rotel tours south africa

Capsule hotels are in vogue right now. The German tour company Rotel has always been ahead of the game by providing capsule hotels on wheels since 1945.

No matter how much you enjoy staying in a five-star hotel, you will always be stationary, trapped in one district. So, to feed your sense of novelty and adventure, you decide to book yourself on a Rotel bus.

What next? Well, first, you choose your tour from hundreds of options all around the world. If the wilds of Africa are not your thing, perhaps the vast planes of central Russia are. Or maybe the frozen wilderness of the Arctic will appeal, or what about exotic Ecuador?

On the bus, you ride in passenger seats during the day and sleep in 6x6x3ft capsules at night. There is a large kitchen on board for food, but you may have to go a few days until you reach a shower as there is no one on the bus.

But who could complain about the smell of unwashed passengers when you wake up in a new and exciting location every day?

Rotel Tours

Rotel Tours is the largest bus tour in the world, based in the Bavarian town of Tittling in Germany. Their name comes from the combination of "rolling" and "hotel", which is a portmanteau (two overlapping words creating a new one).

Rotel Tours was established by Georg Höltl right at the end of World War II in 1945, but it wasn't until 1951 that the first bus took off to Switzerland. Tours went to France, Italy, and Spain in subsequent years.

Höltl's concept for Rotel was human encounters and cultural exchange enabled by a bus hotel that takes you to places. It was a fragile period for Germans to travel abroad, but it was an important mission to reconcile with the past and make way for a better, more empathic future.

Hence, the Rotel Tours soon received its nickname: "International Meeting Trips". It was a pioneering project that has been successfully transporting thousands of people to distant places in their quirky buses ever since.

Then, in 1959, the Jerusalem-bound journey started in Münich. Without using any ferries, they drove all the way to Israel through Turkey over land and made it back to Germany in 38 days.

One decade later, Rotel managed to cross the Sahara, which paved the way for even farther destinations like Mongolia, China, Laos, or Vietnam.

Their specially prepared buses offer trips to far-away destinations, taking (primarily) Europeans (the journeys start in Germany) to exotic landscapes and cultures.

While most tour companies will book you a flight and an all-inclusive hotel where you will eat continental breakfast and have no interaction with locals other than the staff, Rotel offers something very different.

It takes you on study and expedition trips, going off the beaten paths, stopping at the most unlikely places, and converging with the locals whenever possible.

Rotel has four types of vehicles:

—A 20-seater four-wheel drive bus for trips off the beaten track going to South America, Africa, and Asia —A 24-seater bus combined going around European countries —A 34-seater four-wheel drive bus with a trailer for long expeditions in South America and Southern Africa —A 36-seater bus with a Rotel trailer

All four buses have a unified Rotel cabin for overnight stays. It's similar to what you find in capsule hotels but can take you to the next undiscovered destination while you sleep.

The sleeping capsules are 6.6-foot (2 meters) long and 2.8-foot (80 cm) wide for singles and 5.6-foot (160 cm) for doubles.

The idea is fifty years old but just as brilliant today. The long time since it started indicates that the concept is a commercial success.

Today, Rotel Tours offers as many as 3,400 beds on wheels and annually logs around 600,000 overnight stays.

Rotel is a combination of a tourist bus and a hotel. Even while you are "sitting in your room," you discover parts of the world you have never seen before.

The journey will take you through winding roads, some of them so dangerous that without a professional driver, it would be too risky to take.

But every once in a while, the people onboard the bus can ask the driver to take a well-deserved stop to enjoy the cliffside panorama and relax.

Another advantage of taking a sleeper bus all over the world is it can stop at some of the most famous sights, and you can enjoy the view from the window without needing to mingle with the average tourist.

The offroad setup of the bus allows for taking routes that are not feasible for regular vehicles.

The Rotel tour will take you through rugged terrain off the beaten path.

The destinations are often far off the beaten track and wide tourist paths. You are offered considerably more comfort and safety than if you were to wander around with a tent on your back.

Guests should not expect five-star luxury at the Rotel. There is no shower, but there is a toilet on the bus. A camping kitchen can also be used while it's stationary.

