England’s 2026/27 Cricket Tour of South Africa

Cape Town Test Match + Safari & Wine Country

3–7 January 2027 | Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Optional: Paarl ODI, 10 January

England won’t tour South Africa again for a full series until the early 2030s. Maybe later.

So if you’ve been thinking about doing this trip — the cricket, the wine country, the safari — this is your window.

And if you’re going to see one Test on this tour, it should be Cape Town — and here’s why.

You’re in the stands at Newlands Cricket Ground. Table Mountain rises behind the scoreboard, Devil’s Peak fills the skyline to your left.

The January sun is warm, a cold drink is in your hand and England are in the field.

This is one of the most beautiful cricket grounds on earth — rated second only to Lord’s. Most people who’ve been to both say Newlands is the one they remember longest.

But what makes this trip genuinely special is that the cricket is just the beginning.

After the match, you’re a short drive from some of the world’s finest wine country.

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek — vineyards climbing into the mountains, Cape Dutch manor houses, restaurants that would hold their own anywhere in Europe.

You sit on a terrace with a glass of something excellent and realise there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

Then the Garden Route. One of the great coastal drives — dramatic cliffs, ancient forests, the kind of scenery that makes you pull over just to look at it properly.

And then the safari.

A private conservancy where your guide drives off-road, where you might spend an hour watching a leopard at close quarters with no one else around.

South Africa has some of the finest game viewing on the continent — and several world-class reserves that are completely malaria-free, which is genuinely rare in Africa.

Some trips you can do any time. This one has a natural moment — and it’s now.

Want to explore what this could look like for you? Get in touch and we’ll talk through your dates and what makes sense.

Or keep reading to see my suggested itineraries and how the trip works.

England’s 2026/27 Cricket Tour of South Africa

England’s full tour includes three Test matches and three ODIs, spread across the country from mid-December through mid-January.

The Tests are at the Wanderers in Johannesburg (17–21 December), SuperSport Park in Centurion (26–30 December), and Newlands in Cape Town (3–7 January).

The ODI series follows in January — Paarl (10 January), then two matches in Bloemfontein (13 & 15 January).

I can arrange tickets, including hospitality packages if you require, transfers, and accommodation for any of these fixtures. If you want to follow the full tour, or combine two or three matches into a longer trip, let’s talk.

But this page focuses on Cape Town.

The January dates put you in Cape Town at the height of summer, when the city is at its best.

And beyond the cricket itself, Cape Town is the natural starting point for the wider country — forty minutes from the Winelands, a few hours from the Garden Route and perfectly positioned for an Eastern Cape safari to finish.

The Paarl ODI on 10 January fits naturally into the picture.

Boland Park is a lovely ground, and Paarl sits in the heart of the Winelands, 45 minutes from Cape Town. For anyone planning a few days in Franschhoek after the Test, it’s an easy addition.

If you want to pair the cricket with South Africa’s most iconic landscapes, Cape Town makes the most sense. That’s who this page is for.

The Cricket

I arrange Category A and B tickets for the Cape Town Test at Newlands (3–7 January) and the Paarl ODI (10 January).

I can also arrange hospitality packages if that’s something you’d like included.

You choose how many days of the Test you want to attend — one day, three days, or the full five.

The ODI is optional, and fits naturally into a Winelands itinerary if you’re planning a few days in Franschhoek after the Test.

Accommodation in Cape Town (and Paarl, if you add the ODI) is included, along with transfers between your hotel and the ground on match days.

Choosing your seats:

There’s a choice of seating areas at Newlands, and I’ll help you pick the right spot based on what matters to you.

For the best views of Table Mountain, the Railway Stand is unbeatable — you’re square of the wicket with the mountain directly behind the scoreboard.

For shade and comfort, particularly important in January when Cape Town can be genuinely hot, the President Pavilion or the shaded sections of the North Stand are better options.

You won’t want to be in full sun all day — I’ll make sure you’re positioned somewhere you can actually enjoy the cricket.

What’s included:

• Match tickets (Category A or B) for the days you choose
  • Accommodation in Cape Town for the duration of your stay
  • Transfers to and from Newlands on match days
  • The Paarl ODI, if you want it, with accommodation and transfers included

The rest of your trip — how long you stay, where you go afterward, what you want to see — is built entirely around you.

The Itineraries I’d Recommend

I’ve put together hundreds of South African itineraries, and these are the routes I’d recommend for someone doing this trip for the first time.

Route 1: Cape Town, the Winelands & an Eastern Cape Safari — 15 days

This route covers the country’s greatest hits without feeling rushed. It pairs the cricket with world-class wine country and a Big Five safari in a malaria-free reserve to finish.

No Garden Route on this trip — you’ll find that in Route 2 below if you want the full coastal experience.

