SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa's standouts.
A shortlist of the 10 drakensberg & blyde river tours most worth booking in South Africa, with what each one is like on the day, who runs it, and what it costs.
A 90-minute Blyde Dam boat cruise near Hoedspruit with Three Rondawels views, hippos and crocodiles, plus great English guiding.
“The activity was great, insightful, great educational teachings as well as an awesome tour guide. It was quite a relaxing ride.”
Full-day Blyde River Canyon panorama tour from Nelspruit with viewpoints, waterfalls, and the Graskop Gorge Lift—door-to-door.
“A wonderfull experience that allows you to see all the non animal beauties that surrounds Nelspruit. No doubt Blyde River Canyon it's by far the more beaitiful one. I would allocate some more time there. But the other points are also really nice and deserved their time too.”
Full-day guided Panorama Route tour from Nelspruit featuring Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, and lunch.
“It was a fantastic place to visit. Luckily there were no clouds or fog. On the down side, it was bit difficult to communicate with local tour provider. Very delayed response. Big gap between breakfast and lunch - 9 hours with only water to drink. NRead more”
Hike the Mnweni Drakensberg over 3 days with gear, permits, meals, and a night in a cliff cave, for views near 3,100m.
“All my Drakensberg hikes have been with Soul Adventures and it’s been a great experience. Patrick’s jokes never get old 😂. I love a challenge so I booked 2 hikes back to back over 5 days and it’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself thiRead more”
Two days of Panorama Route waterfalls and canyon views, plus a 1-night stay and open-vehicle Kruger safari with meals included.
“Awesome guide, Colin, was a delight from Nelspruit for activities along the way to Kruger National Park. Our night safari had a much different feel than our day safari. Guides especially Fiso were all we hoped for and helped us find more than 60 animal species. Worth the cost of the tour!”
Private 9-hour Panorama Route tour from Hoedspruit: Blyde Canyon, Three Rondavels, potholes, falls, God’s Window, Graskop lunch.
“Kyron was the most fanatic guide we could have wished for. From the moment he warmly greeted us from our lodge, to the moment he left us back at the end of the day, everything was complete perfection and I could not recommend this tour enough. His knowledge of the entire day was astounding and…”
Full-day safari from Durban to Drakensberg and UNESCO rock art, Howick Falls, and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, with private-group transport.
“Timber was a great guide. The driver was a bit late picking our large group up from the cruise terminal. Due to no fault of the tour guide, we were on an extremely limited time frame and could not do the tour we purchased (Our cruise drasticallRead more”
Full-day Drakensberg and Mandela tour from Durban with Howick Falls, the Mandela Capture Site, Midlands Meander views, and mountain stop.
“The visit all the Howick falls and the Mandela museum were really interesting to do. We had a great time there! Although, the Drakensberg part is quite limited.. A long road for a small view of the moutain. Not what we were expecting with the price of that tour.”
Durban day trip to Drakensberg rock art, Mandela history, and Howick Falls, with an early start and a solid cave-painting hike.
“Superbe visite. Guide extra (Frederick) et très compétent. Bonne marche d une heure pour arriver au but”
A long day of canyons and viewpoints near Hazyview, plus a Swadini Aventura boat cruise with wildlife spotting and nature talk.
“The guide begins by telling us that the trip takes 10 and not 8 hours as indicated. Then he doesn't stop at God's Window where the trip would otherwise start... When we get to the boat there are two more hours, it sails... When we ask how it is that we have to wait so…”