The organization uses existing campsites as much as possible, but this is not always possible in remote areas. The travel organization is active in Africa, Europe, and Asia, and the destinations are often exotic and rural.

If more than 24 passengers come along, a trailer can be attached to the bus where you can stay overnight.

The typical Rotel bus travels with between 20 and 40 tourists. It usually has 22 passenger seats and 24 rooms, including one for the driver and one for the tour guide.

The bus stops as often as possible at places where you can have a shower. On certain nights, you will also have the opportunity to spend the night in a normal hotel room.

And if the bus gets in trouble, you and your fellow travelers will work as a team to get through challenging adventures.

You get your own little crawl space - about 3.3 feet (1 meter) high but with ample width - where you can spend the nights in a little more comfort than in a tent.

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The rolling hotel spotted in kruger.

Credit: Instagram/rotel_tours

The famous Rotel, or Rolling Hotel (Das Rollende Hotel) tours the world on a bus that functions like a hotel. This week, a visitor spotted one in the Kruger National Park.

Rotel tours can accommodate up to 36 (non-claustrophobic) people.

View this post on Instagram   if(!custom_banners && (window.isMobile != null || window.isTablet != null)){ document.write(' '); document.write(' '); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1636096706435-0'); }); document.write(' '); } Nice place to stay overnight. #pamir #tajikistan #roteltours #liveroteltours #rotel #rollendeshotel #reisen #travelpics #travelphotography #travelbug #onceinalifetime #mountains #camping #camper #adventure #nature #naturelovers A post shared by Rotel Tours (@rotel_tours) on Oct 15, 2018 at 12:22pm PDT if(window.isMobile != null || window.isTablet != null){ document.write(' '); document.write(' '); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('dfp-300x250-2'); }); document.write(' '); }

The Rolling Hotel was founded in 1959 and currently boasts a fleet of 3,400 buses strong, according to Cool Things.com.  Inside, travellers are assigned to rooms of roughly 1 x 1 x 2m which includes a bed with a window. All buses only get one communal toilet and no shower, but the bus stops on multiple occasions at designated camping grounds with bathroom facilities.

  View this post on Instagram   An elephant shows his interest for the #roteltours bus in the South-Luangwa National Park in Zambia 🇿🇲#dasrollendehotel #zambia #southluangwa #hotelbus #red #bus #amazing #picoftheday #adventure #stunning #offthebeatenpath #tour #awesome #expedition #travel #elephant A post shared by Rotel Tours (@rotel_tours) on Apr 27, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

The bus has three South African tours, including one from Cape Town to Johannesburg via Namaqualand and the Kgalakgadi Transfrontier National Park; a 32-day trip from Cape Town through Port Elizabeth, Namibia and Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, according to SA People . The longest trip costs about R67,000, breakfast and dinner included.

  View this post on Instagram   Curious camel in Mongolia. #mongolia #camel #roteltours #liveroteltours #rollendeshotel #travel #travelphotography #tour #bustour #camping #expedition #naadam #mongolei #travelbug #traveladdict #curious #desert #overlanding #offroad #allrad #reisen #asia A post shared by Rotel Tours (@rotel_tours) on Jan 17, 2018 at 9:54am PST

The featured image was take in Uganda.

Image: Instagram/Rotel

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Roll Up And Take A Safari In The Mobile Hotel

42 German tourists rolled into Hoedspruit in a luxury coach-hotel on Tuesday January 9. The coach belongs to a company called Rotel Tours, abbreviated from Das Rollende Hotel, as the buses are called.

Four buses are active in Southern Africa, taking German tourists on a four-week trip between Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Namibia and Victoria Falls. The buses consist of a luxury coach pulling a trailer with individual cabins where a maximum of 42 guests can sleep. Each cabin has its own window.

The concept was started by George Höltel from Passau in the south of Germany in 1954. He apparently realised that the sense of adventure and love of camping is Roll up and take a safari in the mobile hotel being lost in the younger generation of Germany and wanted to offer a "camping tour throughout the world's natural areas", as Satour tour guide Helmut Kruger called it.

Helmut said that especially the older generation, mostly pensioners, miss their camping roots and enjoy the camping atmosphere of the sleeper coach. The tourists all admitted that it is a lot of fun and definitely a vacation with a difference.

