Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria, whose destination is a hub for the many fantastic experiences and activities that South Africa has to offer. The area has many of the best golf courses in the country, top restaurants to suit everyone’s tastes, exciting organized tours of historical and political interest such as a trip to the town of Soweto, Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction. Within a few hours drive, there are several nearby safari destinations that offer world-class safaris. Experience a tour on one of the world’s most exclusive trains, Rovos Rail, from Pretoria to Victoria Falls.
Cape Town and the surrounding area is a mecca of attractions and offers a great variety of fantastic experiences and activities. There is guaranteed to be something for everyone! Join a private guided tour around the beautiful Cape Peninsula, enjoy a helicopter tour of the dazzling wine districts. Try some of South Africa’s best golf courses and / or wineries. Hire an award-winning chef for your private dinner / event. Join a whale and shark safari with the possibility to enjoy the massive southern right or the mighty great white. Add a tour from Cape Town to Pretoria with one of the world’s most exclusive trains, Rovos Rail.
There are many exciting experiences and activities along the scenic coastline Garden Route which is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa. Along the route there are world-class golf courses, beautiful endless white beaches, hiking trails, etc. Tsitsikamma National Park is considered one of the country’s foremost wilderness areas and is pure heaven for those who enjoy outdoor life and adventurous activities. Along the Garden Route there are some malaria-free safari destinations, well worth a visit.
In the area around Gquberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape Province there are many great private reserves that offer safari experiences at a very high standard. The area is malaria free. The destination offers many historical tours and private sightseeing tours, depending on interest and needs.
KwaZulu-Natal, with its subtropical climate and warm water of Indian Ocean, offers fantastic paradise-like sunbathing experiences and activities, safaris and hiking – a perfect combination. Along the coast is St Lucia with the World Heritage Site of Simangaliso Wetland Park, a wetland area that specializes in boat trips among hippos and crocodiles. Inland, there are the incomparably beautiful Drakensberg, with fantastic hiking. There are a number of very good safari options in the area and for example in the Hluhluwe & iMfolozi Game Reserve you can participate in a walking safari, focusing on white rhino.
Greater Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and Limpopo offers world-class safaris and the chance to spot the the Big 5 is high. Many of the private reserves offer walking safaris/bush walks and many of the private lodges consist of private spas, gyms etc. The area is also known for its great golf courses, beautiful views of Mpumalanga, which is a magnificent region and home to many of South Africa’s most spectacular natural attractions and landmarks, including the magnificent Panorama Route.
The Namaqualand area is best known for its breathtaking fields of flowers. In August and September, Namaqualand turns into a senseless spectacle of wild flowers in every conceivable color. This is one of the earth’s real natural wonders and an eldorado for photographers and nature lovers. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Resort is an excellent destination to spend a few nights and they offers safaris among wildflowers.
Kimberley is the capital and largest city of the Northern Cape. The city is best known for its significant history of diamond mining and the siege during the Second Anglo-Boer War. It was in Kimberley that the British businessmen Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato earned their fortune, and Rhodes founded the diamond company De Beers in the early days of the mining town. The most famous attraction is The Big Hole, which today is part of a museum. The Big Hole is the world’s deepest artificial hole and has a circumference of 2 km and a depth of 215 meters.
Wine tours
Experience the most beautiful and reputable wine districts in the Western Cape. Visit carefully selected wineries where the wines are absolutely world class. Meet passionate winemakers and share with them their love for the perfection of winemaking. We assist in bookings for private wine tours in and around the wine districts of the Western Cape. We select some favorites with different character, some for the fabulous farms, others for the extra excellent wine. The tours are tailored to your needs and let us know what wine you ussually enjoy, regins you would like to visit and any other preferences you may have. Book a guided bike wine tour among wineries in Stellenbosch and combine beautiful views and historic sites with good wine tasting. The tour can be tailored to your wishes and needs and family tours can be arranged.
Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and price proposal.
Our judgement: Faboulous wineries with personal wine tastings!
Guided Private Tours including transport
We assist to book private tours with transport and local guides. Join a tour to the southernmost part of the Cape Peninsula with its magnificent nature. Experience the dramatic Cape of Good Hope where the Portuguese sailor Bartholomew Diaz was the first European to sail around the dreaded cape in 1488. Take the opportunity to stop in Simon’s Town with Boulders Beach and the African penguin colony. Enjoy the views along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world, 10 km long between Hout Bay and Noordhoek. Visit an ostrich farm, take a swim at Muizenberg beach. Include an excursion to beautiful Constantia Winelands with the oldest and most magnificent wineries in the country. Join a private full-day tour and visit Table Mountain, the most famous landmark in Cape Town and experience the fantastic panoramic view of the mother city from the top of the mountain. Visit the colorful Bo-Kaap district and learn about the Cape Malay heritage. Spend the afternoon in Kirstenbosch’s botanical garden, one of the most picturesque gardens in the world, beautifully situated in the desolate eastern parts of Table Mountain. End your day with a visit to one of the city’s most beautiful beaches, along the coast in Camps Bay. Other interesting attractions that can be included: Lions Head, Green Point Stadium, the castle, Company Gardens, Long Street and Adderley Street, V&A Waterfront, District 6 Museum and Green Market Square. Visit a shantytown or an orphanage.
