South African Activities
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South Africa offers an activity for every traveler—from leisurely sunset cruises on Table Bay to heart-pounding shark cage dives. Our tours already include many highlights, and we can tailor any itinerary. If something here inspires you, we’ll design a bespoke trip with hand-picked destinations, accommodations, and activities to match your interests.
The Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre is located just outside the sleepy Mpumalanga Highlands town of Dullstroom. This center sheds light on the plight of South Africa's endangered raptor species by rehabilitating injured and orphaned birds. It also offers demonstrations to the public.
A bush walk provides safari enthusiasts with a unique way to experience the wilderness areas of Southern Africa. Embark on foot in the company of an armed ranger and a tracker, whose experience and knowledge will make your bush walk more insightful. Learn about the environment you are traversing and observe wildlife up close.
Cango Wildlife Ranch invites visitors to experience memorable animal encounters, from cheetah encounters to meeting lemurs and trying crocodile cage diving. This family-friendly nature park offers moments that avid animal lovers will treasure for years.
Boulders Beach | African penguin
Boulders Beach is situated in a sheltered cove in False Bay. This pristine little stretch of beach is remarkable because it is home to a colony of the endangered African penguin, offering visitors the opportunity to swim and sunbathe near these handsome flightless birds. Strewn with thousand-year-old boulders, the beach itself is quite beautiful.
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Modern, ethical encounters in South Africa now focus entirely on thoughtful observation and guided, respectful interactions with these magnificent animals. If you are seeking a broader wilderness experience with these incredible creatures, larger settings offering various guided interactions are more typical in neighboring countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The Garden Route region offers fantastic swimming beaches and idyllic natural beauty. In addition, the waters off its coastline are rich with marine wildlife, making it an ideal location for a dolphin-watching cruise during a tour in South Africa. These cruises typically depart from Plettenberg Bay.
The Knysna Elephant Park is located near the charming Garden Route resort town of Knysna. This elephant sanctuary offers visitors the opportunity to interact with and walk with these magnificent animals. Experiences are enhanced by the elephants' ever-present handlers, who share stories and interesting facts.
Open 4x4 Game Drives
An open 4x4 game drive is the traditional way to experience an African safari. The vehicles have been modified to offer the best game viewing possible, with elevated seats and either a canvas top or no top at all. An experienced ranger typically accompanies your open 4x4 game drive to guide you through the bush.
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Engage directly with the ostriches through guided feeding sessions and learn fascinating facts about them. Discover the many significant resources they provide, from the beautiful feathers they are famous for, to their healthy, lean meat.
Shark cage diving counts among the most thrilling activities available in South Africa. Plunge into the chilly Atlantic and meet the formidable great white shark—an apex predator—while noting that sightings vary seasonally and have fluctuated in recent years due to orca predation near key aggregation sites.
A sunset cruise from Table Bay is a relaxing affair. Cruises typically depart from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with many vessels available—from larger boats and classic yachts to catamarans and themed ships—so visitors can savor the last light over the Atlantic Ocean.
Shangana Cultural Village
Shangana Cultural Village offers guests on a Kruger Park safari or South African tour in Mpumalanga the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture for an afternoon. Interact with the villagers, meet the village “sangoma” (traditional healer) and chief, and enjoy a lively traditional performance in the chief's “kraal.”
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The West Coast Fossil Park provides an educational adventure ideal for families visiting the West Coast region. Hosting remarkable fossils from around five million years ago in the late Miocene/early Pliocene, young archaeologists will delight in learning about the ancient landscape and creatures that once roamed it.
White water rafting, particularly on the wild rivers of Southern Africa, is not for the faint-hearted. The most popular of these waterways is the Zambezi River, which slices through Zimbabwe and Zambia. Following the terminus of Victoria Falls, the river flows into the famous rapids of the Batoka Gorge. Many local operators offer full- and half-day rafting.
A sunset cruise on the Zambezi River delivers dramatic African sunsets, occasional wildlife sightings, and a memorable setting for a sundowner. This favorite activity near Victoria Falls often includes views of the spray on the horizon during your relaxed glide down the river.
