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
- 4-day Highlights of the Garden Route (Accommodated)
- Learn to be a Safari Guide in Kruger National Park
- 4-day Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Accommodated)
- Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks
- 3-day Durban, Culture and Wildlife (Accommodated)
- 6-day Kruger, Swazi & Wild Coast (Accommodated)
- 4-day Kruger Wildlife Adventure (Accommodated)
- 4-day Kruger Safari (Camping)
- Kruger Safari with Eswatini (Start Johannesburg (until 22 December 2025))
- Garden Route and Addo (8 Days)
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 Ages 18+ Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
- NZ$1,960
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 Ages 18-35 Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From
- NZ$2,585
4-day Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Accommodated)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The stops were good and accommodation excellent. We naively didn't realise how much driving there would be.”
Helen, traveled in September
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 Ages 18+ Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
- NZ$2,240
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 Ages 18-39 Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $2,039
25% Off- NZ$1,529You save $510
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 Ages 18+ Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
25% Off- NZ$1,450
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 Ages 18+ Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
25% Off- NZ$4,060
Game drives and optional night safaris in Kruger reveal African wildlife. Dramatic viewpoints await at Gods Window and Bourkes Luck Potholes, plus historic Pilgrims Rest exploration. Riverside accommodation and guided experiences enhance each day.
Duration 4 days Destinations Johannesburg, Kruger National Park Age Range Ages 18+ Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From
25% Off- NZ$2,180
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 Ages 18+ Room Type Shared Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays From $1,325
10% Off- NZ$1,193You save $132
Perfect for young adventurers (18-35), where you'll spot marine life in iSimanagaliso, ride mountain bikes in Mlilwane, and watch wildlife during sunset drives in Kruger. The group's average age is 33, with time for Durban's beaches and traditional braais under African skies.
Duration 7 days Destinations Johannesburg, Durban, St Lucia, Hluhluwe, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini, Kruger National Park, Sabie, Mpumalanga Age Range Ages 18-35 Physical Rating Easy Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $2,635
15% Off- NZ$2,240You save $395
Duration 8 days Destinations Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Addo Elephant National Park, Jeffreys Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Hermanus, Stellenbosch Age Range Ages 18-35 Physical Rating Moderate Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Contiki From $2,275
23% Off- NZ$1,748You save $527
What people love about South Africa Tours for Young Adults
- 4-day Garden Route to Port Elizabeth (Accommodated)
Shane was an excellent guide full of knowledge and passionate about tourism and South Africa. Goes out of his way to make the experience memorable. Highly recommended.
- 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
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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