South Africa Tours for Young Adults
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10 best trips for '18 to 30 Somethings' in South Africa
Compiled by
NadineSouth Africa travel expert at TourRadar
- 6-day Kruger, Swazi & Wild Coast (Accommodated)
- 3-day Durban, Culture and Wildlife (Accommodated)
- Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks
- Learn to be a Safari Guide in Kruger National Park
- Cape Town, Kruger and Bushfire Festival
- Garden Route and Addo (8 Days)
- 4-day Highlights of the Garden Route (Accommodated)
- 4-day Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Accommodated)
- 4-day Kruger Safari (Camping)
- 4-day Kruger Safari (Accommodated)
Active wildlife encounters await in Kruger Park and Balule Reserve. Nature walks, game drives, and St Lucia boat cruises fill the days. Average traveler age is 50, with comfortable en-suite accommodations throughout.
Duration 6 days Destinations Johannesburg, Hazyview, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
- NZ$4,060
3-day Durban, Culture and Wildlife (Accommodated)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The St Lucia boat tour was a disappointment being mid day when too bright and animals not active and estuary is 'dead' on one side.”
Derek, traveled in May
Thrilling 4x4 safaris in Hluhluwe Reserve combine with boat cruises in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Authentic Zulu dancing, local Sangomas meetings, and evening Boma dinners create memorable African nights.
Duration 3 days Destinations Durban, St Lucia, Hluhluwe Age Range up to 75 year olds Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
- NZ$1,450
Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“If you are looking for a group tour style trip then I would highly recommend G.”
Megan, traveled in August
Young adventurers thrive with full-day Kruger safaris, night dancing in Hazyview, and mineral pool soaks in Tshipise. Ages 20+ spend nights camping under stars, tracking wildlife in Matobo National Park, and enjoying vibrant evenings at Shearwater Village.
Duration 8 days Destinations Victoria Falls, Matobo National Park, Tshipise, Kruger National Park, Johannesburg Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $2,299
25% Off- NZ$1,724You save $575
Dynamic safari adventure for ages 18+, costs around $1,500 with 10 game drives from Makuleke Camp. Wildlife tracking at Pafuri Gate includes night safaris and identification mastery. Bush walks and conservation talks unite like-minded travelers.
Duration 8 days Destinations Johannesburg, Kruger National Park Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From
25% Off- NZ$2,585
Duration 9 days Destinations Cape Town, Table Mountain, Chapman's Peak Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From
25% Off- NZ$3,072+$243 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Stellenbosch Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $2,345
18% Off- NZ$1,934You save $411
4-day Highlights of the Garden Route (Accommodated)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Good short tour.”
Peter, traveled in June
Young travelers thrill to Bloukrans Bridge views and Storms River suspension bridge walks. Knysna's waterfront scene and Oudtshoorn's ostrich farms offer diverse experiences. Hiking in Wilderness National Park and Tsitsikamma's coastal trails complete the journey.
Duration 4 days Destinations Cape Town, Knysna, Grabouw, George, Tsitsikamma National Park, Stormsrivier, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness National Park, Table Mountain Age Range up to 75 year olds Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
18% Off- NZ$1,960
4-day Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Accommodated)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Goes out of his way to make the experience memorable. Highly recommended.”
Anne, traveled in May
South African thrills include stops at Bloukrans Bridge, Africa's highest bungee jump site. Cango Caves' vast halls, Monkeyland sanctuary, and Knysna's vibrant nightlife await. Active travelers aged 18+ find diverse experiences throughout.
Duration 4 days Destinations Cape Town, Gordons Bay, Mossel Bay, Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, George, Knysna, Wilderness National Park, Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg BaySee all destinations Age Range up to 75 year olds Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
18% Off- NZ$2,240
Active 4x4 game drives in Kruger and social camping in Hazyview await travelers aged 18+. Evening campfire gatherings, dawn wildlife tracking, and optional adventure activities create natural connections among young travelers.
Duration 4 days Destinations Pretoria, Hazyview, Kruger National Park Age Range 18 to 75 year olds Room Type Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $1,325
20% Off- NZ$1,060You save $265
Wildlife thrills merge with social experiences in this Kruger safari for ages 18+. Open 4x4 game drives and evening campfires at Hazyview lodges create lasting memories. Approx. $210 per day includes guided wildlife tracking and scenic stops at Blyde River Canyon.
Duration 4 days Destinations Pretoria, Hazyview, Kruger National Park Age Range 18 to 99 year olds Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $1,515
15% Off- NZ$1,288You save $227
What people love about South Africa Tours for Young Adults
- Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks
Very good tour - lots of driving but you can see the country and its people (Zimbabwe-side) and nice landscape (South Africa-side). The Matopos park in Zimbabwe is just amazing with the local guides - THE highlight of the tour!
