Southern Africa tours bring together some of the most famous safari country on earth: the Big Five in South Africa's Kruger National Park, the thundering spray of Victoria Falls, the watery wilderness of Botswana's Okavango Delta and the red dunes of Namibia. Add Cape Town, the Winelands and the Garden Route, and few regions can match its variety.
Tulambule Uganda Safaris has planned journeys across Africa since 2014. Our heart is in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, but many of our guests want more than one country. Below we cover the 4 amazing countries we plan Southern Africa tours to, what to see in each, the best time to go and how to combine them with gorillas in Uganda.
Southern Africa Tours at a Glance
This table compares the 4 countries on our Southern Africa tours by highlight, ideal stay and the type of traveller each suits best.
| # | Country | Top highlights | Ideal stay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | Kruger, Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route | 7 to 12 days | First safaris, families, food and wine |
| 2 | Zambia | Victoria Falls, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi | 4 to 8 days | Walking safaris, adventure |
| 3 | Botswana | Okavango Delta, Chobe, Moremi | 4 to 8 days | Luxury, elephants, water safaris |
| 4 | Namibia | Sossusvlei, Etosha, Skeleton Coast | 8 to 14 days | Photography, road trips |
Why Choose Southern Africa Tours?
East Africa is famous for gorillas, chimpanzees and the Great Migration. Southern Africa tours stand apart for their variety and easy travel, with good roads, excellent lodges and a mix of safari, city, coast and desert that is hard to find anywhere else.
- World-class wildlife: the Big Five in Kruger, huge elephant herds in Chobe and wild dogs in the Okavango Delta.
- Natural wonders: Victoria Falls, the Namib dunes, the Drakensberg Mountains and Table Mountain.
- Safari plus city and beach: combine game drives with Cape Town's waterfront, wine estates and the coast.
- Something for every budget: from self-drive trips and comfortable lodges to luxury fly-in camps.
- Rich culture: township tours in South Africa, the traditions of the San people and colourful village life.
1. South Africa: Kruger, Cape Town and the Winelands
South Africa is the most popular starting point for Southern Africa tours, and Johannesburg is a direct flight of about 4 hours from Entebbe with Uganda Airlines. In one trip you can track the Big Five, ride the cable car up Table Mountain and taste wine in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
- Kruger National Park: one of Africa's largest parks, with lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, plus over 500 bird species. Private reserves next to Kruger offer off-road tracking and night drives.
- Cape Town: Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Boulders Beach penguins and the Cape Peninsula drive.
- The Cape Winelands: historic estates, fine dining and mountain views, an easy day from Cape Town.
- The Garden Route: a scenic coastal drive through forests, lagoons and seaside towns.
- The Drakensberg Mountains: dramatic peaks, hiking trails and ancient San rock art.
Read more in our guide to South Africa safaris and holidays.
2. Zambia: Victoria Falls and Walking Safaris
Zambia is the wild, authentic side of Southern Africa tours. It shares Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the Smoke That Thunders", a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is about 1.7 km wide and over 100 metres high. From Livingstone you can walk the rainforest trails facing the falls, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and go white-water rafting in the gorges below.
In the dry season, roughly mid-August to January, you can swim in Devil's Pool, a natural rock pool on the very edge of the falls, reached by boat from Livingstone Island.
- South Luangwa National Park: the home of the African walking safari, with leopards, wild dogs and large herds of elephant and buffalo.
- Lower Zambezi National Park: canoe safaris past elephants and hippos, plus tiger fishing.
- Kafue National Park: one of Africa's largest parks, with wide floodplains, lions and rare antelope.
See our Zambia safaris, trips and tours and our complete Victoria Falls guide.
3. Botswana: The Okavango Delta and Chobe
Botswana is the luxury heart of Southern Africa tours. The country protects its wilderness through low-impact, high-value tourism, so camps are small and crowds are rare.
- Okavango Delta: a UNESCO World Heritage Site where seasonal floods turn the Kalahari into a maze of channels and islands. Glide through the reeds in a traditional mokoro canoe and look for elephants, hippos, lions and African wild dogs.
- Chobe National Park: famous for one of Africa's largest elephant populations. A boat safari on the Chobe River at sunset is unforgettable, and Chobe is less than two hours by road from Victoria Falls.
- Moremi Game Reserve: on the eastern side of the delta, mixing water and dry land for excellent game drives.
4. Namibia: Dunes, Desert and Etosha
Namibia is a photographer's dream and a favourite for self-drive Southern Africa tours. Its wide open spaces, quiet roads and dramatic light make every day feel like an expedition.
- Sossusvlei: towering red sand dunes, some over 300 metres high, and the ghostly dead trees of Deadvlei.
