Africa Flexible schedule Tours & Trip Packages

Africa Flexible schedule Tours & Trips

2,958 Africa trips. Tours from 748 tour companies. 5,739 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

293 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Flexible schedule
Voyages to Antiquity: Spain and Morocco, Ancient Neighbors
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Casablanca, Madrid, Marrakech, Rabat, Seville

Highlights

  • Overnight shore excursions to Marrakesh and Fez give you more time to explore Morocco’s wonders.
  • Discover Madrid’s sprawling plazas and savor a performance of flamenco music and dance.
  • Examine the exquisite interiors and lush gardens of the Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish palace.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Because I have Stage 4 cancer, I chose to spend the extra money for trip insurance in case my cancer recurred. When a scan showed that it had, I cancelled my trip. I sent to them the medical documents from the Mayo Clinic confirming my new diagnosis. They sent me an email telling me my oncologist needed to fill in a form. I asked my oncologist to do that and I submitted it by fax on April 6th. When I didn’t hear anything, I sent them more medical documentation and asked them to please push forward my refund as I have travel expenses from a clinical trial coming up. Several days later I received an email that they needed further documentation from my doctor. How much more documentation do you need than the patient has stage 4 metastatic cancer and is starting a clinical trial??? This is heartless to me. Please don’t plan to travel through Road Scholar if you’re medically vulnerable!!"

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Sketches of Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Casablanca, Granada

Highlights

  • Learn about the wondrous architectural masterpieces of Spain, including Gaudi’s unfinished La Sagrada Familia and the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel overlooking the city of Grenada.
  • Visit the colossal Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca's landmark building.
  • On the island of Madeira, discover Europe's highest sea cliff and the vineyards of Funchal.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Because I have Stage 4 cancer, I chose to spend the extra money for trip insurance in case my cancer recurred. When a scan showed that it had, I cancelled my trip. I sent to them the medical documents from the Mayo Clinic confirming my new diagnosis. They sent me an email telling me my oncologist needed to fill in a form. I asked my oncologist to do that and I submitted it by fax on April 6th. When I didn’t hear anything, I sent them more medical documentation and asked them to please push forward my refund as I have travel expenses from a clinical trial coming up. Several days later I received an email that they needed further documentation from my doctor. How much more documentation do you need than the patient has stage 4 metastatic cancer and is starting a clinical trial??? This is heartless to me. Please don’t plan to travel through Road Scholar if you’re medically vulnerable!!"

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An Epic Adventure: Karen Blixen’s Kenya and Islands of the Seychelles by Yacht
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Masai Mara National Park, Nairobi

Highlights

  • Sail to 10 Seychelles islands by motor yacht, discovering giant tortoise colonies, lush palm forests and beautiful reefs.
  • Learn how young elephants are prepared to return to the wild at an elephant orphanage in Kenya.
  • Spend three nights at a luxury safari camp and search the Maasai Mara for lions and cheetahs.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"Because I have Stage 4 cancer, I chose to spend the extra money for trip insurance in case my cancer recurred. When a scan showed that it had, I cancelled my trip. I sent to them the medical documents from the Mayo Clinic confirming my new diagnosis. They sent me an email telling me my oncologist needed to fill in a form. I asked my oncologist to do that and I submitted it by fax on April 6th. When I didn’t hear anything, I sent them more medical documentation and asked them to please push forward my refund as I have travel expenses from a clinical trial coming up. Several days later I received an email that they needed further documentation from my doctor. How much more documentation do you need than the patient has stage 4 metastatic cancer and is starting a clinical trial??? This is heartless to me. Please don’t plan to travel through Road Scholar if you’re medically vulnerable!!"

