Top South Africa Budget Nature Tours & Packages 2025/2026

What travelers are saying

"Our 8th OU tour was to Switzerland. We visited many sites in Switzerland, Austria and also a quick stop in Germany. O.U. takes all the stress away by using outstanding Tour Directors who handle everything. Our T. D. Kiara was fantastic! She worked flawlessly throughout the tour, even when we were stuck in Zermatt after a flood. I highly recommend O.U."

What travelers are saying

"Our trip started off with a lunch at Maya Gardens. We went to see the poultry in their pens while waiting for lunch, thinking it was a petting zoo. The poor birds did not have water or any indication that they ever had water. One of the turkeys was lying on it's side looking very sick. No one would give them water when I asked them to. The lunch was so awful I did not eat meat for the rest of the trip. I sent a video to Angela Bailey telling her this is not what we want to see when on a conservation trip and she acted like I was lying. Our guides were lazy and not caring about us. They took us to overpriced markets to get fleeced by the sellers there. At the anti-poaching farm tour, we had to walk over a bridge with wires on it, to keep wildlife in. One of our travelers, who was 65 years old, tripped over it and had to go to the hospital. No one warned her about the wires. Then, trying to get off the safari trucks, she was so very very sore and no guides helped her to get out of the truck. Completely appalling. The guides had very poor communication skills that worked for Discover Corps. I was forced to get vaccinated while in Kenya, because the laws changed while we were there. I asked if I could try to get out of the airport first and if I could not then get the vaccine. Discover Corps said "If you choose to do that, you are on your own". The conditions of medical in Kenya is not like the US and it was awful. The airport didn't even ask me for my vaccine card on the way out. DC could have worked with me on trying this first before forcing me to get this vaccine in a poor 3rd world country. Also, my vaccine card had the wrong date of birth and my name did not match what is on my passport. The doctor tried to get me to tip the nurse giving me the vaccine. The guides dropped us off curbside at the airport and left us there to navigate. I will NEVER use this company again. They did not have my back on anything that happened and Angela Bailey never contacted me to follow up about my experience after this trip was over."

What travelers are saying

"I can honestly say that joining the GVI Turtle and Lemon Shark Conservation Project was the best thing I have ever done. It is an experience I will value for the rest of my life. Right from the very beginning with the field manual I knew this trip was going to be amazing but nothing can prepare you for how stunning it is. I remember one day, I was chilling in the hammock before dinner when I saw a juvenile Lemon Shark and a ray. I called everyone and we watched the shark almost beach itself on a few occasions. However the best experience for me was when I was lucky enough to see not 1 or 2 but 3 Hawksbill Turtles lay their eggs all in one day. It was magical. The staff were so knowledgeable and were always happy to help. I have learnt to cook food for 25 people with very limited cooking equipment and ingredients, loved every Friday BBQ night and made friends for life."

What travelers are saying

"BUYER BEWARE!!! This company has a policy that if THEY cancel your trip…THEY get to keep your money and you get a credit the company. They cancelled my first trip..found out the hard way about their policy. Booked a trip…then had left over money so booked another…which they cancelled…again. Surprisingly…this time they offered a refund, but only gave me back the money I had put down…not what was left of “my credit”. So now I am forced to do business with a company I no longer wish to, that picks and chooses when to follow their own policy!! There are plenty of other travel agencies with similar tours…don’t give these guys your hard earned money for them to keep."

What travelers are saying

"I booked my 9 days holiday with Elizabeth Nkoana. It was amazing, professionally done and competitive rates! Thank you so much for the wonderful experience!"

What travelers are saying

"We just got back from our 11 day Safari trip ALL PLANNED by Rothschild! We were celebrating my 50th birthday and I’ve always wanted to go on a safari. I researched many companies and after speaking many times with Pam Langhoff we decided upon choosing Rothschild to put together our safari trip. Best decision!!! Rothschild made all the arrangements and thought of every detail. I really had no clue about planning a safari. Pam planned everything! Every time someone was there to pick us up or take us to our next destination or see us off. Our guide and safari truck was arranged for us. All the park fees and registrations were already paid for and all the accommodations were booked and paid for and all details explained. Everything was timely and we had full communication with a contact in Africa (because of the time change 8 hours ahead if we needed anything). We even had them book our flights. They do everything and think of everything we had no idea we had to apply for a Tanzania visa.. This company is first class and takes care of every detail. We had no idea about planning and where to go. Pam put together an awesome tailored itinerary for us. We stayed 2 nights in Tarangire National Park in really really cool nice tents, then 3 nights at Gibbs Farm in the Ngorongoro Highlands and went to the crater, then flew to the Serengeti and stayed 3 nights at Serengeti Safari camp in mobile tents!! What an experience! We saw the great migration! I woke up in the Serengeti on my 50th birthday! Pam and Rachel and all the Rothschild staff were easy to work with and ask questions (trust me I had many) they planned a magical trip for my husband and 2 teenagers!! We all agree this was our favorite trip we have ever been on! We will use Rothschild again for sure!"

What travelers are saying

"I booked my 9 days holiday with Elizabeth Nkoana. It was amazing, professionally done and competitive rates! Thank you so much for the wonderful experience!"

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I just got back from our honeymoon trip booked through Great Safaris. It was a trip of a lifetime and we were so impressed by the accommodations, food and first class service. We saw more animals than we ever expected to see and our safari guides were very knowledgeable. Our trip was two weeks and Great Safaris picked all the right spots in Kenya and Tanzania!"