At a glance:

• Cape Town — 7 nights (including tickets to Days 1 and 3 of the Test)
  • Franschhoek, Winelands — 3 nights (including the Paarl ODI)
  • Eastern Cape Safari — 3 nights

The detailed day-by-day itinerary is below. But first, let me explain why this route works — and why I’m recommending the Eastern Cape for your safari instead of Kruger.

Why This Route

Every stop is there for a reason, and I’ve made some deliberate choices about where to go (and where to skip) based on timing, logistics and what actually works in early January.

Cape Town — 7 nights

This might seem like a long time in one place, but Cape Town has a lot to offer — and a couple of those days are taken up with the Test match itself.

Between match days, you’ve got Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, the Cape Peninsula (Chapman’s Peak, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach), and the Constantia wine estates twenty minutes from the city centre. It’s worth the time.

Franschhoek over Stellenbosch

For the Winelands, I’m recommending Franschhoek over Stellenbosch.

A polished, pretty village surrounded by mountains, it’s more compact and walkable.

The food scene is exceptional (some of the best restaurants in South Africa, with a strong French influence). And the Wine Tram makes your life easy — hop-on, hop-off access to multiple estates without needing to drive or plan.

Three nights in Franschhoek gives you a couple of days to explore the valley alongside seeing the cricket.

It’s effortless, romantic and memorable — which is exactly what you want after a busy few days in Cape Town.

Photo by Matthijs van Schuppen on Unsplash

The safari is non-negotiable.

South Africa is one of the premier wildlife destinations in Africa — I sell safaris across the entire continent, and I recommend South Africa constantly. The game viewing rivals anywhere and the lodges are exceptional.

For this trip, I’m recommending the Eastern Cape reserves over Kruger for three practical reasons:

Timing. In early January, Kruger is in green season — hot, humid, with afternoon thunderstorms. The vegetation is lush and beautiful, but thick bush makes animals harder to spot.

Standing water from the rains means wildlife disperses across the reserve rather than congregating at waterholes, which makes the guides’ job much harder. It’s also peak mosquito season, with higher malaria risk.

The Eastern Cape at this time of year is hot and dry — thinner vegetation, fewer waterholes, better sightings. You’ll still see animals with their young (January is calving season), but in conditions that actually favour game viewing.

And there’s no malaria risk here.

Logistics. The Eastern Cape game reserves are a short flight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and then approximately a 1-hour drive to your chosen lodge. Once you’ve arrived at your lodge, you’ll spend three nights on safari, then fly home from Port Elizabeth.

Kruger would require a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, then either another flight or a 5+ hour drive to your lodge. It adds complexity and travel time.

Vehicle numbers. The Eastern Cape’s larger private reserves — Shamwari, Kwandwe, Lalibela — offer off-road driving with strictly controlled vehicle numbers. No queueing behind 20 other Land Cruisers at a lion sighting. You get genuinely close, intimate wildlife encounters.

Kruger’s private concessions (like the Sabi Sands) offer the same experience, and if you want to go there instead, I’ll arrange it. But for this trip, the Eastern Cape makes more sense.

The detailed day-by-day itinerary below includes some really distinctive and characterful places to stay — not just nice hotels, but lodges and guesthouses that add something to the experience.

The Route

Depart UK – 1 January 2027

Cape Town (7 nights) — 2–9 January inc. test tickets for 3 & 5 January

You arrive on 2 January and settle into the city for seven nights. For this itinerary, I’m including tickets (and transfers to and from Newlands) on Days 1 and 3 of the Test (3 & 5 January).

Between match days, you have Cape Town at your own pace. Here’s what I’d recommend:

Table Mountain is the obvious one – take the revolving cable car to the summit (or hike up if you’re feeling energetic). The views are extraordinary, and there are walking trails at the top. Go early or late in the day to avoid crowds and catch better light.

The V&A Waterfront is worth an evening – working harbour, restaurants, bars and the Two Oceans Aquarium. The ferry to Robben Island leaves from here. The tour is led by former political prisoners and gives you a completely different perspective on South Africa’s history. Book ahead – it sells out.

Constantia wine estates are twenty minutes from the city centre. Klein Constantia and Groot Constantia are both beautiful – you can do a cellar tour and tasting without needing to drive an hour into the Winelands.

A full-day Peninsula tour is one of the best things you can do in Cape Town. You drive along Chapman’s Peak (one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world), visit the Cape of Good Hope, stop at Boulders Beach to see the African penguin colony, and have lunch in Simon’s Town. The scenery is dramatic – cliffs, ocean, mountains – and it gives you a sense of the scale of the Cape.

