Budget Tours & Trips to South Africa
What if you paddled through Wilderness' staggering scenery spotting abundant birdlife, then followed orphaned African elephants at Buffelsdrift as they trek to the waterhole? The Garden Route from Cape Town is magical. Head deep underground to Cango Caves' illuminated chambers, and basically, three days shows you why South Africa's coast is world-famous. Budget-friendly but the experiences feel anything but cheap.
10 best cheap South Africa tour packages
Compiled by
NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar
- 4-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari & Panorama Route Tour
- 9 day Cape Coastal & Garden Route Package
- Kruger Safari & The Panorama Route
- Beauty of Cape Town, Adventure of Garden Route And Thrilling Addo
- 6 Day Garden Route Tour
- Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari
- From Bush to Bay: Kruger Park & Cape Town Escape
- 8 Days Best Malaria-Free Safari from Cape Town, Daily Start & Private Guide
- 2 Day Garden Route Wildlife Safari Tour (Return)
- 4-day Kruger Safari (Camping)
4-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari & Panorama Route Tour
“Good experience. Our safari was very professional and knowledgeable.”
Aliaksandr, traveled in September
Luxury lodge stays near Hazyview run approx. $190 per day, including most meals and guided safaris. The package features complimentary airport transfers, game drives, and Panorama Route tour.
Duration 4 days Destinations Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Graskop, Pilgrimsrest Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $239 Operator The Mzansi Experience From
- US$957
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+ Price Per Day $153 Operator Hotspots2c - Africa Select Journeys From
- US$1,376
Kruger Safari & The Panorama Route
“I feel so lucky to have seen and experienced all that I saw on this trip.”
Karen, traveled in September
Lodge accommodations, daily breakfasts and dinners, Kruger Park game drives, and Panorama Route sightseeing cost approx. $160 per day. Additional safari drives available for purchase on-site.
Duration 6 days Destinations Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Soweto Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $156 Operator Expat Explore Travel From $1,010
7% Off- US$935
This 9-day trip costs around $1,500 total (approx. $170/day) with stays at 4-star hotels in Cape Town, guesthouses along the Garden Route, and 8 breakfasts included. Check out the massive Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, then take a 2-hour safari bus through Addo Elephant National Park to spot elephants and Big Five animals.
Duration 9 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Sedgefield, Wilderness National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $358 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $3,545
9% Off- US$3,226
Duration 6 days Destinations Cape Town, L'Agulhas, Wilderness, Wilderness National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Stormsrivier, Jeffreys Bay, Oudtshoorn Age Range Ages 16+ Price Per Day $134 Operator Bokbus Garden Route Adventure Tours & Safaris From
9% Off- US$803
Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari
“The vehicle was very comfortable, and we saw three out of five of the big fives. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Bruno, traveled in March
Park entrance fees, expert guide, and air-conditioned transport from Johannesburg are included at approx. $150 per day. The comprehensive 3-hour game drive and waterhole visits come standard. Optional lunch available at visitor center restaurant.
Duration 1 day Destinations Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $140 Operator Amatungulu Tour From
9% Off- US$140
Duration 10 days Destinations Johannesburg, Soweto, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Cape Town, Table Mountain, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $360 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $3,955
9% Off- US$3,599
At around $270 per day, this private safari covers 7 nights in hotels and lodges, all meals during your 3-day Lalibela Game Reserve visit, and economy flights from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Wine tastings at estates in Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek come free with the package.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Dyer Island, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Port ElizabethSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $687 Operator Agate Travel From
9% Off- US$5,499
Big 5 safari drives, accommodation in Sedgefield, and traditional South African meals cost approx. $140 per day. Package includes guided Cango Caves tours or wildlife sanctuary visits, plus comfortable AC transport throughout.
Duration 2 days Destinations Cape Town, Sedgefield, Oudtshoorn Age Range Ages 12+ Price Per Day $158 Operator Cape Xtreme From
9% Off- US$315
This all-inclusive safari costs approx. $180 per day with 8 meals, camping equipment, and two full days of Kruger game drives. Optional Adventure Pass unlocks additional activities while camping facilities in Hazyview maintain affordability.
Duration 4 days Destinations Pretoria, Hazyview, Kruger National Park Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $157 Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $835
25% Off- US$626
Budget Tours & Trips to South Africa Reviews
- 4-Day Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari & Panorama Route Tour
Loved every moment of this tour ! Kruger was absolutely amazing !! Loved where we stayed ! Food was really good
- 5 day Best of South Africa Highlights: Garden Route with Addo National Park
Neville our guide and driver was fabulous. He always pointed us in the direction of dinner venues, discussing safety of walking etc. Lunch orders were facilitated. The accomodation was acceptable for 3 star (our booking) except for Addo. My only regret was that we didn’t stop at Ronnie’s sex shop for a photo opportunity.
- 3-Day Classic Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari
We loved our stay! It was our first bush camp experience, but don’t think it will be our last. Our tent, bathroom, food, owner and guide experiences were all wonderful. Many thanks to Judy and Saba for a wonderful experience.
What our customers ask about Budget Tours & Trips to South Africa
What is the average daily budget needed for budget tours in South Africa?
Budget tours in South Africa range from USD 130-190 per day which covers basic needs like lodging transport and select meals. The 7-day Kruger & Eswatini camping tour costs USD 146 daily while the 3-day Garden Route tour runs about USD 132 per day. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Great value all round! The whole program was very diverse but perfectly balanced."
What's the ideal duration for a budget tour in South Africa?
Most budget travelers choose tours between 3-8 days with 4-5 days being the sweet spot. Popular options include the 5-day Garden Route tour at USD 309 daily and the 4-day Kruger Safari for USD 179 per day. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The 5-day tour was perfect - enough time to see everything without feeling rushed."
When is the most affordable time to visit South Africa?
Travel costs drop during April to May and September to October. These months offer lower rates for accommodations near key spots like Kruger National Park and Cape Town. The weather stays pleasant for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities. A TourRadar traveler reports: "We went in September and got great value - perfect weather for safaris and fewer crowds at major attractions like Table Mountain and Kruger National Park."
What type of accommodation can I expect on budget tours in South Africa?
Budget accommodations are simple but clean ranging from shared hostel rooms to camping sites. You'll find places like Uthando Backpackers in Oudtshoorn and PiliPili Backpackers in Sedgefield with dorm-style setups. Camping tours through companies like Acacia Adventures provide two-person tents at established sites. As one traveler puts it: "The accommodation was basic but good - nice beds sparkling clean sheets and towels."
What meals are typically included in South African budget tours?
Most tours cover breakfast and some dinners with lunch costs extra. The 5-day Garden Route tour provides 4 breakfasts while the week-long Kruger camping tour includes 6 breakfasts 5 lunches and 6 dinners. A TourRadar review states: "Breakfasts were delicious but some lunch stops during the day need more options and only have time for take-away."
How much should I budget for optional activities on South African tours?
Extra activities usually cost between USD 50-100 each. Popular options include bungee jumping (USD 160) elephant encounters (USD 60) and additional game drives (USD 50-75). Victoria Falls activities start at USD 150. A TourRadar participant shared: "The activities were all worth it - especially the game drives and elephant walk those were the highlights."
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