Christmas & New Year Tours in South Africa
South Africa during the festive period offers true magic. Picture exploring Constitution Hill and the scenic Mpumalanga Route with its incredible viewpoints, riding the Graskop Gorge Lift down into rainforest canopy views, joining game drives spotting wildlife plus an African drumming class, cruising Knysna Lagoon and hiking the Featherbed Nature Reserve, touring Cape Town and ascending Table Mountain by cable car. South Africa during Christmas means summer sunshine and incredible diversity.
Excellent
- Choose from 400+ South Africa tours
- 1,000+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- R
Roger • traveled in April, 2026
Excellent guide, itinerary and bus.
Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic - C
Christoph • traveled in March
Very nice tour for people who want to explore Garden Route and do not have much time for it. Nev was an excellent guide.
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town - J
John • traveled in September
Well-organized. Accommodating to wishes of participants
Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
Our traveler's Moments
- 4-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari & Panorama Route Tour
- Kruger Safari with Eswatini (Start Durban (from 29 December 2025))
- 3-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Glamping Safari
- Best of South Africa
- 【South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe】10-Day Tour Package with Pilanesberg National Park & Victoria Falls
- 14-Day Victoria Falls, Kruger, Cape Town & Winelands
- South Africa: Tryst with the Wild Life & the Iconic Cape Town
- 5-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari & Panorama Route Tour
- 5 day Best of South Africa Highlights: Garden Route with Addo National Park
- Garden Route & Addo Group Adventure - 6 Days
- 3-Day Classic Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari
- Cape to Kruger: Wine, Wonders & Wildlife Fly-In Safari – 10 Days
- 11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
- Kruger in Depth
- Cape Town, Kruger & Chobe: Africa’s Ultimate Safari Adventure
10 best Christmas & New Year South Africa tour packages
Compiled by
NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar
- Christmas in South Africa
- Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic
- 7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
- Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- Cape Town - Garden Route - Addo Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- Cape to Kruger: Wine, Wonders & Wildlife Fly-In Safari – 10 Days
- Winelands & Garden Route for Wine Lovers - Chauffeur Drive Tour 5 Days
- 11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
- Journeys: Explore Kruger National Park National Geographic
Christmas lunch happens at Rickety Bridge in Franschhoek's vineyards, followed by wine tasting at Boschendal Wine Estate. African drumming classes at your Kruger lodge and a Cape Malay cooking class in Bo-Kaap add local flavor, with dinner at Gold Restaurant rounding out the festivities.
Duration 16 days Destinations Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Graskop, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park, Port Elizabeth, Garden Route, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, OudtshoornSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wendy Wu Tours From $7,782
12% Off- US$6,854You save $927
Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good programming and excellent accommodation with good food. We could cover whatsoever promised.”
Harish, traveled in December
Festive game drives light up Kruger Park alongside holiday celebrations at Karongwe Reserve. Christmas comes alive at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, while New Year's brings wildlife tracking through 9,000 hectares of private reserve with expert rangers.
Duration 10 days Destinations Cape Town, Johannesburg, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Karongwe Age Range Ages 12+ Operator National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures From $4,349
25% Off- US$3,262You save $1,087
7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
38 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“All the landmarks and activities met expectations. My favourite part was seeing all the animals at Botlierskop Game Reserve.”
Samuel, traveled in January
Holiday magic fills South Africa's Garden Route. Cango Caves welcome visitors, while wildlife tracking at Addo Elephant Park and festive meals at Jeffrey's Bay's seaside restaurants delight guests. Premium accommodation at properties like Protea Hotel Victoria Junction ensures comfort.
Duration 7 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Mossel BaySee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Hotspots2c From
25% Off- US$1,210
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
83 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful 3 days full of adventure. Thank you.”
Majbritt, traveled in April
South African adventures await with festive game drives at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve and holiday stays at Hlangana Lodge. Natural wonders from Cango Caves to Wilderness National Park come alive during the magical Christmas period.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Sedgefield Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Hotspots2c From
25% Off- US$403
Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Well-organized. Accommodating to wishes of participants.”