If you’re interested in the Bo-Kaap (the Malay Quarter with its brightly coloured houses) or the Company’s Garden in the city centre, both are worth a couple of hours. The Castle of Good Hope (the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa) is nearby if you’re interested in that side of things.

Here, I’d recommend staying at The Claremont. A boutique hotel in a beautifully restored 1928 Cape Dutch Revival building, just fifteen individually styled rooms set around tranquil gardens and a pool. You’re minutes from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain National Park, and the Constantia winelands. It’s an intimate retreat with mature trees, mountain views, and warm South African hospitality — perfectly positioned without being in the middle of the city bustle.

If you’d prefer more space and independence with a location closer to the sea, The Hyde All Suite Hotel in Sea Point is an excellent option. Or if you want to push the boat out, there’s The One&Only Cape Town.

Your hire car is delivered to your hotel on the morning of 9 January.

Franschhoek (3 nights) — 9–12 January inc. ODI (Paarl) 10 January

A compact, walkable village in a dramatic valley, surrounded by wine estates and Cape Dutch manor houses.

The restaurants here are world-class, and the Wine Tram makes it easy to explore multiple estates without needing to drive. The pace is completely different from Cape Town.

Included in this itinerary are tickets (and transfers from your hotel) to Boland Park in Paarl for the first ODI. Paarl is a 30-minute drive away.

Here, I’d recommend staying at Auberge Daniella. Three beautifully appointed suites in the main homestead, views of the garden and pool, and direct access to the village so you can explore Franschhoek on foot. Breakfast is included each morning — freshly baked bread, the full works. It’s intimate, well-run, and perfectly positioned.

Eastern Cape Safari (3 nights) — 12–15 January

You’ll take a short flight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth to one of the Eastern Cape’s private Big Five reserves.

Three nights is the sweet spot – enough for six game drives (three mornings, three evenings) without the experience starting to feel repetitive.

You’ll see elephants, buffalo, rhino and likely lion. Leopard sightings are never guaranteed, but the larger reserves (Shamwari, Kwandwe, Lalibela) have strong populations and experienced guides who know where to look.

Why I’m recommending these reserves:

These reserves are large enough for animals to move more freely, with open landscapes that feel much closer to a true wilderness experience.

As private reserves, your guide can drive off-road, position the vehicle carefully, and spend time at sightings without the constraints you often get in national parks.

They’re also completely malaria-free, which removes one significant concern for many travellers.

There are smaller, cheaper reserves, but they tend to offer a more contained and curated experience.

Wildlife is managed within a tighter area, sightings can feel more predictable, and you’re more likely to encounter multiple vehicles at the same sighting.

For some travellers that works well — particularly on a short trip — but if this is a once-in-a-lifetime safari, I generally recommend going a step further for something that feels more natural and immersive.

Two options I work with regularly:

Shamwari Private Game Reserve – 25,000 hectares, six lodges ranging from family-friendly to adults-only luxury. Shamwari has a strong conservation focus (wildlife rehabilitation centre, Born Free big cat sanctuaries).

I have a longstanding relationship with the conservation team at Shamwari and can arrange behind-the-scenes access to their conservation efforts.

This might include time with the wildlife rehabilitation team, insights into their anti-poaching work, or – if the timing works – a game drive with the reserve’s former long-serving vet, who can give you a perspective on the wildlife that most visitors to Africa never experience.

It depends what’s happening when you’re there, but if you’re interested in that side of things, just get in touch and we can talk through the possibilities.

The lodges themselves are polished and comfortable – this is high-end safari without being overly formal.

Lalibela Game Reserve – Slightly smaller and more intimate. I’d recommend Inzolo Lodge – beautifully designed, with spacious suites and 180-degree views over the reserve.

The game viewing is excellent, and the lodge feels exclusive without being intimidating.

It’s styled in bespoke African elegance – luxury within untamed African lands. There’s a plunge pool, gourmet cuisine,and the kind of soulful retreat atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer.

All 3 of these lodges  offer morning and evening drives, bush walks (optional) and all meals and drinks included.

Return to UK – 15 January

You transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport and fly home via Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Approximate price: from £7500 per person

A quick summary of what’s Included:

International and domestic flights (economy), cricket tickets (Category A/B) for two days of the Cape Town Test and for the Paarl ODI, accommodation throughout (Cape Town, Winelands, safari lodge), transfers to/from Newlands and Boland Park on match days, internal flights to Port Elizabeth and your connecting flight to your international flight home, breakfast throughout your holiday and all meals and game drives during your safari, ATOL protection

And what’s not included:

Lunch and dinner outside the safari lodge stay, optional excursions (Table Mountain cable car, Peninsula tour, etc. – I’m happy to book any of these for you).

Route 2: Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route & an Eastern Cape Safari — 21 days

This option adds the dramatic landscapes of the Klein Karoo and the Garden Route to Route 1. It’s for people who have more time and want to see as much of South Africa as possible while they’re there.