So much better than expected! The backpacker rooms were great, the places visited and activites well planned and Stephanie was the best guide I have had on any tour.
Garden Route & Addo Group Adventure - 6 Days
- 5-Day Group Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (one-way)
We finished our tour this Friday and we would highly recommend Earthstompers if you wanted to do a guided tour. The activities were great and there is something to suit all ages. We chose dorm accommodation and we were really impressed by the hostels we stayed in. They were really clean, high standards compared to other countries. Nearly all the hostels had either cats or dogs so this was a plus for us as we love animals. Breakfast at each place was always good and the dinners we had were amazing (traditional meals like braai, cape malay curries, stews). Our tour guide was Christine and she was awesome. She made our holiday stress free, fun and really made an effort to look after us. Great local knowledge and recommendations throughout the tour. We had a great group and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip. We got a sense that Earthstompers take care of their customers but more importantly their own staff/family and we love their belief of not selling any tourist activities that involves touching/riding wild animals.
What our customers ask about South Africa Tours for Young Adults
What are the must-visit spots along South Africa's Garden Route for young travelers?
The Garden Route packs adventure and natural beauty into a compact stretch of coastline. Tsitsikamma National Park draws hikers and thrill-seekers to Bloukrans Bridge where you can bungee jump from 216 meters. The surf breaks of Jeffreys Bay attract wave riders while Addo Elephant National Park lets you spot Africa's iconic wildlife. Knysna offers lively bars and restaurants near properties like the Protea Hotel on the waterfront. Wine enthusiasts can taste local vintages in Stellenbosch. Between July and November whale watchers gather in Hermanus. A TourRadar traveler noted: "From surfing in J-Bay to bungee jumping and wine tasting every day brought a new adventure. Our guide Christine made sure we experienced the best of both adventure and cultural activities."
How much spending money should young adults budget per day in South Africa?
Plan for 60-80 USD daily beyond tour costs in South Africa. This covers lunch meals at 15-20 USD local beers for 2-3 USD and optional activities like bungee jumping at 85 USD. Budget-friendly accommodations such as Avoca River Cabins in the Addo area help reduce costs with included amenities. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Besides the included activities I spent about 60 USD daily which covered my lunches drinks and some souvenirs. The optional activities were worth the extra spend - especially the shark cage diving and bungee jumping!"
What are the best adventure activities for young travelers in South Africa?
South Africa serves up plenty of heart-pumping activities. Popular choices include shark cage diving in Hermanus for 180 USD bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge for 85 USD kayaking through Wilderness National Park and sandboarding near Mossel Bay. Wildlife encounters happen on game drives in Addo Elephant National Park while surf lessons draw people to Jeffrey's Bay. Private reserves offer sunset safari drives. One TourRadar traveler raved: "The mix of adventure activities was perfect - from canoeing through Wilderness National Park to bungee jumping at Bloukrans. Christine our guide made sure we got the best experience at each location."
What's the best time of year for young adults to visit South Africa?
South Africa's seasons shape different experiences. October through April brings beach weather ideal for coastal spots like Plettenberg Bay and Jeffrey's Bay. Wildlife viewing peaks from May to September in places like Addo Elephant National Park. Whale watching season in Hermanus runs July through November. A TourRadar traveler explained: "I went in October and it was perfect - warm enough for beaches but not too hot for safaris plus we got to see whales in Hermanus. The weather was ideal for all the outdoor activities along the Garden Route."
What's the best way to experience South African culture?
South African culture comes alive through local connections. Visit Cape Malay communities join traditional braai barbecues at Karoo farm stays and explore townships with resident guides in Knysna. Local markets cooking classes in Cape Town and Zulu cultural experiences in KwaZulu-Natal offer additional insights. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The cultural experiences were incredible - from learning about local traditions during our township tour to sharing stories with locals over a traditional braai. Our guide Christine made sure we experienced the real South Africa beyond just the tourist spots."
How much wildlife can young travelers expect to see on South African tours?
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound across South Africa. Addo Elephant National Park hosts over 600 elephants plus lions buffalos and various antelope species. The Hermanus coast attracts southern right whales from July through November along with year-round dolphins and seals. Game reserves offer chances to spot the Big 5: lion leopard elephant rhino and buffalo. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The wildlife viewing exceeded expectations - we saw everything from elephants in Addo to whales breaching in Hermanus. Having an expert guide made all the difference in spotting and learning about the animals."
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