knowing your surroundings, it can help immensely. Many homes have bars on the windows, and security guards, even in the higher end areas. Violence was a huge concern, and can still be, but don’t let this break your trip. There will be a shock but shortly after, travelers see this is just the way of life in South Africa.
Many travelers have mentioned South Africa as one of the best experiences of their life, which is no surprise. Between the ocean, the mountains, the wineries in the capelands, and the wildlife, it’s pretty hard to not enjoy yourself. There is surely something that everyone will enjoy. South Africa is filled with history, art, and great food. There are endless adventures, and the pace of life is very relaxed.
Many reviewers mentioned the safari. Some may say a day or two is enough for a safari. You can see these animals at the zoo. This is far from the truth. There are very few things that beat seeing a family of elephants strolling during sunrise, or watching the hippo crossings between dusk.
Looking in the brush for the lions trying to hide from the hot sun, and zebras running through the grass. All of it is amazing and every game drive is different. Every animal encounter is magical.
Another South Africa “hot spot” among reviewers is Cape Town with a side trip to the wine area, either Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Stroll through the cute towns filled with restaurants, shops, and markets. Hop on the wine tram, that transports you between wineries in the region.
Consider a stay in a bed and breakfast. Transportation between wine country and Cape Town is about an hour, and there are numerous buses that leave each day between the two. While this is an easy day trip, you may want to consider staying overnight. The region makes for a great weekend trip!
If you want a professional take on traveling in South Africa, see the Travelstride South Africa Guide »
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