South Africa Budget Tours & Travel Packages 2025/2026

Our 175 most popular South Africa Budget trips. Compare tour itineraries from 59 tour companies. 703 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

175 Trips match your criteria (89 - 110 shown)

Cape to Kenya -  43 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Operator does not provide
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • South Africa - set off from Cape Town, enjoy wine tasting in the Cederberg Mountains and camp along the Gariep River
  • Namibia - marvel at the Fish River Canyon, explore the beautiful Namib Desert, unwind on the beach in Swakopmund and search for wildlife in Etosha National Park
  • Botswana - explore the Okavango Delta from a mokoro canoe and camp in the wilderness of Chobe National Park, surrounded by the sounds of wildlife
  • Zimbabwe - take time to visit cascading Victoria Falls and enjoy optional activities including bungee jumping and helicopter rides
  • Zambia - see the Zambian side of Victoria Falls and head out on safari in the wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Safari, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

What travelers are saying

"Completely unethical booking situation. I requested a tour, submitted my CC info to hold the tour and tried to cancel it the following day. (My daughter broke her foot thus we couldn’t go). We were told the tour was not ‘confirmed’ but they still had to reach out to their local team prior to cancelling. The charge on credit card read pending. The intermediary company, Tour Radar, assured me that On the Go Travel would drop the pending charge. After a week or so, I got a generic email saying congratulations your tour has been booked. The full charge appeared on my credit card. I am livid. I am currently working with Tour Radar to drop the charge. Regardless of how this turns out, I will never ever travel with On the Go Travel."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Kruger, Botswana and Falls - 12 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Johannesburg - begin your journey in the South African city and head out to explore independently
  • Okavango Delta - glide through the waterways of the delta aboard traditional mokoro canoes and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on the shore
  • Kruger National Park - search for all of Africa's Big Five in the South African national park and enjoy a night game drive in search of nocturnal species
  • Blyde River Canyon - admire the view from God's Window and other viewpoints along the canyon
  • Victoria Falls - head out to marvel at stunning Victoria Falls and join optional activities including bungee jumping, helicopter rides or rafting on the Zambezi
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Completely unethical booking situation. I requested a tour, submitted my CC info to hold the tour and tried to cancel it the following day. (My daughter broke her foot thus we couldn’t go). We were told the tour was not ‘confirmed’ but they still had to reach out to their local team prior to cancelling. The charge on credit card read pending. The intermediary company, Tour Radar, assured me that On the Go Travel would drop the pending charge. After a week or so, I got a generic email saying congratulations your tour has been booked. The full charge appeared on my credit card. I am livid. I am currently working with Tour Radar to drop the charge. Regardless of how this turns out, I will never ever travel with On the Go Travel."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
The Warm Heart of Africa: Adventures in Malawi & Zambia
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Search for Africa’s iconic wildlife during safaris in Liwonde and South Luangwa National Parks
  • Learn about the history of Malawi and its fight against the slave trade
  • Gain insight into the Chewa, Yao and Ngoni cultures in Malawi, and witness the mystical Chewa mask dances

Themes

50 Plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
Family African Adventure: Wildlife Encounters With Your Pride
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Learn to track African wildlife on foot and during game drives
  • See the awesome Victoria Falls, one of the world’s biggest waterfalls
  • Enjoy a scenic sunset boat ride on the Zambezi River and keep an eye out for wildlife along the banks

Themes

50 Plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Southern Africa By Train: South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • On 4x4 wildlife safaris in three national parks and a game reserve, catch sightings of “The Big Five,” lions, buffalos, leopards, rhinos and elephants
  • Learn about 20th century South African history and the country’s new era of hope and freedom as a democracy during visits to Soweto and Pretoria
  • Visit the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the largest ancient monument south of the Egyptian pyramids, and Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Wonders of the World

Themes

50 Plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
The Best of Botswana: An In-Depth Safari Experience
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • With expert naturalists, get up close to some of the most incredible creatures on the planet
  • Explore the wonderfully diverse flora and fauna in Botswana’s four unique ecosystems
  • Experience authentic Botswana culture on excursions to local villages to meet students and residents

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Education / Learning, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Africa’s West Coast: A Grand Voyage from South Africa to Morocco
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Ride a cable car to the top of South Africa’s Table Mountain for spectacular views.
  • Spend two days exploring the Bissagos Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, on Zodiac boat excursions.
  • Encounter the monkeys, crocodiles and birds of Abuko Nature Reserve in The Gambia.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Education / Learning, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Hiking in the Catskills
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Hike past local flora and fauna as you explore a variety of trails, from old coach roads to escarpment trails
  • Explore the history of the area including the use of towers as a method of fire prevention and a presentation about times past
  • Meet local artists and learn from visitors who will teach us about wild animals of the Catskills

Themes

50 Plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Additional details

South Africa Budget Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
703  Reviews
See all South Africa Budget tour reviews
Excellent
382
Great
118
Average
9
Disappointing
2
Terrible
2
G

Gilles

Sep 2019

Written on

Fantastic Trip in Southern Africa

We did this trip, Explore Southern Africa, from Aug 9 - 26 this year and we thought it was probably our most memorable trip ever. The variety of wildlife (we saw th...

J

Joburg to Vic Falls to oburg 18 day Basix

Nov 2016

Written on

Tent design is a problem

The overall trip was satisfactory, at times excellent. We had no significant rain. On three nights there was however, some iight drizzle for a short time. The ten...

C

Caroline

Sep 2015

Written on

There was an issue with the large

There was an issue with the large truck so we were therefore on a smaller truck. This was fine but nothing fitted. Everything felt squashed, including ourselves. Eve...

P

Pedro

Sep 2015

Written on

In the second half of the itenerary

In the second half of the itenerary (Vic Falls to Joburg), there are 5 days with 1 only activity included. There are many days just in travel to reach Kruger Park. A...

J

Jackson

Sep 2015

Written on

Excellent trip! It was a very active

Excellent trip! It was a very active trip, constantly moving around and seeing new things! It's hard to adjust back to normal life! I highly recommend this to anyone...

Write a Review
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!