How easy is it to meet other travelers as a solo traveler on South Africa group tours?

On South Africa guided tours connecting with others happens naturally especially on well-traveled routes like the Garden Route. Groups typically consist of 12-13 people where statistics show 63% book as solo travelers. Group activities like wine tasting in Stellenbosch and game drives in Addo Elephant National Park provide natural settings for making connections. As one TourRadar traveler notes: "As a solo traveler I thought I would be boring and such. In fact the group mates are very friendly interesting and similar minded people. Gained lots of friendships after the 5 day tour!"

What's included in meal arrangements for solo travelers?

Tour packages generally cover daily breakfasts and select dinners featuring local South African dishes. Group meals at venues like the Heritage Restaurant in Hermanus create relaxed settings for socializing while free meals let you explore local spots with newfound friends. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The food at each place had options available for those with specific dietary needs. Each place we stayed and visited brought a uniqueness to the trip."

What's the best time of year for solo travelers to visit South Africa?

For general sightseeing October to April offers prime conditions. Wildlife enthusiasts should consider May to September for optimal game viewing at places like Addo Elephant National Park. According to a TourRadar traveler: "July to December is Whale Season so this is the best time to visit if you're keen to admire the Garden Route's awesome marine life." April-May and September-October bring fewer crowds and pleasant weather making these months particularly good for solo travelers seeking both comfort and social settings.

Which South African destinations are best suited for solo travelers?

Cape Town the Garden Route and Kruger National Park stand out for their safety and social environments. Cape Town provides group activities like Table Mountain hikes and wine tours. Kruger features shared safari drives and social lodge settings. Towns along the Garden Route such as Knysna and Plettenberg Bay offer active waterfronts where meeting others comes naturally. A TourRadar reviewer noted: "The varied experiences from Cape Town's culture to Kruger's wildlife made it perfect for connecting with other travelers."

What's the typical age range and group size for South African tours?

Groups usually include 8-16 travelers aged between 25-65 creating an engaging mix of perspectives and experiences. Premium tours such as Intrepid's Garden Route adventure draw a blend of solo travelers couples and small groups with solo travelers making up 40-50% of participants. One TourRadar review stated: "Our group had a great mix of ages and backgrounds which made for interesting conversations and shared experiences."

What are the accommodation arrangements for solo travelers on South African tours?

Accommodations typically feature 3-4 star hotels and lodges including properties like the Protea Fire and Ice Hotel in Cape Town and Kruger Adventure Lodge. These venues offer common spaces ideal for socializing with other travelers. Single rooms are available for an extra fee. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The accommodation at Buffelsdrift Lodge was fantastic - clean comfortable and the perfect base for meeting other solo travelers during evening game drives."