- Etosha National Park: wildlife gathers at waterholes around a vast salt pan, especially in the dry season. Look for elephants, lions, rhinos and giraffes.
- The Skeleton Coast: a wild shoreline of shipwrecks, seal colonies and fog-covered dunes.
- Swakopmund: quad biking, sandboarding and desert tours on the edge of the Atlantic.
Wildlife You Can See on Southern Africa Tours
- The Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, best seen in Kruger and nearby private reserves.
- Elephants: huge herds in Chobe, the Okavango Delta and Zambia's river valleys.
- Predators: lions, leopards, cheetahs and the endangered African wild dog.
- Hippos and crocodiles: along the Zambezi, the Chobe River and the Okavango channels.
- Birds: Southern Africa has over 900 bird species, including the African fish eagle and the lilac-breasted roller.
Planning around a favourite animal? See where to find lions in Africa and giraffes in Africa.
Adventure Activities
- White-water rafting on the Zambezi below Victoria Falls
- Bungee jumping and gorge swings at Victoria Falls
- Helicopter flights over the falls
- Shark-cage diving and whale watching off the South African coast
- Quad biking and sandboarding in the Namib Desert
- Walking safaris in South Luangwa and canoe safaris on the Lower Zambezi
Combine Southern Africa Tours With Uganda Gorillas
Many of our guests begin with gorilla trekking in Bwindi, then fly south for the Big Five, Victoria Falls or Cape Town. Uganda Airlines flies direct from Entebbe to Johannesburg, from where connections reach Cape Town, Kruger, Livingstone and Botswana.
Sample 12-day plan: 3 days gorilla trekking in Uganda, 4 days in Kruger, 3 days at Victoria Falls and 2 days in Cape Town. Explore more ideas in our guide to multi-destination holidays from Uganda, see the best Uganda gorilla safaris or browse our Africa safaris and holidays.
Best Time for Southern Africa Tours
- May to October (dry season): the best time for game viewing, as animals gather at water and the bush is thinner. Days are warm and nights can be cold.
- June to August: the Okavango floods are at their highest, perfect for mokoro trips.
- February to May: Victoria Falls is at its most powerful, with huge spray clouds.
- November to March: green season, with newborn animals, migrant birds, lower prices and summer weather in Cape Town.
Why Book Southern Africa Tours With Tulambule?
- African expertise: a 100% Ugandan-owned company, planning safaris across Africa since 2014.
- Tailor-made trips: every itinerary is built around your dates, interests and budget, for couples, families, groups and solo travellers.
- Trusted local partners: experienced guides and lodges in each country.
- One contact for everything: flights, hotels, transfers, activities and visa application assistance.
- Uganda plus more: easy combinations with gorillas, chimpanzees and Uganda's wildlife.
Travel Tips for Southern Africa Tours
- Visas: rules differ by country and passport. Ugandans need a visa for South Africa, and other countries vary, so check early. We can handle applications for you.
- Health: carry your yellow fever certificate if travelling from Uganda, and ask your doctor about malaria tablets for Kruger, Zambia, northern Botswana and northern Namibia.
- Packing: neutral-coloured clothes, warm layers for early game drives, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera.
- Book early: small camps in Botswana and peak-season lodges fill up months ahead.
- Insurance: take travel insurance that covers medical care and cancellations.
Southern Africa Tours FAQs
Which countries are best for Southern Africa tours?
South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia are the most popular. South Africa suits first-time visitors, Zambia offers Victoria Falls and walking safaris, Botswana is best for luxury and water safaris, and Namibia is ideal for desert landscapes and road trips.
How many days do I need for a Southern Africa tour?
Allow 7 to 10 days for one country and 12 to 16 days to combine two or three, such as Kruger, Victoria Falls and Cape Town.
What is the best time for Southern Africa tours?
May to October is best for wildlife. February to May is best for the full power of Victoria Falls, and November to March brings green landscapes and summer in Cape Town.
Can I combine Southern Africa tours with gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Yes. Fly from Entebbe to Johannesburg in about 4 hours after your gorilla trek, then continue to Kruger, Cape Town or Victoria Falls.
Can Tulambule organise my whole Southern Africa tour?
Yes. We plan tailor-made trips with flights, lodges, transfers, activities and visa support. Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447, or email info@tulambule.com.
Plan Your Southern Africa Tour
From the thundering spray of Victoria Falls to quiet mokoro trips in the Okavango Delta, Southern Africa tours offer the safari of a lifetime. Tell us your dates, budget and dream experiences, and our team will design a tailor-made trip, with or without gorillas in Uganda.
