The Prices of Eco Tours to South Africa
Jump to: Best Tours | Tour Prices
Eco-environmental tours to South Africa are the perfect choice for travelers who want to explore the region while making a positive impact on the planet. These tours focus on sustainable travel practices, taking you to breathtaking natural destinations while supporting conservation efforts, local communities, and eco-friendly initiatives. Whether you're trekking through pristine natural areas, visiting wildlife sanctuaries, or learning about renewable energy projects, eco-environmental tours combine adventure and education for a truly meaningful travel experience. In this article, we'll explore the costs of eco-environmental tours around South Africa, highlight some of the best options, and share destinations that showcase the beauty and fragility of our planet.
To help you choose the right eco-adventure, we've analyzed a variety of South Africa's tours that prioritize sustainability and quality. By evaluating price ranges, tour experiences, destinations, and environmental contributions, we've uncovered the best value options for eco-conscious travelers. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly trip or a premium experience, these tours offer an incredible way to explore the world responsibly while leaving a lasting positive impact. So, pack your reusable water bottle and get pumped to discover a new way to travel that protects and preserves the wonders of the Earth.
Why does South Africa appeal to eco-environmental travelers?
South Africa is a haven for environmental travelers, known for its commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. The region's eco-lodges, diverse environment, and green initiatives allow visitors to explore responsibly, making it a leader in conservation tourism and a favorite for nature lovers.
How much do Eco Tours in South Africa cost?
The average price per day for eco tours in South Africa is $281, based on our analysis of 193 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $91 to $1,720 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $146 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $470 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Tours in South Africa
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable eco tours in South Africa average $146 per day, with daily prices from $91 to $181. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out 5-Day Group Garden Route & Addo Adventure Tour (one-way) here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical eco tours in South Africa that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $229 per day. Daily prices range from $182 to $287. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is South African Odyssey 15 Days/14 Nights (Comfort).
Luxury Tours
Luxury eco tours in South Africa average around $229 per day, with daily costs ranging from $291 to $1,720. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is South Africa: From the Cape to Kruger.
Which tour companies offer eco tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer eco tours in South Africa. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Acacia Adventure Holidays
Acacia Adventure Holidays offers local overland truck tours through South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 3 days to 8 weeks. Their expertise is in organizing fantastic overland truck adventures to exciting destinations. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their specialty, so you'll know that you're signing up for a fun experience. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, and whale watching.
See All Tours from Acacia Adventure Holidays
Encounters Travel
Encounters Travel is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Many of their tours visit Africa and Asia. Some of their most popular destinations include Turkey, Egypt, India, and Jordan. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, water sports, camel riding, and snorkelling.
See All Tours from Encounters Travel
journaway
Journaway is a large multi-national travel company which offers safaris to destinations around the world. Many of their safaris visit Asia and Europe. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia. Traveling with journaway provides for a very personal experience, because most of their safaris have less than 2 people. This company's safari offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking, whale watching, water sports, cooking classes, white water rafting, wind surfing, and jetskiing.
Eco and Environmental Destinations in South Africa
Wondering where eco and environmental tours visit in South Africa? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
A few of the most popular places visited by tours in South Africa include Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, and Tsitsikamma National Park.
Eco Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
Trying to determine whether to book a guided tour or manage your own travel itinerary? Consider the advantages and trade-offs of both approaches.
Organized Tours
Pros- Expert guides provide in-depth knowledge of ecosystems, conservation efforts, and biodiversity.
- Access to protected or restricted ecological sites that are not available to the public.
- Learning about sustainable practices directly from conservationists and locals.
- Structured tours ensure that you experience key ecological sites safely and responsibly.
- Opportunities to participate in ecological preservation efforts.
- Guides help navigate difficult terrain and ensure you don’t disturb fragile environments.
- Pre-arranged transportation to remote ecological areas, saving time and effort.
- Educational experience that fosters environmental awareness and stewardship.
- Limited flexibility to explore on your own or adjust the schedule.
- Group settings may not provide the same level of personal connection with the environment.
- The focus might be on popular ecological sites, missing out on lesser-known gems.
- May have to follow a fixed route, limiting spontaneous exploration or off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
Independent Travel
Pros- Full flexibility to design your trip around specific ecological interests, like forests, wetlands, or coastal areas.
- Ability to explore remote or lesser-known ecological spots that may not be included in guided tours.
- Freedom to choose sustainable accommodation options and travel methods that match your values.
- More control over your itinerary and the time spent at each site.
- Ability to follow a pace that suits your personal interests and ecological awareness.
- Time-consuming research needed to find the best ecological sites and sustainable options.
- Navigating remote or difficult terrains can be challenging without expert guidance.
- Risk of not having the necessary permits or access to protected ecological areas.
- Difficulty in learning about the local ecology or conservation efforts without a knowledgeable guide.
- Potential to unintentionally harm ecosystems if proper precautions are not taken.
- More logistical work involved in organizing travel, accommodation, and activities.
- Possible language barriers or difficulty communicating ecological concerns with locals.
Which is cheaper?
Is independent travel less expensive than booking guided eco tours? The answer varies. Organized tours package essential services like accommodations, transport, meals, entrance fees, and activities into a single price, while independent travel involves booking each aspect separately. To assess which is more economical, compare the tour price with what you'd spend arranging everything yourself. If you prioritize budget options or premium experiences, the cost comparison could swing either way. Always review the details of what's included in the tour package to decide.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Africa, The Best Wildlife Tours to South Africa, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in South Africa, The Best Historical Tours in South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in South Africa, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in South Africa, The Best 3-Day Tours in South Africa, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, The Best 3-Week Tours in South Africa, The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in South Africa, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in South Africa, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Coach Bus Tours in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in South Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, The Best Cultural Tours in South Africa, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in South Africa, The Tours for Animal Lovers in South Africa, The Best Photography Tours in South Africa, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa, The Best Self Drive Tours in South Africa, The Best Safaris in South Africa, The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, The Best Tours Under $1000 in South Africa, The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa, The Best Budget Tours to South Africa, The Best Tours for Seniors to South Africa, The Best Contiki Tours to South Africa, or The Best G Adventures Tours to South Africa for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Johannesburg, The Best 3-Day Tours from Cape Town, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Johannesburg, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Pretoria, The Best 10-Day Tours from Cape Town, The Best 10-Day Tours from Johannesburg, The Best 2-Week Tours from Johannesburg, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Pretoria for more package tour options.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.