4.7/5 Excellent
Excellent
428
Great
130
Average
9
Disappointing
2
Terrible
2
South Africa Tour & Trip Ratings
Tour Reviews
All South African Airlines flights and flight connections were fine. Tour Director Jason Gresak is a phenomenal director and guide. He is extremely knowledgeable, af...
The above named tour starting on Feb 16 was excellent. The hotels were all good to excellent and the tour director was one of the best we have ever had. The included...
Everything was great! South African Airlines treated us very well - lots of food and drink, polite, helpful staff and comfortable space.Our tour director, Jason Gres...
This was the best trip of my life, Jason Gresak was a phenomenal tour guide. He was knowledgeable, personable, patient, super organized and went above and beyond in ...
Jason was our wonderful tour guide . He was very knowledgeable and presented everything in a clear, interesting way, and he was very engaging , and accommodating . T...
The trip to South Africa was both wonderful and exhilarating. Our accommodations in Cape Town were superb. It was easy to get around and the tours and our tour guide...
Immensely enjoyed this trip taken in late January 2016 with wife and 2 teenage girls. Group was small (26 ppl, incl. us) and mostly older couples, but we didn't mind...
Excelente Vacaciones no tengo palabras como expresar lo bello que fue este viaje. Nuestro directos Jeremías excelente ser humano con una gran experiencia de lo que h...
We had the fortunate opportunity to be on the January 12, 2016 South African Highlights tour led by Ron McGregor. We cannot find enough words to express what a fabul...
I have done a great deal of traveling in my life, but I can say that the 17 days I spent on this tour were among the best of my travels, if not THE best. In South Af...
Wish there were ten stars. Just returned from South Africa tour. It not only met, but far exceeded, my expectations. From the second we stepped off the plane and was...
November 24- December 10, 2015. Great trip and very well organized. Food and hotels A plus. And our guide Mr.Ron McGregor is just plain excellent. There is very litt...
Great trip with a good cost.
The South Africa tour was incredible, and so all-encompassing. Our tour guide, Jeremy, was THE BEST. EVER. He was so knowledgable and passionate about what he does. ...
TOUR DIRECTOR RON MCGREGOR WAS THE BEST I HAVE HAD IN ALL MY TRAVELS. THE TOUR WAS AN INTELLECTUAL FEAST. WE SAW SO MUCH OF THE COUNTRY AND I LEARNED MORE THAN I EVE...
This tour went way beyond my expectations for its ability to present all levels of society in South Africa. The excursions that were included were enhanced by additi...
This was the fourth Smartour I've taken, and one of many over the years. Our tour guide Jeremy was the BEST! His knowledge of South Africa was incredible. The entire...
We loved the South Africa trip. Our guide Shaun Bartnick was fantastic. He was knowledgable, and never lost patience with some folks on our tour who kept asking ques...
Couldn't find a thing wrong from the wonderful guide Ron to the hotels, f...
The tour guide on this trip was the best I've ever had on ANY trip anywhere. Jeremy Poole was excellent. His knowledge of South Africa was incredible. History/botany...
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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