South Africa · 1-DAY TOURS

The 15 1-Day Tours in South Africa That Earn Their Price

37 tours  ·  from $38

The 15 best 1-day tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip - Du Toitskloof Pass and the first mountain views
1-Day Tours, Big Five Game Drives, Big Five Game Drives in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Guided, Safari, Tour Reviews

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

1.Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 526 reviews · from $155Our pick

Travel from Cape Town with guides such as Mike, Werner, or Jamie through Du Toitskloof and the Breede River Valley to Aquila Safari Reserve. Expect a buffet lunch, champagne, and a 2 to 3 hour group game drive, with a private safari vehicle available for an added fee.

“Werner my tour guide and driver was super! Fun, courteous, knowledgeable about the area and country. The winery was lovely and a good tasting. Aquila was great. I lucked out and had Jana as my guide. She is the conservationist for the reseRead more”

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Jo'berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour - The drive to Soweto and the first look at township life
1-Day Tours, Apartheid Museum Tours, Apartheid Museum Tours in Johannesburg, City Tours, Johannesburg Tours, Museums, Soweto Tours, Soweto Tours in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews, Tours

Jo’berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

2.Jo’berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 524 reviews · 8 hours · from $142

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide such as Khutso, Thapelo, or Tinyiko, moving from Soweto’s Vilakazi Street and Hector Pieterson Museum to the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill. Pickup, transport, entry fees, and onboard WiFi are included, while lunch is your responsibility.

“A great day of sightseeing in Johannesburg- our guide was great with lots of information and we saw so much- great value too as all entry tickets included.”

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Cape Town: Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Private Day Trip - Table Mountain gives you the broadest view
1-Day Tours, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope Tours, Cape Town Tours, Private, Table Mountain Tours, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Private Day Trip

3.Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 206 reviews · 10 hours · from $210

Spend 10 hours exploring Cape Town’s big sights in a private vehicle with an English or French-speaking guide. Ride Table Mountain’s cable car, visit Boulders Beach penguins and Cape Point, and enjoy Chapman’s Peak views, with pickup and entry fees included.

“We had a great day with CoCo. Due to the inclement weather she juggled things around for us. Coco was very informative. I am not sure if it was luck or her experience but wherever we had a stop we always seemed to be ahead of the coach loads of people. Thank you for being our guide on our first trip to South Africa it was a pleasure to meet you.”

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Table Mountain and Cape Town City Half-Day Trip - Bo-Kaap and the story behind the painted houses
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Tours, City Tours, Half-Day, Table Mountain Tours, Tour Reviews

Table Mountain and Cape Town City Half-Day Trip

4.Table Mountain and Cape Town City Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 191 reviews · from $46

Spend about four hours seeing Cape Town by air-conditioned minibus, ride the Table Mountain cableway at your own cost, walk through Bo-Kaap, pass Parliament and City Hall, visit the Castle of Good Hope if time allows, and finish at Diamond Works. Guides such as Hamilton, Glen, Bayathe, and Super are praised for warm, informative service.

“Visit to the city hall and the cape of good hope which were very informative and educational, I've learned a lot about SA history”

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Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Winelands Full Day Trip from Cape Town - Paarl: cellar tour, wine, and a strong opening
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Tours, Cape Winelands Wine Tasting Tours, Cape Winelands Wine Tasting Tours in Cape Town, Full-Day, Tour Reviews

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Winelands Full Day Trip from Cape Town

5.Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Winelands Full Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $101

Spend about eight hours exploring three Cape Winelands regions from Cape Town. Visit wineries in Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch for three tastings, a cellar tour, and free time in the towns. Guides such as Carola, Ivan, Eddie, and Basil add local history and practical help.

“Our tour guide was disorganized, got lost trying to pickup another party, and told us about historical facts after leaving the town/winery/view/etc. Very disappointed in the tour operator.”

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Sani Pass day trip - The 9:00 am start in Underberg
1-Day Tours, Sani Pass Day Trips, Sani Pass Day Trips in Underberg, Tour Reviews, Underberg Tours

Sani Pass day trip

6.Sani Pass day trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · from $127

This full-day 4x4 trip takes you from Underberg up the rugged Sani Pass and across the Lesotho border. Your guide explains the pass, local wildlife, plants, and Basotho culture, then leads you to a village, fresh bread tasting, and the highest pub in Africa. Guides may include Elias, Alan, or Patrick Jolly.

