Budget Tours & Trips to South Africa
Discover a varied offer of South Africa budget adventures that will take you through some of the most renowned destinations such as Cape Town and Johannesburg. Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market.
10 best cheap South Africa tour packages
Compiled by
NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
- Kruger Safari And The Panorama Route
- 3-Day Classic Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari
- Beauty of Cape Town, Adventure of Garden Route And Thrilling Addo
- Nature’s Wonders: 9 Days of Safari and Coastal Bliss in South Africa
- Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari
- Vibrant South Africa: Nature, Wild Life and Adventure
- 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)
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
83 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing tour! Very adventurous and with lots of good experience.”
Marcelo, traveled in October
Safari drives, Cango Caves visit, and canoeing are included at approx. $130 per day. Choose between budget-friendly stays at Uthando Backpackers or upgrade to luxurious Hlangana Lodge in Oudtshoorn.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $134 Operator Hotspots2c From
- US$403
Kruger Safari And The Panorama Route
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“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, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $153 Operator Expat Explore Travel From
- US$915
3-Day Classic Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was one of the amazing activities I've ever had.”
Ryo, traveled in September
Safari adventures near Hazyview cost approx. $190 per day with lodge accommodation, most meals, and expert-guided game drives. Package includes park fees, transfers from Johannesburg, and professional FGASA guides.
Duration 3 days Destinations Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $199 Operator The Mzansi Experience From
- US$598
At around $160 per day, you'll travel through South Africa's varied landscapes with stays in 4-star Cape Town hotels and budget-friendly guesthouses along the Garden Route. Kayak through Wilderness rivers to hidden waterfalls, check out Boulders Beach's penguin colony, and hike to the Cape of Good Hope headland. Route 62 wine tastings come included, plus breakfast daily, and a 2-hour safari bus through Addo Elephant National Park where you'll spot the Big Five.
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 $343 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $3,635
15% Off- US$3,090You save $545
At $467 per day, enjoy 4-star hotels across South Africa, including domestic flight from Johannesburg to George. Package covers 8 breakfasts, Seal Island boat trip, and Pilanesberg safari drives, maximizing value with complimentary airport transfers and guided excursions.
Duration 9 days Destinations Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, Mossel Bay, Cape Town Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $338 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $3,799
20% Off- US$3,039You save $760
Pilanesberg Wildlife Safari
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“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
20% Off- US$140
$437 daily includes 4-star hotels in Johannesburg and Cape Town, plus Pilanesberg lodge stays. Features complimentary airport transfers, included flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, and free Seal Island boat trip. Covers 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and multiple wine tastings.
Duration 8 days Destinations Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, Cape Town Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $245 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $2,799
30% Off- US$1,959You save $840
At around $390 per day, this private malaria-free safari offers strong value with 7 nights in comfortable accommodations, including time at Lalibela Game Reserve. All entrance fees, park conservation fees, and game drives with experienced rangers are covered, plus economy class airfare from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Wine tastings at Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek vineyards come with the itinerary, along with a seal-watching boat trip to Duiker Island, with no hidden costs.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cape Town, Port Elizabeth Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $687 Operator Agate Travel From
30% 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
30% 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 $161 Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $755
15% Off- US$642You save $113
Budget Tours & Trips to South Africa Reviews
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
Excellent trip, really well organised with high quality accommodation, great destinations and a friendly and knowledgeable guide.
- 3-Day Classic Kruger National Park Big 5 Safari
I had such an amazing experience seeing the animals. The tour was very well organized. I received plenty of communication before the tour. The tour operator for the game drives was one of the best I've had in Africa. I felt safe and well taken care of. The hotel was nice, especially the dinner. The staff at the hotel were very friendly, but the rooms could use some upgrades. It was clean, though. My only complaint is with the Safarilink transfer from Johannesburg. The van is very small and cramped for a 5 hour drive, and they really pack it. As if that wasn't uncomfortable enough, people were vaping throughout the ride making it very difficult for me to breathe. I decided to mention it to the driver on my return in hopes the ride home would be better, but when I told him about it, he seemed instantly irritated and uninterested in addressing the issue. I went to the van to see if I could get a better seat to find it reeked of vape from the drive up that morning. When I asked the driver if he could air out the van before we leave, he brushed me off again and said he would deal with it later. Having asthma and other allergic reactions to it, I took it upon myself to air out the van myself. I sat in the front and upon him entering the drivers seat, I finally noticed that he was the one who reeked of vape and continued to reek of it after every stop we made, so I see why he was protecting the people who were causing the problem, which could have also been him, rather than the person being affected by it. When I told him someone was vaping in the van later on in the drive, instead of addressing it, he said, "no one is vaping." What kind of idiots do these people think we are? We can smell it, and with me, it affects my breathing, and my ears pop very painfully. I would highly suggest you find another transfer company or require Safarilink drivers to assure the safety of the riders by making sure vaping is not happening. The driver was very concerned about people's comfort when it came to air conditioning, but when it came to someone breaking the law and causing someone health problems, he was totally apathetic and even a bit hostile. I gave this four starts because without the Safarilink experience, it would have been 5.
- 5 day Best of South Africa Highlights: Garden Route with Addo National Park
A fantastic tour. You see and experience so much. Lots of variety of this tour!
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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