Lions Tour South Africa - Tailor-Made Luxury

The Lions Tour to South Africa in 2021 is the most hotly anticipated overseas rugby tour since, well, the last Lions Tour. The good news is that while New Zealand in a southern hemisphere winter can be – with love – a rather drizzly affair, South Africa in July and August means dry season in such prime safari spots as the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands, Madikwe and the Waterberg, so there’s an increased chance of seeing the country’s big game – yes, lions included - at the fewer remaining waterholes.

Our Africa experts are on hand to tailor-make your perfect Lions Tour to South Africa trip, using our extensive first-hand knowledge of one of our all-time favourite destinations to create the perfect trip, taking in rugby matches and world class safari experiences, and whatever else you want to include from Zulu and Boer War battlefield tours to cultural experiences, adrenaline-inducing adventures, whale watching and time spent in South Africa's intriguing and fun cities. In addition, every Original Travel holiday comes complete with our full range of exclusive additional services, from fast track check-in and security at airports, and lounge access (even if flying economy), plus access to our clued-up local Concierge to arrange last minute activities and generally take your trip to the next level.

So, where to go and what to do on your Lions Tour to South Africa? Rugby aside, this is the perfect time to see lions of the four-legged variety alongside the other classic great plains game species in South Africa's exceptional safari destinations. From Johannesburg you can easily reach Kruger National Park and neighbouring Sabi Sands, South Africa's gold standard safari destinations, but also the charming (and non-malarial - ideal if travelling with children) Madikwe and Waterberg reserves. Whichever you choose, you're sure to see a host of game congregating around watering holes.

On the subject of watering holes, in the south of the country, Cape Town might be relatively cold (think 12°C on average in July) at this time of year, but it remains one of the finest cities in the world, home to an exceptional array of things to do, excellent restaurants and plenty of fun places to enjoy a drink, including in the wonderful Winelands. In nearby Hermanus and elsewhere along the Southern Cape coast, July and August are also the best time to witness migrating southern right whales' spectacular displays of breaching and lobtailing (smacking the water with their flukes, or tails) as these enormous mammals congregate in huge numbers. Sounds a bit like the rugby…