“An extraordinary and exceptional journey with Major Adventures into Lesotho - Highest Pub in Africa Day Trip - 22/01/2025”

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1 Day: Bus & Soweto Combo - Constitution Hill: South Africa’s difficult story in one place
1-Day Tours, Johannesburg Tours, Soweto Tours, Soweto Tours in Johannesburg, Tour Reviews

1 Day: Bus & Soweto Combo

7.1 Day: Bus & Soweto Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · from $38Best value

Combine a hop-on hop-off bus ride through Johannesburg with a two-hour small-group Soweto tour led by a Soweto resident. Visit Vilakazi Street, Mandela’s former home, Tutu House, Hector Pieterson, Orlando Stadium, the Soweto Towers, and more. Admissions to major museums cost extra.

“Fun and very informative tour. Exceptional guide - he took us to the street where Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived.”

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From Durban: Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip - The early start from Durban to Himeville
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From Durban: Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip

8.Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 43 reviews · 13 hours · from $191

Leave Durban early for a full day on Sani Pass. Travel by 4x4 into Lesotho, meet a Basotho guide, visit a mountain home, taste homemade bread, and stop at Africa’s Highest Pub. Guides such as Siya and Pat bring strong local knowledge to this small-group outing.

“Was an incredible day our guide Siya was great and he was very knowledgeable and more than happy to help and answer any questions we had. Would highly recommend this tour”

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One day Safari including a 5 Hour Open Safari Vehicle Drive - What the Ranger Adds to the Game Drive
1-Day Tours, Johannesburg Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews

One day Safari including a 5 Hour Open Safari Vehicle Drive

9.One day Safari including a 5 Hour Open Safari Vehicle Drive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $221

Leave Johannesburg early for Pilanesberg National Park, then join a field guide for a five-hour open 4x4 safari. Watch for native wildlife, pause for a light lunch beside an active waterhole, and return by air-conditioned minivan. Groups are capped at 10 people.

“Put this on your bucket list! Even though every tour will be different and you may not see the same wildlife I did (ex: we didn't see any cats), it is awesome. Our guide / ranger was so knowledgable, answered our countless questions, and made it very interesting. If you only have a day and want to include a safari on your trip, this is the place to be.”

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Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town - Watching whales from Hermanus shore
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Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

10.Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 29 reviews · from $101

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus for seasonal Southern Right Whale sightings from shore, free time in town, and a wine tasting at Bouchard Finlayson Winery. An optional boat trip costs extra. On Sundays, the winery is closed, so the tour includes Stoney Point penguins instead.

“A full day tour that brought us to many scenic places along the coast, with a 2hour boat ride out to catch the whales basking in the sun, followed by a yummy lunch in a quaint village. A perfect day!”

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Big 5 Safari One Day Tour - Four hours at Aquila Private Game Reserve
1-Day Tours, Big Five Game Drives, Big Five Game Drives in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tours

Big 5 Safari One Day Tour

11.Big 5 Safari One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $227

Leave Cape Town early with a driver such as Martin or Emma, cross the Du Toitskloof mountains, and spend about four hours on safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve. You get hotel transfers, bottled water, lunch, and a small group of up to seven, with the chance to see lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, and buffalo.

“Our safari trip was spoiled by another guide translating German to guests every time the safari guide spoke it was very off putting we did see all the big five and the food provided was ok”

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Pilanesberg Game Reserve Safari and Sun City Day Trip from Johannesburg - A long day from Johannesburg to Pilanesberg
1-Day Tours, Big Five Game Drives, Big Five Game Drives in Pretoria, City Tours, Pilanesberg Safaris, Pilanesberg Safaris in Pretoria, Pretoria Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews

Pilanesberg Game Reserve Safari and Sun City Day Trip from Johannesburg

12.Pilanesberg Game Reserve Safari and Sun City Day Trip from Johannesburg

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · from $296

Set out early from Johannesburg or Pretoria for a three-hour Pilanesberg game drive, then spend three hours at Sun City. Expect a small group of up to 12, hotel pickup, a professional guide, and extra costs for Valley of Waves, meals, and optional elephant experiences.