Price indication: Price depends on tour and number of participants etc. Contact Upplev Sydafrika for prices.
Our judgement: High standard tours with professional local guides.
Shark Cage Diving
Approximately 2 hours by transfer from Cape Town, 40 minutes by transfer from Hermanus, is the world-known shark-famous city of Gansbaai, where you can experience the great white sharks and other shark species from a boat and in an underwater cage. Shark diving is an adrenaline-filled and exciting experience! The tour is recommended to anyone who is interested in experience and learning more about sharks. If you are lucky you can get a close encounter with a great white shark from the cage. From Cape Town the tour takes a full day and from Hermanus it is a half day tour. The shark cage diving is weather dependent and can be cancelled if the weather does not allow a trip. The tour begins with information and breakfast.
“Seeing the greatest and one of the oldest animal species on the planet is truly a unique, awe-inspiring and a humbling experience. Most people arrive with fear and trepidation and leave with admiration and a newfound respect for these majestic animals…“
— Shark Diving Unlimited
Prisindikation: R2550 p/p
Our judgement: Very special to experience the majestic great white and learn more about the sharks!
Helicopter tour
We assit to book and arrange an unforgettable helicopter tour. Experience Franschhoek and Stellenbosch’s beautiful wine valley from above. Fly over one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town. Book your Scenic Air Ventures or Tailor-Made Charter by Airplane or Helicopter.
Price indication: Depending on tour, contact Upplev Sydafrika for more informaiton and price proposal.
Our judgement: Affordable and vale for money – join a spectacular helicopter tour in the Western Cape!
Whale Watching
Only a few meters from land, along the cliff paths, one can see whales playing in the bay, which makes Hermanus one of the best places in the world for land-based whale watching. The whales can be best seen during the period beginning of June until mid December. In September the whole town prepares for the whale festival and thousands of tourists from around the world are present to celebrate the magnificent Southern Right whale’s arrival. Book an 2 hours land-based Whale walk tour with the local legend, photographer and expert Dave De Beer, or if you wish to join a boat-based whale safari, we can arrange a tour with one of Hermanus’ licensed boat operators in Hermanus. The Whale watching can also be booked from Cape Town.
Price indication: By boat R1020 p/p
Our judgment: Hermanus is one of the best places in the world where you can watch these magnificent creatures!
Cornellskop Animal Encounters
Visit the Cornellskop Animal Encounters and experience cheetahs running at full speed. See lions, zebras, ostriches and much more. Cornellskop Animal Encounters lies approximately 40 minutes from Hermanus, 5 km Down Van der Stel Pass from Botriver. Tours by appointment only.
Price indication: R1000 p/p
Our judgement: Exclusive close encounter with cheetas and other animals!
Hiking
Hiking through scenic views in Stellenbosch, towering mountain peaks and valleys covered in magnificent wineries, enjoy wine tastings at award winning Estates. Top the day off with a beautiful wine Estate lunch. For wine-lovers, the wineries trail meanders through beautiful wine farms in the Banhoek valley between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. While walking this beautiful piece of earth your guide will tell you more about wine making, the indigenous flora and fauna and life on a wine Estate in general. Experience an memorable hike among fynbos (coastal and mountain shrubs) and vines in the Elgin Valley, Green Mountain Trail. A total of 60 km hike, four night/four day slack pack trail, in an striking natural beauty among flora and fauna. The accommodation is of high standard and the locally produced wine and food are exquicite. The hiking include local guides, accommodation, meals (excluding drinks), wine tastings. In Hermanus, there is a 50 km network of trails where sea meets mountains. Hike in the unspoiled natural beauty of fynbos and enjoy spectacular views overlooking Hermanus and Hemel-en-Aarde valley. Join a guided tour and choose between an easier or more advanced hiking terrain. In Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, you will find Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which is known to be one of the most picturesque gardens in the world. The garden landscape (includes 36 hectares) is beautifully situated in the eastern part of Table Mountain and accommodates more than 7000 of the 22,000 native species in South Africa. From the Botanical Garden there is a spectacular hike – Skeleton gorge – to the top of Table Mountain, with stunning views over the city.
Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and rates.
Our Judgement: Beautiful hike among the spectacular flora and fauna.
Horseback riding
Rooisand Nature Reseve is located near Kleinmond, 70 minutes from Cape Town and 35 minutes from Hermanus. Enjoy a ride in amazing scenery on the beach, among the wild horses or take the opportunity to take some riding lessons. Book a 2,5 hour of riding on the beach or a longer tour if you want to include a picnic (about 3-4 hours tour).
Price indication: R400 p/p for 2,5 hour on the beach.
Our Judgement: Wonderful experience to ride on the beach and experience the wild horses!
Golf
South Africa is a wonderful place for a golfing holiday experience and the country offers fantastic world class golf courses. As golf tourism is relatively unexploited, there is seldom crowding on the well-kept and scenic courses. Select one or more golf-destinations and we assist in booking golf packages with extraordinary accommodation and transport, alternatively if you prefer the freedom to drive on your own with a rental car. Take the opportunity to combine playing golf with wine tastings, exciting activities and excursion.
Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and rates.
Our Judgement: The combination of world class golf courses and would class wine is hard to beat!
Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma NP with dramatic coastal scenery, reefs, rivers, lush forest and delicate fynbos, is a hiking and water sports paradise. The region forms the top section of the magnificent Garden Route National Park. The boundary of the Tsitsikamma stretches some 5 km out to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish. The park has two rest camps, one at Storms River mouth and one at Natures Valley. There are many hiking trails of varying lengths and nature walks in this region, the most famous of them being the 42,5 km Otter Trail, a 5 day and 4 night trail. There is also a “slack packing” route, the Dolphin Trail, which is fully inclusive. We assist with tours and information.
Price indication: Price depending on tours etc. Contact Upplev Sydafrika fo more informaiton.
Our Judgement: A real paradise if you are in to outdoor adventure!
Panorama Route
Mpumalanga is a magnificent region and home to many of South Africa’s most spectacular natural attractions and landmarks, including the magnificent Panorama Route. The most spectacular part of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world. The cliffs rise hundreds of meters above the river bed. The mile-long canyon can be seen from many vantage points that begin and end at the stunning rock formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels. In the same area are the dramatic lookout points Wonder View and God’s Window, the ancient caves Echo Caves and the stately cliff The Pinnacle. There are also lots of waterfalls, to name a few of nature’s amazing wonders in the area. Join a tour along the spectacular Panorama Route.
Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and rates.
Our Judgement: Spectacular and beautuful landscape!
HESC – Hoedsprut Endengerd Species Centre
Since its establishment in 1990 the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project, HESC has played an important role in the conservation of specific endangered species, particularly cheetahs and rhinos. HESC focus on the survival of endangered species through the breeding and maintenance of diverse bloodlines of cheetahs and the rehabilitation of rhinos that have become victims of poaching. HESC create awareness among local and international learners, students and the general public about the importance of wildlife conservation; operate as an ecotourism destination with overnight accommodation; offer conservation experience programmes and provide research opportunities on the endangered species in our care. Make a visit to HESC, we assist in bookings.
Source: HESC
Price indication: Standard tour R500 p/p.
Our Judgement: Very informative and impressive project! Don’t forget to hold your nose while drivning by the vultures!
Safari in Eastern Cape
In the area around Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape Province there are many private reserves that offer safari experiences at a very high standard and there is a good possibliity to spot the Big 5 at game drives. A safari experience in the Eastern Cape is perfect to combine with a tour of the Western Cape and/or driving along the popular Garden Route. The area is malaria free. Upplev Sydafrika assist to book a safari with accommodation in one of the private game reserves. In private reserves, skilled guides and trackers are often allowed to drive off road to get close to the animals. There are lodges in different price ranges that offer fantastic safari experiences.
Price indication: Rates are dependent on lodge standard. Contact us for more information!
Our Judgement: Stunning environment and the safari is perfect for families etc. that prefer a malaria free area.
Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park is located in the Eastern Cape Province, just north of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), and is South Africa’s third largest national park. The reserve was established in 1931 to protect the last eleven individuals of the region’s elephants. The malaria-free reserve is about 148,000 hectares, has about 550 elephants and the Big 5. A nice safari alternative, for exampel for those who are looking for a day safari and self-driving.
Price indication: Contact us for more information!
Our Judgement: Great park to visit for the Elephants!