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South Africa Safari Reviews

Our guide was superlative. Our itinerary was superb. Our accommodation and food really satisfying and well beyond expectations. It was a great trip and I'd do it again at my first opportunity. And I'll recommend to far and wide!

Fantastic experience with a great guide. Thank you!

The tour was really awesome. Each day we got to see so much and we were so lucky to get to see the Big 5! The only thing that let the experience down was the accommodation which was pretty dated and felt damp. But it had been wet and we were reluctant to overuse the aircon. The food was generous and the staff were very friendly and accomodating. Next time we go safari, we will spend a little more now that we know what to experimenter. Thank you for a great tour.

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South Africa Safari - Compare 932 Tours

South Africa is one of the world’s most varied holiday destinations. From the classic safari country of Kruger National Park to the stately ‘mother city’ of Cape Town; from the snow-sprinkled heights of the Drakensberg to the parched red dunescapes of the Kalahari; from the gorgeous Winelands around Stellenbosch to the idyllic beaches of the Garden Route – South Africa is a true all-rounder that attracts more than its fair share of repeat visitors. It is also the most affordable and well equipped of African safari destinations, particularly well suited to family holidays, to those seeking a malaria-free holiday, to dedicated foodies and wine-lovers, and for combining a foray into Big Five country with a beach holiday and/or city break.

7-Day South Africa Luxury Tour

$3,188 to $3,705 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Guest House

You Visit: Cape Town (Start) , Franschhoek (Winelands) , Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger) , Hoedspruit Airport (Hoedspruit) , Hoedspruit (End)

4.8 /5  –  152 Reviews

4-Day Luxury Greater Kruger to Canyon Safari Adventure

$1,379 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Balule NR (Greater Kruger) , Central Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route) , Johannesburg (End)

Shinzelle Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  63 Reviews

5-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Reserve Bongan Lodge

$877 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Budget Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Manyeleti GR (Greater Kruger) , Central Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

Bongan Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  25 Reviews

5-Day Malamala Exclusive Fly in Safari

$4,673 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , MalaMala GR (Greater Kruger) , Johannesburg (End)

Ranger Buck Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  28 Reviews

4-Day Ultra Luxury Radisson Kruger Safari and Pano Tour

$882 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Luxury Hotel

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight) , Johannesburg Airport (End)

MoAfrika Tours   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  1296 Reviews

5-Day Ultimate Kruger & Panorama Experience

$897 to $986 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Guest House

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Hoedspruit (Town) , Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight) , Johannesburg (End)

Wild Planet Safari   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  211 Reviews

3-Day Kruger National Park Safari Experience

$13,750 to $14,960 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Luxury+ Private Villa

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Nelspruit (End)

Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.8 /5  –  99 Reviews

7-Day Kruger - Kingdom of Eswatini - Saint Lucia

$1,638 to $1,783 pp (USD)

South Africa & Eswatini: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Mantenga (Cultural Village) , Lobamba (Town) , iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, King Shaka Airport (End)

Nhlalala Travel   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  41 Reviews

6-Day Sabi Sands and Kruger Park Safari

$4,259 to $4,645 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Sabi Sand GR (Greater Kruger) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)

Discover Africa Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  432 Reviews

5-Day Tremisana/Treehouse Kruger Park Safari

$933 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Balule NR (Greater Kruger) , Kruger NP, Blyde River Canyon (Panorama Route) , Johannesburg (End)

Viva Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.9 /5  –  265 Reviews

3-Day Safari with Night Drive

$982 to $1,080 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Mid-range

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

Khalanga Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  64 Reviews

3-Day Kruger Mid Range Safari from Johannesburg

$716 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle) Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Southern Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

Balanta Imagine Safaris   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  1 Reviews

3-Day Big 5 Budget Safari, Kruger National Park

$388 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Budget Lodge

Safari With Us   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  220 Reviews

3-Day Camping Safari in Kruger National Park

$543 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Budget Camping

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)

Mbombela Experience Tours & Transfers   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  33 Reviews

5-Day Greenfire Game Lodge Safari

$1,514 to $1,627 pp (USD)

