Ivory Tree Game Lodge

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

The Best of South Africa

Romantic Classic + 3 more + 3 more

Cape Town, wine & wildlife: South Africa's highlights over 11 days.

11 days

from £3,225 pp

Classic South Africa

Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more

A classic South African holiday, with a few lesser-visited surprises.

17 days

from £3,655 pp

South Africa Safari Explorer

South Africa's wildlife at its best.

14 days

Safari Wildlife & Nature

from £5,850 pp

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

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

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.

The Cradle of Humankind

Northwest of Johannesburg lies an area of limestone hills, The Cradle of Humankind, riddled with caves with concealed entrances that over time trapped many animals and early hominid species; the caves proved perfect at not only trapping them, but also preserving their bones as fossils and it’s through these fossils that we’ve been able to trace the development from our common ancestor with the apes through to Homo Sapiens. A huge proportion of all early hominid fossils excavated are in this area, hence its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. The main visitor centre at Maropeng isn’t amazing, but does give a bit of an overview of the development of hominid species, and why this region is so important to that understanding. Of much more interest is Sterkfontein Cave. “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot”, two of the most famous fossils (along with over a third of all early hominid fossil discoveries to-date), were found here and it’s the site of the longest continuously running fossil excavations in the world. Exploring the caves with a guide is interesting both from an anthropological point of view, and simply because the caverns, pools, stalactites and stalagmites are beautiful to see. The tour takes around an hour, there are quite a few steps to climb and one or two narrow, low pinch-points to squeeze through.

The Voortrekker Monument

The Voortrekker Monument was built in 1938 to symbolize the unity of the Afrikaner people, descended from those early pioneers who set out to settle the interior of South Africa, and establish a state in keeping with their religious views. The monument is a vast, imposing edifice, a huge brick Cenotaph surrounded by a wall bearing the frieze of 64 Great Trek wagons. These symbolize the 64 wagons at the Battle of Blood River, a pivotal event in early Afrikaner history when a small raiding party of Voortrekkers held of an assault by several thousand Zulu troops. This event gave the Voortrekkers the idea that their enterprise was favoured by God, and is why it was the inspiration for the monument. There are also murals depicting scenes from the Great Trek and a museum: it’s an important place to visit to understand the origin and role the Voortrekkers and their Afrikaner descendants have played in South African history.

Bill Harrop's Original Balloon Safari

Brace yourself for an early start, but it's well worth it. As the mist lifts slowly in the pre-dawn haze, the roar of burners filling the balloon is the backdrop to a welcome coffee at the club house, before you climb into the basket. After the pre-flight checks, the tethering rope is released and you rise elegantly into the sky, at first skimming over the trees and fields before climbing higher. The stunning landscape of the Magaliesberg Mountains now begins to reveal itself, patchwork farms bounded by craggy ridges (locals will tell you these are the second-oldest mountains in the world); in the distance you may be able to spot Sun City and the ancient volcanic landscape of the Pilanesberg National Park. Your pilot will expertly use the different airstreams to control the direction of the balloon, and this accuracy thankfully extends to finding a good landing spot and setting you back down on terra firma for a quick glass of fizz before you're whisked back to the club house for an extremely hearty breakfast.