South Africa Tours for Solo Travelers

10 best South Africa solo travel packages

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Explorer Wildlife Sightseeing
Solo-ish South Africa
Destinations
Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Johannesburg
Age Range
18 to 90 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
National Park
Kruger National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
Duration
10 days
From $5,319
NZ$3,989
$1,168 now + easy payments of $311
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 22 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,168
15 easy payments$311
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15 easy payments$311
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In-depth Cultural Volunteering Family Christmas & New Year +2
Cape Town & Garden Route Voluntour 14D/13N
Destinations
Cape Town, Table Mountain, George, Robben Island,Franschhoek,Hermanus,Betty's Bay,Sedgefield,Wilderness National Park,Albertinia,Knysna,Jeffreys Bay,Tsitsikamma National Park,Addo Elephant National Park,Oudtshoorn,Stellenbosch+12 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Bamba Travel
25% Off
Duration
14 days
From
NZ$2,394
$239 now + easy payments of $215
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
Pay today$239
10 easy payments$215
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 27 Dec 2025
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10 easy payments$215
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Explorer Family Wildlife Sightseeing +1
South African Escape
4.4 (33 traveler reviews)
"Covered so much of South Africa and met some amazing people and created some lifelong memories."
Sharon, traveled in August
Destinations
Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Hermanus, Swellendam, Mossel Bay,Knysna,Tsitsikamma National Park,Oudtshoorn,Johannesburg,Kruger National Park,Bourke's Luck Potholes,Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve+7 more
Age Range
10 to 75 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Operated in
English
Operator
Expat Explore Travel
18% Off
Duration
14 days
From $4,215
NZ$3,455
$366 now + easy payments of $235
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 18 Jan 2026
Pay today$366
14 easy payments$235
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 18 Jan 2026
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14 easy payments$235
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Discover the freshest adventures available
New on TourRadar
Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Nature’s Wonders: 9 Days of Safari and Coastal Bliss in South Africa
Destinations
Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, Mossel Bay,Cape Town+1 more
Age Range
2 to 90 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
National Park
Pilanesberg National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
18% Off
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$5,393
$1,812 now + easy payments of $362
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,812
15 easy payments$362
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
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15 easy payments$362
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Discover the freshest adventures available
New on TourRadar
Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Vibrant South Africa: Nature, Wild Life and Adventure
Destinations
Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, Cape Town
Age Range
2 to 90 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
National Park
Pilanesberg National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
18% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$4,382
$1,517 now + easy payments of $303
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,517
15 easy payments$303
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,517
15 easy payments$303
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In-depth Cultural Family Explorer
Garden Route Splendour
4.8 (4 traveler reviews)
"The roads, history, and places along the tour were very well-educated."
Lars, traveled in February
Destinations
Cape Town, L'Agulhas, Swellendam, Oudtshoorn, Knysna,Plettenberg Bay,Tsitsikamma National Park,Stormsrivier,Port Elizabeth+4 more
Age Range
8 to 90 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Cullinan Guided Journeys
18% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$1,996
$410 now + easy payments of $149
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Dec 2025
Pay today$410
11 easy payments$149
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Dec 2025
Pay today$410
11 easy payments$149
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Explorer Camping Wildlife Big Five Christmas & New Year +1
Journeys: Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park National Geographic Journeys
4.8 (14 traveler reviews)
"The sites, the safaris (worth every early morning start), would not have been the same without Johannes' passion, knowledge, and diplomacy."
Katrina, traveled in July
Destinations
Cape Town, Johannesburg,Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve,Kruger National Park,Karongwe+3 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Operated in
English
Operator
National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures
25% Off
Duration
10 days
From $6,559
NZ$4,919
$1,484 now + easy payments of $424
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 26 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,484
14 easy payments$424
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 26 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,484
14 easy payments$424
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Explorer Family Wildlife Jeep & 4WD Big Five Wine tasting +3
Garden Route, Safari & Winelands Wonder
4.6 (4 traveler reviews)
"We had a wonderful trip, enjoyed every minute of it."
Edith, traveled in February
Destinations
Cape Town, Montagu, Barrydale, Oudtshoorn, Knysna,Plettenberg Bay,Albertinia,Swellendam,Hermanus,Stellenbosch+5 more
Age Range
8 to 90 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Cullinan Guided Journeys
25% Off
Duration
6 days
From
NZ$2,269
$461 now + easy payments of $168
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 04 Dec 2025
Pay today$461
11 easy payments$168
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 04 Dec 2025
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11 easy payments$168
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Super South Africa : Wildlife Safari, Table Mountain, Garden Route
Destinations
Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park, George, Knysna,Cape Town+1 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
National Park
Pilanesberg National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
25% Off
Duration
11 days
From
NZ$7,045
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Luxury South Africa Journey: Cape Town, Rovos Rail & Fly In Karongwe Safari
Destinations
Cape Town, Table Mountain, Simon's Town, Paarl,Franschhoek,Stellenbosch,Matjiesfontein,Kimberley,Pretoria,Karongwe,Hoedspruit,Johannesburg+8 more
Age Range
11 to 90 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Operated in
English
Operator
T.S TOURS
25% Off
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$14,835
$2,967 now + easy payments of $848
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 20 Jan 2026
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14 easy payments$848
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14 easy payments$848
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
South Africa: Tryst with the Wild Life & the Iconic Cape Town
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"The team executed the extensive tour itinerary really well, with prompt and attentive service."
Anindya, traveled in July
Destinations
Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Cape Town
Age Range
2 to 90 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
National Park
Kruger National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
25% Off
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$4,382
$1,095 now + easy payments of $299
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 12 Dec 2025
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11 easy payments$299
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11 easy payments$299
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
South Africa : Wildlife, Garden Route & Mother City Cape Town
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Our honeymoon vacation through South Africa was amazing! We got to see a little of everything and even with all the traveling around it was stress free."
Leslie, traveled in December
Destinations
Johannesburg, Mabula, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn,Franschhoek,Cape Town+2 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
25% Off
Duration
10 days
From
NZ$5,056
$1,264 now + easy payments of $345
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 13 Dec 2025
Pay today$1,264
11 easy payments$345
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11 easy payments$345
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Explorer Family Wildlife Christmas & New Year +1
Amazing South Africa
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"We could not be happier about our experience. The office support was great with our ongoing delays."
Arlene, traveled in February
Destinations
Johannesburg, Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Cape Town
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
National Park
Kruger National Park
Operated in
English
Operator
Wonderful Holidays UK
25% Off
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$5,620
$1,405 now + easy payments of $351
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 25 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,405
12 easy payments$351
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 25 Jan 2026
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12 easy payments$351
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Explorer Family Wildlife Big Five Christmas & New Year +1
The Big 5 in South Africa
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Well organized and good itinerary. The support was excellent when needed."
Antony, traveled in November
Destinations
Johannesburg, Mabula, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn,Franschhoek,Cape Town+2 more
Age Range
2 to 89 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Wonderful Holidays UK
25% Off
Duration
10 days
From
NZ$6,520
$1,630 now + easy payments of $407
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 25 Jan 2026
Pay today$1,630
12 easy payments$407
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12 easy payments$407
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Explorer Family Wildlife Jeep & 4WD Elephant +2
Garden Route & Addo Adventure 5D/4N
Destinations
Cape Town, Sedgefield, Jeffreys Bay, Oudtshoorn
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Room Type
Singles, Shared
Country Region
Garden Route
Operated in
English
Operator
Bamba Travel
25% Off
Duration
5 days
From
NZ$1,258
$126 now + easy payments of $126
Payment plans
No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Dec 2025
Pay today$126
9 easy payments$126
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9 easy payments$126
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