Top South Africa How to Get Around

Explore Cape Town at your own pace with a 1- or 2-day hop-on hop-off bus pass. Journey around three different bus routes, stopping at attractions such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain, and the Cape Winelands, and spend as long as you wish at each. Both options include a free walking tour through Downtown and Bo Kaap.

Instead of spreading your sightseeing over several days, this tour helps you save time by ticking off multiple Johannesburg and Soweto landmarks in a day—including Constitution Hill, the Maboneng Precinct, Mandela House, and Orlando Towers. No need to worry about sharing the trip with other travelers, as you’ll have a private driver for just your group.

If you’ve only got limited time to explore the highlights of Cape Town, then this guided tour is a perfect choice. Rather than being stuck on a sightseeing bus with large tourist crowds, you can benefit from the luxury of a private tour for just your personal group. Check off Bo-Kaap, Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and plenty more sights, with transport included along the way.

Explore the highlights of Johannesburg safely, reliably, and in comfort from the top deck of an open-top bus. Learn about the history of gold mining, hear stories of apartheid history, and understand the triumph of modern Johannesburg while listening to the on-board audio commentary, available in eight languages. Upgrade to add a live Soweto tour.

Spend a day exploring Johannesburg with a professional guide with this private, full-day tour of the city, which includes pickup from your hotel or alternative accommodations. You'll visit local highlights such as the Apartheid Museum, the Mandela House, Freedom Square, and the township of Soweto as you learn about South African history and culture.

Discover the renowned South African township of Soweto on this small-group guided tour from Johannesburg. You'll first visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg to get a better understanding of that dark period in South African history, then head for Soweto for a walking tour, which takes in both Nelson Mandela's and Desmond Tutu's houses.

Immerse yourself in Johannesburg’s dynamic street art scene by exploring the downtown neighborhood of Maboneng with a guide. This trendy area is known for its murals, art, and diverse galleries—but it can be hard to know the personal stories and inspiration behind the art without insider knowledge. During the tour, see a variety of artwork and find out inspirational local stories, such as how street art is changing perspectives in local community groups.

The Pilanesberg National Park is home to Africa’s Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. On this full-day tour, increase your chance of wildlife sightings with two guided game drives in an open safari vehicle, tuck into a delicious lunch looking out over a popular waterhole, and perhaps spot giraffe, hippos, zebras, and antelope in their natural environment.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant food and beverage scene of Cape Town on this half-day walking tour. With your small group, follow a guide through the streets of Cape Town to stop at city landmarks and hidden gems you might not find on your own. Enjoy tastings in vibrant eateries in Bo-Kaap and De Waterkant with entertaining commentary on the city's history and foodie culture from your guide.

Face great white sharks in Gansbaai and Shark Alley with this experience. Start with breakfast and a safety briefing before boarding the boat. Then, slip into the cage for a close-up shark encounter or watch from the boat. Return to the harbor for a light lunch and a DVD viewing of the trip.

Get more out of your time in South Africa by combining a hot air balloon ride with a game viewing experience. Traveling by hot air balloon instead of car allows you to fly over several game reserves in a short space of time in the scenic Cradle of Humankind area. Along the way, look out for local wildlife—including four of the “Big Five”, and access incredible photo opportunities too.

This tour is the perfect way to explore the beauty of the Cape Peninsula as well as local wildlife. Travel around in a small-group tour—an intimate alternative to crowded bus tours. Along the way, see the colorful buildings of Bo-Kaap, and admire the natural beauty of the Cape of Good Hope. The tour also visits the pretty town of Hout Bay, as well as the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fees extra).

Explore the Franschhoek wine region on a hop-on hop-off tram tour, which allows you to explore the wineries that interest you at your leisure. Sit back and enjoy the scenery while you ride through vineyards dotting rolling hills; you're able to taste as much wine (own expense) as you like without worrying about driving. Includes convenient transfers from Cape Town.

The Bo-Kaap region of Cape Town (also called the Malay Quarter) is known for its impressive multi-colored buildings, spice shops, and delicious Cape Malay food. Learn more about the origins of this neighborhood by going on a guided tour with a guide who is a descendant of the slaves brought to the area by early Dutch settlers. Find out personal stories about the area that you wouldn’t discover otherwise, and ask questions along the way.

Cruise along Cape Town's Atlantic coastline and get great views of the city and Table Mountain with this express cruise tour. You will head out from the V&A Waterfront, making your way up to the Green Point lighthouse before turning around and heading back, all in around just one hour.

This is the perfect tour for time-tight travelers interested in scenic nature spots and wildlife encounters near Cape Town. Save time waiting for local buses and go on a half-day small-group tour instead. Ride in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle along False Bay’s coastline and stop at St. James Beach, Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, the Cape of Good Hope, and Old Cape Point Lighthouse.

Go back to the earliest history of humanity at the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site—and fit two attractions into just half a day out—on this private tour. With round-trip transit from your Pretoria or Johannesburg hotel, getting around is made simple. Head first to the Sterkfontein Caves, known for their fossils and early human history, for a guided tour; then take in the interactive exhibits at the Maropeng Visitor Center.

Immerse yourself in Cape Town's apartheid-era history on this half-day tour that includes visits to District Six, a local preschool, a local shebeen (pub), and meet a traditional healer. Learn about apartheid and its legacy in South Africa through a guide's enlightening commentary. Enjoy the intimate atmosphere that comes with traveling in a small group of 15 people fewer. Upgrade your tour with an additional excursion to Robben Island.

Visit the Lion Park outside of Johannesburg without the hassle of renting a car. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Johannesburg hotel and admission to the Lion Park, where you can explore at your leisure to see more than 85 lions, including the rare white lion, and other animals such as wild dogs, hyenas, and cheetahs. Take a 2-hour safari drive to see the animals.

Make the most of limited time in Johannesburg by going on a private half-day tour. There’s no need to worry about wasting time waiting for local buses, as air-conditioned transport is included, which starts with pickup from your accommodation. The tour is the perfect way to tick off a variety of key sights in a few hours—including Constitution Hill, Downtown Johannesburg, the Maboneng Precinct, and the Carlton Center.

With this flexible package, you can choose the Robben Island tour options that work for you. Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off included if selected, or go to a meeting point for a more cost-effective option. During the tour, enjoy a bus ride around the island, followed by the chance to see Nelson Mandela’s jail cell—an informative way to learn about Cape Town’s history and Nelson Mandela's incarceration.

Johannesburg's reputation can make it intimidating for independent travel. Get a feel for South Africa's biggest and richest city in safety and security on this guided walking tour. See Chancellor House, where Nelson Mandela and Olive Tambo founded South Africa's first Black-owned law firm; admire heritage buildings on historic Main Street; soak up city views from the Top of Africa; and enjoy a braai (barbecue) lunch—with plant-based options too.

Catch the sunset over Cape Town from the deck of a sailboat on this evening cruise. Sit back and relax with a provided glass of sparkling wine while watching the sun sink over the city landscape. You’ll get frame-worthy photos of the city and Table Mountain in sunset hues; captain and crew are on hand to answer any questions and provide commentary.

Dominated by Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and the surging Atlantic, Cape Town looks spectacular when seen from the air. Get a taste of the city from above without breaking the bank when you book this affordable short helicopter tour. Live commentary helps you identify the beaches, the Twelve Apostles, and more, while the spectacular views make memories that could last a lifetime.