11 days
Magical Cape Town, Winelands and Safari
This unforgettable journey combines the best of nature, culture, and wildlife, showcasing the beauty and diversity of South Africa.
The All Blacks tour in South Africa next year promises to be an event for the record books. For rugby fans heading over, however, the trip will be about so much more than the epic matches. South Africa serves up a world of experiences that sit perfectly alongside the buzz of match day.
You can spend a morning exploring a vibrant township, an afternoon sipping wine in sun-drenched valleys, and the next day spotting elephants and lion cubs at a waterhole. Whether you have a few days before the first whistle or you are looking to extend your trip afterwards, South Africa makes it easy to blend sport with adventure.
And with Viva Expeditions shaping the details, you can focus on rugby and leave the logistics of safaris, city tours, and side trips to us!
Click through the links to learn more.
Cape Town – Mountains, Culture, and Wine
Johannesburg and Pretoria – Past and Present
Kruger Safari – Post-Match Adventure
Durban and KwaZulu-Natal – Beaches and Beyond
South Africa in Winter
The tour is expected to take place during the Southern Hemisphere winter, which runs from June to August. As luck would have it, this is one of the best times to visit. The cities are mild and sunny, with cooler evenings perfect for cosy meals and night outings. Kruger National Park is in its prime safari season, when dry conditions bring animals to rivers and waterholes. And Durban's subtropical coast is warm and inviting, ideal for a dip in the Indian Ocean.
> Discover Viva’s South Africa Tours
Cape Town – Mountains, Culture, and Wine
Cape Town is the kind of city that grips you from the start. Table Mountain looms above, the ocean sparkles at its edge, and neighbourhoods brim with colour and character. If you have only one free day between matches, ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for sweeping views, then hop on a ferry to Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life. It is the mix of raw beauty and powerful history that makes Cape Town unique.
A picnic spot with the Twelve Apostles in the background, one of Cape Town’s most striking coastal settings.
But Cape Town is not all about monuments. Wander the streets of the Bo-Kaap with its candy-coloured houses, stroll the V&A Waterfront for markets and live music, or jump in a vintage sidecar for a quirky city tour.
Hitting the open road on a Cape Town sidecar tour, one of the most fun things to do in South Africa between matches.
If you are travelling with friends, kayaking along the coast is a fun way to soak up a different perspective of the mountain while seals and penguins swim around you.
Kayaking off Cape Town’s coast is a refreshing way to spend a day between All Blacks South Africa tour 2026 matches.
Wine lovers should definitely set aside time for the Winelands. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl are only about an hour from the city yet feel like a different world. Cycling between vineyards, tasting bold reds and crisp whites, and enjoying long lunches among oak trees is the definition of South African indulgence. With galleries, historic towns, and mountain backdrops, the Winelands deserve at least a full day.
Experience it with Viva
Join our Cape Town Highlights tour and pair it with a Winelands tour cycling trip. Or go big with our Cape Town to Johannesburg via Victoria Falls, which strings together the best of Southern Africa.
“Cape Town is best enjoyed with a few extra nights. Don’t just squeeze in a quick Winelands tasting — spend a whole day cycling between vineyards and you’ll understand why it’s one of our favourite parts of South Africa.”
– Rachel, Viva Expeditions.
Cycling through vineyards in the Cape Winelands, with mountain views all around.
Johannesburg and Pretoria – Past and Present
Johannesburg might be your match base, but it is also a city of stories. Soweto should be top of your list, with Vilakazi Street standing out as the only street in the world that once housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, and visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial to understand the uprisings that shaped the nation.
Mandela House on Vilakazi Street, a must-see stop in Soweto and one of the most meaningful things to do in South Africa.
To balance the heavy history, head for Maboneng, a trendy district that hums with street art, cafés, and creativity. It is the modern face of Jo’burg and an easy spot to while away an afternoon.
Street art in Johannesburg’s Maboneng district shows the city’s creative energy beyond the rugby.
Pretoria, just up the road, feels far more relaxed. Wide boulevards and leafy suburbs lead to the Union Buildings, where the giant Mandela statue offers a chance to reflect and snap a photo with one of the country’s most important symbols. Seeing both cities together shows two very different sides of South Africa: the grit and energy of Johannesburg, and the more official, stately vibe of Pretoria.
