Vic Falls to Kruger
$ 1,560
| 9 days
Save
Award winning travel
Cape Safari and Falls (2023-24)
$ 2,574
| 12 days
Save
Spectacular South Africa (Small Groups, NoTrain)
$ 9,760
| 10 days
Save
South Africa Tour & Trip Reviews
1,584 Reviews
4.7 out of 5
96% Recommend
Value
Editor’s Take
What to Look For in South Africa Tour Reviews
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 »
Tour Reviews
JY
James Young
Recommends
ACIS March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I used ACIS for the first time last year after running tours with another company for 15 years. I will never go back. Hotels are truly central, the meals are substantial and the guides are excellent. The pre travel support I received from my Tour Consultant, Jeannie, made the planning of our trip so much easier than their competitor.
But here's where ACIS really stands out to me. We were in country in March 2020, two days before the Covid travel shut down. Long story short, things changed within days after our departure. You can tell a lot about a company by how they respond during a time of crisis. ACIS shined. We had our new flights within hours and we all got home safely. Even though they didn't have to, they even kicked back the money to my travelers for the day we missed in Madrid.
Even with all of this, my travelers had a life changing travel experience. As a matter of fact, I just received a text message from a graduated traveler thanking me for her travel experience and how much it changed her life.
There are other travel companies out there, many probably cheaper. Please remember this - you get what you pay for. Are you really in London if it takes two train rides to get into the center of the city? How much time do you lose in the city because you have to catch the last train? I wish I realized this 15 years ago. Don't make the same mistake I did.
Read more
But here's where ACIS really stands out to me. We were in country in March 2020, two days before the Covid travel shut down. Long story short, things changed within days after our departure. You can tell a lot about a company by how they respond during a time of crisis. ACIS shined. We had our new flights within hours and we all got home safely. Even though they didn't have to, they even kicked back the money to my travelers for the day we missed in Madrid.
Even with all of this, my travelers had a life changing travel experience. As a matter of fact, I just received a text message from a graduated traveler thanking me for her travel experience and how much it changed her life.
There are other travel companies out there, many probably cheaper. Please remember this - you get what you pay for. Are you really in London if it takes two train rides to get into the center of the city? How much time do you lose in the city because you have to catch the last train? I wish I realized this 15 years ago. Don't make the same mistake I did.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
LK
Lisa Kerr
Recommends
Excellent support with traveling during the Pandemic March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I have been working with Jeannie Page during the pandemic to make our trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands happen. We have had to reschedule the trip three times due to the timeline of the disease. Each time, Jeannie has been amazing. She has organized group zoom meetings with a tour guide from Ecuador to inform my 30 participants about how our trip is going, the support ACIS is providing, and how the pandemic is looking in Ecuador. This has created a great deal of comfort for my participants and 90% of them are traveling with me this summer. Her quick response to my questions and genuine concern about how I am doing creates an environment of support during these stressful times. I highly recommend ACIS and Jeannie to help you through the process of traveling with students in this new enviornment.
Read more
Tour ACIS Company reviews
DS
Dominique Santos
Recommends
France and Spain March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I have taken my art students on two trips with ACIS to France and Spain and have had nothing but the best experiences! Having been to most of the cities we traveled to before, I can tell you that our tours hit all the best/most important spots, the food that was planned for us was fantastic, the hotels were in excellent locations and they were all very nice—just the kind of places I would stay if I were booking on my own. In Spain we had the option to pay extra for a flamenco show and we were so glad we did! It was positively electric and everyone who went said that it was the highlight of their trip.
Our tour guides (Angelique on the first trip and Susana on the second) were extremely knowledgeable, interacted so well with the kids, and did everything they possibly could to maximize our experience (from adding extra stops on our tours to special spots for ice cream after dinner). My students absolutely adored them! As a teacher, I also appreciated their concern and efforts for everyone's safety and wellbeing.
Thanks, ACIS, for a fantastic experience!
Read more
Our tour guides (Angelique on the first trip and Susana on the second) were extremely knowledgeable, interacted so well with the kids, and did everything they possibly could to maximize our experience (from adding extra stops on our tours to special spots for ice cream after dinner). My students absolutely adored them! As a teacher, I also appreciated their concern and efforts for everyone's safety and wellbeing.
