South Africa Overland Tours
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10 best overland trips in South Africa
Compiled by
NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar
- 5 DAY - KRUGER SAFARI OVERLAND TOUR / ACCOMMODATED
- Journeys: Explore Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
- 4-day Kruger Safari (Camping)
- Kruger & Coast (5 destinations)
- 7-day Victoria Falls to Kruger (Camping)
- Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks
- Victoria Falls to South Africa Overland Safari
- The Garden Route
- 18 DAY - SOUTH AFRICAN ECO EXPLORER OVERLAND TOUR / ACCOMMODATED
- South Africa, Eswatini & Lesotho - 20 days
5 DAY - KRUGER SAFARI OVERLAND TOUR / ACCOMMODATED
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Accommodations were perfect locations. Would definitely travel with Drifters again.”
Susan, traveled in February
South Africa's varied terrains pass by in specially designed 17-seater adventure trucks. The route winds from Johannesburg via historic Haenertsburg, exploring Mpumalanga's escarpment and Lowveld bushveld with expert guides.
Duration 5 days Destinations Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Hazyview Age Range up to 78 year olds Operator Drifters Adventure Tours From
- NZ$1,711
Journeys: Explore Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very well organised tour.”
Donna, traveled in April
Cruise in air-conditioned comfort from Johannesburg through the stunning Panorama Route. Open-vehicle safaris await in Kruger National Park and Karongwe Private Reserve, with expert rangers navigating rugged terrain.
Duration 7 days Destinations Johannesburg, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Karongwe Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $4,819
25% Off- NZ$3,614You save $1,204
Specialized safari vehicles carry travelers from Pretoria across Mpumalanga's mountains to Hazyview camp. Both northern and southern Kruger territories open up during full-day game drives in 4x4 vehicles designed for optimal wildlife viewing.
Duration 4 days Destinations Pretoria, Hazyview, Kruger National Park Age Range 18 to 75 year olds Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $1,325
25% Off- NZ$994You save $331
Kruger & Coast (5 destinations)
21 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“My experience surpassed anything I ever dreamed of. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to truly 'step outside of the box.'”
Leah, traveled in January
Custom-built safari trucks with sliding windows provide ideal game viewing through South Africa. The route stretches from Johannesburg through Kruger National Park and Panorama Route to St Lucia Estuary, featuring Bourke's Luck Potholes and multiple game drives with expert guides.
Duration 9 days Destinations Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Hlane Royal National Park, St Lucia, Durban Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,190
15% Off- NZ$1,862You save $328
7-day Victoria Falls to Kruger (Camping)
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Loved it. Liz was an awesome tour leader + great cook!”
Custom 24-seater safari trucks roll from Tshipise to Pretoria through South Africa's bushveld. Game drives in Kruger National Park and cultural performances in Hazyview highlight the trip, with camping equipment and mattresses provided for comfortable outdoor stays.
Duration 7 days Destinations Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa Age Range 18 to 75 year olds Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $2,725
25% Off- NZ$2,044You save $681
Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Matopos park in Zimbabwe is just amazing with the local guides - THE highlight of the tour!”
Mathieu, traveled in January
South Africa unfolds aboard a specialized Lando vehicle, from Tshipise's mineral pools to Kruger's wilderness. The comfortable overland transport features large windows perfect for game viewing, crossing diverse landscapes from bushveld to savanna.
Duration 8 days Destinations Victoria Falls, Matobo National Park, Tshipise, Kruger National Park, Johannesburg Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator G Adventures From $2,079
20% Off- NZ$1,663You save $415
Custom Lando vehicles transport visitors from Tshipise's mineral pools to Kruger National Park's vast savannah. Full-day game drives include stops at Hippo Pool and Red Rocks, followed by traditional culture experiences in Hazyview.
Duration 8 days Destinations Victoria Falls, Matobo National Park, Tshipise, Kruger National Park, Johannesburg Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From
20% Off- NZ$2,039
The Garden Route
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery and experiences were amazing, I was with a lovely group of people, stayed in some lovely places and laughed so so much.”
Custom expedition vehicles equipped for off-road adventure carry visitors from coastal Cape Town through Tsitsikamma Forest to Addo Elephant Park, continuing to the Drakensberg mountains. Total costs around $2,200, including all road tolls and park entries.
Duration 15 days Destinations Cape Town, L'Agulhas, Bonnievale, Oudtshoorn, Stormsrivier, Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park, Hogsback, Malealea, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg ParkSee all destinations Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Absolute Africa From
20% Off- NZ$4,540
Custom 17-seater adventure trucks cover 3,000+ kilometers of diverse terrain. The route extends from Johannesburg through Kruger, along the Wild Coast to Cape Town, featuring unique lodges while experienced guides share local insights and wildlife expertise.