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Balule NR (Greater Kruger) , Johannesburg (End)

The Kruger Safari Co.   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  132 Reviews

4-Day Unforgettable 4-Day Safari at Kapama River Lodge

$2,196 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury+ Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kapama GR (Greater Kruger) , Johannesburg (End)

African Wildlife Plains   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  3 Reviews

5-Day Luxury Kruger Park and Sabi Sand Safari

$2,921 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Chalet

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Kruger NP, Sabi Sand GR (Greater Kruger) , Johannesburg (End)

Safari.com   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.7 /5  –  186 Reviews

4-Day & 3-Night Kruger National Park Budget Safari

$594 to $660 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Mid-range Guest House

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Southern Kruger NP, Kruger NP, Johannesburg Airport (End)

The Mzansi Experience   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

4.7 /5  –  64 Reviews

5-Day Walking Safari and Eco-Lux Kruger Escape

$3,008 to $3,447 pp (USD)

South Africa: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Tented Bush Camp

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger) , Johannesburg (End)

5.0 /5  –  42 Reviews

3-Day Touch Timbavati & Open Orpen Gate to Kruger Park

$808 pp (USD)

South Africa: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Johannesburg (Start) , Timbavati NR (Greater Kruger) , Kruger NP, Johannesburg (End)

Wildlife Encounters   Tour operator has an office in South Africa

5.0 /5  –  21 Reviews

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8 Questions About South Africa Safaris

Answered by

Philip briggs.

When is the best time to visit South Africa?

“There is no bad time to take a South African holiday. But certain parts of the country are far better at specific times of the year. If a safari will be the main event of your South African tour, most of the country’s key parks and reserves are at their best in the southern hemisphere winter months of May to September, when daytime temperatures are cooler, the bush is less dense allowing for better visibility, and wildlife tends to gather around limited water sources. For beach-lovers, by contrast, the main coastal resorts are at their best in the southern hemisphere summer (November to March). Special interest groups such as bird-watchers and photographers may also prefer to undertake a safari in summer, when resident bird populations are boosted by large numbers of migrant birds, and the clear sky and greener countryside make for a more photogenic backdrop.”

Why visit South Africa, what are the major attractions?

“Variety is the keynote of South African holidays. The country boasts one of the continent’s finest safari destinations in the form of Kruger National Park and nearby private reserves, while other key Big Five safari reserves include Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and malaria-free Madikwe and Pilanesberg. Safaris aside, South Africa is renowned for its fantastic beaches, limitless hiking opportunities, wonderful outdoor climate and good-value dining and wining scene. The main focus of non-safari sightseeing is Cape Town, which is gracefully perched below Table Mountain on a scenic stretch of Atlantic coastline, close to the whale-watching hub of Hermanus and the historical Winelands around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.”

How much does a South African safari cost?

“South African safari prices will depend greatly on the level of comfort you expect. At one extreme, self-drive camping safaris in somewhere like Kruger might work out at under US$100 for a couple per day. At the other extreme, all-inclusive safari packages at one of the country’s more exclusive private safari lodges might be 10 or 20 times more expensive. A good compromise between comfort and cost is a safari using the well-run rest camps that can be found throughout Kruger and in many other key national parks and provincial reserves. Accommodation aside, extras such as food, wine and other drinks are very cheap by international standards.”

How is the wildlife viewing?

“Excellent. Kruger National Park and neighboring private reserves host large populations of all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo), and rank among the top African safari destinations when it comes to spotting white rhino, as well as the rarer black rhino, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog. All these safari favorites are also likely to be encountered in Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserves, as well as in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and the various small private reserves of the Eastern Cape. Outside of the major Big Five reserves, many parts of the country are still home to a variety of antelope, monkeys and small predators, all of which might be encountered by hikers and ramblers. Bird watching is consistently excellent throughout the country, while locally conspicuous marine wildlife includes penguins, whales and giant turtles.”

How safe is South Africa for tourists?

