South Africa Tours & Holidays
Escorted touring holidays to South Africa
Rolling grasslands, amazing safaris, flourishing vineyards, charismatic cities and rugged shores… A holiday to South Africa has it all.
When travelling with Newmarket Holidays, you might find yourself heading out on safari at Kruger National Park in search of the Big Five – elephants, rhinoceros, leopards, lions and buffalos – standing on Table Mountain, with Cape Town at your feet or following the Garden Route in search of stunning scenery and world-beating wines.
Dubbed the Rainbow Nation, South Africa has a mix of cultures is as diverse as its landscapes, wildlife and winelands. It is home to Khoi- San Bushmen, a number of Bantu-speaking tribes, and Afrikaner and English-speaking communities descended from European settlers. Make your South African trip a cultural one, and discover the traditions of the country’s earliest inhabitants at the Lesedi Cultural Village, learn about the country’s oppressive past at the Apartheid Museum and experience its bright present and even brighter future on the buzzing streets of Cape Town.
A South African tour with Newmarket Holidays offer endless opportunities to come face to face with magnificent animals in their natural habitat. To make the most of this country’s extraordinary natural beauty, opt for a full-day game drive in one of its many National Parks, a bush walk or a sunset drive. Marvel at the spectacular scenery of the Panorama Route, and take in the view from God's Window on the Drakensberg escarpment. South Africa is a melting pot of cuisines, so make sure you don’t leave without trying its wines, spicy-savoury meat dishes and traditional delicacies.
Best holidays to South Africa
- Spend two nights in the privately owned Garden Route Game Lodge
- Four game drives in search of the Big Five
- Wine-tasting on a Franschhoek wine estate
12 days from £3,185 pp
Dates Available
January 2025 - November 2026
Duration
12 days
Depart From
5 airports
Excursions
8 included
Meals
16 included
- Stay and sip on local labels in the heart of the Winelands
- Journey through the Cape Peninsula to enjoy three incredible memorable days, embracing the splendours of Cape Town
- View the intriguing Cango Caves and visit an ostrich farm
17 days from £3,400 pp
was £3,999 pp
Dates Available
January 2025 - October 2025
Duration
17 days
Depart From
7 airports
Excursions
13 included
Meals
21 included
- Venture in search of the ‘Big Five’ as you travel on three open-air safaris throughout the Kruger and Greater Kruger National Parks
- Experience an enlightening wildlife rehabilitation tour and a gentle guided nature walk
- Escape to a dreamy coastal corner of Mozambique for a few days of beach bliss by the Indian Ocean
13 days from £3,269 pp
was £3,845 pp
Dates Available
April 2025 - November 2026
Duration
13 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
6 included
Meals
29 included
- Spot the ‘Big Five’ on open-air game drives through Sebatana Private Reserve and Welgevonden Game Reserve
- Experience an optional private dinner of traditional African dishes and watch a performance of dancing and music
- Partake in a sundowner on Sunset Rock while watching the sky transform
10 days from £2,227 pp
was £2,619 pp
Dates Available
November 2024 - December 2027
Duration
10 days
Depart From
1 airport
- Go in search of the Big Five as you take three safaris in the famous Kruger and Greater Kruger National Park
- Picturesque panoramic tour, taking in some of the Lowveld and the Blyde River Canyon’s best sights
- Several exciting optional tours to choose from, including a night safari and a boat cruise on the Blyde River
10 days from £2,439 pp
was £2,869 pp
Dates Available
November 2024 - November 2027
Duration
10 days
Depart From
4 airports
Excursions
7 included
Meals
21 included
- Go in search of the Big Five on five included safaris into the Mabula Private Game Reserve
- Enjoy an expert-led wildlife talk and fascinating bush walk
- Spend a night stargazing under the starry South African night sky
10 days from £2,295 pp
was £2,699 pp
Dates Available
November 2024 - November 2027
Duration
10 days
Depart From
3 airports
Excursions
7 included
Meals
21 included
- Spot the ‘Big Five’ on open-air game drives through Sebatana Private Reserve and Kaingo Game Reserve
- Experience an optional private dinner of traditional African dishes and watch a performance of dancing and music
- Partake in a sundowner on Sunset Rock while watching the sky transform
10 days from £2,227 pp
was £2,619 pp
Dates Available
February 2025 - December 2027
Duration
10 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
7 included
Meals
21 included