Safari in KwaZulu-Natal
In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, eastern part of South Africa, there are several great safari options. Along the coast is St Lucia with the World Heritage Site of Simangaliso Wetland Park, a wetland area that specializes in boat trips among hippos and crocodiles. The Hluhluwe & iMfolozi Game Reserve specializes in white-rhino walking safaris. Other fantastic safari options are & Beyond Phinda and the Swedish-owned Thanda. Ideal to combine a few days with sunbathing in the area.
Price indication: Contact us for more information!
Our Judgement: Great combination with world-class safari and beach along the Indian Ocean!
Paradise-like experiences
KwaZulu-Natal, with its subtropical climate and warm waters of the Indian Ocean, offers fantastic paradise-like experiences. Along South Africa’s beautiful eastern coastline, about 20 minutes south of Durban’s King Shaka international Airport, lies Umhlanga Rocks. A very popular holiday resort destination known for its golden miles of sandy beaches. Walk along the ”sea-path” and experience the beautiful sunset while watching the ships in the distant horizon over the Indian Ocean. There are several high-quality accommodations offering stunning sceneries in the heart of Umhlanga Rocks. They provide direct access to the beach as well as walking distance to the mall, several good restaurants, bars and shops. Thonga Beach lodge, a unique paradise-destination in the north, on the border to Mozambique, is an area known for its pristine endless white beaches where you can snorkel, dive, etc. Paradise-experience in northeastern South Africa can be combined with safaris at one of the private game reserves in the area or in the national parks Hluhluwe and Umfolozide.
Price indicaiton: Contact us for more information!
Our judgement: Beautiful paradis-destinatons that offers excellent beach and sunbathing experiences!
Tours in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria
Johannesburg is one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant cities. There is a lot to experinece in and around Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old town is a multicultural mix with traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi stations and
ultramodern skyscrapers. There are many reputable museums, art galleries and organized tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is among the best in southern Africa and the many restaurants cater to everyone’s tastes. The nearby town of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction. Join a guided city tour of Soweto and Johannesburg. Visit the Apartheid Museum and Mandela House, to name a few of the interesting sights that the destination offer.
Price indication: Rates are dependent of tour etc. Contact Upplev Sydafrika for rates.
Our judgement: It is a fascinating city with lots to see and explore!
Safari in Pilanesberg National Park
Near by the luxury resort of Sun City, lies the Pilanesberg National Park. Pilanesberg is close enough to Johannesburg and Pretoria for a day trip to the national park. In addition to the Big 5, the park offers a magnificent volcanic landscape. The area is malaria free. It is also popular to fly a hot air balloon to experience the beautiful views that the area offers.
Price indication: Contact us for more information!
Our judgement: Pilanesberg’s cloesness to Johannesburg is a big plus!
Namaqualand
In northwestern South Africa, you will find the unique Namaqualand. An area that for most of the year is dry and relatively colorless. In August and September, the area turns into a colorful flower kingdom with wildflowers in every conceivable color – miraculously beautiful and an eldorado for photographers and nature lovers. Book a trip to Namaqualand and experience one of the most amazing natural phenomena in the world.
Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and prices.
Our judgement: A natural phenomenon beyond the ordinary!
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, an oasis in the wilderness, located in the rugged Cederbergs, offers a completely unique wilderness experience in South Africa. Set in a 7500-hectare private reserve with 5-star accommodation and South African-inspired cuisine, this family-run lodge features impressive wildlife and pristine mountain scenery. Visiting Bushman’s Kloof during the flowering period, August and September is unique, as the landscape is in bloom. Explore the unique access to more than 130 ancient mountain art sites, ancient San culture, some dating back to 10,000, along with experienced local guides.
Price indication: Rates are depending on seasons, contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and rates.
Our judgement: A unique place in an even more fabulous environment!
The Big Hole
The Big Hole is claimed to be the world’s deepest hole excavated by hand, located in Kimberly, in the Northern Cape. 150 years ago, the place where the Big Hole is located was just a hill. After the rumor spread that diamonds had been discovered in the area, thousands of prospectors came to find their luck with diamonds. With only shovels, they began digging what is today the largest hand-dug excavation in the world. The hole has a circumference of 2 km and a depth of 215 meters. Today, the Big Hole is part of a museum that has become the city’s most visited tourist attraction. At the museum you can, among other things, learn about the exciting history of diamonds in South Africa.
Price indication: Contact Upplev Sydafrika for more information and rates.
Our Judgement: This is the place to buy your dream diamond with a discount!
You can travel to South Africa all year round, but we recommend going September to May
Healthcare is good in South Africa. Even so we suggest obtaining a sound travel insurance before departure
As a EU and UK citizen, you will receive a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival in South Africa
To ponder before travelling:
The so-called “peak season” in December / January is very popular indeed and requires booking of accommodation, safaris, activities and restaurants well in advance.