Morukuru Beach Lodge

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

including flights

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

including flights

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

including flights

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

including flights

South Africa Safari Explorer

South Africa's wildlife at its best.

14 days

Safari Wildlife & Nature

from £5,850 pp

including flights

Safari Wildlife & Nature + 1 more + 2 more

Waterfalls to Waterfront

South Africa, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, Kruger & Cape Town.

11 days

from £4,950 pp

including flights

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in South Africa

Cape Agulhas

Cape Point is not, as many think, the most southerly tip of the African continent – that honour goes to Cape Agulhas, which is also recognised as being the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The landscape around Cape Agulhas is austere – rocky ridges running through flat valley floors scoured by a wind that blows unhindered from Antarctica. These winds and the local currents have caused many a shipwreck along the coast and the remains of some are still visible. So it is no surprise that Cape Agulhas is marked by a lighthouse. For those who appreciate dramatic scenery and geographical quirks and extremes, a drive down to Cape Agulhas makes an interesting inclusion on a trip to South Africa.

Whale watching

The southern right whale migration which brings these enormous creatures to South Africa for about five months a year runs right along the shore of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, and is one of the major draws of the reserve in season. The long coastline is a marine protected area, and it has been known for upwards of 200 whales to be present at the same time in the waters off De Hoop. There are no boat trips offered from De Hoop, it is purely a case of finding yourself a suitable dune to watch the show from. Fortunately with all the blowing, sailing, spy-hopping and breaching that the whales seem particularly fond of performing here rather than elsewhere in South Africa, you’re almost certain to have plenty to watch.

De Hoop Nature Reserve

Most South Africans have never heard of De Hoop Nature Reserve, which is amazing when you consider how beautiful it is, and what a great experience it offers any visitor. But it does mean that it’s never overwhelmed by tourists, allowing you to enjoy its peace and solitude. The reserve is dominated by vegetated dunes covered in the fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest and most biodiverse of the world’s plant kingdoms. In amongst the dunes you’ll find all manner of flora and fauna, from proteas (South Africa’s national flower) to herds of bontebok, eland and zebra. The reserve has a long coastline of white sand beach, and during the whale season it’s one of the best places to see whales breaching from the shore. The park can be explored in a variety of ways. You can drive yourself around its network of roads, or alternatively mountain bike or hike its paths; snorkelling off the beaches and in the rock pools is also a possibility. De Hoop can be done as a daytrip from somewhere like Swellendam, or you can base yourself in the reserve for a night or two to take full advantage of everything it has to offer.

Montagu

Montagu is a town situated on R62, a road that cuts across some of the arid Little Karoo. It is a historic town, and many of the buildings date back to early settler days, giving the town lots of character and atmosphere. There are cruises along surrounding rivers on offer, and the wine estates of the region are just starting to come to prominence; most of them offer tastings and cellar tours. The surrounding mountains are a haven for hikers with many popular, self-guided walks available. Within the town itself you might like to visit Montagu Nature Garden, with its quiet paths and attractive plants and flowers. Montagu makes a great daytrip from somewhere like Swellendam and there are accommodation options available in the town itself.