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Voyages to Antiquity: Exploring History’s Grandeur in France and Spain
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Barcelona, Cádiz, Madrid, Seville, Valencia

Highlights

  • Delve into France’s medieval history at Avignon’s Papal Palace and on the narrow streets of fortified Carcassonne.
  • Examine the exquisite interiors and lush gardens of the Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish palace.
  • Contrast the proud cultures of several Spanish cities including Barcelona, Madrid and Seville.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Because I have Stage 4 cancer, I chose to spend the extra money for trip insurance in case my cancer recurred. When a scan showed that it had, I cancelled my trip. I sent to them the medical documents from the Mayo Clinic confirming my new diagnosis. They sent me an email telling me my oncologist needed to fill in a form. I asked my oncologist to do that and I submitted it by fax on April 6th. When I didn’t hear anything, I sent them more medical documentation and asked them to please push forward my refund as I have travel expenses from a clinical trial coming up. Several days later I received an email that they needed further documentation from my doctor. How much more documentation do you need than the patient has stage 4 metastatic cancer and is starting a clinical trial??? This is heartless to me. Please don’t plan to travel through Road Scholar if you’re medically vulnerable!!"

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Road Scholar World Academy Segment 1: Indian Ocean to Cape Town
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Table Mountain

Highlights

  • Discover the incredible biodiversity of Madagascar at a protected reserve home to colorful birds, reptiles and lemurs.
  • Explore St. Lucia National Park, where a sunset boat safari gives you the chance to see hippos and Nile crocodiles up close.
  • Take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for incredible views of Cape Town.

Themes

50 plus, Around the World, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Because I have Stage 4 cancer, I chose to spend the extra money for trip insurance in case my cancer recurred. When a scan showed that it had, I cancelled my trip. I sent to them the medical documents from the Mayo Clinic confirming my new diagnosis. They sent me an email telling me my oncologist needed to fill in a form. I asked my oncologist to do that and I submitted it by fax on April 6th. When I didn’t hear anything, I sent them more medical documentation and asked them to please push forward my refund as I have travel expenses from a clinical trial coming up. Several days later I received an email that they needed further documentation from my doctor. How much more documentation do you need than the patient has stage 4 metastatic cancer and is starting a clinical trial??? This is heartless to me. Please don’t plan to travel through Road Scholar if you’re medically vulnerable!!"

Trip dates & details
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Pathways of the Pharaohs
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1/5 Terrible
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Abu Simbel, Aswan, Cairo, Dead Sea, Luxor Temple, Nubian Desert, Valley of the Kings

Highlights

  • See the fascinating Great Pyramids of Giza
  • Opportunity to visit 4 amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Experience 4-night Nile River cruise
  • Explore Cairo

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

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The Human Journey: Tracing Legendary Peoples & Sacred Places
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3.5/5 Great
30 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Addis Ababa, Bagan, Etosha National Park, Gobi Desert, Jerusalem, Lake Inle, Lalibela, London, Rangoon, Shwedagon Pagoda, Tbilisi, Tel Aviv, Ulaanbaatar, Yangon

Highlights

  • See the world withNational Geographic Explorer-in-ResidenceDr. Spencer Wells
  • Travel in a privateBoeing 757 jet
  • Go off the beaten path to discover some of the most incrediblelegacies of legendary civilizations
  • Enjoy a private tour of theGeorgian National Museum
  • Explore thevibrant bazaars ofSamarqand inUzbekistan
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Holy Land

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

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A Voyage to the Coast of Africa
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Agadir, California, Lisbon, Santa Cruz Island, Southampton

Highlights

  • Visit the Pyramids of Güímar
  • Stroll through the delightful Veguta district in the sunshine
  • Enjoy delightfully enhanced by a benign climate
  • Discover the spectacular and unique laurel forest

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"everything is perfect from start to finish just back from Baltic cruise on Braemar , it was amazing."

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Flexible schedule

Africa Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
5,739  Reviews
See all Africa tour reviews
Excellent
2,489
Great
779
Average
96
Disappointing
18
Terrible
16
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

History in the Heat

I've always been interested in Egyptian history and when friends suggested joining this holiday I booked straight away. And it didn't disappoint. Seeing & bein...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

postscript

Sorry, I meant to add that Exodus should perhaps delete the reference to the "library" on the cruise from the Trip Notes. The library consisted of 16 dog-eared bo...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

This was a wonderful trip - I enjoyed it enormously. Visit to the temples at Karnak & Luxor Khaled Lotfy was an excellent & inspirational group leader. He ...