“Crime is a genuine issue in the larger cities, especially Johannesburg, but not so much in the game reserves, smaller towns and beach resorts that form the focal points of most South African safari trips. Follow local advice about safety, avoid walking around cities at night, and you should be fine. Malaria is absent from most parts of the country, the one major exception being Kruger National Park and its immediate environs, but even here the risk is far lower than in most other African safari destinations. Madikwe and Pilanesberg are Africa’s premier malaria-free safari destinations. Many reserves in South Africa offer guided walking safaris in areas inhabited by potentially dangerous animals such as elephant, black rhino and lion, but the risk of an incident is minimal provided that you listen to your guide at all times, and treat wildlife with respect. Possibly the biggest risk to life and limb in South Africa is a car accident, so self-drivers should adopt a more defensive and cautious approach than they might at home.”

How do I select a reliable tour operator for a South Africa trip?

“It’s worth doing a bit of research into operators before you book a South Africa tour. Look for reviews of any given operator on SafariBookings.com and possibly other online portals; the more reviews an operator has received, the more confident you can be of its reliability. If you have friends who have visited the country, or who live there, ask for word-of-mouth recommendations before booking any South African safari packages. Check out the company’s website too – as a rule its level of professionalism will reflect that of the company it represents. Once in South Africa, hotels and guesthouses can usually point you to tried-and-tested operators for day outings and other short local tours.”

What type of accommodation can I expect?

“South African safari accommodation ranges from no-frills campsites to exclusive upmarket lodges offering the last word in safari chic. In between these extremes, most national parks and provincial reserves have at least one well-run rest camp offering camping facilities and self-catering chalets (usually en suite but occasionally using shared bathrooms). For those who don’t want to immerse themselves in the bush, a selection of mid-range hotels can be found within easy driving distance of many national park and reserve entrance gates. Exclusive lodges are generally associated with private reserves and concessions that offer all-inclusive safari packages incorporating guided game drives and walks.”

What can I expect from South African safaris?

“Generally South Africa has a more developed feel than other African safari destinations. Most national parks and other reserves can be reached via good, surfaced roads, which certainly isn’t the case in many other parts of Africa. Some, such as Kruger, actually have an internal network of surfaced roads, and it is the only major African safari destination where a 4WD would be a luxury rather than a necessity, and the most suitable one for self-drive safaris. Likewise, most national park rest camps are well equipped for self-caterers, and many have well-stocked grocery shops. Further, the wildlife in South Africa is as wild as it is in most parts of Africa, the standard of guiding is unusually high, and people on organized safaris can expect excellent close-up sightings of everything from the Big Five to smaller animals such as birds and lizards.”

South Africa Safari Reviews

Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.

Where Big Five safaris are big business, there’s a wealth of choice

Glorious images of elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffalo parading through pristine bush are central to South Africa’s popular image. So it comes as a surprise to some first-time visitors that, in reality, the proportion of this...

Full Review

Anthony is a photographer and writer for travel magazines and Lonely Planet, including the guides to Kenya and Botswana & Namibia.

South Africa: World-class Safaris

South Africa is one of my favourite places to go on safari, with all the necessary ingredients for a wildlife experience that will begin your enduring love affair with the continent. Primary among these ingredients is the wildlife....

Great Safari Kruger Park Safari with Red Africa!

We enjoyed our 7day/6nights Safari with Red Africa. The price was very reasonable and staff Amelia when booking and our guide Jocko was very accommodating. Our flight was delayed into Johannesburg and he was able to pick us up at the...

South Africa offers incredible natural beauty, an abundance of animal life, and cultural diversity.

Took a full day tour of Pilanesburg Reserve, Ultimate Johannesburg Tour which included Nelson Mendela House and Museum, Constitutional Hill, and Soweto. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable and fun to be with. Our visit to Soweto...

Fantastic, amazing and very affordable

It has been 15 years since I last visited and was pleasantly surprised at how energetic and vibrant the Western Cape was. We were vacationing in the Houtbay area and enjoyed our stay immensely. Surrounded by mountains and the Atlantic...

Our first safari

My wife and I had a wonderful time on our first safari. All the staff that we met were more than helpful . We had a chance to see and learn about a lot of interesting things. We will certainly pass our experience on to our friends and...

