Southern Africa: Republic of South Africa (RSA)
Local private tour guides in the Republic of South Africa offer travelers a wide variety of tours and excursions that are very difficult for their competitors to match. There are the usual complex 4-day tours around the country at $750 USD, inviting you to visit Cape Town, Oudtshoorn, and Robertson; the wineries of Montagu and Barrydale; the amazing Cango Cave; the beautiful beaches of Mossel Bay; and many other remarkable sights! In addition, you will be offered the opportunity to observe the whales in their natural surroundings. You will need a camera or video recorder to capture these unforgettable moments. This whale-watching tour, combined with a wine tour through the local wineries, will cost only $250 USD. A trip to the western coast and the Cape Peninsula will also cost $240- $250 USD. An extreme “shark-watching tour” will cost $400 USD. The white shark is called “White Death” by local shark hunters because it can weigh up to 2.2 tons and poses a hazard to humans. Safari tours are not particularly dangerous but are also very interesting. Local private tour guides will invite you to nature reserves and parks to meet tigers, lions, and elephants in their natural surroundings. The trip is not expensive, priced between $70 and $190 USD. You should not miss specialized winery tours in South Africa. These 8-hour tours will give you time to taste all kinds of wine that make South Africa proud. Winery tours cost $240 USD.
Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe
If you decide to travel through Namibia, local private tour guides will surely invite you to take a long-term (up to 10 days) safari or photo safari. During these trips, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who knows all about the flora and fauna of South Africa. Such tours will cost about $2,400-$2,500 USD. You can take a boat on a fishing tour along the shores of Namibia; lucky fishermen can catch a shark here weighing up to 150 kg. Such a tour on the ship will cost $ 100 USD.
Local private tour guides of Botswana offer bird-watching tours and wildlife tours. You can take a 10-day safari tour or a photo safari for $2,400 USD.
Zimbabwe invites its guests to take group or private safari tours. During these excursions, you will meet the pride of the lions and will observe animals at the watering sites. Fortunately, the Kruger National Park is not far away, and there are many animals there. Safari tours will cost $240 USD and take eight hours.
Madagascar
Local private tour guides offer 5-hour tours around the cities of Madagascar for $250 USD, but the most exciting tours are those through the island's wild nature! The Amber Mountain National Park welcomes travelers to enjoy views of beautiful waterfalls and observe the diverse flora and fauna of Madagascar. Excursion to the Park will also cost about $250 USD. There are additional trips you can take, such as safari and ornithological tours, for $2,880 USD (8 people max). There are exciting tours available highlighting the cultural life of the native tribes. You will learn many interesting facts about the traditions, customs, rituals, and living conditions of the island's aboriginals, as well as enjoy views of the island's fantastic landscapes and natural beauty. This 12-day tour of Madagascar will cost between $1,135 and $1,460 USD. You may take an excursion along the east coast of the island to discover the island's exotic nature for $530 USD. These tours are for real adventurers. You will travel along the rivers of the island, taste local cuisine, spend the night camping, and meet the crocodiles, lemurs, and birds for $1,200 USD.
Tanzania, Zanzibar
The most impressive and majestic attraction of Tanzania is the dormant volcano of Kilimanjaro! It is the highest mountain on the continent and a very popular destination for trekking and climbing tours. You will surely have an unforgettable experience on this truly extraordinary adventure by climbing to the summit, testing your own strength, and enjoying stunning views. Several routes to the highest point in Africa are suitable for tourists. Tours on these routes differ in price and duration. The Lemosho Route features two camping areas where tourists can spend a night. It takes 8-9 days and includes a walking tour through the rainforest for $2,000 USD. The Machame Route has no camping. This trail is considered more difficult than others, but tourists and local private tour guides prefer it. One reason is that a simplified authorization procedure has been implemented. The Machame Route will take 7-8 days and cost $1,750 USD. There are more trails, such as the Marangu Route (with huts), the Rongai Route, and others, priced between $900 and $2,000. Local private tour guides across the country offer not only tours of Tanzania but also invite tourists to take excursions to the remarkable sites of neighboring countries such as Zanzibar, Kenya, and Uganda. You can take a tour to Lake Chala for $85 USD, beaches of Zanzibar for $4,738 USD, Mount Meru for $990, family safari tours for $2,572 USD, a tour to the “Ol Doinyo Lengai” volcano for $550 USD, Materuni waterfall for $60 USD, Chemka Hot Springs for $80 USD, and safari tours to the national parks priced between $192-$220 USD. As you can see, a wide diversity of tours and prices is available!
