The Best Historical Organized Tours in South Africa

Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries

South Africa

Get ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure through time and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history and culture of South Africa. In order to find the absolute best historical tours to South Africa, we've carefully analyzed each tour based on key criteria such as price, comfort, guest ratings, service, and activities to ensure an unforgettable journey. Whether you're a history buff, a lover of art and architecture, or a curious traveler seeking new experiences, these top-rated organized tours, holiday packages, and tour packages provide the perfect blend of adventure and cultural immersion. So, let's find that perfect tour for your next trip below.


The Top 3 Tours:

  • 8 Days, $2225.00

  • 15 Days, $2410.00

  • 15 Days, $2615.53
South Africa
The Best Historical Tours through South Africa

Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.

All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.

Organized by Timeline Travel DMC 8 Days Johannesburg to Cape Town 4 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.

Great for:
  • Adventure Travelers
  • Animal Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.7 rating

Age Range: 12 to 75
Maximum Group Size: 13
Price per Day: $278

This tour visits Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Cape Town, and Table Mountain.

  • Jeep & 4WD
  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Historical
  • Partially Guided

By Timeline Travel DMC
Timeline Travel DMC offers local safari tours through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and others. Although the prices might be slightly above average, the small group sizes provide travelers with a more personal experience. Most of the tours provided by Timeline Travel DMC are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service. Because of their specilization in safaris, you can be sure to have a spectacular adventure.



$2,225
on TourRadar

Organized by Cullinan Guided Journeys 15 Days Johannesburg to Cape Town 15 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for historical tours in South Africa.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Efficient: you'll cover a variety of destinations swiftly.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.5 rating

Age Range: 8 to 90
Maximum Group Size: 40
Price per Day: $161

This tour visits Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Mbabane, Hluhluwe, St Lucia, Durban, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, Mthatha, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn, and Cape Town.

  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Historical
  • Big Five
  • Fully Guided
  • Partially Guided

By Cullinan Guided Journeys
Cullinan Guided Journeys is a smaller tour company providing personalized service with a focus on South Africa and Swaziland. The small group sizes, often less than 15, make for a very personal experience. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. Their expertise is in wildlife viewing tours, so you can count on having a fun time.



$2,410
on TourRadar

Organized by Absolute Africa 15 Days Cape Town to Johannesburg 11 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for historical tours in South Africa.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Great for:
  • Adventure Travelers
  • Nature Lovers
  • Animal Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.5 rating

Age Range: 18 to 80
Maximum Group Size: 28
Price per Day: $174

This tour visits Cape Town, L'Agulhas, Bonnievale, Oudtshoorn, Stormsrivier, Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park, Hogsback, Malealea, Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, and Johannesburg.

  • Overland Truck
  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Historical
  • Camping
  • Fully Guided

By Absolute Africa
Absolute Africa offers local overland truck tours through Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and others. They are known for providing overland truck tours to amazing and remote destinations. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. They specialize in wildlife viewing tours, ensuring you'll have an enjoyable experience.



$2,616
on TourRadar

Organized by Explore! 13 Days Johannesburg to Durban 8 Destinations
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Great for:
  • Adventure Travelers
  • Animal Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts
  • Nature Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.5 rating

Age Range: 7 to 85
Maximum Group Size: 16
Price per Day: $212

This tour visits Johannesburg, Graskop, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, St Lucia, and Durban.

  • Jeep & 4WD
  • Wildlife
  • Historical
  • Beach
  • Big Five
  • Fully Guided

By Explore!
Explore! Is a large international travel company offering trips all over the world. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.



$2,750
on TourRadar

Organized by Little Roz Tours 10 Days Cape Town to Victoria Falls 3 Destinations
  • On Sale: 20% Off
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • In Depth: you'll spend a longer amount of time in each place.

Great for:
  • Adventure Travelers
  • Animal Lovers
  • History Enthusiasts

starstarstarstarstar 4.0 rating

Age Range: 3 to 85
Maximum Group Size: 10
Price per Day: $340

This tour visits Cape Town, Kruger National Park, and Victoria Falls.