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Go on a private safari in Kruger National Park

Experience the wonders of Kruger on a private safari with Trafalgar. We’ll take you through one of the largest national parks in Africa, home to 135 mammal species including the iconic Big Five. See elephants chewing on mopane trees, wildebeest running through open savanna, and big cats lurking in the grass.

Take in the cosmopolitan spirit of Cape Town

From the slopes of Table Mountain to the rocky Atlantic shoreline, a tour of Cape Town is one of the best things to do in South Africa. Our Local Specialists will show you the sprawling City Bowl, the golden vineyards of the Cape Winelands, and the spectacular Cape Peninsula.

Enjoy the views of the Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg Mountains are the highest peaks in South Africa, towering up to 1,422 feet. We’ll explore this UNESCO-listed Site, with magnificent views and rock art dating back several thousand years. You’ll also have the chance to join a 4x4 Sani Pass drive, for lunch at Africa's highest pub in Lesotho.

Connect with Swazi culture in a local Chief's village

We’ll travel to beautiful eSwatini, where your South Africa guide will show you around a Swazi Chief's village. You’ll see their traditional crimson dress, sample some local cuisine such as pap (cornmeal porridge) and meat and vegetable stew, and gain a deeper understanding of the community's way of life.

Go up the Table Mountain by Cable Car

Soaring 3,558 feet to form a flat-topped peak, Table Mountain is one of the most iconic South Africa attractions. We’ll take you to the top in a cableway, where you’ll discover bright Cape fynbos, the curious rock hyrax, and panoramic views of the City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard.

Our top 5 things to do in South Africa

We’ll show you what to do in South Africa, from searching for the Big Five in Kruger National Park, to ascending Table Mountain for breathtaking views over Cape Town.

Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town

Founded in 1825 in the historic Company’s Gardens, the South African Museum houses extensive collections of natural history, zoology and archaeology. There are more than 1.5 million specimens in the museum, ranging from 700-million year old fossils, to stone tools made 120,000 years ago.

Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg

The Apartheid Museum commemorates the era of racial segregation in South America, providing a chilling insight into the apartheid system and sharing moving stories of the fight for democracy. You can easily spend a few hours here, taking in the wealth of information on this dark period.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Port Elizabeth

Originally opened in 1956, this museum was renamed in 2002 in honor of Nelson Mandela. It houses a fantastic collection of South African art, along with international pieces. You can see artworks from the Eastern Cape, British art, Chinese textiles, Indian miniatures and international printmaking.

Best museums in South Africa

Our South Africa travel experiences take you to the country’s superb museums, from the moving Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, to the vast historic collections of the Iziko South African Museum.

As South Africa’s favorite snack, you’ll find biltong throughout the country, from markets to restaurants. Biltong is made from cured meat, usually beef and game, and is served in dried slices, spiced with herbs. In South Africa, game refers to the animals of the bush like ostrich, kudu, impala and wildebeest.

South African biryani is a traditional dish originating from the Cape Malay culture. It’s made with lentils, meat like goat or chicken, vegetables like tomatoes and potatoes, and seasonings like garam masala, turmeric and chilli powder. It’s served with parboiled rice for a hearty meal.

Amasi is a popular dairy snack in South Africa, made from unpasteurised cow's milk stored in a calabash container to allow it to ferment. The thick liquid that remains tastes like plain yoghurt and is traditionally served in a clay pot, or poured over pap porridge.

Best Food in South Africa

South Africa food is wonderfully diverse and our Local Specialists will show you all the best places to taste the classics, from dried biltong to warm biryani.

What to pack for South Africa

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

Adaptor plug

In South Africa, the standard voltage is 230 V and the power plugs and sockets are of type D, M and N. The standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Bring your binoculars for wildlife spotting when we take you on a private safari through Kruger National Park, one of the best destinations for wildlife viewing in all of Africa.

Sunscreen & sunglasses

You’ll be much closer to the equator when you travel to South Africa, so you’ll need to protect your skin and eyes with strong sunscreen and UV protected sunglasses.

South Africa is known for its spectacular beaches, so pack a swimsuit if you’d like to take a dip in the Indian or Atlantic Oceans that border the country.

Versatile clothing

From the dusty savannah and sunny vineyards, to the chilly mountains and windy coastline, you’ll need a range of versatile clothing when you visit South Africa.

