South Africa · 1-DAY TOURS

1-Day Tours in South Africa: 15 Ranked for a Real Itinerary

25 tours  ·  from $38

Distances here are long and a wasted day is expensive. These 15 1-day tours are priced and timed so the choice takes a few minutes rather than an evening.

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip - Wine, coffee, and a 40-minute stop at Du Toitskloof Wines
1-Day Tours, Big 5 Safaris, Big 5 Safaris in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Guided, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews

Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

1.Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 526 reviews · from $155Our pick

Travel from Cape Town through Du Toitskloof Pass, the Breede River Valley, and Hex River Valley to Aquila Private Game Reserve. You’ll join a 2 to 3-hour safari drive, enjoy a buffet lunch with champagne, and return with hotel drop-off. Guides such as Mike, Werner, and Jamie are known for strong local commentary.

“Wow! What an amazing experience! Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend highly! If you’re in Cape Town put this experience at the top of your list!”

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Jo'berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour - Entering Soweto through Diepkloof and Orlando West
1-Day Tours, Apartheid History Tours, Apartheid History Tours in Soweto, City Tours, Museums, Museums in Soweto, Soweto Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Jo’berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

2.Jo’berg in 1 Day: Soweto, Apartheid Museum & City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 524 reviews · 8 hours · from $142

Spend eight hours seeing Johannesburg through Soweto’s streets, Vilakazi Street, the Hector Pieterson Museum, the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, and central city sights. Guides such as Khutso, Thapelo, Tinyiko, and Sello bring history and local context to the drive. Transport, hotel pickup, entry fees, and onboard WiFi are included. Lunch is extra.

“The guide has been very informed and polite, the tour gave us an idea of which is the life in Johannesburg. Everything was very interestring in particular visiting Soweto.”

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Cape Town: Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Private Day Trip - Bo-Kaap gives you a quick start in Cape Town
1-Day Tours, Cape Peninsula Tours, Private, Table Mountain Tours, Table Mountain Tours in Cape Peninsula, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Private Day Trip

3.Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 206 reviews · 10 hours · from $210

Spend 10 hours with a private English- or French-speaking guide visiting Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, and Simon’s Town. Guides such as Israel, Coco, Jean-Luc, and Chris are praised for local insight and flexible timing. Tickets, transport, bottled water, and pickup are included, but lunch is not.

“We had a great day with CoCo. Due to the inclement weather she juggled things around for us. Coco was very informative. I am not sure if it was luck or her experience but wherever we had a stop we always seemed to be ahead of the coach loads of people. Thank you for being our guide on our first trip to South Africa it was a pleasure to meet you.”

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Table Mountain and Cape Town City Half-Day Trip - The Diamond Works is interesting, but not for everyone
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Cape Town, Half-Day, Table Mountain Tours, Table Mountain Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews

Table Mountain and Cape Town City Half-Day Trip

4.Table Mountain and Cape Town City Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 191 reviews · from $46

Start with hotel pickup, ride the Table Mountain cableway at your own cost, then tour Cape Town by air-conditioned minibus. You’ll see Bo-Kaap, the Castle of Good Hope, Parliament, Company’s Garden, and the Diamond Works. Guides such as Hamilton, Glen, Bayathe, and Super have been praised for making the history come alive.

“Unable to visit table mountain due to weather conditions. This company have denied paying me a refund as they stated I could have used the ticket within 7 days . Well we live in London so didn’t have 7 days at our disposal. Plus table mountain was closed on the other occasion we tried to visit the very next day”

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Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Winelands Full Day Trip from Cape Town - Paarl brings the first serious tasting
1-Day Tours, Cape Winelands Tours, Full-Day, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Winelands Full Day Trip from Cape Town

5.Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Winelands Full Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $101

Spend about eight hours touring South Africa’s Winelands from central Cape Town. Visit three wine areas, enjoy three tastings, explore Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and tour a Paarl cellar. Guides such as Carola, Ivan, Eddie, and Basil have been praised for clear local history and friendly service. Lunch is not included.

“What a great way to explore the areas outside of Capetown. I highly recommend this tour. The countryside is beautiful and the wineries were really good. Nice day!”

