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.
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We just completed the 5-day Cape Scenic Safari with Explore South Africa, and it exceeded every expectation. We had two wonderful guides across the trip — Mark for the first two days and Paul for the remaining three — and both made the experience truly special. Mark was fantastic in getting us started — knowledgeable and full of great local insight, and he introduced us to some excellent food along the way that we'd never have found on our own. Paul then took over for the last three days, and his patience was honestly remarkable; he never once rushed us, always waited without a hint of impatience whenever we wanted extra time at a stop or got caught up taking photos. He was just as knowledgeable as Mark, weaving in local history and personal stories that made every stop feel meaningful rather than scripted. The accommodation choices throughout were spot on — cozy, characterful, and clearly picked with real attention to detail rather than just convenience. Buffelsdrift Game Lodge in particular was a standout: genuinely luxurious, beautifully set up, and a wonderful way to start the trip. What struck us most was how the whole experience felt local rather than touristy — we came away feeling like we'd actually experienced the Western Cape the way someone who lives there would, not just ticked off a checklist of sights. That's a hard balance to strike, and both Mark and Paul, along with the rest of the Explore South Africa team, nailed it. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting an authentic, unhurried, well-curated way to see the Garden Route and beyond. Thank you, Mark and Paul! - Dr Nhi and Dr Tai Anh
CAPE TOWN & BEYOND Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 DaysEverything went smoothly on this trip. All the landmarks and activities met expectations. My favourite part was seeing all the animals at Botlierskop Game Reserve BEFORE visiting the Addo Safari, so I didn't have to feel like I was "missing out" given the density of animals at Addo was lower. The overnight stay at Addo Wildlife Ranch was my favourite accommodation of the whole trip! One area of improvement could be the safari ride at Addo. It would have been better to tour the area in an open-air truck/jeep instead of our usual transport van. But I understand logistical and cost constraints.
7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands PackageWell-organized. Accommodating to wishes of participants
Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
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10 best Christmas & New Year South Africa tour packages
Compiled by
NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar
- Christmas in South Africa
- 7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
- Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- Cape Town - Garden Route - Addo Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- 9 day Cape Coastal & Garden Route Package
- Winelands & Garden Route for Wine Lovers - Chauffeur Drive Tour 5 Days
- South Africa Cape Town 5-Days Attraction Tours: Whale Watching & Cape Peninsula & Wine Tasting & Aquila safari & Paraglading Tour
- 11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
- Golf + Wellness Retreat South Africa Edition 10 Days / 9 Nights
- 10 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Addo Expedition
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 14 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 $7,917
7% off- US$7,388
7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
“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 - Africa Select Journeys From
7% off- US$1,250
Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
“It was a really nice experience and the guide had a lot of background knowledge that he could share.”
Patrick, traveled in August
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
7% 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
7% off- US$1,190
Duration 9 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Simon's Town, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, SedgefieldSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Hotspots2c - Africa Select Journeys From
7% off- US$1,376
Winelands & Garden Route for Wine Lovers - Chauffeur Drive Tour 5 Days
“The tour only scratches the surface of the Winelands and Garden Route, and you could do it many times and see different things each time.”
Peter, traveled in November
Holiday wine tastings in Stellenbosch pair with coastal celebrations in Knysna and festive feasts featuring local specialties. Whale watching in Plettenberg Bay and nights at luxury lodges create perfect summer memories.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, Witfontein Nature Reserve, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, George Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Explore South Africa From
7% off- US$938
South Africa Cape Town 5-Days Attraction Tours: Whale Watching & Cape Peninsula & Wine Tasting & Aquila safari & Paraglading Tour
“My trip to South Africa was my first time going anywhere internationally. The natural attractions of the Cape Peninsula tour and Table Mountain were spectacular!”
Gregory, traveled in March
Holiday wine tastings in Constantia Valley pair with special Christmas safaris at Aquila Private Game Reserve. December brings seasonal whale watching in Hermanus and paragliding adventures over Cape Town's summer coastline.
Duration 5 days Destinations Hermanus, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Aquila Private Game Reserve Age Range Ages 14+ Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, Russian Operator Matadi Africa and Travel Tours From
7% off- US$1,800
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."
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