South Africa · SHORE EXCURSIONS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 shore excursions tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Meet your guide near the Port Elizabeth cruise terminal for a full-day Addo safari in a small group of up to 14. Ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, look for elephants, lions, and other wildlife, then enjoy a fire-cooked South African braai. Guides such as Nina and Gary tailor the day to families and ship schedules.
Spend eight hours exploring Addo Elephant National Park from Port Elizabeth, with park entry, transport, a guided safari, and lunch at Jack’s Picnic Site. You may see elephants, lions, zebras, warthogs, hyenas, buffalo, and black rhinos. Pickup is available from the port, airport, and nearby towns.
“Overall, a very nice excursion. We saw many elephants, zebras, warthogs, and even a buffalo. During the lunch break, we enjoyed a shared meal with freshly grilled food, which was great. However, our guide didn’t provide much explanation, and we drove through the park in a closed van, which slightly diminished the safari experience. Still, a worthwhile trip for wildlife enthusiasts.”
Travel from Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant National Park in a small-group, air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide leads morning and afternoon game drives, explains the park’s wildlife, and helps spot elephants, zebras, warthogs, buffalo, rhinos, birds, and smaller creatures. Lunch, water, park admission, and cruise-port pickup are included.
“It was lovely to see the elephants at the water hole. We saw warthogs, zebra, buffalo, deer, monkeys and a white rhino. Gary was enthusiastic and informative, pointing out dung beetles, tortoises, and various birds. A great tour. Great value for money. I would recommend to others.”
Join a small group from Port Elizabeth for a nine-hour Addo Elephant Park safari. Guides such as Steven, Allan, and Edy search for elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and rhinos, with a South African braai, drinks, and round-trip port transfers included.
“Great day and tour guide at Addo Elephant National Park! Elephants galore including babies! The guide did a lot to ensure that we saw Elephants, Zebra, and more!”
Join Alan Tours from Port Elizabeth harbour for a 7 to 9-hour safari through malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park. Guides such as Malcolm, Mervyn, Graeme, and Shene share park lore while you look for elephants, lions, buffalo, zebra, kudu, warthogs, ostriches, and the rare flightless dung beetle.
“Shene war unser Guide.Sie war toll in ihren Ausführungen und Erklärungen. Sie hat uns viel Zeit gegeben,um die Elefanten zu beobachten.Ich bin ganz begeistert von den Eindrücken.Jederzeit würde ich bei diesem Unternehmen wieder buchen.”
You’ll leave Cape Town for Aquila Private Game Reserve, about two hours away, then join a shared open-vehicle safari across 24,000 acres. Look for lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebra, and birds before a buffet lunch. Cruise passengers must disembark by 8:00 am and sail after 8:00 pm.
“If you have the time and money to visit Kruger Park, you can skip this tour. The Aquila Private Game Reserve is actually a very large zoo without cages, where they feed some animals. The advantage is that the animals are easy to watch. During Read more”
Travel from Durban’s Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal to Tala Private Game Reserve for a two-hour closed-vehicle game drive. You may see giraffes, zebras, rhinos, hippos, wildebeest, ostriches, and birds. Guides such as Tommy, Rennie, Tammy, and Themba are praised for their care and local knowledge.
“This tour exceeded our expectations. We saw all the animals all around the vehicle. The giraffes, zebras were within an arms length away. Fantastic. What a great tour, and our guide was very knowledgeable and made our tour very memorable.”
Join Ashley or Bonginkosi in a closed SUV from Richards Bay for an 8 to 10-hour safari at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Search for the Big 5, wild dogs, cheetahs, birds, and smaller wildlife, with breakfast, snacks, lunch, drinks, and park entry included.
“Excellent tour and guide/tracker. Ashley was very good at seeing animals in the distance. It was also a great learning experience. He quizzed us on what we were seeing and then provided the facts. It was an interesting approach. He is extremely knowledgeable about all the animals and imparted this knowledge in an entertaining manner.”
Spend 7.5 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Durban’s beaches, Botanic Gardens, Victoria Street Market, Moses Mabhida Stadium, and PheZulu in the Valley of 1,000 Hills. Port transfers and private transport are included, while lunch and the stadium SkyCar cost extra.
“We had the best guide in Durban! Thank you Shiney for giving us such a wonderful insight into the city that you obviously love. We really enjoyed our drive to and time at the Valley of 1000 Hills and the PheZulu Tour. We highly recommend this tour.”
From Richards Bay Harbour, you’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, then spend the day with a licensed ranger in an open safari vehicle. Expect tea, muffins, a South African braai, blankets, bottled water, and possible sightings of rhino, elephant, buffalo, wild dog, and more.
“Excellent tour with Siabongo. Great breakfast and lunch. No lions or leopards unfortunately. Comfortable safari vehicle.”
From Richards Bay, you’ll travel 75 km into Zululand for a guided Hluhluwe iMfolozi safari. Expect early pickup, open or closed vehicle drives, a picnic lunch, and a small group capped at 14. Guides adjust departure times to your cruise schedule, making this a practical port excursion.
“The animals were spa de but the scenery was amazing. Both guides were excellent. They tried there best to find the animals and lunch was great.”
Leave Durban’s port with a local guide such as Patrick or Themba for a 3.5-hour visit to PheZulu Cultural Village, Zulu traditions, dance, rural hill views, and an onsite crocodile and snake park. Port transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a flexible departure time are included.
“Our trip to PhuZulu was amazing. The guide really made the tour. He was passionate about his city of Durban, informative, friendly and helpful!!! The crocodiles & snakes were a sight to see and the Zulu dance was excellent. The scenery we drove through was spectacular.”
Meet your guide at Durban’s Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal for a 3.5-hour private small-group tour. Visit the Golden Mile, city center, Durban Botanic Gardens, and Moses Mabhida Stadium. Guides such as Tammy, Moses, and Patrick are praised for flexible service and local insight.
“Good trip in Mercedes saloon. The driver, Tammy, was great. He showed us most of the main sites in Durban”
Travel from Cape Town’s cruise port to Wynberg for a private cooking class and home meal with chefs Richard and Gillian. Learn two dishes, taste braai, bredie, local desserts, and wine, then return to the port. Vegetarian meals and menu requests are available in advance.
“Unfortunately I missed this event due to emergency surgery. The rest of our group attended and report a fabulous time with wonderful hosts. Food, beverage and commeradery were all excellent.”
Leave Richards Bay with a guide such as Hosanna or Jan for a morning safari in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, then visit DumaZulu for dancing, drumming, crafts, and Zulu traditions. Port pickup, lunch, transport, and return are included.
“This tour was billed as “small group.” It ended up being just my wife and incredibly personalized service! Hosanna was an excellent guide! Knowledgeable and well spoken. He met us as we were walking off the ship and escorted us to our safari and Zulu cultural adventures, getting us back to the ship 10 hours later. A truly full-day trip. Well worth it! Yes, I heartily recommend this to others.”
Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.
