Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips 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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Really have to say, getting out of Cape Town showed us a different side of South Africa Our fantastic guide, Paul, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. The itinerary was full but still allowed time for us to take things at our own pace. Loved all the different places we stayed at too. Each of them was unique and different. If you're looking at coming to South Africa I highly recommend Explore South Africa Tours, something for everyone.
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 PackageOur tour guide Paul has been excellent with organising the trip, suggesting reasonably priced restaurants and extra activities. Paul did his best to ensure we were able to see and do everything we wanted and even changed the itinerary to suit our interests. Paul ensured that we were safe the whole time and was always contactable before and during our tour. Paul’s knowledge on all the locations was excellent and he knew all the best times and tricks for the tourist destinations. Our accommodation was comfortable and situated in good locations. The food was great and we were never hungry. We added the extra day in Cape Town which we thought was well worth the time and money. Overall, Paul has been excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday.
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
- CAPE TOWN & BEYOND Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- 7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
- Cape Town - Garden Route - Addo Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
- 9 day Cape Coastal & Garden Route Package
- Winelands & Garden Route for Wine Lovers - Chauffeur Drive Tour 5 Days
- 4-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari & Panorama Route Tour
- 11 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Kruger Explorer
- Beauty of Cape Town, Adventure of Garden Route And Thrilling Addo
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 $8,171
7% Off- US$7,626
CAPE TOWN & BEYOND Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
“The route is amazing and so variegated, with time to spontaneously take pictures or fit stops to our wishes.”
Julia, traveled in May
Game drives bring holiday cheer at Buffelsdrift Lodge, paired with festive meals at Knysna Waterfront. Summer whale watching in Hermanus and special year-end wine tastings at Die Krans estate in Calitzdorp complete the experience.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, L'Agulhas, HermanusSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Explore South Africa From
7% Off- US$1,266
7 day Garden Route, Cape Point and Winelands Package
“It was a very Diverse itinerary, the hotels and restaurants are of high quality and we tried lots of new food.”
Joshua, traveled in June
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$1,210
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
Addo - Garden Route - Cape Town Chauffeur Drive Tour: 6 Days
“The garden route was the most beautiful. He explained a lot and gave us an unforgettable time.”
Anke, traveled in May
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
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
“Enjoyable trip. Great personal service.”
David, traveled in January
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
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips 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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