A

Anonymous

Feb 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

I do not have a very long 'bucket list', in fact Egypt is the only destination on it and this holiday did not disappoint. From the flight to Cairo to the flight ho...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise and Pyramids

This was a wonderful trip. It was very exciting to get our first glimpse of the Pyramids which were only a short ride from the airport. There was a few early mor...

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Africa Tour Selection Trips

  • Africa is the second-largest continent, so whittle your list down to the main sites you want to see. You could never take in all of Africa’s key sites on one trip.
  • Wildlife safari packages have itineraries in East and southern Africa because that’s where the animals roam. Wildlife tours rarely combine safaris with trips to North or West Africa.
  • Many tour operators work closely with locals, which keeps money in the local economy, vital to Third World nations.
  • Keep in mind the time of year when you travel. Wildlife viewing can be better during certain seasons, which Stride experts can advise you on.
  • Travel to Africa can be taxing, so pick a tour that offers sufficient down time and doesn’t try to squeeze too many attractions into too few days.
  • Some African vacation packages include all lodging, meals, park fees and even visa costs, while others may just include some of these. Calculate your full tour price by finding out what’s included in the price quoted – and what isn’t.
  • Tour group sizes can vary greatly and are often reflected in the price: the smaller the group, the more expensive it may be. It may be worth spending more to have a lower traveler-to-guide ratio.

Additional details

Popular Africa Travel Packages 

There are about as many Africa guided tour options as the continent is large. How does one narrow down where and how to travel?

Your choice of ways to explore Africa are endless. Whether you’re looking for a multigenerational safari in East Africa, a honeymoon highlighting the winelands of South Africa or the exotic sights and cuisine of Morocco and Egypt, there are guided tours of Africa for all tastes and interests.

Whether you’re looking for ultra-luxurious private lodges or camping, mountain biking and hiking or jeep safari, the perfect trip to Africa awaits.

Think about what you most want out of your tour of Africa - is it culture? nature and wildlife? food and wine? The choices are many, so the more you can pinpoint your interests, the easier it will be to find the perfect Africa vacation for you. 

Here’s a look at the most popular types Africa tours: 

1. Safari & Wildlife 

Topping the charts for reasons to visit Africa on a guided tour, going on a wildlife safari is perennially popular. Head off at dawn or dusk - or even after dark - with an expert bush guide to track the Big Five: elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo.

Witness the annual Great Migration through Serengeti National Park. Go gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Search for elephants in Hwange National Park and marvel at the wildlife of the Okavango Delta. Explore world-famous national parks and game reserves, including Chobe, Maasai Mara and Ngorongoro Crater. The romance of an African safari is real - your guided African safari will have you enchanted beyond your wildest dreams.

2. Cultural Tours of Africa 

Africa tours that include cultural experiences run the gamut from strolling through busy markets with local residents to meeting with tribes who live far from civilization.

Travel to KwaZulu-Natal, home to the Zulu tribe for nearly 200 years, where you can immerse yourself in Zulu culture and history. Learn about the ceremonies and traditions of West Africa, its fascinating voodoo ceremonies and mask dances.

Sing your heart out in Ghana at Afrochella, an incredible cultural experience in Accra showcasing Africa fashion, art and music. Visit with Botswana’s San Bushmen for an up-close peek at their village life. Get to know Maasai men and women. And visit the flourishing capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, with its incredible historical museums and authentic dining experiences. 

3. Food & Wine

All those long days on the savannah may leave you with a hearty appetite. Add on to your African safari, or focus entirely on a food and wine guided tour. South Africa shines with culinary experiences, including haute cuisine restaurants and expert-led trips to the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek and the Garden Route.

