Why should you travel to South Africa with us?

Ever shared a private moment with an endangered black rhino?

In the wake of Apartheid (which ended only in 1994), South Africa has emerged as a bright, diverse and incredibly modern country – as well as one of the best safari destinations in the entire continent (whether that’s in Kruger or KwaZulu-Natal). Our trips to this spectacular country are designed to show off its often jaw-dropping diversity and to look after you and your needs at every turn, in true Black Tomato style. The bars and restaurants of vibrant Cape Town. Horse-riding through the forests and mountains of Mpumalanga. Embarking on a photo tour of the Blyde River Canyon, and whale-watching in the easygoing cliffside town of Hermanus. And we’ve not even mentioned a guided trek for black rhino in Thanda game reserve. We could go on (except for the word count).

Key facts

  • Population Population 50,709,528
  • Capital Capital Pretoria
  • Language Language Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English
  • Currency Currency South African Rand
  • Time Difference Time Difference GMT+2 | ET+7
  • Best time Best time Nov - May

Example Itineraries

These are simply suggestions for the kind of vacation you might have. Yours will be tailored, altered, and refined until it matches you completely.

Best of South Africa & Mozambique: The Big Five

When you hear ‘Big Five’ you probably think wildlife, but we’re giving it a whole new meaning on this ultimate five-stop trip. Spend 13 nights with Black Tomato and we’ll show you a few of our favourite spots in ...

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Kalahari

Kalahari, Cape Town & Grootbos: A Wildlife-Packed Family Adventure

Family adventure holidays in South Africa South Africa is full of endless possibilities and that’s especially the case when it comes to family holidays. The wildlife in South Africa is big, bold and undeniably unique ...

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South Africa

Cape Town, The Winelands & KwaZulu-Natal: Untamed South Africa

One of our favourite destinations, we thought it was about time we put together our very own highlights reel of South Africa; all with a signature Black Tomato twist. Naturally, you’ll begin your ultimate South African...

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South Africa Mountains

Mpumalanga, Sabi Sands & The Drakensberg: Take it to the Mountains in South Africa

Here’s a trip that will make you feel like you’re on top of the world, quite literally, as you leave the Cape behind and head into the Mountains of South Africa. Soak in almighty views of jaw-dropping scenery and exp...

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Paragliding in South Africa

Cape Town: Learn to Paraglide over Hermanus

Whether you're a first time visitor to Cape Town or it's a favourite you return to all the time, why not experience the city in a completely different way? Our experts have crafted a new tour for you thrill-seekers and a...

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The Eastern Cape: Trek South Africa’s Wild Coast

We all have those days when sedentary office life becomes a bit too much and we just want to get away to the peaceful serenity of nature. A week hiking in South Africa is the ideal antidote to cure any city-related stres...

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South Africa & Mozambique: A Luxury Honeymoon

Where to go on honeymoon. It's undoubtedly one of the hardest travel decisions you'll ever have to make. Luckily, Black Tomato is on hand to help. In an effortless combination of city-slicking, big-five spotting and beac...

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South Africa and the Seychelles: A Luxury Cape to Castaway Honeymoon

We have created a truly unique African adventure combining both city life and safari. And if that wasn’t enough we’ve topped it all off with an island escape to the majestic Seychelles to finish the trip in style. In...

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South Africa & Mozambique: Bush to Beach with all the Family

With such a variety of safari experiences on offer, it’s not always easy to know where to start - especially when you've got the kids in tow. The world-famous Kruger National Park, in South Africa, is renowned for opp...

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Okavango Delta: A Paddle-Boarding and Heli-Safari

Put simply, Botswana is home to some of the most thrilling safari experiences in the world. Home to the Okavango Delta, which overflows with masses of rainfall making it one of the best wildlife viewing spots in Africa. ...

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Cape Town

Cape Town, Franschhoek & Constantia: A Gourmet Escape to South Africa

Give your taste buds a whirr with mouth-watering cuisine and delectable wines on this eight-night trip to the Cape. When you’re done with city slicking in Cape Town, get back to nature in a traditional farmhouse in Fr...

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South Africa: City Streets to Bush Plains

Cape Town Revamp your engines after a long flight in total luxury. Simple yet stunning, Ellerman House is thriving with a highly cultured staff, eager to get you settled in vibrant Cape Town. Unwind in style and wake up...

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South African Adventure

Cape Town, Klein Karoo & the Eastern Cape: A South African Adventure

If you're looking for a trip that’s jam-packed with adventure and intrepid discovery, look no further than the beautiful and wild South Africa. On this daring eight-night trip, you'll experience the best that this fasc...

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Photography Safari

Sabi Sands: A Photography Safari Masterclass

It’s been known for some time that South Africa is a photographer’s paradise; it has the landscapes, the wildlife and diversity to make it hands down one of the most exciting destinations in the world. Helping you ma...

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South Africa

Samara Reserve & Plettenberg Bay: Our South African Family Safari

The bucket-list of family holidays, a safari is an unforgettable introduction to the wild for the whole family. But with so many options - and the fear of how to do it all with children - it’s often tricky to know wher...

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What to see & do in South Africa

If you can’t see it here then we can still plan it for you.

WHY SOUTH AFRICA STANDS OUT

Across its vast wilderness, cove-studded beaches, and subwaypolitan cities, South Africa embodies a little bit of everyt...

Across its vast wilderness, cove-studded beaches, and subwaypolitan cities, South Africa embodies a little bit of everything that you can experience on the wider African continent. It’s also a huge center for experiencing luxury vacations and unforgettable honeymoons, from whale watching to wine drinking, and everything in between. A luxury vacation in South Africa is always going to be an unforgettable one.