Duration 18 days Destinations Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Hazyview, Mbabane, St Lucia, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Coffee Bay, Cradock, Mountain Zebra National Park, Addo Elephant National ParkSee all destinations Age Range up to 78 year olds Operator Drifters Adventure Tours From
20% Off- NZ$5,707
South Africa's diverse landscapes roll past in a specialized 24-seater overland truck, from Kruger's savannas to Garden Route forests. The route includes Mountain Zebra National Park and coastal paths to Cape Agulhas, with full camping equipment and experienced crew.
Duration 20 days Destinations South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho Age Range 18 to 75 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $5,235
25% Off- NZ$3,926+$319 local paymentsYou save $1,308
South Africa Overland Tour Reviews
- 5 DAY - KRUGER SAFARI OVERLAND TOUR / ACCOMMODATED
Accommodations were perfect locations. The 2 guides were more like family as we were only 3 travellers. Had an amazing time. Should extend to a 7 day tour given the 2 days lost travelling to and from Kruger. Would definitely travel with Drifters again.
- Journeys: Explore Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
Great trip, from our stay at Malikana Guesthouse and the hospitality provided by Soekie and her family to our forays into Kruger National Park and Karongwe Game Preserve. We had the opportunity to see so much, even had a chance to walk with cheetahs! Our tour group was phenomenal which made it that much better and Guillaume and the guides who took us through the game preserves made sure we saw the Big Five and so much more. My family and I would highly reccomend this trip.
- 7-day Victoria Falls to Kruger (Camping)
Liz was an awesome tour leader + great cook! Loved it
What our customers ask about South Africa Overland Tours
What's the typical duration and route of South Africa Overland Truck tours?
South Africa Overland Truck tours run between 7 and 20 days following well-established routes that connect major landmarks. Popular paths include the stretch from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park and the Garden Route connecting Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Many tours create loops that include neighboring Eswatini and Lesotho. A standard 9-day journey starting in Johannesburg takes travelers through Kruger National Park and Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary before ending in Durban. One TourRadar traveler noted "my experience surpassed anything I ever dreamed of with amazing wildlife viewing in Kruger and stunning coastal views along the way."
When is the best time to take an Overland Truck tour in South Africa?
The dry winter season from May to September provides ideal conditions for South Africa Overland Truck tours. This period offers clear views for game spotting at Kruger National Park and Addo Elephant National Park. According to a TourRadar traveler "The winter season was perfect for spotting wildlife in Kruger with clear visibility and animals gathering around waterholes." Daily temperatures stay between 20-25°C though nights can get cold in areas like the Drakensberg Mountains. The Garden Route section shows its best colors during the spring flower season from August to October.
What type of accommodation can I expect on a South Africa Overland Truck tour?
Tours blend camping and lodge stays to provide varied experiences. Travelers sleep in two-person canvas dome tents at designated campsites while some itineraries include nights at established properties like the Windsor Hotel in Hermanus or Alpine Heath Resort in the Drakensberg. A TourRadar traveler shared "The accommodation was close to luxurious with excellent food from our stay at Malikana Guesthouse to the comfortable camps in Kruger National Park."
How many hours of driving should I expect per day on a South Africa Overland Truck tour?
Daily driving time averages 4 to 6 hours with some longer stretches reaching 8 hours on transit days. The route from Johannesburg to Kruger National Park takes about 6 hours while the Garden Route segment between Knysna and Cape Town spans 7 to 8 hours. Tours include regular breaks for scenery viewing comfort stops and wildlife spotting. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The drives were comfortable in the custom-built trucks and our guide made regular stops at interesting points."
What's included in the food arrangements on South Africa Overland Truck tours?
Tour packages cover daily breakfasts most lunches and dinners with menus featuring both local and international dishes. Tour staff prepare meals including traditional South African braais (barbecues) potjies (stews) and dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "Ricardo cooked breakfast and dinner for us and every meal was an absolute feast including amazing soups one night which was the best I've tasted in my life."
What cultural experiences are included in South Africa Overland Truck tours?
These tours weave in cultural encounters throughout the journey. Visitors can meet Xhosa communities in Cintsa explore Swazi traditions at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary browse local markets join traditional dance sessions and learn about various ethnic groups. A TourRadar traveler reported: "The cultural visit to the Shangaan tribal village near Hazyview was a highlight - we learned traditional dances tried local food and gained insights into their way of life. The local guide at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge also shared fascinating stories about the region's history."
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