Best of South Africa (base )

15 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
Connect with the culture of two countries as you travel from north to south to encounter South Africa’s legacy of Mandela and the cosmopolitan spirit of Cape Town.
$6,636
From$5,395
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Connect with the culture of two countries as you travel from north to south to encounter South Africa’s legacy of Mandela and the cosmopolitan spirit of Cape Town.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityJohannesburg
End CityCape Town

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic Sightseeing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Johannesburg

Your seamless South African journey begins with an airport transfer from O.R. Tambo International Airport to your hotel. Settle in to the pace of Africa’s most energetic city before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner.

The Maslow

Dinner

Day 2: Journey to the Kruger National Park Area

The golden Highveld gives way to rolling green hills as we travel to South Africa's Lowveld. We admire the iconic sights along Mpumalanga's Panorama Route – the Blyde River Canyon, the heavenly landscapes of God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes. Before evening fall...

Day 3: Safari in Kruger National Park

Connect with nature and explore South Africa's oldest and most iconic national park in the company of a Local Specialist. Uncover the secrets of the bushveld and keep a look out for the magnificent 'Big 5', the Little 5 and everything in between. See the glistening ye...

Day 4: Onwards to Eswatini Dive Into Culture

Travel to landlocked Eswatini and get a real feel for the local culture. You’ll visit a Swazi Chief’s village, meet the community and learn about their way of life, before sampling some of the local pap and stew. Admire their striking crimson traditional dress up clos...

Day 5: Head to Hluhluwe

We venture to 'garden of province' of KwaZulu-Natal and its northern wilderness. Traversing rolling sugarcane fields and lush valleys, we arrive at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park where there is an opportunity to embark on an optional 4x4 game drive. This evening enjoy a delicious South African braai – a perfect way to end the day.

Anew

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Venture to Durban (Umhlanga Rocks) Stays With Stories

Board an optional morning cruise on Lake St. Lucia and get up close to the hippos, crocodiles and birdlife residing in the estuary. Alternatively, explore the town of St. Lucia. We continue south to Durban for an effortless encounter with this tropical east coast hub,...

Day 7: Make Tracks for the Drakensberg Mountains

Venture through the scenic Valley of 1000 Hills bound for the spectacular escarpment that winds north from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga. The Underberg’s vibrant arts and crafts scene and stunning setting provide a beautiful backdrop for a morning drive. You’ll conti...

Day 8: A Day in the Drakensberg

Indulge in the freedom of a day spent exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your terms. Consider joining an optional 4x4 Sani Pass drive, ascending to a heavenly height of 2,876 meters for lunch at Africa’s highest pub in Lesotho, or alternatively relax down here on earth amidst the Drakensberg’s lofty peaks.

Premier Resort Sani Pass

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: On the Road to the Eastern Cape Beaches

From enigmatic mountain landscapes to South Africa’s untamed coastline, we venture through the Eastern Cape and the green hills of the Transkei, dotted with Xhosa kraals and homesteads. Discover the legacy of Nelson Mandela, at his birthplace in Xunu, then enjoy the u...

Day 10: Travel to Gqeberha

Wake to the sound of the ocean and spend time admiring pristine natural surrounds before we begin our journey to Gqeberha. Once a British settlement known as Port Elizabeth, this port city holds the distinction of being South Africa’s friendliest city, which you’ll encounter first-hand as you explore it on your own terms this evening.

Boardwalk

Breakfast

Day 11: On to Tsitsikamma National Park and Knysna Connect with Locals

Walk beneath the tranquil canopy of Tsitsikamma's giant and ancient Yellowwoods, arriving at Storms River Mouth to peer into the depths of the gorge. Connect with locals during a Be My Guest experience in Knysna, where you’ll learn a few key Xhosa phrases and gain ins...

Day 12: Knysna Your Way

You’ll have a free day to explore the jewel of the Garden Route. Start your day with a leisurely coffee in the Knysna Quays overlooking the lagoon, then consider an Optional Experience to Featherbed Nature Reserve including a drive through the reserve to the top of the lagoon’s Western Head.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate

Breakfast

Day 13: Continue to Cape Town

Leave the Garden Route behind bound for the Mother City. You’ll wind your way through vibrant coastal towns and the Cape Winelands before arriving in Cape Town later this afternoon. Head straight to the most iconic site in the city and visit Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting).

Southern Sun The Cullinan

Breakfast

Day 14: Cape Town Your Way

Capture the cosmopolitan energy of South Africa’s Mother City. Spend the day exploring its streets and squares in search of a tucked-away restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences to tour around the scenic Cape Peninsula...

Day 15: Farewell Cape Town

We bid a fond farewell to Cape Town after breakfast. Explore the city on your terms before your transfer to Cape Town International Airport. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,395
Price per day$360
Last Updated: 4/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Availability
10 May 2025
24 May 2025
$5,525
On Request
10 May 2025
27 May 2025
$7,703
Sold Out
24 May 2025
10 Jun 2025
$7,448
On Request
24 May 2025
07 Jun 2025
$5,395
On Request
21 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$5,525
Available
21 Jun 2025
08 Jul 2025
$7,703
Available
05 Jul 2025
19 Jul 2025
$5,525
Available
05 Jul 2025
22 Jul 2025
$7,703
Available
19 Jul 2025
02 Aug 2025
$5,525
Available
19 Jul 2025
05 Aug 2025
$7,703
Sold Out

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • The Maslow
  • Sabi River Sun Resort
  • Royal Swazi Spa
  • Anew
  • The Oyster Box
  • Premier Resort Sani Pass
  • Crawfords Beach Lodge
  • Boardwalk
  • Knysna Hollow Country Estate
  • Southern Sun The Cullinan
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 9 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
  • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
trafalgar-AFSAN20

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