If you’re a craft beer fan, you’ll love exploring South Africa’s burgeoning craft brewery scene, particularly strong in Cape Town. The sights, smells and sounds of Morocco entice, from the country’s excellent wine to its flavorful cuisine and specialty teas. Coffee enthusiasts visiting Kenya can take a guided tour of a local fair-trade coffee plantation and explore, and taste, the coffee varietals. 

Best Time to See the Great Migration

  • The dry season, between July and early October

The perennial question for wildlife enthusiasts visiting Africa: When is the best time to witness the Great Migration in East Africa? This surreal movement of nearly two million animals across the savannah is an incredible spectacle of our animal planet and a top attraction for those visiting East Africa.

Wildebeest, gazelle and zebra by the hundreds of thousands move from the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, into Kenya, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and then back to the southern Serengeti. Known mainly for its millions of wildebeest, the Great Migration is a living cycle through which the wildebeest find food, water and a suitable environment for their young throughout the seasons. 

Africa tours that coincide with the Great Migration operate in the dry season, between July and early October. The weather is more stable at this time of year and due to the dried-up landscape, the animals start their movement to find sustenance. If you can’t visit until November or December, you’ll likely still see wildebeest and zebra, though with less movement.

Do not visit East Africa during April and May if you want to see the Great Migration - it’s still the wet season in the Serengeti and the animals won’t have left yet. 

For the best views of the Great Migration, look for guided Africa safaris that visit Serengeti National Park in Tanzania or Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. In particular, the Serengeti’s Grumeti River is an impressive place to view wildebeest crashing through the water.

If you’re traveling on a guided tour in East Africa during the Great Migration, your guides will undoubtedly have planned to take advantage of the best viewpoints. Relying on their past experience and an understanding of the climate, landscape and animal behavior, your tour operator will help you witness one of the greatest spectacles of nature on Earth.

Safety in Africa 

Among the many perks of guided Africa safaris and overland tours is the safety and security you will feel as part of a group. While the mere thought of traveling so far and to a destination quite different than you’re used to can be disconcerting, it’s also undeniably exciting and rich with adventure and learning. Plus, the vast majority of travelers on Africa guided tours do not encounter any problems during their trip.

That being said, whenever you travel to an unfamiliar destination, like Africa, whether in a guided group or private tour, consider the following safety tips

  • Consider leaving the flashy jewelry and watches at home, so as not to call attention to yourself.
  • Carry a light load - pickpocketing is quite common. Keep your cash and passport close to your body with a money belt. 
  • Read up on your destination and any current safety concerns, whether political or physical. Request information from your Africa overland tour operator and/or look online at your destination’s government website for up to date travel advisories
  • Use taxi service after dark. 
  • Exude confidence, even if you are lost. Act like you know right where you’re going. 
  • Consider extra safety precautions and awareness in the following cities: Nairobi, Kenya; Lago, Nigeria; Johannesburg, South Africa; Dakar, Senegal
  • Watch out for scams. And don’t give out your home phone number or address, which could then be used for a ransom call, collect call or other scam. 
  • If you have a medical emergency in Africa and you are away from your tour group, ask how to get to the nearest embassy or upscale hotel. 
  • Get or update the vaccines necessary for traveling to Africa - these typically include typhoid, yellow fever, rabies and Hepatitis A and B. Start taking anti-malarial medication before leaving for your Africa overland tour to ensure that you are protected. 
  • Throughout your guided tour of Africa, choose foods that have been thoroughly cooked, drink only bottled water (South Africa being the exception) and don’t take ice in your drinks (typically the ice cubes are made from local water, not distilled or bottled water). 
  • On an African safari, be absolutely certain to follow the safety rules as outlined by your safari guide, whether it’s staying away from large animals, being aware of snakes, wearing tick-repellent clothing or avoiding parasitic lakes and rivers. 
  • When visiting Muslim countries like Somalia and Egypt, women should wear long sleeves and long pants, as well as cover their head if visiting a mosque or religious site.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 2958 trips to Africa and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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