Even on a continent known as the home of thousands of distinct cultures, ecosystems and species, South Africa stands apart for the sheer diversity within its own borders. Spanning hundreds of thousands of square miles including everything from snow-capped mountains to savannas, deserts, beaches and home to all of the Big Five of African safaris (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalo.), South Africa is sure to offer something for everyone to enjoy.
As a AAA member, you can find some of the top African vacation packages within this one country. Take a look at a few of the most exciting options in the article below, along with what you can expect when you book your next trip to South Africa through AAA.
Top South African Vacations with AAA
Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana
• Price: Starting from $4,671
• Operator: AAA Member Choice Vacations
• Length: 14 nights accommodation
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous and eager to see as much of southern Africa as you can, go for AAA Member Choice Vacations’ tour Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana. Kicking off with one night in Johannesburg, travelers will then set out for Pilanesberg National Park, where the hilly Lowveld meets the fringe of the mighty Kalahari Desert.
Spend four days seeking out elephants, zebra, lions, cheetahs, white and black rhinoceroses, springboks, crocodiles and other animals before heading to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe by plane. Following that incredible experience, you will then go on an excursion to Botswana’s Chobe National Park to spot the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and African buffalo). Other highlights include wine tastings in several of South Africa’s best vineyards, a trip to the peak of Table Mountain and chances to view some of South Africa’s rich and varied cultural and architectural heritage.
Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water
• Price: Starting from $5,398
• Operator: AAA Member Choice Vacations
• Length: 14 nights accommodation
See South Africa from another angle when you explore the web of rivers, lakes and falls that connect the region to neighboring countries and beyond. AAA Member Choice Vacations’ tour Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water takes intrepid vacationers through some of southern Africa’s most visually stunning and storied settings, including the Chobe River, Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba.
The package starts with a brief stay in Johannesburg before moving on to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for riverine exploration and spotting some of the region’s most sought-after wildlife. Visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and cruise Lake Kariba, the world’s largest reservoir, to spot countless land and aquatic species before exploring the resort towns like Binga along the lake’s shores. Stops along the way include visits to local markets, eateries, an elephant sanctuary and much more.
Incomparable Cape Town and Safari
• Price: Starting from $9,199
• Operator: African Travel
• Length: 10 nights accommodation
No trip to South Africa would be complete without a journey to Kruger National Park, Cape Town or Victoria Falls, so why not book a trip which gives you plenty of time to explore all three? African Travel’s Incomparable Cape Town And Safari package starts with a stay in one of the most comfortable hotels, Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, in Cape Town, the oldest and largest city in the country. After over three days of exploration in town, including delicious meals, breathtaking views and visits to some of the region’s most engaging museums and cultural destinations, take off for Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves on the continent.
Covering over 7,500 square miles along the border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Kruger National Park offers sizable populations of the Big Five as well as giraffes, hippopotamuses, zebras and unique animals like the African wild dogs. Another highlight, the Sabie River, is one of Africa’s most diverse waterways, home to crocodiles, storks, leopards and flamingos. Travelers can then visit Johannesburg for one night, followed by a flight to Victoria Falls and a cruise along the Zambezi River. Journeys onward from the end of the tour at Victoria Falls Airport must be booked privately.
Southern African Highlights
• Price: Starting from $6,899
• Operator: African Travel
• Length: 10 nights accommodation
Those new to South Africa can book African Travel’s Southern African Highlights vacation package to acquaint themselves with the best the country has to offer. Taking place over 11 exciting days, this locally-hosted tour ranges from South Africa’s busiest cities to vibrant, thriving wildlife and natural scenery.
After four nights in Cape Town, including a guided tour of stunning seascapes, views of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and a cable car ride to the peak of Table Mountain, take off for Kapama Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s top privately-owned parks. Spend several days on safari looking for the Big Five as well as populations of giraffe, impala, blue wildebeest, and kudu with accommodations provided at Kapama Southern Camp. Then, head back south to Johannesburg before flying to Zimbabwe to catch breathtaking views of Victoria Falls.
Spectacular South Africa Culture & Nature in Harmony
• Price: Starting from $2,999
• Operator: AAA Member Choice Vacations
• Length: 13 nights accommodation
If you’re as interested in regional culture and history as wildlife and nature, book the Spectacular South Africa Culture & Nature in Harmony with AAA Member Choice Vacations. This 14-day guided tour begins in Sandton, once a busy mining hub and now a cosmopolitan destination on the northern edge of Johannesburg. Destinations in the area include Liliesleaf Farm, once a safe house used by Nelson Mandela and others involved in the struggle to end apartheid, as well as the historic suburb of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. You can then seek out the Big Five in Kruger National Park on two open-air safaris.
The trip continues with a journey to the picturesque coastal town of Knysna, including a lagoon cruise and a visit to the local jungle. From there, the tour continues to Stellenbosch, renowned as a center of learning and wine production, before ending in Cape Town for several days of soaking up the culture in the Mother City.
No matter what your vacation goals are, you’ll find plenty of excitement and memorable experiences when you book a top African vacation package with AAA Vacations®. Offering trips to destinations including Africa’s most fascinating cities and stunning landmarks and wildlife, AAA members receive a wide range of discounts, benefits and add-ons when they book their vacations through affiliated travel agents. Get in touch with a AAA Travel Agent today to learn more about your next destination.