- Spot the ‘Big Five’ on open-air game drives through Sebatana Private Reserve and Kaingo Game Reserve
- Experience an optional private dinner of traditional African dishes and watch a performance of dancing and music
- Partake in a sundowner on Sunset Rock while watching the sky transform
15 days from £4,895 pp
Dates Available
December 2024 - November 2026
Duration
15 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
10 included
Meals
36 included
- Unwind between game drives in Sebatana's luxury resort, Elephant Lodge, with its outdoor swimming pools, bar, and traditional African Boma
- Take in Waterberg's most biodiverse reserves in search of the 'Big Five', from vast Pilanesburg to Kaingo's secluded savannah trails
- Enjoy up-close animal encounters with an immersive guided walk through the Sebatana bush, spotting its impressive local wildlife
10 days from £2,167 pp
was £2,549 pp
Dates Available
January 2025 - December 2027
Duration
10 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
7 included
Meals
21 included
- Unwind by the swimming pool overlooking the Makhutsi River or with a complimentary treatment at the spa
- Experience a special dinner in the heart of the bush under the stars
- Venture on seven morning game drives and seven late afternoon game drives with an experienced tracker and guide at the helm
10 days from £2,853 pp
was £3,169 pp
Dates Available
March 2025 - November 2026
Duration
10 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
8 included
Meals
21 included
- Track the ‘Big Five’ with six game drives in a reserve in the UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere – home to diverse local wildlife
- Unwind in the unparalleled luxury of Safari Plain’s five-star tented camp, within the Mabula Game Reserve
- Enjoy expert insight in the company of one of the reserve’s resident wildlife specialists with an introductory wildlife talk
10 days from £3,595 pp
Dates Available
August 2025 - December 2026
Duration
10 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
11 included
Meals
21 included
- Track the ‘Big Five’ with four game drives in a reserve in the UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere – home to diverse local wildlife
- Unwind in the unparalleled luxury of Safari Plain’s five-star tented camp, within the Mabula Game Reserve
- Enjoy expert insight in the company of one of the reserve’s resident wildlife specialists with an introductory wildlife talk
15 days from £5,635 pp
Dates Available
March 2025 - November 2026
Duration
15 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
9 included
Meals
21 included
- Drive along Chapman’s Peak, the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders’ Bay, home to the endangered African penguin
- Track the ‘Big Five’ through the open savannah of the world-famous Kruger National Park
- Take in the spellbinding Panorama Route with stops at God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels
15 days from £3,354 pp
was £3,945 pp
Dates Available
October 2025 - November 2027
Duration
15 days
Depart From
1 airport
Excursions
10 included
Meals
18 included
Browse by type
Top things to know before you visit South Africa
There are many regions of this great nation to explore, each adding to the picture that you’ll take away with you. With 21 National Parks, eight World Heritage Sites and almost 2000 miles of pristine coastline to discover, it can be hard to plan your South Africa holiday.
Best time to visit South Africa
Food & Drink in South Africa
South African cuisine is a unique fusion of many different external cultural influences: African, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese and Indonesian. This has translated into an array of tasty dishes full of textures, tastes and aromas that lure hungry visitors. Discover some of the best dishes to eat in South Africa with our guide
South Africa Travel Guides
Want to learn more about South Africa? Take a look at our collection of travel guides.
South Africa FAQs
First trip to South Africa? Here are a few questions you might have.
Time Zone
GMT +1
Avg. Flight Time
11.5 hours (Cape Town)
Visa
Not required
Currency
South Africa Rand
Discover our blog
5 essential safari and beach holidays to take this year
Unwind on pristine coastal stretches after a week of thrilling wildlife encounters in the untamed wilderness
The best destinations around the world for over 50s travellers
From Italy to India, there are so many places to venture to for that dream retirement trip.
The best time to go on an African safari
Choosing the right time to go on an African safari is dependant on what country you want to visit, the wildlife you want to see and your budget.