Enquire about a trip
Our travellers
Destinations
Travel inspiration
About us
Your Impact
Inquire about a trip!
DMC Contact Dutch English
Enquire about a trip

South Africa

Our routes in South Africa are for the active adventurers: rugged coastlines, hidden trails, and wildlife spotting without other jeeps around. Escape the crowds and discover our favourite, the Eastern Loop.

Schedule a free consultation

1. Africa is our home

We know it from the farthest corners, and that results in amazing trips. We put them together by venturing out there ourselves. Believe us, you won't find these experiences anywhere else!

2. Local experiences

That means you'll visit local people in their villages and communities. Hike with the Maasai, cook with your host family in a homestay, and cast a line with traditional fishermen.

3. You decide

So, what are you in the mood for? We'll custom-tailor the entire trip to your wishes. And you can count on us along the way, even at night.

4. Travel responsibly

While you enjoy your dream trip, you'll be contributing to the development of local communities, economies, and the environment. That feels good!

Breathtaking combinations of nature and culture

South Africa is full of unique experiences that bring you close to the rich culture and stunning nature of this diverse country. We’ve uncovered many hidden gems here, far from the usual tourist spots. And because we live here and are on the ground, we have the best insights into what this country truly has to offer!

Explore the vibrant cities of Cape Town or Johannesburg, then head out to our favorite region: the heart of the Eastern Loop. This route invites you on epic outdoor adventures. Discover the raw beauty of nature, visit remote villages in Lesotho, eSwatini, and KwaZulu-Natal, and immerse yourself in local life. Whether you're horseback riding or hiking through majestic mountain landscapes, or exploring South Africa’s hidden gems by kayak, mountain bike, or bakkie (local 4x4), this region offers something special for every kind of traveler.

Whether you're drawn to ancient traditions or eager to lose yourself in the wild, South Africa has it all — promising a journey full of adventure and discovery!

South Africa

Unique experiences

Think South Africa’s all about wine farms and safaris? Think again. How about:

This is nature, culture and adventure – the Charlie’s way.

Safaris without the crowds

Skip the traffic jams in Kruger. South Africa has plenty of wildlife-rich reserves that stay off the radar:

  • Greater Kruger: same Big Five, fewer jeeps
  • Tembe Elephant Park: quiet, raw, full of giants
  • Manyoni: a quiet, conservation-focused reserve
  • Bayala: intimate, personal safaris
  • Hluhluwe-iMfolozi: lush landscapes, rhino heaven

Perfect for travellers who want wildlife, not chaos.

Who it's for

South Africa fits all kinds of travellers:

  • Wildlife photographers chasing rare sightings
  • Families keen to discover new things together
  • Friends up for an epic road trip
  • Couples craving something real and memorable

Culture, nature, adrenaline — South Africa brings it all together.

Best time to travel

South Africa is a year-round destination, but here’s the breakdown:

  • May to September (dry season): perfect for safaris – animals are easier to spot
  • November to March (summer): great for beach time and lush scenery
Explore our routes

Curious what that looks like? Check out our favourite regions:

  • Eastern Loop – for wild landscapes, remote safaris, and cultural gems
  • West Coast – wild beaches, desert vibes, and way fewer tourists

Unique experiences in South Africa

More unique experiences
Birder's paradise

Kosi Bay

This reserve with lush nature and six lakes offers one of the best-preserved estuaries along the Indian coast. It is a beautiful area with lush nature full of animals and birds.

Discover this experience
Cooking class

The impressive
Zulu culture

The Zulu’s have a very rich history. It is one of the biggest ethnical groups in South Africa. They are known for their unique traditions, strong feeling of community and their deep connections with their ancestors. 

Discover this experience
Discover mountains

Horseback riding in Lesotho

With vast landscapes and a unique culture, Lesotho is the perfect destination for travellers who love nature, tranquillity, and a touch of adventure.

Discover this experience
Safari

Greater Kruger

In Greater Kruger, you’ll be completely spoiled and head off on an adventure with a ranger into the dense bush. No paved roads, no self-drives. 

Discover this experience

Perfect to combine with the following highlights

Highlight

Drakensbergen

The mystical Drakensberg Mountains offers imposing peaks, green valleys and bizarre rock formations.

Discover this experience
Highlight

Panorama route

The spectacular views, gorges and waterfalls make it worth the hype.