John, traveled in September
Summer safaris await at Addo, paired with festive meals in Knysna and holiday wine tastings in Stellenbosch. The optional New Year's extension features Cape Town's vibrant celebrations and seasonal penguin colony visits at Boulders Beach.
Duration 6 days Destinations Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park, Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Brenton-on-Sea, Oudtshoorn, Stellenbosch, Cape Town Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Explore South Africa From
25% Off- US$1,190
Wine tastings spread holiday cheer at Stellenbosch estates, while Christmas activities brighten Knysna Waterfront. New Year's game drives at Addo Elephant Park and holiday feasts at luxury lodges round out the season.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Addo Elephant National Park, Port Elizabeth Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Explore South Africa From
25% Off- US$1,190
Festive dinners at Kapama River Lodge set the tone for holiday safari drives in Karongwe Reserve and New Year celebrations in Cape Town. The journey includes Table Mountain, Knysna Heads, and seasonal activities at V&A Waterfront.
Duration 10 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Simon's Town, Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Montagu, Barrydale, CalitzdorpSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, German Operator T.S TOURS From
25% Off- US$4,400
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in South Africa
What weather can I expect during a Christmas & New Year tour in South Africa?
December and January bring summer conditions to South Africa with temperatures in Cape Town reaching 25-30°C (77-86°F). The Garden Route maintains comfortable temperatures in the mid-20s°C. Past travelers through TourRadar note consistently good weather at spots like the 4-star Le Franschhoek Hotel making outdoor activities easy to plan. Inland areas such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek tend to run warmer while coastal towns like Knysna get natural cooling from the ocean.
What special Christmas & New Year activities are included in South African tours?
The festive season brings unique experiences like traditional South African "braai" BBQ dinners at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge seasonal game drives to spot the Big 5 in Addo Elephant National Park and New Year's events at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront. One guest's experience highlights the personal touches: "Happy Christmas! The guide even put together little Christmas gift bags for each of us and made every small detail just right so that the week was so special."
Which accommodations are recommended for Christmas & New Year stays in South Africa?
Top-rated options include Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa in wine country Buffelsdrift Game Lodge in Oudtshoorn for wildlife viewing and Cape Grace Hotel at Cape Town's waterfront. According to a recent visitor "The Buffelsdrift Lodge was magical during Christmas time with their special decorations and festive atmosphere." Properties across price points from 4-star guesthouses to private game lodges offer holiday meals and New Year's celebrations.
What wildlife can I expect to see during Christmas & New Year safari tours?
Summer brings prime wildlife viewing at reserves like Aquila and Botlierskop with animals most active during cooler morning and evening hours. A guest at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge reported "We saw elephants lions giraffes and hippos during our Christmas morning game drive." The Garden Route adds chances to see marine life including whales dolphins and penguins near Plettenberg Bay and Boulders Beach.
How far in advance should I book a Christmas & New Year tour in South Africa?
The holiday season requires booking 6-8 months ahead especially for popular spots along the Garden Route and in Cape Town. Booking data shows most travelers secure their trips 198-658 days before travel. Premier lodgings like Le Franschhoek Hotel and Buffelsdrift Game Lodge often reach capacity a full year before the festive season.
How much should I budget for a Christmas & New Year tour in South Africa?
Daily costs range from USD 150-400 varying by accommodation and activities. Premium safari experiences such as Ivory Tree Game Lodge in Pilanesberg can exceed USD 500 per night during peak season. As one traveler noted "while accommodation rates were higher during festive season at places like The Table Bay Hotel the experience of celebrating New Year's in Cape Town was worth it."
More about South Africa
Pilanesberg National ParkSabi Sand National ParkChristmas & New YearSouth Africa Travel Guide | All You Need to KnowBest Time to Visit South Africa 2026/202710 Best Family Safari Holiday Packages 2026/2027Best 10 Day South Africa Itineraries (with Reviews)Weather in South Africa in 2026/2027What is the best time to visit South Africa in 2026/2027?