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Sani Pass day trip - Starting at 9:00 am in Underberg
1-Day Tours, Drakensberg Tours, Tour Reviews

Sani Pass day trip

6.Sani Pass day trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 63 reviews · from $127

Ride a fully compliant 4x4 up Sani Pass from Underberg with a trained guide such as Elias, Alan, or Patrick Jolly. Hear stories of the pass, cross into Lesotho, visit a Basotho village, taste fresh local bread, and stop at Africa’s highest pub. Border charges and Lesotho insurance are included, but lunch, drinks, and visa costs are not.

“At the outset I’d like to commend Yolande for ensuring our late booking went well.”

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From Durban: Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip - The climb from Himeville to the border
1-Day Tours, Cultural Village Tours, Drakensberg Tours, Tour Reviews

From Durban: Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip

7.Sani Pass, Lesotho and Basotho Village Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 43 reviews · 13 hours · from $191

Set out early from Durban with an English-speaking guide and a group of no more than eight. Ride a purpose-built 4x4 up Sani Pass, cross into Lesotho at over 2,800 metres, visit a Basotho home, taste fresh bread, and stop at Africa’s Highest Pub. Guides such as Siya and Pat add local insight to this long but memorable day.

“Everything was extremely nice, the guide is an awesome guy and knows a lot about the area and the costumes. I surely recommend this tour as an option to get to know better Lesotho and the Sani Pass”

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Big 5 Safari One Day Tour - Food, comfort, and what is included
1-Day Tours, Big 5 Safaris, Big 5 Safaris in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours

Big 5 Safari One Day Tour

8.Big 5 Safari One Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $227

Leave Cape Town early with a driver such as Martin or Emma, cross the Du Toitskloof Tunnel, and travel through the Breede Valley to Aquila Private Game Reserve. Your package includes hotel pickup, private transport, bottled water, and a buffet lunch, followed by a four-hour game drive in search of lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo.

“Our safari trip was spoiled by another guide translating German to guests every time the safari guide spoke it was very off putting we did see all the big five and the food provided was ok”

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From Richards Bay: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip - The northern Hluhluwe section
1-Day Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Zululand, Tour Reviews, Zululand Tours

From Richards Bay: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

9.From Richards Bay: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 15 reviews · 6 hours · from $242

Travel from Richards Bay Harbor to Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Reserve for a six-hour, closed-vehicle game drive. An English, French, Greek, or Portuguese-speaking guide leads you through South Africa’s oldest reserve, where lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino roam. Pickup is included within 5 km of the harbor, but food and drinks are not.

“Ne pas admettre des clients de différentes langues ensemble.”

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1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein - Meganova: a fast RIB with a small passenger load
1-Day Tours, Cape Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

10.1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $331

Meet the Whale Expedition SA crew at Yzerfontein Harbour at 6:30 am for a small-group trip aboard Meganova, a fast, comfortable RIB. Search for humpback supergroups, dolphins, seals, seabirds, and other ocean life with guides such as Ash and Jacques, then return for a picnic lunch and briefing.

“Thanks Jan for introducing and immersing into wild ocean life especially whales!”

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From Durban: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip - Why the guide can make or break the safari
1-Day Tours, Safari Tours, Safari Tours in Zululand, Tour Reviews, Zululand Tours

From Durban: Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

11.Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 12 hours · from $242

You’ll leave Durban early for a private, guide-led drive to Hluhluwe Imfolozi, South Africa’s oldest game park. Guides such as Freddy, Aaron, and Nene have been praised for spotting animals and explaining what you see. A closed vehicle and entry fees are included, while lunch and optional extras cost more.

“il faudrait préciser le programme. Le guide est venu nous chercher comme prévu à 6h00 puis premier arrêt toilette café à peine une demi heure plus tard!puis 2ème arrêt toilette café carburant vers 7h30 puis arrivée au parc vers 9h00.Puis arrêt café toilette à 11h00 puis reprise SAFARI jusqu'à 13h30 où on fait nouvel arrêt toilette mais rien pour manger. On savait que le lunch n'était pas inclus mais on pensait pouvoir acheter quelque chose dur place.Le guide à alors dit qu'il n'y avait pas de problème qu'on allait dans une station sans nous dire que c'était à une heure de route sur le trajet de retour. En résumé départ…”