At a glance:

• Cape Town — 7 nights (including tickets to Days 1 and 3 of the Test)
  • Franschhoek, Winelands — 3 nights (including the Paarl ODI)
  • Klein Karoo & Oudtshoorn — 2 nights
  • Knysna, Garden Route — 2 nights
  • Tsitsikamma, Garden Route — 2 nights
  • Eastern Cape Safari — 3 nights

The detailed day-by-day itinerary is below.

Why This Route

The Klein Karoo — most people skip straight from the Winelands to the Garden Route, but I think two nights here is worth it. You’ll stay on a working ostrich farm with views of the Swartberg Mountains, and you can visit the Cango Caves or drive the Swartberg Pass — one of the most spectacular mountain routes in Africa.

Tsitsikamma is the stop on the Garden Route that many people miss, and for me it’s an absolute highlight. Ancient forest meets rugged coastline. It’s not a “sit by the pool” stop — it’s properly wild, and if you like being outdoors, you’ll love it.

Hermanus I’d normally recommend for whale-watching, but the southern right whales are only there June to November. In January, we skip it.

The Route

Depart UK — 1 January 2027

Cape Town (7 nights) — 2–9 January (inc. Test tickets for 3 & 5 January)

As Route 1 above.

Franschhoek (3 nights) — 9–12 January (inc. ODI in Paarl, 10 January)

As Route 1 above.

Klein Karoo & Oudtshoorn (2 nights) — 12–14 January

You head east along Route 62 — one of South Africa’s great scenic drives — through the semi-arid Klein Karoo to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the country.

From here you can visit the Cango Caves, an ostrich farm, or drive the Swartberg Pass to the Karoo town of Prince Albert. The pass isn’t for the faint-hearted, but the views are worth it.

This is where South Africa stops performing for tourists and just gets on with being itself. The landscape is dramatic, the light is extraordinary, and the rhythm slows right down.

Here, I’d recommend staying at La Plume Boutique Hotel and Spa. A charming 1902 Victorian homestead on a working ostrich farm with views of the Swartberg Mountains. Antiques, old-world elegance, candlelit dinners with traditional home-cooked cuisine, and English-style buffet breakfasts. It’s one of those places where every detail has been thought about.

Knysna (2 nights) — 14–16 January

I’m recommending Knysna over Plettenberg Bay for this trip because it feels like a destination, not just a beach stop.

It’s set around a lagoon with the Knysna Heads — dramatic cliffs at the lagoon mouth — and there’s more to do: lagoon cruises, forest walks, restaurants and bars along the waterfront. It has character and variety.

Plettenberg Bay has better beaches (long, wide, open coastline with the dramatic Robberg Peninsula), and if you want pure beach time and relaxation, Plett would be the choice.

But for a trip like this, where you’re moving every few days and want each stop to feel distinct, Knysna works better.

Here, I’d recommend staying at Candlewood Lodge. A five-star guesthouse overlooking the Knysna lagoon with views straight through the Heads to the Indian Ocean. The hospitality is excellent — run by a pastry chef and hotelier who knows what they’re doing. It’s the kind of place where you sit on the terrace with a drink and just take in the view.

Tsitsikamma (2 nights) — 16–18 January

This is the stop on the Garden Route that many people miss, and for me it’s an absolute highlight.

Tsitsikamma National Park is where the Garden Route gets properly wild. Ancient forest meets rugged coastline — suspension bridges over river gorges, crashing waves, trails through indigenous forest. It’s dramatic in a way that Knysna and Plettenberg Bay aren’t.

You’re staying inside the park (or very close to it), which means you can walk straight onto trails in the early morning before day-trippers arrive. The suspension bridge walk is iconic and easy. The Waterfall Trail and the start of the Otter Trail (one of South Africa’s great multi-day hikes) are both accessible from here.

It’s not a “sit by the pool” stop — it’s active, immersive, and gives you that proper wilderness feeling. If you like being outdoors, this is one of the best short stops on the Garden Route.

Here, I’d recommend staying at The Fernery Lodge & Chalets. Perched above a 30-metre cascading waterfall along the rugged Tsitsikamma coastline, with stunning views of plantations, forests and ocean. There’s an outdoor jacuzzi, swimming pool and sauna — perfect for winding down after a day of hiking. The rooms are beautifully furnished, and the setting is genuinely special. Total peace.

It is a scenic 2-3 hour drive to the Eastern Cape safari region.

Eastern Cape Safari (3 nights) — 18–21 January

As Route 1 above.

Return to UK – 21 January

You transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport and fly home via Johannesburg.

