Christmas & New Year Tours in South Africa
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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
- Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
- Beauty of Cape Town, Adventure of Garden Route And Thrilling Addo
- 10 day Cape & Garden Route Combo - optional accommodation
- 3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
- Journeys: Explore Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
- Garden Route & Cape Explorer: 10 Days of Beauty & Adventure
- South Africa Road Trip: Kruger Safari Meets Garden Route (27 destinations)
- The Garden Route - 8 days
- Garden Route to Cape Town: Coast, Wildlife & Wine in 10 Days
Duration 16 days Destinations Johannesburg, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Cape Town Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wendy Wu Tours From $12,056
13% Off- NZ$10,483You save $1,573
Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
15 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good programming and excellent accommodation with good food. We could cover whatsoever promised.”
Harish, traveled in December
Festive game drives light up Kruger Park alongside holiday celebrations at Karongwe Reserve. Christmas comes alive at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, while New Year's brings wildlife tracking through 9,000 hectares of private reserve with expert rangers.
Duration 10 days Destinations Cape Town, Johannesburg, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Karongwe Age Range Ages 12+ Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $6,919
25% Off- NZ$5,189You save $1,730
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 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
25% Off- NZ$5,239
10 day Cape & Garden Route Combo - optional accommodation
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Good tour, amazing landscapes.”
Holiday spirit fills the V&A Waterfront, while summer wine tastings enchant in Stellenbosch. New Year's celebrations sparkle in coastal towns like Knysna or Jeffreys Bay.
Duration 10 days Destinations Cape Town, Hout Bay, Simon's Town, Stellenbosch, Table Mountain, Sedgefield, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Addo Elephant National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Hotspots2c From
25% Off- NZ$2,144
3 day Garden Route + Safari Highlights Tour from Cape Town
83 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful 3 days full of adventure. Thank you.”
Majbritt, traveled in April
South African adventures await with festive game drives at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve and holiday stays at Hlangana Lodge. Natural wonders from Cango Caves to Wilderness National Park come alive during the magical Christmas period.
Duration 3 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness National Park, Sedgefield Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Hotspots2c From
25% Off- NZ$633
Journeys: Explore Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very well organised tour.”
Donna, traveled in April
Dawn and dusk safaris in Kruger National Park mark the holiday season. Traditional braai dinners at Karongwe Private Reserve and seasonal celebrations await in luxury lodges surrounded by African wilderness.
Duration 7 days Destinations Johannesburg, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Karongwe Age Range Ages 12+ Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $4,679
15% Off- NZ$3,977You save $702
Garden Route & Cape Explorer: 10 Days of Beauty & Adventure
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour guides were experienced and knowledgeable of the places of interest, some not even listed in the itinerary.”
Richard, traveled in December
Festive activities light up the route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Christmas dinner at The Bay Hotel, New Year's safari in Addo Elephant Park, and holiday markets in Knysna create lasting memories. Special experiences include wine tasting in Stellenbosch and Cango Caves exploration.
Duration 10 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Simon's Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn, George, Knysna, Plettenberg BaySee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, German Operator T.S TOURS From
15% Off- NZ$5,192
South Africa Road Trip: Kruger Safari Meets Garden Route (27 destinations)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Duration 12 days Destinations Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness National Park, Mossel Bay, Swellendam, Stellenbosch, Cape Town Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Journaway From $3,902
34% Off- NZ$2,561You save $1,341
The Garden Route - 8 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“My trip was absolutely incredible. Every stop was worthwhile and every accommodation blew me away they were so nice.”
Shannon, traveled in September
Duration 8 days Destinations Cape Town, Hermanus, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, Port Elizabeth Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Encounters Travel From
34% Off- NZ$1,915
Garden Route to Cape Town: Coast, Wildlife & Wine in 10 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I would love you guys to have a good tour which comes with a good service like what we experienced!”
Tafadzwa, traveled in July
Christmas comes alive at Gondwana Game Reserve, leading to New Year's celebrations with Table Mountain views. The season features whale watching in Hermanus and holiday markets at V&A Waterfront, with luxury accommodation at The Bay Hotel.
Duration 10 days Destinations Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay, Hermanus, Stellenbosch, Cape TownSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, German Operator T.S TOURS From
34% Off- NZ$5,360
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in South Africa
- Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
Part 1: Capetown. Great hotel, loved the tour to Kirstenbosch and Cape Point. Our CEO Dee assisted us with scheduling the free day by arranging a half-day tour to Stellenbosch. Part 2: Johannesburg. Nice guesthouse, good food. Loved the Panoramic Route, Kruger safari and everything about the Karongwe stay (lodges, safaris and food!)
- Journeys: Explore Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
Getting this close to animals of Africa is simply incomparable
- 10 day Cape & Garden Route Combo - optional accommodation
Isaac Matlekeng is SIMPLY THE BEST..he does not see anything too big or see it as a problem. His sights is on satisfaction. Now that is what I call extreme customer satisfaction. Isaac is not only professional, but his quiet, humble demeanor is added advantages. HE IS A KEEPER HOTSPOTS...
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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