Our Team
Our Tour Experts
Heroes and Heroines
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.
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![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.
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![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.
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![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.
Garden Route
Spanning from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, the Garden Route is an incredibly scenic part of South Africa, so-called because of its abundant vegetation.
Pretty seaside towns, beautiful beaches, the semi-desert Karoo and lush Tsisitakama Forest all form an area which boasts a dizzying array of things to do and see.
The Whale Route runs from Cape Town to Hermanus, a small fishing town which boasts some of the best land-based whale watching in the world from July to November. Further north you will find the coastal towns of Knysna, on the shores of a peaceful estuary, and Plettenberg Bay, a vibrant holiday town with great restaurants and fabulous sandy beaches.
Why visit the Garden Route
- Self-drive along the scenic coastline with its breathtaking scenery
- Experience some of the best land-based whale watching in the world in Hermanus
- Visit bird, monkey and elephant sanctuaries
- Sail through the Knysna heads on a Featherbed cruise
- Go hiking in the Tsitsikamma National Park with its excellent forest trails
- Take a detour and head through the mountainous Outeniqua range via Prince Albert’s Pass with views into the Langkloof Valley some 1000km below
- Explore the holiday town of Plettenberg Bay with its beautiful beaches
Experiences
What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.
Idea
South Africa
Cape Town, Whales and Winelands Self Drive
Explore the sights and restaurants of vibrant Cape Town, before driving to the whale-watching mecca of Hermanus. Finish by escaping inland to the Cape Dutch architecture and quiet vineyards of Franschhoek, where you have the chance to sample some of South Africa‘s…
Idea
South Africa
The Atlantic Coast, Cederberg and Winelands
Experience the diversity of South Africa’s Western Cape. Begin with the bustle and history of Cape Town, before continuing to the endless beaches of the windswept Atlantic seaboard and majestic beauty of the Cederberg Mountains. Finish amidst the vineyards of the winelands.
Idea
South Africa
Cape Town, Whales and Winelands Self Drive
Explore the sights and restaurants of vibrant Cape Town, before driving to the whale-watching mecca of Hermanus. Finish by escaping inland to the Cape Dutch architecture and quiet vineyards of Franschhoek, where you have the chance to sample some of…
Idea
South Africa
The Atlantic Coast, Cederberg and Winelands
Experience the diversity of South Africa’s Western Cape. Begin with the bustle and history of Cape Town, before continuing to the endless beaches of the windswept Atlantic seaboard and majestic beauty of the Cederberg Mountains. Finish amidst the vineyards of…
South Africa
Grootbos
Set in the picturesque mountain and sea landscape of the Hermanus area along the Cape South Coast, Grootbos is a beacon of style and sustainability. The extravagant and luxurious Forest Lodge has 16 freestanding suites sprouting…
South Africa
Birkenhead House
A privately owned, world-class luxurious boutique hotel, Birkenhead House has an exhilarating cliff-top position overlooking the rugged and scenic Walker Bay in Hermanus. This small hotel exudes opulence, personalized service and exceptional hospitality. Accommodating 22 guests…
South Africa
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Kwandwe is a 1,600-hectare private game reserve immensely rich in history and natural beauty. The area has undergone an intensive restocking and restoration programme, during which over 7000 head of game have been successfully reintroduced. This…
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
Highlights of South Africa
Cape Town
Lying immediately beneath Table Mountain, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a true melting pot of…
Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands
The Mpumalanga province is dominated by the Kruger National Park and the adjacent private game reserves of Sabi Sands, Timbavati and Manyeleti…
Madikwe and The Waterberg
One of South Africa's largest game reserves, Madikwe Game Reserve is home to the Big Five and has a healthy African wild…
Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands is the largest wine-producing region in South Africa and is divided into six main wine regions, each offering their…
Eastern Cape Game Reserves
The game reserves of the Eastern Cape are a great choice for a family safari or the perfect end to a holiday…
West and Northern Cape
Defined by majestic mountains, long stretches of beach, farmland valleys and further inland, the semi-desert Karoo, this area is certainly varied in…
KwaZulu-Natal
From its subtropical palm-fringed shores, lapped by the Indian Ocean to the mountainous Drakensberg range, KwaZulu-Natal offers a wealth of scenic splendour.
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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