Middle East: UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is well known as an expensive and extravagant tourist destination. Local private tour guides in the UAE will invite you to explore the architectural attractions of Dubai. During this tour, you will enjoy views of uniquely designed buildings such as Burj Al Arab, a hotel shaped to resemble a ship's sail; Madinat Jumeirah, the largest hotel in the UAE; and a beautiful oriental-style palace spread over 40 hectares. Also included is the traditional Arab market, recreated by modern architect Jumeirah Mosque, a building of stunning beauty, and many other remarkable constructions that will remind you of oriental fairy tales. This 4-hour excursion will cost $175 USD.
There are several one-day tours of Dubai's most famous attractions for $299 USD, and 9-hour tours to the city of Abu Dhabi, the country's political and cultural center, for $50 USD. Local private tour guides will offer excursions to the Al Ain Oasis, the largest inland city in the UAE, which is listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List! This city has a lot to offer to its guests: magnificent fortresses, palm groves, and the last Camel market in the world. Tours are priced at $500. One more adventure you should not miss is an exciting desert safari tour for $55 USD per person. After you discover all the beauties of the UAE, you can turn to the nightlife in the country! Local private tour guides will offer you a tour called "night Dubai" to visit the most popular places frequented by youth and residents for $470 USD.
Israel
Local private tour guides in Israel offer guests historical tours around the city. You will learn a lot of interesting facts about the oldest buildings and the famous personalities associated with them for $140 USD. Take an excursion to the museums and the Old Jewish Quarter, where you will receive a lecture on the thousand-year history of the Jewish people for $150 USD. You can take a journey through the tunnels along the western wall and to the underground city for $100 USD. Take excursions to significant places of different religions, like a tour called “Following the footsteps of Jesus Christ" in Jerusalem for $225 USD, and historical tours over the remarkable sights of Jerusalem: the tomb of King David, Mount Zion, the grave of Oskar Schindler and the Wailing Wall for $200 USD. Local private tour guides will invite you to take a trip across the country, visiting the Galilee, the cities of Caesarea and Haifa, the Dead Sea, and the ruins of Masada. You can also take a tour of Jordan's underground cities and hot mineral springs for $250.
Jordan
Jordan's local private tour guides can offer exciting tours and excursions. Hot and cold healing springs in the “Ma’In Hot Springs” area, near the Dead Sea, are very popular among inhabitants and guests of the country. The 4-hour “Ma’In Hot Springs” tour will cost $50 USD. It is strongly recommended to visit Petra, a new Wonder of the world. You can take this tour from any town in Jordan because Petra’s carved rocks, monasteries, crypts, and temples are extremely popular and attract tourists from all over the world. The 5-hour tour to Petra will cost about $130 USD. Enjoy tours of religious and biblical sites, like the place where Jesus was baptized, or take a sightseeing tour of Jordan's cities for $50-$80 USD. There are also complex tours that include visits to Galilee, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and Petra for $700 USD.
Iran
Iran is a country with a rich history and culture. Its mosques and palaces amaze travelers with their beauty and grace. Local private tour guides in Iran offer tourists the opportunity to visit Persian Gardens, some of which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Such a 6-12-hour tour will cost $250-$500 USD. You can choose to take an excursion to the rock formations of unusual shapes in the Deshet-Lut Desert for $400 USD, or to the historical complex of “Hammam Ganj Ali Khan,” which includes a square, baths, a beautiful mosque, a historical museum, restaurants, and water tanks for $300 USD. Make sure not to miss the famous Imam Reza shrine located in the city of Mashhad! It is the largest mosque in the world, containing the mausoleum of Imam Reza, and the place of pilgrimage for millions of Muslims of Iran. This tour will cost $24 USD per person.
Lebanon, Palestine
Local private tour guides in Lebanon mainly offer historical tours through the remarkable sights and ruins of ancient cities, which are nevertheless very interesting! You can take an excursion to the Jeita Grotto, located 20 kilometers from Beirut. It is a cave complex with an overall length of about 9 kilometers and a fascinating history. Recently, a new level of caves was discovered under the original one, which is highly unusual for such a formation.
Local private tour guides will also invite you to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Baalbek, located 80 kilometers from Beirut; the city of Anjar in the Beqaa Valley; and Beit ed-Dine, a small town in the Mount Lebanon region. This town is well known for its Beiteddine Palace, which hosts the annual summer festival. Sightseeing tours around Beirut are also available.
Local tour guides in Palestine offer exceptional tours of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock in Al-Quds (the Arabic name for Jerusalem). According to Muslim beliefs, the Dome of the Rock is one of their sacred sites, along with Mecca and Medina.
Read our previous article Brief Overview of Local Private Tour Guide Prices in the Countries of the Asian-Pacific Region.
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