Approximate price: From £9000 per person

What’s included: International and domestic flights (economy), cricket tickets (Category A/B) for two days of the Cape Town Test and the Paarl ODI, accommodation throughout (Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, safari lodge), transfers to/from Newlands and Boland Park on match days, self-drive car hire (delivered Cape Town, dropped Port Elizabeth), breakfast throughout your holiday and all meals and game drives during your safari, ATOL protection

What’s not included: Lunch and dinner outside the safari lodge, optional excursions (Table Mountain cable car, Peninsula tour, Cango Caves, etc. — I’m happy to book any of these for you)

Optional Add-Ons After Your South Africa Holiday

If you want to extend the trip beyond the Eastern Cape, there are a couple of options worth considering.

Mauritius — From a logistics point of view, Mauritius pairs beautifully with South Africa if you’d like some downtime at the end of your trip. It’s hot (28–32°C) and swimming in the sea is like taking a dip in a warm bath.

However, it is the wet season and you’re likely to have short, sharp tropical showers in the afternoon.

There’s a wide choice of high-quality resorts, beautiful white-sand beaches, wonderful cuisine with Indian, Creole and French influences, plus a dramatic tropical interior to discover if you have the energy after everything else.

Zanzibar — From a logistics point of view, Zanzibar combines effortlessly with a South African safari if you’re looking to slow the pace at the end of your journey.

In January, it’s hot, tropical and at its absolute best (around 28–32°C), with long sunny days and a gentle sea breeze. The ocean is warm, clear and ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

You may still experience the occasional short tropical shower, but January sits within a drier window, so these are typically brief and won’t disrupt your time on the beach.

What makes Zanzibar so special is its character. Beyond the coastline, there’s a rich cultural layer — from the historic alleyways of Stone Town to spice plantations and traditional dhow sailing at sunset.

The hotel offering ranges from intimate boutique retreats to elegant beachfront resorts, with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood and Swahili-influenced cuisine. It feels slightly more raw and authentic than Mauritius — perfect if you’d like your beach stay to have a sense of place as well as pure relaxation.

Please note both Mauritius and Zanzibar require an overnight stay at a pleasant airport hotel in Johannesburg due to connection times.

These hotels are minutes from the main terminal, and offer relaxation space such as a pool and restaurant for your overnight stay.

Victoria Falls + Zambezi Lodge — January is when Victoria Falls is at its most powerful — rising water levels, huge spray, rainbows, drama. It’s not just a waterfall at this time of year — it’s an event.

A lodge on the Zambezi gives you a second safari feel, but completely different from the Eastern Cape. River-based game viewing — elephants crossing, hippos, crocodiles — at a slower, more reflective pace.

Perfect for unwinding at the end of a busy trip while still feeling immersed in the landscape.

It’s hot and humid, and you’ll get wet at the Falls (that’s part of the fun). But if you want that “this was the best trip we’ve ever done” feeling, Victoria Falls and the Zambezi is a wonderful ending.

One option I wouldn’t recommend at this time of year is Mozambique. January is peak rainy and cyclone season — high humidity, storms, rough seas. Some lodges close or operate inconsistently. When it’s good, it’s world-class. But it’s a gamble, and after a trip like this, you don’t want to end on uncertainty.

Let me know if you’d like me to build any of these options into your itinerary.

Flexibility

This is a starting point. The lodges, the routing, how long you spend in each place — all of that gets worked out in a conversation based on your dates, your pace, your budget and what you want from the trip.

You might want to shorten your stay in Cape Town. Or skip the ODI in Paarl and head straight to the Garden Route.

It’s your trip — I’ll just offer you my honest advice and make sure the whole itinerary flows seamlessly.

How We’d Work Together

If you’d like to talk through what a trip like this could look like for you — the timing, the lodges, what makes sense for your dates — I’d love to help.

First, we’ll talk.

This isn’t a sales pitch from me. Just a conversation.

I’ll help you work out what you actually want from this trip. Not what a brochure says you should want — what matters to you.

Do you want all five days of the Test or just the best two? Three nights on safari or four? The full Garden Route or more time in the Winelands? We’ll talk it through until it’s clear.

Then I’ll build you a proper itinerary.

Specific lodges. Timings. Pricing. The full picture.

Nothing is locked in at this stage. We’ll refine it until you’re completely happy.

What you’re actually paying for:

I’ve been to Africa more than ten times. Darted rhinos, tracked painted dogs, stayed in luxury lodges and mobile camps and everything in between.

That means I can tell you which reserves will give you genuine off-road access and which ones just look good in photos. Which lodges are worth the premium and which ones aren’t. What works in January and what doesn’t.

I’m completely independent — I’m not tied to any operator’s portfolio or incentivised to push particular lodges. So when I recommend something, it’s because it’s right for your trip, not because I have a contract to fill.

