Our People
  • Amy Waters snow biking Our Team

    Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.

  • William Dalrymple Our Tour Experts

    We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.

  • Liz Bonnin Heroes and Heroines

    The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.

Hout bay view from Chapmans Peak Drive,Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa

Reborn as the ‘Rainbow Nation’, this enthralling country offers culture, wildlife, landscapes and history – all as varied as the country itself.

Few places offer as much diversity as South Africa. Vibrant Cape Town and the magnificent Kruger attract the most attention, but South Africa is dotted with private reserves, boutique properties and activities for all ages. History and culture sit side-by-side with dramatic landscapes and prolific wildlife, making for a destination that requires more than one visit for many.

Male Lion, South Africa
South Africa
Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa

Some ideas for your South Africa holiday

  • Explore chic and cosmopolitan Cape Town, a buzzing city dominated by Table Mountain. Then set out on a self-drive trip through the Cape, staying at boutique properties
  • Take a horse riding holiday through the Waterberg, on well-schooled horses through diverse terrain. This dramatic landscape can easily be combined with the islands of Madagascar
  • Spend three days at Fugitives Drift and learn about the bloody battles at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Listen to gripping accounts of the battles, against the backdrop of the Drakensburg Mountains
  • Have an adventure with the whole family. Track cheetahs on foot in the semi-desert of the Great Karoo and meet the meerkats of the Kalahari
  • Experience some of the best whale watching in the world off the Hermanus coast. Spot whales from your room at Birkenhead House.
Chameleon, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa

Some ideas for a South Africa self-drive

  • Drive the picturesque Garden Route, along the ocean-dashed Cape
  • Combine vibrant Cape Town with the quiet vineyards of the Winelands
  • Revel in the springtime flowers of Namaqualand and the desert of the Karoo

Need Inspiration?
Browse our South Africa holiday ideas.

Our South Africa experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Where to Stay

Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.

More luxury accommodation

Experiences

Make the most of every moment in South Africa. Create an itinerary brimming with these truly unforgettable moments.

Namaqualand, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cycle Namaqualand

Cycle through colourful Namaqualand daisies, exploring the landscape of the Cederberg.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Junior rangers, Tswalu, South Africa

Junior Rangers

Join the Junior Rangers programme at Tswalu Kalahari, perfect for young children.

Suggested stay

Aardvark, South Africa

Aardvark Safari

Head out on an on-foot aardvark safari at Samara Game Reserve, searching for these fascinating and unusual creatures.

Suggested lodge

Hills and water, Marataba Game Lodge, The Waterberg

Malaria-Free Safari

Explore the dramatic landscapes of these northern reserves, which are considered to be free from malaria.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Young girl horse riding at Ant's Nest, South Africa

Horse Riding

Take advantage of some of the best horse riding in South Africa, in The Waterberg.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Game drives, Makanyane Safari Lodge, Madikwe & The Waterberg, South Africa

Madikwe Safari

Once barren farming land, this area now teems with species. Set out on game drives, in search of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes and more.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Baby elephant, Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Kids’ Activities

Take advantage of the countless kids’ activities on offer at Madikwe’s lodges. These include treasure hunts, t-shirt painting, clay building, survival skills and bush memory games.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Women and babies, uThando, Cape Town, South Africa

Uthando Community Projects

Visit one of Uthando’s many community projects and meet local South African children, supported by a donation included in every booking.

Suggested read: blog

Woman hiking on the table mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town Adventures

Explore the city and its surrounds, with options to hike, paddle board, kayak, cycle and more.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Freediving beneath seals, Hanli Prinsloo, Cape Town

Snorkels with Seals

Snorkel with playful seals off the waters of the Cape, in Hout Bay.

Suggested read: blog

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Illona Cross

Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management.

Talk with our experts
  • 1 800 571 2985

Chris Johnston

25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming.

Talk with our experts
  • 1 800 571 2985

Explore South Africa

  • Cape Town
  • Kruger National Park
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Cape Winelands
  • Madikwe & The Waterberg
  • Eastern Cape Game Reserves
  • West & Northern Cape
Uthando south africa
South Africa

Uthando

We support projects right across the planet. In South Africa, a contribution from Steppes Travel was used to champion the Masizakhe Youth Art Project (MYAP) in the township of Gugulethu in Cape Town by providing educational support and youth development through dance, drama, poetry and singing. Masizakhe is run on a daily basis by a group of six facilitators to more than 30 children.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?


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