Experience it with Viva
Our Highlights of Johannesburg ties in Soweto, Maboneng, and Pretoria, making it simple to get the full story between games.
“Soweto truly comes alive when you explore it with a local guide. The stories, the street food, the music — it’s not just sightseeing, it’s experiencing Johannesburg at its heart.”
– Tanya, Viva Expeditions.
The Mandela statue outside the Union Buildings is Pretoria’s most beloved landmark.
Kruger Safari – Post-Match Adventure
Nothing contrasts with the roar of the stadium quite like the quiet of Kruger National Park. Larger than some countries, it is a wilderness where lions, elephants, giraffes, and leopards share the same space. Safari days flow with game drives at dawn, afternoons by rivers, and evenings under starry skies.
Lion mums and cubs at a waterhole, one of the incredible highlights of a Kruger Park safari.
You can choose to explore the national park itself, with endless roads and wide plains, or opt for a private reserve on the border. Private reserves like Sabi Sands offer off-road drives and intimate wildlife encounters, often with just a handful of vehicles at a sighting. For many travellers, the intimacy of a private reserve makes it worth the splurge.
> Private Reserves vs National Parks: Which is Best?
After the roar of the stadium, nothing beats the thrill of spotting elephants on a Kruger Park safari.
Winter is the best time to visit South Africa for wildlife spotting. With little rain, the bush is thinner and animals gather near water, making sightings more reliable. You can step off the plane from a rugby match and within hours be swapping stories around a campfire in the bush.
Experience it with Viva
Add a Kruger Park small group safari to your All Blacks South Africa tour 2026. Choose between small group tours of the national park or private reserve stays for a more exclusive experience. For something truly different, spend a night at Kruger Shalati, a luxury train lodge set on a bridge above the Sabie River.
Durban and KwaZulu-Natal – Beaches and Beyond
Durban is unlike other rugby host cities. Its Indian Ocean setting means warm breezes, golden beaches, and a strong Indian influence in its food and culture. The Golden Mile promenade is the place to walk, swim, or simply soak up the laid-back vibe.
Durban's Golden Mile, where you can swap rugby stadium seats for sea views.
Between games, grab a plate of Durban curry, famous for its fiery spice and served with rice, roti, or bunny chow — bread hollowed out and filled with curry, unique to this city.
Tear off the sides and eat as you go — feasting on a bunny chow is one of the best things to do in South Africa when visiting Durban.
If you feel like a day out, KwaZulu-Natal offers plenty. The Valley of a Thousand Hills is an easy trip from Durban and lives up to its name with endless ridges fading into the horizon. For a bit of wildlife spotting, head to Hluhluwe. It's one of Africa's oldest game reserves and is known for rhino conservation.
Treat yourself to a safari in Hluhluwe, one of Africa’s oldest reserves and a stronghold for rhino conservation.
Experience it with Viva
From the Rovos Golf Safari to our KwaZulu-Natal Delights tour, Viva has plenty of ways to explore Durban and beyond while you follow the rugby.
“The bonus of Durban in winter is the weather. June and July are warm, sunny, and far less humid than summer, with humpback whales passing along the coast as part of their migration.”
– Mel, Viva Expeditions.
How Viva Brings It Together
The magic of combining rugby with South Africa travel is in the mix. With Viva, you can slot safaris, wine tours, and city explorations around the match schedule without having to juggle logistics. Add a few days at the start in Cape Town, head out on safari once the games wrap up, or fill the gaps between match days with experiences that are every bit as memorable as the rugby itself.
“One of the best things about the All Blacks tour is the pace it sets. The matches give you a rhythm, and we help slot in experiences around them so you don’t feel rushed.”
– Rachel, Viva Expeditions.
Our team takes care of transfers, hotels, and tours, leaving you free to enjoy the All Blacks South Africa tour 2026 in style.
Contact our South Africa Specialists today.
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Laura PattaraLaura Pattara has guided overland trips across Africa and now focuses her writing on the continent for Viva Expeditions. She once camped beneath a marula tree that an elephant tore apart during the night, yet somehow she still sleeps best in a tent. But make it glam! From sunrise balloon rides over the Serengeti to following the rhythms of wildlife migrations, Laura brings the wild heart of Africa to life with warmth, depth, and the occasional muddy boot. |