Discover this experience
Highlight

Hluhluwe-imfolozi

Expect the unexpected amidst breathtaking nature.

Discover this experience

Make an inquiry!

Enter your travel requirements here and we will contact you within 1 working day.

4.8 on Google reviews

More than 400 travellers are fan of our personal approach, authentic destinations and flexibility.

100% financial protection

Your money is safely held by the Stichting Veilig Verzekerd Op Reis foundation until right before departure.

5.000+
travellers

We've been creating trips for all types of travelers for 10 years - from families to friend groups to couples.

1. Africa is our home

We know it from the farthest corners, and that results in amazing trips. We put them together by venturing out there ourselves. Believe us, you won't find these experiences anywhere else!

2. Local experiences

That means you'll visit local people in their villages and communities. Hike with the Maasai, cook with your host family in a homestay, and cast a line with traditional fishermen.

3. You decide

So, what are you in the mood for? We'll custom-tailor the entire trip to your wishes. And you can count on us along the way, even at night.

4. Travel responsibly

While you enjoy your dream trip, you'll be contributing to the development of local communities, economies, and the environment. That feels good!

Discover our example trips

What such a trip to South Africa might look like? Well, like this! All of these experiences have been curated by our South Africa experts. What’s your dream journey?

South Africa's Eastern Loop – mountains, bush, and sea!

South Africa's Eastern Loop – mountains, bush, and sea!

10 Locations
South Africa
From 2.500,-
View trip
South Africa the Eastern loop - mountains, bush, sea! And Cape Town!

South Africa the Eastern loop - mountains, bush, sea! And Cape Town!

11 Locations
South Africa
From 3.500,-
View trip
More example trips

Taste the adventures of other travellers

Previous
Next

What a fantastic honeymoon we had with Charlie’s Travels! In just 19 days, we visited three countries: South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique. We spent a few nights sleeping under the stars in our personal camper and a few nights in luxury accommodations. Everything was wonderfully organized!

Martin
Lovebirds
South Africa

We definitely recommend Charlie’s Travels! They organised a great self-drive for us through South Africa, Mozambique and Eswatini. Communication before, during and after the trip was smooth: everything was very clear and they responded very quickly. We had a fantastic trip!

Coco
Travel with friends
South Africa

Together with Charlie’s Travels and my fellow board members, I discovered South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique in 2.5 weeks. Sleeping in tents on the beach or in the wilderness, hiking through Swaziland, Ocean Safari, Game drives, this trip had it all. I recommend everyone to let Charlie’s Travels help you find the perfect trip! 

Lieke
Travel with friends
South Africa

Travelling around South Africa with a group of girls has never been easier. Thanks to Charlie’s Travels, our trip consisted of the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure and good food to suit our needs and, also important for students, our budget.

Emma
Travel with friends
South Africa

Charlie’s Travels is an excellent tour operator for a trip to South Africa. What also appealed to us was their policy of mostly doing business with local entrepreneurs. We highly recommend Charlie’s Travels to anyone looking for a unique travel experience.

Danny
Travel with friends
South Africa

For our honeymoon, we wanted something special. We came across Charlie’s Travels’ website, and were immediately sold. The promises were great, and during our trip, expectations were exceeded. We can highly recommend Charlie’s to anyone wanting a spectacular, amazing experience!!!

Jannelize
Lovebirds
South Africa

We went with the family to South Africa and that was fantastic! With our input and wishes. Anna only needs half a word and knows the regions and accommodations well. We would arrange our next trip to Africa with Charlie’s again!

Leonie
Family Travel
South Africa

Endless travel inspiration

Read all stories
Blog This is how you travel responsibly through Africa: will you join in?
This is how you travel responsibly through Africa: will you join in?
Travelling through Africa is a wonderful adventure, and we want to keep it that way! So, help us preserve this beautiful continent, its people, and its animals. To assist you, we’ve put together some important tips!
Blog Africa’s top 10 favourite mountains
Africa’s top 10 favourite mountains
Blog Why choose Charlie’s Travels?
Why choose Charlie’s Travels?
Blog This is how we develop our own trips
This is how we develop our own trips
Blog Nature lovers: nature in South Africa
Nature lovers: nature in South Africa
Previous
Next

Our travellers

Destinations

Information

Want to receive our newsletter?

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow us

Facebook Instagram Linkedin Youtube

Collaborating with

amref
just-digit

Copyright © Charlies Travels 2024