“This was a memorable trip that I have already described many times to the envy of my co-workers. Don't forget to watch the antics of the baby elephants.”

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West Coast Day Trip from Cape Town - Learning at !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Tours, Tour Reviews

West Coast Day Trip from Cape Town

13.West Coast Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $121

Travel from Cape Town to the West Coast with a guide such as Abdul or Diane. Walk the Atlantis Dunes, visit !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre, enjoy tea and lunch, and see Langebaan Lagoon in a small group of up to 13 people.

“It's very insightful and enjoying trip with great itnarary. A lot of fun learning San people culture, enjoyed their tea and food. Have great time at West coast trip: Lagoon and Sand dunes were breathtaking. Had great time playing with water and saRead more”

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From Richards Bay: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip - Why Hluhluwe Imfolozi is worth the effort
1-Day Tours, Big Five Game Drives, Big Five Game Drives in St Lucia, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Safaris, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Safaris in St Lucia, St Lucia Tours, Tour Reviews

From Richards Bay: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

14.From Richards Bay: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 15 reviews · 6 hours · from $242

From Richards Bay Harbor, you’ll ride in a fully air-conditioned closed vehicle to Hluhluwe Imfolozi, South Africa’s oldest national reserve. A professional guide leads the six-hour outing through hilly Zululand scenery, with chances to see the Big Five. Pickup and drop-off cover locations within 5 kilometers of the harbor.

“Ne pas admettre des clients de différentes langues ensemble.”

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1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein - Boarding Meganova, a fast RIB limited to 10 people
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Tours, Hermanus Whale Watching, Hermanus Whale Watching in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

15.1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $331

Leave Yzerfontein Harbour at 6:30 am aboard Meganova, a high-performance RIB limited to 10 people. Whale specialists and skippers such as Ash and Jacques search for humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and seabirds, with breakfast snacks, drinks, protective clothing, and a picnic lunch included.

“Amazing trip I'd highly recommend, especially photographers! Small groups of people which makes the trip so much nicer. Although we didn't get to see a super group, we saw a lone juvenile Humpback and then a mother with her calf. PleRead more”

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New in 1-Day Tours

★ 5.01 Day Garden Route Tour from Port Elizabeth to the CragsFrom $1819 reviews
★ 4.01 Day Safari from JohannesburgFrom $27510 reviews
★ 5.0African Safari in Pilanesberg National Park – 1 day adventureFrom $1328 reviews
★ 5.01 Day Photographic Wildlife Safari from Hazyview to Kruger Park10 reviews
★ 5.0Cape Peninsula & Boulders Beach Day Trip from Cape TownFrom $424 reviews
★ 4.5Shakaland and Zulu Culture Full-Day TripFrom $2187 reviews
★ 4.6Sani Pass & Lesotho Tour from Durban 1 DayFrom $2369 reviews
★ 5.0Lesotho: Sani Pass Scenic Day Trip w/ Village Visit & LunchFrom $923 reviews
★ 3.4From Richards Bay: DumaZulu Cultural Village Day TripFrom $2424 reviews
★ 3.7Mandela Capture Site Howick Falls & PheZulu Village Day TripFrom $1867 reviews
★ 4.6Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Wine Day TripFrom $968 reviews
★ 3.3The Best Private Cape Town Safari Day Trip – Aquila Big 5From $3743 reviews
★ 5.0Discover Scuba Diving – 1 day experienceFrom $1555 reviews
★ 4.0Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Day TripFrom $1745 reviews
★ 4.9Cape Agulhas, Hermanus whales & Wine Tasting Day TripFrom $2646 reviews

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Explore South Africa

Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.

In the parks

Big Five Game DrivesKruger SafarisPilanesbergAddo ElephantsHluhluwe-iMfolozi

On the water

Whale BoatsShark CagesSunset CruisesBoat TripsDiving

Around Cape Town

Table MountainCape PointBoulders PenguinsRobben IslandLion’s Head

Food and wine

Winelands DaysWine TastingsFood ToursCooking ClassesThe Bo-Kaap