The Prices of Budget Tours to South Africa
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Curious about the cost and variety of budget tours in South Africa? Look no further. Backed by our in-depth travel expertise and industry research, we've independently evaluated all the tour options, explored numerous South Africa destinations, and assessed the best tour operators. Below, you'll discover the typical costs and top tours, helping you pick the perfect guided tour for your trip.
From budget-friendly group tours to exclusive all-inclusive experiences, South Africa has budget tours for every type of traveler. Prices vary depending on trip duration, activities included, and accommodation quality.
Why does South Africa appeal to budget travelers?
South Africa's affordability and range of options make it ideal for budget travelers. The region's natural and cultural beauty, along with its wallet-friendly options provide exceptional value for budget-conscious adventurers. The affordable tour options here allow easy and affordable access to amazing experiences without breaking the bank.
How much do budget tours cost in South Africa?
The average price per day for budget tours in South Africa is $134, based on our analysis of 40 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $105 to $150 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $121 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $146 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in South Africa
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable budget tours in South Africa average $121 per day, with daily prices from $105 to $130. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out The Garden Route 10 Days here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical budget tours in South Africa that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $134 per day. Daily prices range from $131 to $140. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is 9 Days Cape Town, Garden Route & Addo Package.
Luxury Tours
Luxury budget tours in South Africa average around $134 per day, with daily costs ranging from $141 to $150. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Best of Namibia (South) 2026 - Explorer & Classic Tours.
Which tour companies offer budget tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer budget tours in South Africa. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Cape Xtreme
Cape Xtreme is a smaller tour company that focuses on South Africa. The small group sizes, often less than 12, make for a very personal experience. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.
See All Tours from Cape Xtreme
Encounters Travel
Encounters Travel is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Many of their tours visit Africa and Asia. Some of their most popular destinations include Turkey, Egypt, India, and Jordan. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, water sports, camel riding, and snorkelling.
See All Tours from Encounters Travel
Amatungulu Tour
Amatungulu Tour is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 4 countries, including South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. There are opportunities to customize some tours to specifically meet your needs. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience.
See All Tours from Amatungulu Tour
Budget Destinations in South Africa
Wondering where budget tours visit in South Africa? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
A few of the most popular places visited by tours in South Africa include Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, and Addo Elephant National Park.
Budget Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're unsure whether to go with an organized tour or plan everything independently, think about the factors that set each experience apart.
Organized Tours
Pros- Pre-planned itineraries reduce stress.
- Group discounts keep costs low.
- Affordable accommodations and meals included.
- Transportation is handled, saving time and money.
- Access to experienced guides for insights and tips.
- Opportunity to meet like-minded travelers.
- No need to research every expense in advance.
- Often covers popular destinations efficiently.
- Limited flexibility in itinerary or activities.
- Groups can be large, affecting experience quality.
- Less focus on unique or personalized interests.
- Unexpected extra charges for optional activities.
Independent Travel
Pros- Total control over your itinerary and expenses.
- Choice of accommodations that match your preferences.
- Flexibility to travel slower.
- Personalize transportation options to suit your needs.
- Explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Time-consuming to find and compare low-cost options.
- Risk of overspending without careful budgeting.
- May miss out on group discounts for activities.
- Requires managing all transportation and logistics.
- Limited access to insider tips or local guides.
- Uncertainty about hidden costs or scams.
- Harder to predict overall trip expenses.
- Requires extra effort to ensure safety on a budget.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel less expensive than booking guided budget tours? The answer varies. Organized tours package essential services like accommodations, transport, meals, entrance fees, and activities into a single price, while independent travel involves booking each aspect separately. To assess which is more economical, compare the tour price with what you'd spend arranging everything yourself. If you prioritize budget options or premium experiences, the cost comparison could swing either way. Always review the details of what's included in the tour package to decide.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Africa, The Best Wildlife Tours to South Africa, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in South Africa, The Best Historical Tours in South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in South Africa, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in South Africa, The Best 3-Day Tours in South Africa, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, The Best 3-Week Tours in South Africa, The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in South Africa, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in South Africa, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Coach Bus Tours in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in South Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, The Best Cultural Tours in South Africa, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in South Africa, The Tours for Animal Lovers in South Africa, The Best Photography Tours in South Africa, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa, The Best Self Drive Tours in South Africa, The Best Safaris in South Africa, The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, The Best Tours Under $1000 in South Africa, The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Africa, The Best Contiki Tours to South Africa, or The Best G Adventures Tours to South Africa for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Johannesburg, The Best 3-Day Tours from Cape Town, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Johannesburg, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Pretoria, The Best 10-Day Tours from Cape Town, The Best 10-Day Tours from Johannesburg, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town, The Best 2-Week Tours from Johannesburg, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Pretoria for more package tour options.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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