Thanks, ACIS, for a fantastic experience!
Tour ACIS Company reviews
ID
Ioana Donose
Recommends
Covid 19 experience March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I am working with Jessica Ricci and the whole experience has been wonderful. Jessica and everyone at ACIS have been so understanding and helpful during this Covid 19 time. We were very sad we couldn’t travel, but they were able to move all of our trips, reimburse parents and answer all questions and concerns in a timely manner. We have our summer trip planned, and we are hoping to be able to travel since we miss it so much! Communication has also been great, fast and effective.
Read more
Tour ACIS Company reviews
AE
Ana Echeverria
Recommends
Iceland were memorable March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
Iceland was such a unique experience. ACIS made this trip all the more unique. The location of the hotel in Reykjavik was within walking distance to many restaurants and shops. The tours to the natural wonders in Iceland were memorable. One evening our ACIS tour manager took us to experience the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis. We loved putting one foot on the continent of Europe and the other in North America. The opportunity to spend most of the day at the Blue Lagoon was memorable. One would never know that it is man-made. No matter! Walking from the lockers in our bathing suits to the lagoon in the freezing cold made us anticipate the geothermal waters and the lagoon bar where we ordered Icelandic beer or a drink. This suited us just fine! Another memorable ACIS experience was a tour to The Greenhouse, where plum tomatoes are grown hanging due to their geothermal energy. We feasted on homemade tomato soup served with freshly baked bread, Bloody Marys, and tomato ice cream. Only ACIS!
Lastly, our ACIS tour manager took the group to see the Icelandic geysers.
The experience of being in a country where it's still dark at ten o'clock in the morning was fascinating to my group.
Ana Echeverria
Read more
Lastly, our ACIS tour manager took the group to see the Icelandic geysers.
The experience of being in a country where it's still dark at ten o'clock in the morning was fascinating to my group.
Ana Echeverria
Tour ACIS Company reviews
KM
Kate McKenzie
Recommends
ACIS is an outstanding student travel company March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
ACIS is an outstanding student travel organization. Two years ago, I took a trip to France and Spain with art students and was really surprised at the quality and depth of the experience, as well as the fun factor and overall accommodations. Our district art teachers have used ACIS for nine years. One year a teacher decided to go with a different company to save a little money and the difference in trip quality was huge. She returned to ACIS the next year. ACIS hotels, food and travel experiences are very good to excellent. The guides and staff are excellent. An ACIS tour is non stop touring/adventure from early morning until late night. It's very organized and works like clockwork. Also, they are terrific about working with teachers to personalize a trip to meet particular needs.
Read more
Tour ACIS Company reviews
KA
Karin A.
Recommends
Can't Say Enough Great Things About ACIS March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
ACIS is an outstanding company. I would not even think to travel with any other company because once you travel with ACIS you realize no company could top their service. You can't get better than ACIS.
The entire staff at ACIS gives great attention to detail in every trip to ensure a care-free fabulous experience for every passenger.
ACIS Tour Managers are dedicated to making your experience totally joyful. They are charming, knowledgeable and go the extra mile to add even more fun activities to your itinerary.
The tour guides that ACIS works with are also charming and seem to be walking encyclopedias, eager to share their passion and they therefore make every trip come alive with understanding of other cultures and arts. ACIS makes every detail clear and they operate from the heart as well, showing flexibility and understanding for personal needs as well as dealing effectively and fairly with any situation that comes about. Most recently with the Covid crisis, ACIS went out of its way to initiate new policy to help participants regarding trip re-scheduling and payments.
You are always in good hands with ACIS -- safety is number one, and knowing that comes the luxury of care-free travel and the utmost of fun.
Read more
The entire staff at ACIS gives great attention to detail in every trip to ensure a care-free fabulous experience for every passenger.
ACIS Tour Managers are dedicated to making your experience totally joyful. They are charming, knowledgeable and go the extra mile to add even more fun activities to your itinerary.