If you’re interested in conservation, I can find out what’s possible through my connections at Shamwari — behind-the-scenes access to the rehabilitation centre, time with the vet team, that sort of thing. I can’t promise anything specific (it depends what’s happening when you’re there), but I’ll always ask.

Once you decide to go ahead, I’ll handle everything.

Cricket tickets in the right seats. Accommodation that suits you. Car hire. Transfers. Safari bookings. All of it.

You won’t need to chase multiple suppliers or second-guess whether you’ve booked the right thing.

While you’re away, you’ll have direct access to me on WhatsApp.

Not a customer service line. Not an emergency number. Me, personally.

If something changes, if you have a question, if you need help — I’m there.

If you’re wondering whether you can trust someone you’ve only just met, I understand completely.

Every holiday I book is ATOL-protected, which means your money is financially secure.

Berry Travel is a member of the Travel Trust Association (TTA) this protection ensures 100% financial security for clients by placing all payments into a secure, independent trust account.

Berry Travel is a member of AITO — the Association of Independent Tour Operators — alongside names like Abercrombie & Kent and Audley Travel.

I was recently named Luxury Travel Designer of the Year at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards.

Your money is safe, and I know exactly what I’m doing.

The first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

But the Cape Town Test is 3–7 January 2027, and the best lodges and cricket tickets book up well in advance — particularly for a tour like this that won’t return until the early 2030s.

If you’re thinking about it, let’s talk sooner rather than later. Just get in touch.

What My Clients Say

I don’t expect you to take my word for it. Here’s what happens when people actually book with me.

“Janey organised for us an amazing safari in Kenya. In a nutshell, everything was absolutely perfect from start to finish, and we visited very different places, every one of them more amazing than the previous one! We all agree it was the most amazing holidays we ever had!

If you’re thinking about going for a safari, Janey Berry is the one to ask for organising it! She really understands what you are looking for and will tailor make your one! Now, normal life with no giraffes or elephants nearby seems quite difficult 😉, but we’ll try to adapt.”

— David ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“We returned from our honeymoon yesterday and we have the serious ‘blues’. This is all down to such amazing service we received from Janey.

We were an open book when it came to our honeymoon, we knew we wanted to go on safari and have a week on the beach but we didn’t know where we’d like to go. We had several chats with Janey and she came up with this amazing 2 week holiday starting in Limpopo in South Africa and then a week’s beach holiday in Zanzibar.

We stayed in 2 different types of accommodation on our safari and this really gave us a good variety of places. This was a fab recommendation from Janey to have a really rounded first time safari experience. The food at both locations was second to none and we really felt that 5 star treatment. We saw a huge variety of animals – elephants, zebras, hippos and wildebeest! It was an incredible experience – we both said it would be a once in a lifetime trip but we have already talked about going again!

All our transfers were arranged for us so we really didn’t have to worry about how we were getting around from the time we landed until the time we came home. It took the stress away from our honeymoon and for that we couldn’t be more grateful.

I would have no doubt in booking another trip with Janey, her communication was stellar, she was on the end of the phone if I needed to ask anything, she helped with visa queries and I just felt completely at ease knowing she was reachable if something happened to go wrong or I needed to check something.

We couldn’t be more grateful to Janey for our trip from start to finish, she planned the perfect honeymoon for us and we have made memories to last a lifetime.”

— Mr & Mrs Heal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Janey made our trip the experience of a lifetime. I told Janey roughly what we wanted to do and left the rest up to her!

We had 8 magical days, with 5 nights at two stunning safari lodges and 3 nights in beautiful Zanzibar. Our seamless travel arrangements and transfers exceeded any expectations. With her meticulous attention to detail, Janey made sure our itinerary was everything we’d hoped for and more.

My daughter celebrated her 21st birthday at Mbali Mbali river camp and the staff made it an unforgettable occasion – truly magical. We felt totally spoilt and nothing was left to chance. Thank you Janey for the most memorable journey. Africa is under our skin.”

— Deborah ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Janey is incredible – by far the best travel specialist we have ever used. Service was brilliant, she really listened to what we wanted and built us the perfect trip at a great price. The extra touches were lovely (texts on the day of travel wishing us a great holiday, travel goodies and flowers on return etc). Highly responsive, will be using again, 11/10 experience!!”

— Emma ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“We booked our honeymoon with Janey and cannot recommend her enough for organising the most perfect trip. Janey is an absolute fountain of knowledge and in the initial planning phase provided so many excellent options to fit what we had asked for that it was difficult to choose between them. She was able to offer personal experiences and insights for many of the hotels which was incredibly useful.