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UNKNOWN DURBAN

Whilst many honeymooners soak up the glamor of Cape Town and its miraculous beaches, head for eye-opening luxury safari ...

Whilst many honeymooners soak up the glamor of Cape Town and its miraculous beaches, head for eye-opening luxury safari tours, or enjoy the unparalleled views of South Africa’s natural parks. For something different, historical Durban wears its cultural influences on its sleeve – from Africa to India, offering giddy combinations of mouthwatering Zulu barbeque, one of the largest and most fascinating markets in Africa, and some of the swankiest cosmopolitan bars in this part of the world.

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SAMPLE THE SOUTH AFRICAN WINE SCENE

Even a passing familiarity with South Africa means you’ll know all about its fame as a destination for wine and the vi...

Even a passing familiarity with South Africa means you’ll know all about its fame as a destination for wine and the vineyards on which it depends. Luxury vacations in the country wouldn’t be complete without taking in the beautiful Chapman’s Peak Drive, which bends, yaws, and carves into the country’s cliffs before depositing visitors at the Delaire Graff Wine Estate – the perfect base from which to hit up pastoral, sun-soaked Franschhoek, where we can hook you up with private vineyard tours.

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MOVED BY THE METROPOLIS

South Africa’s cities offer unparalleled access to some of the freshest, most happening, and innovative restaurants, h...

South Africa’s cities offer unparalleled access to some of the freshest, most happening, and innovative restaurants, hotels, galleries, and venues the world over. From Thomas Heatherwick’s thudding, 100-gallery packed mega museum, the Zietz-Mocaa, to Cape Town’s bohemian Woodstock district (a magnet for trendy craft brew bars and pop-up restaurants), there is a true diversity of urban options for a luxury South African vacation, before heading out into the wild, or hitting the beach.

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SEEKING OUT SAFARI

The spear-tip shaped country’s wild coast is the ideal setting for adventure vacations in South Africa, offering unpar...

The spear-tip shaped country’s wild coast is the ideal setting for adventure vacations in South Africa, offering unparalleled opportunities for experiencing the great outdoors, especially if you’ve got your eye on an adventurous honeymoon in South Africa. The country offers unparalleled opportunities to experience luxury safari tours, heading by horseback rides and 4×4 drives. Many travelers head into the Hermanus area, which comes as close to paradise as we know – with the sandy shores of Walker Bay and the fairy-tale forests that surround it.

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Top Locations in South Africa

If we were asked to choose our top three places in South Africa, we’d go for these.
Penguin's at Boulder's Bay

Cape Town

No other city in the world has this much range.

Beneath the grey-blue flanks of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town – – remains a cool-as-ice city of culture, history and cuisine. The V&A Waterfront (crowned by the Zeitz MOCAA art gallery) is a headliner, as is the proximity of some truly incredible wildlife experiences (Kirstenbosch botanical garden, mountain hikes, and penguin-watching at nearby Boulder’s Bay). In a word: vibrant.

Franschhoek wineland landscape

The winelands of Franschhoek

It’s been 300 years since the Huguenots brought their grapes here.

As one of the world’s leading producers of wine, the region of Franschhoek – all pale blue hills and 18th-century Cape Dutch architecture – is South Africa’s beating heart. We’ll curate private cellar visits, sommelier-led tastings, and horse-back journeys through some of our favorite wineries, including Rickety Bridge and Mont Rochelle, where we’ve been sending travelers since 2005. In a word: charming.

Lion cubs at Sabi Sands

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

You can’t say “South African safari” without Sabi Sands.

For sightings of the Big 5+, including rare black rhino and leopards, Sabi Sands – bounded by the Sable River and Kruger National Park – remains a major bucket-list item amongst safari connoisseurs. Its privacy, and the astounding quality of the private lodges, offer a more intimate wildlife experience than in larger parks. In a word: rare.

Best Hotels in South Africa

Nothing but the best. Browse the hotels that can feature in your bespoke South African itinerary.
Ellerman House | Luxury Hotels in Cape Town, South Africa
Grootbos
Singita Lebombo
Babylonstoren | Luxury Hotels in South Africa
Luxury Hotels in South Africa
La Residence
Birkenhead House
Royal Malewane | Luxury Hotels & Safari Lodges in South Africa
Luxury Hotels in South Africa
Luxury Safari Camps in Kruger
dulini lodge
Leeu House
Luxury Hotels in Cape Town
Sweni
Chitwa Chitwa
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve | Luxury Hotels and Lodges in South Africa
The Marine, Hermanus | Luxury Hotels in South Africa
The Oyster Box, Durban | Luxury Hotels in South Africa
Bush Lodge Sabi Sabi
Samara Private Game Reserve
Thanda
Dwyka Tented Lodge, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
POD
Blue Train
Makanyane
Kensington
Tswalu

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Voted the world’s third best specialist tour operator in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2021

Voted as one of the top 10 best tour operators in the World’s Best Awards 2021

“The hottest company in luxury travel takes transformative trips to the next level”

“Black Tomato are one of the coolest things in the world. Don’t even try and live without them”

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“Black Tomato, the people who bring you the coolest vacations you’ve ever heard of”

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“Black Tomato is a super innovative company where the sky is the limit for their clients”

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“Black Tomato prides itself on meeting customers every minor need or desires”

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“Many companies brag about offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But with Black Tomato it’s not hyperbole”

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