The tour guides that ACIS works with are also charming and seem to be walking encyclopedias, eager to share their passion and they therefore make every trip come alive with understanding of other cultures and arts. ACIS makes every detail clear and they operate from the heart as well, showing flexibility and understanding for personal needs as well as dealing effectively and fairly with any situation that comes about. Most recently with the Covid crisis, ACIS went out of its way to initiate new policy to help participants regarding trip re-scheduling and payments.
You are always in good hands with ACIS -- safety is number one, and knowing that comes the luxury of care-free travel and the utmost of fun.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
DSV
Deanna Skanes Varner
Recommends
Our experiences while on tour were… March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
Our experiences while on tour were wonderful. The guides and tours were knowledgeable and entertaining. The hotels were clean, comfortable and centrally located. And the food was amazing! No matter were we ate, every meal was a delight for the senses. But one of the best aspects was that if there was any issue, the ACIS team was on top of it quickly.
While not on tour (due to COVID), we have had the same wonderful experience. The ACIS team and our liaison Jeannie Page have been communicative, insightful and working hard behind the scenes to secure future tours as well as guiding me and my group through potential mishaps.
I highly recommend ACIS as the tour group to use when traveling!
Read more
While not on tour (due to COVID), we have had the same wonderful experience. The ACIS team and our liaison Jeannie Page have been communicative, insightful and working hard behind the scenes to secure future tours as well as guiding me and my group through potential mishaps.
I highly recommend ACIS as the tour group to use when traveling!
Tour ACIS Company reviews
CK
Christine Knapp
Recommends
The ACIS team went above and beyond… March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
The ACIS team went above and beyond setting up and providing virtual guided tours for our school during the pandemic. The tours were both personalized and interactive. It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone trying to make study abroad possible without being able to travel. My students felt like the tours were very worthwhile and allowed them to feel connected with people across the world.
Read more
Tour ACIS Company reviews
AN
Allison N.
Recommends
I have been on four or five trips to… March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I have been on four or five trips to different parts of the world with ACIS Educational Tours.They are masters at providing exciting, safe, well-thought-out experiences for our youth and for the adults also. After one experience with them, we could not return to other tour operators.
ACIS Educational Tours changed my life, and the lives of many, many of our students. I know that might sound fake, but they really have.
Bring good shoes for all the exploring you'll do.
Bravo to a stellar company!
Read more
ACIS Educational Tours changed my life, and the lives of many, many of our students. I know that might sound fake, but they really have.
Bring good shoes for all the exploring you'll do.
Bravo to a stellar company!
Tour ACIS Company reviews
LAS
Lesley Anne Schooler
Recommends
The BEST Educational Tour Company! March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I took my first trip with ACIS in 2005. I have had the pleasure of traveling with ACIS and my students to Italy, Greece, Ireland, England, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Every trip has such a wonderful experience for my students.
I know exactly what I am getting with ACIS. I'm getting informative, personable tour managers who are on hand to take care of all of the details. I'm getting 3 and 4 star centrally located hotels where we can just walk out the door and explore the cities we are in. Our meals include authentic food for the cities we are visiting. The itinerary includes just about all expenses for the trip so there are no hidden costs that pop up while on tour.
ACIS has been incredible in dealing with the pandemic this past year. They have been so understanding and flexible with making arrangements to postpone the trip. I cannot wait until the world opens up again where I can take my students on our next adventure!
Read more
I know exactly what I am getting with ACIS. I'm getting informative, personable tour managers who are on hand to take care of all of the details. I'm getting 3 and 4 star centrally located hotels where we can just walk out the door and explore the cities we are in. Our meals include authentic food for the cities we are visiting. The itinerary includes just about all expenses for the trip so there are no hidden costs that pop up while on tour.
ACIS has been incredible in dealing with the pandemic this past year. They have been so understanding and flexible with making arrangements to postpone the trip. I cannot wait until the world opens up again where I can take my students on our next adventure!
Tour ACIS Company reviews
PW
Preston Waddell
Recommends
Lessons for Life... March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I have traveled with ACIS for a number of years, and have experienced such educational resources and great information I could never receive from any textbook.
I have never traveled at anytime and did not enjoy the experience.
I have seen many groups light up with excitement from what they all receive from ACIS Tours.