We were treated like royalty by the hotel from the moment we arrived and the personal touches that Janey arranged made it extra special. She helped with recommending and making restaurant reservations which were all excellent and one less thing for us to think about. Communication was excellent and Janey checked in during the week to make sure all was going to plan. She really does go above and beyond and we can’t wait to book our next trip with Berry Travel.”

— Charlotte ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Let’s Make This Happen

The Cape Town Test is 3–7 January 2027.

England’s next full tour of South Africa won’t happen until 2032 at the earliest. Possibly later.

Right now, flights are available. Cricket tickets are available. The best safari lodges still have rooms.

But January is South Africa’s peak season, and this is a once-in-six-years opportunity.

The availability window is closing faster than you’d think.

I’m not saying this to create false urgency.

I’m saying it because I’ve planned enough of these trips to know what happens when people wait until autumn to book.

They get in touch asking what’s still possible.

And I have to tell them the lodges they really wanted are fully booked, or the best cricket seats are gone.

So if this trip is on your mind, let’s have a conversation now.

Fill out the form below. Or email me at janey@berrytravel.com . Or call me on 07873 853330.

We’ll set up a time to talk. I’ll ask about your dates, what you’re hoping to get from the trip, and put together a proposal that works for you.

You’re not committing to anything — we’re just exploring what’s possible.

But if you want to be at Newlands in January, the time to start planning is now.

Still Have Questions?

Here are the answers to the questions I get asked most often. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, just get in touch.

How do I know my money will be safe?

Every holiday I book is ATOL-protected, which means your money is financially secure from the moment you pay your deposit. If anything were to happen to a supplier (airline, hotel, etc.), you’re covered.

Berry Travel is also a member of AITO – the Association of Independent Tour Operators – alongside names like Abercrombie & Kent and Audley Travel. We were recently named Luxury Travel Designer of the Year at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards.

TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2026. The Chancery Rosewood London. Friday 6th March 2026. ©2026 Steve Dunlop Photographer.

You’re fully protected, and you’re working with an award-winning specialist.

What happens if something goes wrong while I’m travelling?

You’ll have direct access to me on WhatsApp throughout your trip. Not a customer service line. Not an emergency number. Me, personally.

If a flight is delayed, a transfer is missed, or something needs to change – I’ll sort it out. That’s what you’re paying for. You’re on holiday, not troubleshooting logistics.

Will I pay more if I book with you?

For complex, tailor-made trips like this, it usually isn’t more expensive to book through someone like me – and in many cases, I can access rates you wouldn’t get booking direct.

Could you save some money by doing it all yourself? Possibly. But if anything goes wrong – a missed transfer, a flight delay that throws your whole itinerary off, a lodge that doesn’t match what you saw online – you’re on your own to fix it.

When you book with me, you get full ATOL protection, someone who knows how to put these trips together (the distances in South Africa are vast, and the consequences can be serious if you get the timing or routing wrong), and someone who’ll handle any problems so you don’t have to.

For most people, that peace of mind is worth far more than saving a few hundred pounds.

Can you arrange tickets for the other Test matches and ODIs?

Yes – if you’d like to attend the Johannesburg or Pretoria Tests, or the Bloemfontein ODIs, I can arrange tickets, accommodation and transfers for any of them.

That said, this page focuses on the Cape Town Test because it’s the one that makes the most sense as the foundation for a wider South African trip. Newlands is the most beautiful ground on the tour, and Cape Town is perfectly positioned for the Winelands, the Garden Route and the Eastern Cape.

If you’re interested in a multi-Test itinerary, let’s talk through what would work best for your dates.

What happens if the Test match finishes early or gets rained off?

The specific refund policies for the 2026/27 tour haven’t been confirmed yet, but here’s how it typically works at Newlands:

If a day is rained off:

• Full refund (100%): Usually granted if fewer than 15 overs are bowled
• Partial refund (50%): Often granted if 15–30 overs are bowled
• No refund: If more than 30 overs are completed, the day is considered “played”

If the match finishes early:

• Days 1–4: You generally don’t get a refund if the match finishes early due to a result.
• Day 5: If the match finishes on or before Day 4, Day 5 ticket holders are typically entitled to a full refund because no play is possible. However, if even a single ball is bowled on Day 5 before the match ends, a refund usually isn’t granted.

I’ll confirm the exact policy for this tour once it’s released and make sure you know what you’re covered for before you book.

Can I choose which days of the Test I attend?

Yes – you can attend one day, three days, or the full five. It’s entirely up to you.

The itinerary I’ve outlined includes tickets for Days 1 and 3 (3 & 5 January), but we can adjust that to whichever days suit you best.

Is there a malaria risk? Do I need to take medication?

There is no malaria risk in any of the destinations outlined in my suggested itinerary above (Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route, the Eastern Cape Reserves).