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• 18 oct. 2023
• 2 min de lecture

Rotel Tours: Travel around the world by hotel bus

The German company Rotel Tours, founded in 1945 by Georg Höltl, was a pioneer in post-war tourist travel. From 1950, she began her first trips abroad. In 1959, it developed innovative tourism by introducing people to the world from the inside of specially designed hotel buses with bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. The company uses 4 different types of buses adapted for each type of trip with a passenger capacity varying between 20 and 36 people.

It was in 1969 that its circuits took on another dimension with a circuit of the discovery of the Sahara crossing Algeria from North to South. The legendary trans-Saharan expedition began on November 3, 1969 in Tunisia and ended on December 6 in Accra. The Mercedes bus with a Rotel trailer and a Unimog as escort vehicle covered more than 4000 km. The journey led through sandy deserts and up often blown slopes across the Sahara, the world's largest desert. More than once the desert has become a serious problem, but also a great experience. The lunar landscape of Hoggar, shaped by volcanic basalts, the evenings with the Tuaregs and the friendly inhabitants of the desert, the landscape of Niger, the tropical forests of Dahome, Togo and Ghana and finally the gold coast of West Africa - the trip was an unforgettable experience for the 43 participants. Georg Höltl, founder of the company Rotel Tours and initiator of this trip, personally participated and documented the extraordinary journey of the pioneers with 16 mm film.

Rotel Tours now offers tours all over the world, including: Scandinavia, the USA, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, India, the Andes, Morocco...

On the Price side, for example, a 14-day tour in Morocco with departure from Germany costs around 1,540 euros all inclusive, a 31-day tour in Peru €4,340 and a 15-day tour in Sweden €1,560.

You are here: Home // Uncategorized // The Rolling Hotel: Where Travelers Are Passengers By Day And Hotel Guests By Night

This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy .

The Rolling Hotel: Where Travelers Are Passengers By Day And Hotel Guests By Night

Published on July 8th, 2016 by Ching Fu

Rotel Tours is a hotel on wheels catering to travelers who want to visit far-flung places but aren’t quite up for roughing it. In this red rolling hotel, guests are seated passengers during the day, but at night they move to the back of the bus to their capsule room to sleep.

Travel with Rotel Tours – the rolling hotel.

The buses are typically custom modified Mercedes 0404’s with 24 seats in the front and 26 rooms in the rear (the driver and tour guide each get a room). Claustrophobics beware, the rooms are only 6’ wide x 6’ long x 3’ tall, and come in single or double configurations.

In some rooms, a dividing wall can be removed to convert a single room to a double, making the number of single vs. double rooms versatile in all the Rotels.

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Each room includes a window that can be opened, a curtain, a mosquito net, interior lighting and a cargo net. Bedding and linens are provided by the tour company. Luggage is stored under the bus and travelers are recommended to carry a separate 3-day travel bag with them because luggage can only be accessed every three days.

There are always three rooms above one another in the buses.

Aside from a single toilet, the Rotel doesn’t provide guests with any showering facilities. Instead the buses stop at campgrounds with bathing facilities whenever possible. The Rotel does have a drop-down “camp kitchen” providing breakfast and dinners to guests.

Chairs and tables are set up outside during meal time and if the weather turns gray, meals can be eaten inside the bus where all the seats come with a table.

The German tour company was founded in 1945 and seems to focus on the German-speaking demographic. Rotel Tour drivers and tour guides are exclusively from German-speaking countries and their mother tongue is German.

The company specializes in large expeditions. Rotel Tours has 4 different types of buses that can carry groups of 20, 24, 34 or 36. The smaller groups are in an all-in-one bus, while the large groups are in buses with their hotel rooms towed behind.

Some Rotel buses can sleep up to 36 travelers.

Travelers can choose to visit various locations all over the world: Europe, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, North America, Central America, and South America.

Travel the world with Rotel Tours.

Trips go to remote places like Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan and to cities like Shanghai and New York City. The length of a trip varies from 7 days to 30 days on the road, with focuses on culture, nature or a combination of the two!

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Zambia is a beautiful country in Southern Africa, known for its mighty Zambezi, stunning wildlife, and vibrant culture.