Traveling with ACIS is a way to see different cultures and how others live, in different parts of the world, these are life learning lessons.
Read more
I have never traveled at anytime and did not enjoy the experience.
I have seen many groups light up with excitement from what they all receive from ACIS Tours.
Traveling with ACIS is a way to see different cultures and how others live, in different parts of the world, these are life learning lessons.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
Afibu
A former iPhoto book user
Recommends
I have worked with ACIS for over 25… March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I have worked with ACIS for over 25 years in setting up performance tours for both choral and instrumental ensembles. We have traveled to Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Germany, Austria and China. They provide outstanding venues for concerts as well as the finest hotels, exceptional restaurants, entertaining activities, and thoroughly researched itineraries.
The staff both here in the United States and abroad are very thorough and diligent in attending to our every need. You can always embark on such a daunting task as an international tour with complete confidence with ACIS!
I recommend them most enthusiastically.
Read more
The staff both here in the United States and abroad are very thorough and diligent in attending to our every need. You can always embark on such a daunting task as an international tour with complete confidence with ACIS!
I recommend them most enthusiastically.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
BS
Bud Stein
Recommends
ACIS and the word Service, one of the same. March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
We have been traveling with ACIS since 2005. The one part of the ACIS experience that sticks out is the SERVICE they provide. Our ACIS representatives, be they in Chicago or Boston in the States or our Tour Managers on the trips have without hesitation gone out of their way to provide us with the best travel experience possible. This could involve securing the hotels we desire to making a special side excursion happen once the trip has started. They make sure our trips have the experience that we expected. I would be remiss if I failed to mention how ACIS has reacted when unexpected events occur. The first one involves the weather. One year, the weather in a connecting city delayed our leaving our home town by a day. Just on a whim, we asked ACIS that since we lost a day at the beginning of our trip, could they arrange for an extra day at the end to make up for it. Without hesitation, they went to work on securing the extra day and by the time we arrived in our first destination, it had been arranged. I have no idea if and how much that extra day cost ACIS. The parents of our traveling students that year were truly amazed by what ACIS had done. A second example involves the year of the terrorist attack in Nice. We were in Paris at the time. Within minutes of the incident, our Tour Manager advised us of the situation evolving in Nice. We were scheduled to end our trip in Nice a few days later. Since our Tour Manager knew we had some experience traveling in the south of France, we sat down together the next day and made changes to the rest of the trip. It still involved the south of France but avoided Nice and we were able to make other side trips, one of which was traveling to Saint-Paul de Vence, one of our favorite locations in the south of France. I could mention many other instances but I think you understand how I feel. If you look up the word "service" in the Dictionary, the four letters ACIS should be there.
Read more
Tour ACIS Company reviews
VV
Vikki Valenzuela
Recommends
20 year+ ACIS client March 2021
5.0
![]()
- Value 5.0
- Guide 5.0
- Activities 5.0
- Lodging 5.0
- Transportation 5.0
- Meals 5.0
I have been traveling with ACIS for over 20 years, since 1998. I traveled with a different company only on my first trip to Spain in 1999, then I switched back to ACIS. ACIS' main priorities are safety, value, education and fun. At home, our ACIS representative makes pre-travel as easy as possible and offers great advice and suggestions. Once abroad, the tour managers have often manipulated the itinerary in order to get the best out of every city we visit. We eat at the best restaurants, visit the best museums with private guides, and offer great individual activities for our students. They resolve problems so they are not a problem for US. They are knowledgeable, professional, intuitive, creative, kind and such a pleasure to work with. I would not travel with any other company, ever!
Read more
Tour ACIS Company reviews
Top South Africa Tours
View All South Africa Trips
![Explore Southern Africa tour]()
Explore Southern Africa
![Southern Africa Safari tour]()
Southern Africa Safari
![Mpumalanga (deluxe Class) tour]()
Mpumalanga (deluxe Class)
![Okavango Experience tour]()
Okavango Experience
Explore Southern Africa
$ 3,208 18-days trip
Southern Africa Safari
$ 5,995 22-days trip
Mpumalanga (deluxe Class)
$ 1,025 3-days trip
Okavango Experience
$ 1,815 10-days trip
