South Africa Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

Most day tours range between $150 - $200 USD. There are of course both cheaper and more expensive tour options available as well depending on the length of time you want to tour for as well as the activities you partake in. 

Here are a few of our recommendations that should cover all budget options. 

- Hermanus Animal Tour: A scenic drive and lunch by the sea along with a visit to a cheetah rehabilitation center where you can interact with these and other animals. You also get to see wild penguins up close at the Stoney Point Penguin Colony. 

- Sand Boarding and Quad Biking Tour: Experience the exhilarating fun of Sandboarding and Quad Biking down the Atlantis Dunes up the beautiful West Coast of South Africa.

- Johannesburg Half Day Tour: Visit historic places and discover how the “City of Gold” was founded and evolved over the years. 

- Kruger National Park Big 5 Tour: For the ultimate African safari experience, this multi-day (and customizable) tour takes you to the country’s largest national park for a chance to glimpse the legendary ‘Big 5’ as well as many other African animals. 

- 5-Day Cape Town Tour: This 5-day tour focuses on the highlights of Cape Town like the winelands, Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and much more.

The average length of stay for international travelers is 11 nights. We would recommend spending at least a week at your destination of choice, be that the coast or a highveld safari. If you’re planning to visit multiple regions of the country, it’s best to plan for a 2-3 week adventure. 

We would recommend exploring by car, whether you use your private guide’s vehicle or rent one yourself is up to you. You can also use ride-share services such as Uber which is very popular in South Africa. If you’re looking for something different, you can also enjoy a luxury train journey across the country courtesy of the Blue Train. 

DO’s

- Drive on the left side of the road! 

- Speak English to the locals (though learning a few new phrases is always good). 

- Approach people, most South Africans are friendly and will gladly share travel tips and advice with tourists.

- Be mindful of your surroundings, particularly in larger cities. 

- Be respectful when visiting traditional rural communities.

DON’TS

- Don’t use public transport without making sure you understand the routes.

- Don’t carry your valuables around in an exposed manner.

- Don’t drink in public – there are tons of bars and restaurants around. 

- Don’t litter or harass local wildlife (not even for a great selfie).

- Don’t enter impoverished urban areas such as townships or slums without a trusted guide.

Cape Town is the most popular as it combines beautiful nature, the ocean, and modern city amenities. Johannesburg also has many sights to enjoy, but it is more popular with business travelers. If you’re a first time visitor, we would recommend checking out Cape Town. The city has a plethora of attractions to enjoy, and many of our guides also hail from this region. 

Pointing at people while talking about them may be considered rude by some. Otherwise, there aren’t many particular taboos that will get you in trouble. The most important thing to stress is to not litter and to not disturb any wild animals you may encounter on your journey. 

The best time to visit South Africa is during the summer and festive season (November - February), though coastal parts of the country such as Kwa-Zulu Natal enjoy warm subtropical weather all year round. 

Having a private tour guide accompany you will help ensure you get the most out of your South African tour experience while also staying safe. This is a large and expansive country, and not knowing your way around can make things challenging. Our guides can not only take you to the best spots, but also use their experience as locals to ensure your security. Having access to a car is essential if you plan to roam around, and our guides can help you with this crucial aspect as well. 

For a more in-depth preview of what traveling in South Africa might be like, take a look at our detailed rundown by following the link below. 

Full Article: South Africa Tourism Statistics 2023