  • Jeep & 4WD
  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Historical
  • Big Five
  • Fully Guided

By Little Roz Tours
Little Roz Tours is a smaller international tour company with trips to 8 countries, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and Kenya. Despite being priced a bit higher, the small group sizes create a more personal and unique experience for travelers. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. Wildlife viewing tours are their focus, guaranteeing a memorable and exciting experience.



$3,000 $2,400
on TourRadar

Why does South Africa appeal to history enthusiasts?

South Africa captivates history enthusiasts with its wealth of historical sites, spanning from ancient times through more recent history. These regional destinations provide a perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure in an affordable package. Plus, the fun and easy itineraries make for a stress-free adventure while creating lasting memories.

South Africa


How much do historical tours in South Africa cost?

The average daily price of Historical Tours in South Africa is $233 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Historical Tours in South Africa here.


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.




$233
Average Price Per Day
5
Tours Analyzed
4.4
Average Rating
5
Tour Companies
21
Average Group Size

Which Tour Companies Offer Historical Tours?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer historical 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.

Timeline Travel DMC

Timeline Travel DMC offers local safari tours through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 2 days to 3 weeks. Although the prices might be slightly above average, the small group sizes provide travelers with a more personal experience. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Most of the tours provided by Timeline Travel DMC are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service. Because of their specilization in safaris, you can be sure to have a spectacular adventure.

See All Tours from Timeline Travel DMC

Cullinan Guided Journeys

Cullinan Guided Journeys is a smaller tour company that focuses on South Africa and Swaziland. The small group sizes, often less than 15, make for a very personal experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. Their expertise is in wildlife viewing tours, so you can count on having a fun time.

See All Tours from Cullinan Guided Journeys

Absolute Africa

Absolute Africa offers local overland truck tours through Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and others. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 5 days to 11 weeks. They are known for providing overland truck tours to amazing and remote destinations. This company's tour offerings are generally priced lower than others, which makes them attractive for budget travelers. They specialize in wildlife viewing tours, ensuring you'll have an enjoyable experience. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, bird watching, and white water rafting.

See All Tours from Absolute Africa

Explore!

Explore! Is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. A number of their tours visit destinations in Europe and Asia. Some of their most popular destinations include India, Italy, Vietnam, and Spain. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as island hopping, wine tasting, camping, whale watching, white water rafting, and bird watching.

See All Tours from Explore!


Historical Destinations in South Africa

Wondering where historical 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 Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Johannesburg, Oudtshoorn, and Port Elizabeth.


Historical Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons

Before deciding to book a tour or handle the planning yourself, it's important to consider the aspects of each travel style.

Pros
  • Learn detailed stories and context from expert guides.
  • Visit significant landmarks efficiently.
  • Access exclusive areas not open to the public.
  • Guides bring history to life with engaging narratives.
  • Save time on researching destinations.
  • Enjoy a curated itinerary of top historical sites.
  • Guides answer questions for deeper understanding.
  • Group tours can provide a social learning experience.
  • Avoid logistical challenges like tickets or reservations.
  • Guides help connect the dots between events and eras.
Cons
  • Less flexibility in the itinerary.
  • Group size might impact the experience.


Pros
  • Full control over your itinerary and pace.
  • Focus on sites that interest you most.
  • Flexibility to spend more time at certain locations.
  • Explore at unconventional hours to avoid crowds.
  • Customize your trip around niche historical themes.
Cons
  • Requires time-consuming research to plan.
  • Risk of missing key details without a guide.
  • May overlook important or lesser-known sites.
  • Difficult to understand the full historical context.
  • Navigation and logistics can be more complex.
  • No expert to answer questions during your visit.
  • Potential for long waits without pre-booking tickets.
  • Self-guided tours may lack the interactive element.


Which is cheaper?

Is traveling independently less expensive than taking guided historical tours? The answer isn't straightforward. Guided tours often include services like hotels, transportation, meals, entry tickets, guides, and activities, all of which you would need to arrange and pay for individually if traveling on your own. To determine the cost difference, you'd need to compare the total cost of the tour package with the cost of booking everything separately. You may prefer a less expensive hotel or splurge on dining, so the cost of a tour could either save you money or cost you more. Be sure to review what's included in the tour package before making your comparison.

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 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 Eco Tours in 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.

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