Best of South Africa

Departures & Pricing

Upgrades, transfers, accommodation and more can be quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Welcome to Johannesburg

   Your South Africa small group journey begins in Johannesburg, the country’s largest city and a place shaped by gold rush history, creative neighbourhoods and South Africa’s modern spirit. Known as Jo’burg or Jozi, its mining past, art spaces and evolving urban culture give you an immediate sense of the country’s contrasts. Settle into your hotel and take time to unwind after your travels. Later, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers over dinner in a local restaurant to get a feel for the adventure ahead.

2. 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. 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 falls, you'll venture to our hotel near the famous Kruger National Park, your home for two nights.

3. 3

   Safari in Kruger National Park

   Set out on a Small Group safari through Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s great wildlife sanctuaries and South Africa’s oldest national park. With your Local Specialist guiding the way, follow the tracks, calls and movement of the bushveld as you search for the Big Five, the Little Five and everything in between. Scan the golden grass for lions, watch for elephants moving between the trees and look closer for the smaller wonders, from animal spoor in the dust to a golden orb spider waiting on her web. Spend your afternoon at leisure, with the sounds of Kruger all around you.

4. 4

   Onwards to Eswatini

   Cross the border from Kruger National Park into landlocked Eswatini, one of Africa’s last remaining kingdoms. Watch the scenery shift from bushveld to rolling hills, valleys and rural communities as you journey towards Mbabane. Along the way, visit a Swazi Chief’s village to meet community members and learn about their way of life. Taste local pap and stew, see the crimson dress worn for cultural celebrations and join villagers for a hands-on drumming class before arriving in Eswatini’s capital where you’ll spend the night.

5. 5

   Head to Hluhluwe

   Venture to the 'garden of province' of KwaZulu-Natal and its northern wilderness. Traversing rolling sugarcane fields and lush valleys, you'll 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 (weather dependent) – a perfect way to end the day.

6. 6

   Venture to Durban (Umhlanga Rocks)

   Explore St. Lucia, a relaxed coastal town surrounded by wetlands, wildlife and the warm Indian Ocean. Take in its easy pace before choosing to join an Optional Experience cruise on Lake St. Lucia, gliding past reed beds and mangroves as you look for hippos, crocodiles and rich birdlife along the water’s edge. Continue to Durban for an orientation of South Africa’s vibrant Indian Ocean city, where colonial buildings, beachfront energy and Indian heritage meet. End the day at the Oyster Box Hotel with a curry buffet, a local favourite that celebrates Durban’s famous spice-filled food culture.

7. 7

   Make Tracks for the Drakensberg Mountains

   Journey through the scenic Valley of 1000 Hills, travelling towards the escarpment that winds north from the Eastern Cape to Mpumalanga. Stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, where a sculpture and visitor centre mark the place where Mandela was arrested in 1962 before his 27 years of imprisonment. Continue through the Underberg, known for its arts and crafts scene and mountain setting, before arriving in the foothills of the iconic Sani Pass. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and take in the valley’s views.

8. 8

   A Day in the Drakensberg

   Enjoy the freedom to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site your way. You might choose to join an Optional Experience and head off-road on a 4x4 Sani Pass adventure, climbing to 2,874 m (9,429 ft) and crossing into Lesotho. Stop to take in the incredible mountain views from Africa’s highest pub, before enjoying lunch at another local spot en route. Prefer to keep things low-key? Stay grounded and soak up the Drakensberg’s dramatic beauty at your own pace.

9. 9

   On the Road to the Eastern Cape Beaches

   Travel from mountain landscapes to South Africa’s untamed coastline, crossing the Eastern Cape and the green hills of the Transkei, dotted with Xhosa kraals and homesteads. Discover Nelson Mandela’s legacy in Qunu, where stories of his early life connect you to the rural landscapes that shaped him. Continue to Chintsa on the Wild Coast, where unspoiled beaches and rolling dunes set the scene for your Stays with Stories experience at Crawfords Beach Lodge. Settle in by the ocean and take in this remote stretch of coast.

10. 10

    Travel to Gqeberha

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

11. 11

    On to Tsitsikamma National Park and Knysna

    Walk beneath the tranquil canopy of Tsitsikamma's giant and ancient Yellowwoods, then arrive 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 insights into Xhosa culture. Host Ella will share her life story and reveal the meaning behind some of the local songs that accompany your traditional Xhosa meal. The visit also contributes towards supporting Ella's work in the local community and is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Our final stop today is the picturesque lagoon setting of Knysna, known as South Africa’s own Garden of Eden. It is famed for its indigenous forests, fresh oysters and the two landmark Knysna Heads, which stand as sentinels at the edge of the lagoon, shielding the town from the Indian Ocean.

12. 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.

13. 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).

14. 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 tucked-away restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences to tour the scenic Cape Peninsula, sample the Cape’s finest wines in the Cape Winelands or visit the infamous Robben Island. Spend your final evening at dinner with your travelling companions, indulging in delicious Cape Malay speciality dishes.

15. 15

    Farewell Cape Town

    Bid a fond farewell to Cape Town after breakfast. Explore the city on your terms before your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.

Accommodation

Book this tour

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

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