Christmas in South Africa is a celebration filled with sunshine, outdoor gatherings and vibrant cultural traditions. While much of the world wraps up in winter layers, South Africans head to the beach, fire up the braai (barbecue) and enjoy festive favourites like malva pudding, sosaties and colourful summer salads. Families and communities come together for Carols by Candlelight, markets brim with handmade crafts and the long, warm evenings set the tone for a relaxed holiday season.
This year, travellers can embrace these sun-soaked festivities while exploring South Africa’s breathtaking coastlines, wildlife-rich reserves and world-class vineyards with tour operator Rickshaw Travel. From Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain to the lush Garden Route and safaris in the vast savannahs of the Kruger region, a Christmas spent here blends adventure, culture and warm-weather cheer in a way no traditional winter escape can match. Below are three of Rickshaw Travel’s South Africa itineraries that are perfect for a warm, adventurous Christmas escape.
Ultimate South Africa: Coastline, Safaris & Beach
This 20-day grand journey captures the very best of South Africa before finishing with pure relaxation in Mauritius. Travellers begin in Cape Town, taking in sweeping views from Table Mountain and exploring cultural landmarks from the Bo-Kaap to Robben Island. The adventure continues into the Winelands for vineyard cycling and tastings, before heading along the Garden Route, through De Hoop’s serene dunes, Knysna’s emerald lagoon and Plettenberg Bay’s wildlife-rich coastline.
From Port Elizabeth, guests fly north to the private Sabi Sand reserve for world-class safaris, tracking the Big Five with expert rangers. The trip finishes on Mauritius’ tropical shores, where travellers can snorkel in turquoise bays, sail by catamaran and unwind on palm-lined beaches; an idyllic Christmas Day backdrop.
Duration: 20 days / 19 nights
Price: From £5,864 per person (excluding flights & car hire)
Full itinerary information here.
Cape Town to Kruger
A 16-day celebration of South Africa’s iconic highlights, this route blends coastal culture, dramatic mountain scenery and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Starting in Cape Town, travellers explore the city’s urban energy, coastal neighbourhoods and historic sites before driving to the Winelands for cycle-based tastings and gourmet experiences.
The journey continues to De Hoop Nature Reserve and along the famous Garden Route, stopping in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay for walks, wildlife and sparkling ocean views. Flying north to Hoedspruit, guests end the trip with immersive safaris in the greater Kruger region, spotting lions, elephants, giraffes and more as the African bush becomes their Christmas setting.
Duration: 16 days / 15 nights
Price: From £2,784 per person (excluding flights & car hire)
Full itinerary information here.
Along the Garden Route
This 17-day experience showcases the very best of the Cape Province. Travellers begin in Cape Town with a Cape Malay cooking class in the colourful Bo-Kaap district, learning about the spices and herbs used in Malaysian cooking and getting to sample them afterwards. After exploring the city’s iconic sites and coast, guests venture through the Winelands and onto the Garden Route, canoeing in Wilderness, hiking in Featherbed Nature Reserve and discovering charming seaside towns.
The adventure culminates in Addo Elephant National Park and a private Eastern Cape reserve, where game drives offer the chance to encounter elephants, antelopes and giraffes in their natural habitat. The trip ends in coastal Port Elizabeth, perfect for beachside festive celebrations.
Duration: 17 days / 16 nights
Price: From £1,879 per person (excluding flights & car hire)
Full itinerary information here.
About Rickshaw Travel
Rickshaw Travel is a UK-based family-friendly tour operator specialising in tailor-made, meaningful holidays across 35+ destinations worldwide. Founded in 2008 and proudly based in Brighton, Rickshaw Travel works with in-destination experts and small-scale independent accommodation to create personalised journeys designed to immerse travellers in local life while preserving the character of each country. Their innovative ‘bite-size trips’ approach means everyone can pick and choose from hands-on cultural experiences, visits to iconic landmarks and experiential travel throughout incredible places to craft a holiday to suit their needs.
Central to Rickshaw’s mission is a deep commitment to sustainability and ethical travel. Certified by Travelife as a Better Places Partner, they have signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action and work toward net-zero emissions by 2050. Their collaboration with welfare experts Animondial and World Animal Protection ensures rigorous animal welfare standards, eradicating practices like elephant riding and promoting only ethical wildlife encounters. Furthermore, Rickshaw supports responsible tourism by avoiding plastic and championing local economies – making all their journeys a force for good in communities and ecosystems alike.
For more information on Rickshaw Travel please visit: www.rickshawtravel.co.uk
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