Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport

Go Local in South Africa

Safari Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

Real people. Real stories. Real South Africa.

19 days

from £6,690 pp

A South African Fortnight

Classic Safari + 1 more + 2 more

A two-week classic adventure through the best of South Africa.

14 days

from £3,595 pp

South Africa Family Holiday

Family Safari + 1 more + 2 more

The ultimate family adventure through South Africa's highlights.

15 days

from £3,495 pp

Romantic Safari + 2 more + 3 more

South Africa Safari & Beach

South Africa, Mauritius

A seamless South Africa and Mauritius holiday.

14 days

from £4,450 pp

Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more

City, Safari & Beach

South Africa, Mauritius

South Africa’s culture, safari and beaches rounding off with an indulgent island escape.

15 days

from £5,010 pp

South African Grand Tour

Safari Wildlife & Nature + 3 more + 3 more

Three weeks, one unforgettable road trip across South Africa’s greatest highlights.

21 days

from £4,295 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in South Africa

The Union Buildings

The Union Buildings were designed by British architect Sir Herbert Baker and building was completed in 1913. Since then, they have been at the heart of South African politics, throughout the turbulent years that followed. They are very grand, the façade stretching some 285 metres, with domed towers and ornate colonnades, and are set in glorious grounds of manicured gardens. They became iconic when Nelson Mandela delivered his inaugural address from the buildings, and the Union Buildings are still, to this day, the official seat of South African government and the offices of the President. Their impressive architecture, wonderful setting, and important place in history make them a key part of any tour of Pretoria.

The Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is recognised as being one of the very best explanations and illustrations of what apartheid was, and what it meant to be classed as anything other than “white” under this system. This official policy, which segregated the population by race and upheld minority white rule, whilst oppressing the non-whites and denying them their basic human rights (including the right to vote), lasted until 1994, and the museum examines the reasons behind the creation of apartheid, how it was imposed and enforced, and the events that ultimately led to the arrival of full democracy and the election of the apartheid regime’s most famous prisoner, Nelson Mandela, as President. It’s a very well thought out museum and tackles a harrowing subject in a sensitive and informative manner.

Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town

Your Rovos Rail experience begins amidst the delightful surrounds of the restored Art Deco station Capital Park, in Pretoria. You’ll be drawn by steam train for the first few kilometres before being hooked up to the diesel that will haul you the rest of the way to Cape Town. Leaving Capital Park at 3 pm you can relax and get to know your fellow passengers before dinner. The following day you arrive in Kimberley for your tour. Kimberley is one of the more remote towns right in the heart of South Africa but has played an absolutely crucial role in the nation’s history, for it was here that diamonds were discovered and men like Cecil Rhodes made their fortunes; doubtless the presence of such massive mineral wealth also helped shaped Rhodes’ belief that the area should be governed by the British Empire. The Big Hole is Kimberley’s most striking feature, a vast hole 463 metres wide and originally excavated down to 240 metres by hand, yielding 2,700 kilograms of diamonds in its life as a mine. A visitor centre has grown around the mine and offers a great introduction into this remarkable period of South African history. You have dinner back on board before retiring for the night. As you wake the next morning you are in Matjiesfontein. Matjiesfontein is situated on the edge of the Klein Karoo, just north of the Winelands of the Western Cape. Founded in 1884 and originally a staging post on the Imperial British railway, it soon became known as a health spa – the dry air was reckoned to be the perfect cure for chest complaints. The remoteness of Matjiesfontein is part of its appeal and perhaps also why the 21st and indeed the 20th century appear to have passed her by. A National Monument, it has been preserved exactly as it was in Victorian times. Your tour will take in a ride around the small town in a historic bus, a visit to the museum and a drink at the Lord Milner Hotel. You continue on from Matjiesfontein through the stunning Winelands before arriving in Cape Town at 6 pm.

Maboneng Precinct

Maboneng Precinct is part of the Johannesburg CBD and until recently would have been considered a no-go area by most people. The CBD suffered real urban decay as businesses moved out and squatters moved in, buildings were badly neglected and crime was a major issue. Now, in Maboneng, a local entrepreneur has started to reverse that trend and revitalise the CBD in the way that modern urban redevelopment has transformed east London and parts of Berlin. Artists have been invited to create huge murals on the side of buildings, edgy clothing boutiques have taken up residence, there are vibrant food markets and bars, and workshops and office space for start-up businesses. There's a socially responsible element too, with flats being set aside for those who can't find accommodation elsewhere (because deposits are too high or they have no bank account, or similar problems). As you walk around Maboneng guided by a local resident, you'll get a sense of a cool, vibrant district with a real sense of hope and optimism. It's best to try and be here over a weekend as this is when the food markets, cafés and bars are at their most lively.