The Best Self Drive Tours in South Africa

South Africa

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure to South Africa, but are not sure how to start planning? Don't worry, because we have analyzed an extensive selection of multi-day self drive tours based on key criteria such as price, destinations, guest ratings, service, travel style, quality, and activities. So, get ready to immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of culture, history, activities, excitement, food, and breathtaking landscapes. Below are the best holiday packages and organized tour options in South Africa, so let's get to it!


The Top 3 Tours:

  • 12 Days, $2334.96

  • 15 Days, $3420.45

  • 13 Days, $1487.68
South Africa
The Best Self Drive 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 Journaway 12 Days Johannesburg to Cape Town 8 Destinations
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.
  • Great for Animal Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.8 rating

Age Range: 1 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $128

This tour visits Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness National Park, Mossel Bay, Swellendam, Stellenbosch, and Cape Town.

  • Wildlife
  • Family
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided
  • Big Five

By Journaway



$1,533
on TourRadar

Organized by Journaway 15 Days Johannesburg to Cape Town 10 Destinations
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.
  • Great for Animal Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 4.9 rating

Age Range: 1 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 15
Price per Day: $145

This tour visits Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Pretoria, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Swellendam, Table Mountain, Robben Island, and Cape Town.

  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Family
  • Camping
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided

By Journaway



$2,170
on TourRadar

Organized by journaway 13 Days Start/End in Cape Town 9 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for self drive tours in South Africa.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.

Great for:
  • Animal Lovers
  • Nature Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 5.0 rating

Age Range: 16 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 2
Price per Day: $94

This tour visits Cape Town, Table Mountain, Hermanus, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma National Park, Oudtshoorn, Barrydale, and Stellenbosch.

  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Beach
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided

By journaway
Journaway is a large multi-national travel company which offers trips to destinations around the world. 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.



$1,217
on TourRadar

Organized by journaway 17 Days Johannesburg to Robben Island 11 Destinations
  • Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for self drive tours in South Africa.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Personal: offers a smaller group size.
  • Self Guided: drive yourself at your own pace.
  • Independence: immerse yourself in the culture with self guided travel.
  • Great for Animal Lovers

starstarstarstarstar 5.0 rating

Age Range: 16 to 99
Maximum Group Size: 2
Price per Day: $91

This tour visits Johannesburg, Soweto, Kruger National Park, Pretoria, Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Swellendam, Cape Town, Table Mountain, and Robben Island.

  • Wildlife
  • Sightseeing
  • Camping
  • Self Drive
  • Self-Guided

By journaway
Journaway is a large multi-national travel company which offers trips to destinations around the world. 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.



$1,555
on TourRadar

Why does South Africa appeal to self-driving visitors?

South Africa's scenic routes and varied attractions make it a perfect destination for self-drive tours. Exploring at your own pace allows stops at charming towns, wilderness areas, and smaller interesting spots that you come across along the way. The well-maintained roads and breathtaking landscapes create an unforgettable driving experience.

South Africa


How much do self drive tours in South Africa cost?

The average daily price of Self Drive Tours in South Africa is $114 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 Self Drive 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.




$114
Average Price Per Day
4
Tours Analyzed
4.9
Average Rating
2
Tour Companies
9
Average Group Size

Which Tour Companies Offer Self Drive Tours?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer self drive 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.

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.

See All Tours from journaway


Self Drive Destinations in South Africa

Wondering where self drive 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, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Tsitsikamma National Park, and Kruger National Park.


Which is cheaper?

Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided self drive tours? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.

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 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 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 Cape Town, The Best 2-Week Tours from Johannesburg, 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.

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