If you decide to go to Kruger or the Sabi Sands instead, there is a malaria risk – particularly in January, which is peak mosquito season. You’d need to take antimalarial medication and use insect repellent.

The same applies if you decide to add on a stay at Victoria Falls – you need to take antimalarials.

I’ll always make it clear which areas carry risk and which don’t, so you can make an informed decision.

Do I need a visa for South Africa?

No – British citizens don’t need a visa to enter South Africa for tourism or business visits of up to 90 days.

You must hold a valid, machine-readable passport with at least two blank pages, and it’s recommended to have at least 30 days’ validity beyond your intended departure date.

If you’re travelling with children, there are additional documentation requirements (unabridged birth certificates, consent letters if travelling without both parents). I’ll talk you through all of this when we’re planning your trip.

Is South Africa safe for tourists?

South Africa is a fantastic destination to explore, and the areas included in this itinerary – Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route and private game reserves – are all well-established, tourism-friendly regions.

Like many countries, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and follow a few simple precautions: use taxis or Ubers at night, keep valuables out of sight, don’t walk around city centres after dark with expensive cameras on display.

In practice, the vast majority of travellers have completely trouble-free trips and describe South Africa as welcoming, friendly and easy to travel around.

I’ve been there many times, and I wouldn’t recommend it if I had any serious concerns about safety.

Do I need vaccinations?

You should be up to date with routine UK vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-polio, etc.).

Beyond that, the following are recommended for most travellers to South Africa:

• Hepatitis A
• Tetanus (if not up to date)
• Typhoid

If you want to be ultra-safe, your GP or travel clinic may also mention cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis – but these are usually only recommended for people doing specific work (e.g., healthcare, long-term volunteering) or staying for extended periods. The chances of a tourist contracting these diseases are exceptionally small.

Your GP or a travel clinic will give you the most current advice based on your medical history. I’d recommend booking an appointment 6–8 weeks before you travel.

What’s the weather like in January?

Cape Town, the Winelands and the Garden Route: Hot and dry. Daytime temperatures are typically 25–30°C, with warm evenings. January is peak summer in the Cape – long days, clear skies, perfect beach and outdoor weather. You’ll want sun protection and light clothing.

Eastern Cape reserves: Hot and dry as well – excellent safari conditions. Thinner vegetation makes animals easier to spot, and fewer waterholes mean wildlife congregates in predictable areas.

Kruger area (if you choose to go there instead): Hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms. It’s green season – lush and beautiful, but the thick vegetation makes game viewing harder, and there’s higher malaria risk.

January is one of the best times of year to visit South Africa – especially for the route I’ve outlined.

When should I book?

As soon as possible.

Cricket tickets and airline seats for England tours to South Africa get snapped up quickly – previous tours have sold out months in advance. January is also peak season for South African tourism, which means the best lodges fill up early.

The Cape Town Test is on 3–7 January 2027. Ideally, you’d want to book by mid-2026 to secure the best availability and pricing – but if you’re reading this later, get in touch anyway. I’ll tell you honestly what’s still available.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Absolutely. The itineraries I’ve outlined are starting points – a route that works well for most people doing this trip for the first time.

But the lodges, the routing, how long you spend in each place – all of that gets worked out in a conversation based on your dates, your pace and what you want from the trip.

Some people want to add Franschhoek and the Paarl ODI. Others prefer to skip the Klein Karoo and spend an extra night on the Garden Route. Some want to fly to Kruger instead of the Eastern Cape. Some want to finish at Victoria Falls.

It’s your trip – I just make sure it works.

How does the booking process work?

Here’s how it works from start to finish:

1. Get in touch – Drop me a message or fill in the enquiry form. We’ll set up a time to chat (phone or video call, whichever suits you).
2. Initial conversation – I’ll ask lots of questions to make sure I understand what you’re looking for: your likes, dislikes, what you want to get out of the trip, how you like to travel, what matters most to you.
3. Proposal – I’ll put together a detailed itinerary with specific lodges, timings and pricing. I’ll talk you through it, explain why I’ve recommended what I have, and answer any questions.
4. Adjustments – We refine it until it’s exactly right. This might take one conversation or three – however long it takes.
5. Booking – Once you’re happy, you pay a deposit to secure everything, with the balance due 14 weeks before you travel.
6. Before you go – I’ll send you a full itinerary with all your confirmation details, transfers, contact numbers – everything you need. I’ll also check in to make sure you’re all set.
7. While you’re away – I’ll be available on WhatsApp if you need anything. I’ll also check in during the trip to make sure everything’s going to plan.
8. After you get back – I’ll follow up to hear how it went.

The first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. If you’d like to explore what this trip could look like, [get in touch].

Questions answered?

Let’s talk about what this could look like for you.

Email: janey@berrytravel.com | Phone: 07873 853330