South Africa

South Africa Tours

South Africa is a country rich in culture, history, and spectacular scenery. Iconic mountains line the South Atlantic coast, connecting Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope and Africa’s only penguin population. The rolling vineyards of Stellenbosch dot the countryside, and the lush vegetation along the Garden Route blossoms with beauty. 

South Africa is home to some of the world’s largest and most diverse national parks. Get up close and personal with the striking landscapes and roving herds of the Chobe and Hwange National Parks.

Road Scholar’s popular South Africa tours are the most fulfilling way to learn about these unique ecosystems of wildlife and habitats, leaving a mark on your adventurous soul. We'll give you a personalized experience that helps you make the most of your journey.

Best National Parks on South Africa Tours

We design our 14-day South Africa tours with families in mind. Get the chance to have a unique bonding experience with your grandchild during grandparent/grandchild tours, or develop long-lasting friendships as you travel. Our program welcomes all. If you’re looking for a travel tour for singles over 60 or a seniors’ vacation, this is where you go to forge the memories of a lifetime. 

Explore exotic national parks during your tour of South Africa — travel to destinations such as the Plumeri Africa Game Reserve to search for the “Big 5”, make friends with rescued elephants, and learn to track wildlife as you explore South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia. A dedicated wildlife expert will teach you about protected reserves and animal habitats as you get up close to the largest animal that calls this place home: an elephant!

We offer 16 South Africa tours that are perfect for you and your family. Every trip is guided by experts and given an itinerary that will help you discover all that South Africa has to offer.  

Enjoy your adventure — we’ll take care of the rest!

Chobe National Park

Start your South Africa vacation at the renowned Chobe National Park, one of the largest national parks in Botswana, known for its abundant and diverse wildlife. The Chobe River creates a fertile landscape, the central water source for elephants, lions, and leopards who frequently visit the area, making for excellent viewing during the dry seasons. 

Experience the wildlife up close in their natural environment as they gather to drink from the river. Our itinerary gives you the South Africa vacation you’ve always wanted while also providing abundant opportunities to increase your knowledge of the region, the locals, and life in the area.

This South African tour is perfect for retirees and senior travelers who want to combine their love of learning with exploring new areas of the world.

Hwange National Park 

Journey to the Hwange National Park, the largest animal reserve in Zimbabwe, the premier wildlife sanctuary and a haven for travel enthusiasts. Here, the wide open space allows for an unforgettable experience. Hwange is secluded and provides a natural escape from the bustle of popular tourist attractions, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy the wonders of nature in its purest form while also enjoying the serenity of the remote corners of the park. Explore the environment and form a deep connection with your surroundings.

Witness wildlife such as buffalo, rhinos, elephants, leopards, crocodiles, and other native animals that call this reserve home. A trusted guide will take you through this experience, allowing for maximum learning throughout the program. With over 100 bird and mammal species, including the African wild dog, Hwange offers an unparalleled opportunity for incredible photography, offering captivating landscapes and breathtaking sunsets. 

Join Road Scholar for a visit to this incredible destination — embrace the natural beauty of the landscape and the great climate during your South Africa safari.

South Africa Tours by Train

All aboard! Take an epic train trek across four nations in southern Africa, from small villages to capital cities, and learn about life and culture. Visit national parks and reserves for safari. Meet local artisans and animals, feast your eyes on incredible landscapes aboard the Shongololo Express in Pretoria, and ride the rails to the tops of Blyde River Canyon. 

There are stops in Mozambique, Eswatini, and two game reserves to learn about conservation and see wildlife roaming across savannahs and rocky hills. End your journey through southern Africa by train in Zimbabwe by visiting Africa’s greatest waterfall, Victoria Falls. 

Cape Town to Victoria Falls by Train

Explore Southern Africa on this safari and train adventure beginning in Cape Town, learning about the country’s complex history and dramatic natural beauty. Then all aboard the Rovos Rail, a private, luxurious train to trek to Victoria Falls, stopping to witness the incredible wildlife. On this train trek from Cape Town to Victoria Falls, you will experience safari, culture, history, and even an elephant encounter!

Featherbed Nature Reserve

When it comes to unforgettable South Africa tours, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Featherbed Nature Reserve. Featherbed Nature Reserve is in Knysna, the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The Knysna River Estuary is known for its lush fauna and flora. South African television teacher William Smith turned land bought by his father into a privately owned nature preserve in 1984, calling it the Featherbed Nature Reserve. 

The Featherbed Nature Reserve offers visitors unique South African tours on the Garden Route, which is a stretch of diverse vegetation along the southeastern coast of South Africa. With its lush vegetation and unique geography, Featherbed Nature Reserve offers an excellent opportunity to view animals and wildlife, including birds like ostrich and Knysna Loerie, marine life like dolphins and sea lions, and mammals like baboons and elephants. Areas along the Garden Route offer South Africa tours and safaris led by local experts who provide keen insights into the diverse wildlife and ecosystems that make this area unique, including the Featherbed Nature Reserve.

The exciting activities visitors can partake in make South Africa guided tours in Featherbed Nature Reserve memorable. To start, visitors take a ferry on the crystal blue waters of the Knysna Lagoon to get to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where they will then take a trailer that stops along scenic viewpoints overlooking the reserve. Natural history tours throughout Featherbed Nature Reserve will teach you about the formation of the Khoi Khoi sea caves, fauna-like dune thickets, Knysna Sand Fynbos, and more.

Kapama Game Reserve

One of the most unforgettable senior citizen tours in South Africa is to the Kapama Game Reserve, located in the Limpopo province of South Africa. South African travel to the Kapama Game Reserve will open up a world of picturesque landscapes and the ability to see some of the rarest animal species on the planet. Various regions of Africa are known for being home to iconic animals like zebras, lions, giraffes, and elephants. The Kapama Game Reserve offers visitors an authentic safari experience to spot some of the Big Five (African elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and rhinoceros) in person.

If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind South Africa tours and safaris, the Kapama Game Reserve is an excellent option. It offers various lodging accommodations perfect for families, seniors, solo travelers, and other groups. Safari activities you can enjoy include guided tours on open-air safari vehicles, guided bush walks, and bird-watching excursions. The Kapama Game Reserve is situated on over 15,000 hectares teeming with wildlife. A guided tour of this family owned reserve is a must-see if you want a truly authentic South African travel experience.

At Road Scholar, we have a wide range of experiential travel programs, including South Africa tours that can take you to nature reserves and on safaris to spot beautiful wildlife, explore diverse landscapes, and learn about local cultures and traditions from expert guides.

Experience South Africa Tours with Road Scholar

At Road Scholar, we know how valuable it is to have a travel adventure that satisfies your love of learning. We offer a wide range of options for South African trips, providing an experience for every type of explorer. Through any of our South African tours, you’ll be placed in a cohort of like-minded adventurers.

Together, you’ll enjoy spirited conversations while learning more about the world’s cultures, history, adventure opportunities, and traditions from local experts. 

It’s time to take your next adventure. Book your travel and learn more with Road Scholar today!