4.7/5 Excellent
Excellent
428
Great
130
Average
9
Disappointing
2
Terrible
2
South Africa Tour & Trip Ratings
Tour Reviews
This trip lived up to all expectations and beyond. The amazing places visited, the friendliness of the people interacted with in each location (plus my fellow trav...
We chose the trip, our first with Exodus, as we required a sedate pace with not too much walking. The trip was perfect on both counts. The balance of the day excurs...
We have just returned from a lovely holiday. There was so much variety - safaris, whale watching, vineyards, penguins, wonderful natural coastal scenery, desert, m...
We had a wonderful trip from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town along the garden route. We started with fantastic wildlife in Addo, on to the beautiful beaches in Tsitsik...
Great time with good company. Our guide Petro was excellent; great knowledge, well organised, safe driver etc. but she became a friend rather than just the guide/...
We choose this trip due to the variety of activities and differing locations and we were not disappointed. Safaris, wild and rugged coast lines, desert, mountains,...
A truly stunning tour of an amazing country. It is impossible to select one moment, as the tour is varied from wildlife to scenery. However being so close to lions ...
I would wholeheartedly echo what Bev Scammel says so eloquently below. This was a fantastic trip with great guides, wonderful scenery, wildlife and we travelled wi...
This was an interesting, relaxing and varied trip. There wasn't too much driving - just one day that was a bit longer. The tour took in a good variety of destinati...
A great ride along the South Coast taking in some spectacular scenery, sights and sounds, great food and drink - and very reasonable due to the exchange rate (great ...
This was a fantastic trip taking in beautiful scenery, planned and optional tours, with great food and wine. Most people think of safaris when they think of South A...
An amazingly varied trip with a lovely group of people. Fantastic wildlife, scenery, history, culture and company. This was my first trip to Africa and its definit...
South Africa is an awesome country.Very friendly and hospitable people.~Good beer,wine and food. penguins at boulders beach ..,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,..very knowledgeable an...
This is an ideal trip to see as much of the beauty of South Africa in a short space of time. There are so many places i'd like to go back to having spent a little bi...
I really enjoyed this trip along the Garden Route due to its variety, great scenery, great food and superb accommodation. I was also lucky enough to join up with a ...
Almost 2 weeks travelling from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town taking in great scenery and stopping in really good accomodation Actually being able to get up table mount...
I have just returned from this trip and I can honestly say that to date the Garden Route, South Africa has been the most beautiful place I have ever visited. The dr...
This is a great trip despite a few issues detailed below. The wildlife, scenery and food is fantastic. I am not particularly a wildlife type person but I loved that ...
And in the words of guide, Tsepho, - there were no problems - and that's the truth on our Port Elizabeth garden route holiday which ended on Friday 13th. The holida...
A great mixed trip with wildlife, scenery, fresh air and culture. Watching the Whales playing off the Hermanus coast. Finding the 2 lions in Addo national park. View...
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 »
Top South Africa Travel Packages