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South Africa South Africa is a diverse and beautiful country that offers a range of incredible travel destinations.

Zimbabwe is a country that boasts a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural landscapes, and a wealth of wildlife.

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South africa.

South Africa is all about discovery, revitalizing your spirit and reinventing your thinking. Luxurious resorts, moving township visits, open-air safari game drives and vibrant cities like Cape Town; few destinations can offer such a myriad of enriching experiences. Already an up-and-coming destination, South Africa garnered tremendous worldwide recognition after successfully hosting the 2010 World Cup. Visitors from around the globe have spread the news of this beautiful nation. And now leisure travellers are moving it to the top of their wish-lists. You’ve made a wondrous choice.

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Destination must-see's.

Cape Town is the second most populated city in South Africa. It’s known for its landscapes, gardens, museums, cuisine and wine, but most importantly, it’s known for its wildlife. South Africa is a great place to see the Big Five: elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions and buffalo, as well as many species of snakes, birds and even eight different species of whales.

Referred to as “The Place of the Mountain” this Big 5 reserve also has five eco-systems. It has a moderate climate year round with rainfall in summer. The area is malaria-free and has an upper area with rock formations and grass plains, and a lower area of vegetation and wetlands.

Hanglip Mountain Lodge:

There’s never a dull moment at Hanglip Mountain Lodge! The luxury suites here are a great blend of romantic African and African baroque. There are ten luxury bedrooms, spa facilities, dining room and lounge, bar facilities, wine cellar, swimming pool, and the Hanglip fig tree outdoor venue. Every room has a private deck with views of the mountain and lounge areas with welcoming fireplaces. There are also game drives, bush walks, horseback safaris, helicopter flights, paintball; abseiling, and quad bikes.

Kruger National Park:

Imagine yourself exploring almost five million acres of protected game reserve spread out on the plains of South Africa. Here you can see the Big 5: elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards and rhinos running free out in their natural habitat. But wait! There are more than three hundred types of trees and five hundred species of birds to admire, too!

Destination Must-Do's

Table Mountain:

This landmark is Africa’s most welcoming and photographed attraction and it’s no wonder why! Visitors enjoy riding to the top of the mountain by cable car where the most spectacular views can be found. The mountain is home to thousands of species of plants and flowers as well as the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Definitely do not leave your camera behind for this trip!

Featherbed Reserve (milk trees):

Located on the Knysna lagoon, there is much to see in the Featherbed Nature Reserve. You can explore the reserve riding on a 4x4 vehicle and trailer that takes visitors to key viewpoints on the reserve, or you can explore an ancient sea cave. Milk trees are extremely common here and they can grow up to six feet tall and have a spiny shrub-like look with small yellow flowers along the side.

Boulders Beach:

Feel the sea breeze in your hair and the sand between your toes at Boulder’s Beach in False Bay. Aside from being a beautiful spot to lounge, swim, and picnic, it’s also the only place in the world where you can observe African Penguins in their natural habitat. A colony of these adorably furry endangered birds settled at the beach in 1982 and never left. You’ll probably want to stay a while too.

Winelands Region:

South Africa has some really great wine. Visit the heart of the winelands region and take in the colourful mountains and vineyards that seem to go on for days. Don’t forget to taste some of that delicious stuff while you’re there!

Expert Advice

As you prepare to explore South Africa, enjoy a casual dress style and be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes. Lightweight cottons are suggested for shorts, slacks, tee shirts, as well as hats and one warm jacket and/or jumper.

You’re in for a treat as you sample the truly unique flavours of Africa. The cuisine is sometimes called "rainbow cuisine," as it enjoys a variety of multicultural sources. Eating and drinking in South Africa is a culinary experience not to be missed.

One of the best parts of travelling is coming back home with souvenirs that really reflect the place you’ve just been. In South Africa you’ll find a plethora of cultural products like carvings of animals made of soap stone, ebony, or other woods; wooden masks, bowls, jewellery and chess sets; jewellery made of precious stones like diamonds and semi-precious stones such as malachite, lapis and topaz; native art paintings, murals and sculptures; safari clothing; and tie-dyed prints of animals.

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