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From Durban: Isandlwana Rorkes Drift Battlefields Day Trip - Leaving Durban for northern KwaZulu-Natal
1-Day Tours, Durban Tours, Tour Reviews

From Durban: Isandlwana Rorkes Drift Battlefields Day Trip

12.Isandlwana Rorkes Drift Battlefields Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · 14 hours · from $198

Travel from Durban into northern KwaZulu-Natal with an English, Greek, Portuguese, or French-speaking guide. Visit Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Fugitives Drift, memorials, and museums while learning how the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War unfolded. Guides such as Thani, Bafana, and Aaron have led highly praised departures.

“Fantastic day visiting the battlefields I have read about over the years made all the better with the knowledge of Thami who proved to be a great guide and host. Highly recommended.”

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Cape Town: Tour Cape Point & Boulders Beach Penguin Day Trip - Bo-Kaap starts the day with color and context
1-Day Tours, Cape Peninsula Tours, Penguin Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cape Town: Tour Cape Point & Boulders Beach Penguin Day Trip

13.Tour Cape Point & Boulders Beach Penguin Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10 reviews · 9 hours · from $38Best value

Spend nine hours touring Cape Peninsula highlights by air-conditioned minivan, with hotel pickup, water, an English-speaking guide, and photo stops from Bo-Kaap to Muizenberg. You’ll see Cape Point, Boulders Beach penguins, Chapman’s Peak, and Simon’s Town. Park fees, lunch, and the optional Hout Bay seal cruise cost extra.

“liked the penguins & Bo kaap. disliked length of stops & lunch at 15.30 with only one choice of restaurant”

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Sani Pass & Lesotho Tour from Durban 1 Day - Underberg, the gateway to the pass
1-Day Tours, Drakensberg Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sani Pass & Lesotho Tour from Durban 1 Day

14.Sani Pass & Lesotho Tour from Durban 1 Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · 10 hours · from $236

Travel from Durban through KwaZulu-Natal to Underberg, then switch to a 4x4 for the steep, winding Sani Pass. You’ll cross into Lesotho, visit a Basotho village, and stop at the highest pub in Africa. Guides including Roger, Joseph, and Elias have led memorable departures, though the pass section may be shared.

“Everything was perfect ! The driver to Underberg was amazing! He picked me up at the Hotel, very punctual, friendly and he knew the Region quite well, had a very chilled travel to Underberg. After changing the car to a 4x4, couldn’t wish for a better driver, he knew every plant, flower, every bird and every spot for the best Pictures. He wasn’t only a driver he was the best Tourguide I ve ever met!”

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Cape Town: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Wine Day Trip - Paarl starts with cheese and a cellar visit
1-Day Tours, Cape Winelands Tours, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Cape Town: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Wine Day Trip

15.Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Wine Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8 reviews · from $96

Travel from Cape Town by air-conditioned minivan for five vineyard visits, wine and cheese, biltong, and MCC pairings, a cellar tour, lunch, and time in Stellenbosch. English-speaking guides lead this social group outing, with kids and vegan tasting options available.

“absolutely brilliant from beginning to end - highly recommended!”

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New in 1-Day Tours

★ 5.0Cape Peninsula & Boulders Beach Day Trip from Cape TownFrom $424 reviews
★ 5.0Lesotho: Sani Pass Scenic Day Trip w/ Village Visit & LunchFrom $923 reviews
★ 3.4From Richards Bay: DumaZulu Cultural Village Day TripFrom $2424 reviews
★ 3.3The Best Private Cape Town Safari Day Trip – Aquila Big 5From $3743 reviews

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Safari Tours290Table Mountain Tours115Penguin Tours150Wine Tours163Cruises & Boat Tours109Cape Town Tours436
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Where the tours are

Pick a mountain, a reserve or a vineyard.

In the bush

Safari ToursBig Five SafarisElephantsLion & Rhino ParksNational Parks

On the water

Boat TripsPenguinsWhale WatchingShark CagesSeal Swims

Food and wine

Wine TastingsFood ToursLong LunchesCooking ClassesBars & Breweries

History and city

Robben IslandApartheid HistoryTownship ToursThe Bo-KaapMuseums