Best of South Africa
Best of South Africa
Best of South Africa
15 Days Starting in Johannesburg, South Africa and ending in Cape Town, South Africa
Visiting: Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Mbabane, Hluhluwe, Durban, Drakensberg Mountains, Drakensberg, Chintsa, Gqeberha, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Cape Town
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AFSAN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Southern Africa with the "Best of South Africa" tour. This adventure begins in Johannesburg and winds its way through the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho, concluding in the vibrant city of Cape Town. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Kruger National Park, the Drakensberg Mountains, and the iconic Table Mountain. Immerse yourself in local cultures with visits to a Swazi Chief's village and a traditional Xhosa meal in Knysna. Enjoy luxurious stays, including the renowned Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, and savor the flavors of South African cuisine with a variety of dining experiences. This tour not only showcases the natural wonders and wildlife of the region but also supports local communities, making it a journey that truly matters.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Accommodation: The Maslow
Accommodation Name: The Maslow
Meals Included: Dinner
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.
Day 2: Journey To The Kruger National Park Area
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Sabi River Sun Resort
Accommodation Name: Sabi River Sun Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 falls, we venture to our hotel near the famous Kruger National Park, our home for two nights.
Day 3: Safari In Kruger National Park
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Sabi River Sun Resort
Accommodation Name: Sabi River Sun Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 yellow Golden-orb spider waiting on her web, smell the damp scent of acacia trees in the early morning and keep your head down in search of animal spoor. Spend your afternoon at leisure.
Day 4: Onwards To Eswatini Dive Into Culture
Location: Mbabane
Accommodation: Royal Swazi Spa
Accommodation Name: Royal Swazi Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to landlocked Eswatini. Dive Into Culture during a visit to a Swazi Chief’s village and gain insights into the community’s way of life, sampling some of the local pap and stew, and admiring their striking crimson traditional dress.
Day 5: Head To Hluhluwe
Location: Hluhluwe
Accommodation: Anew
Accommodation Name: Anew
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 6: Venture To Durban (Umhlanga Rocks) Stays With Stories
Location: Durban
Accommodation: The Oyster Box
Accommodation Name: The Oyster Box
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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, which begins with a delicious Curry Buffet at the Oyster Box Hotel, one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories – a seaside hotel that captures the nostalgia of a bygone era.
Day 7: Make Tracks For The Drakensberg Mountains
Location: Drakensberg Mountains
Accommodation: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Accommodation Name: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 continue to the foothills of the iconic Sani Pass where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure and stay overnight .
Day 8: A Day In The Drakensberg
Location: Drakensberg
Accommodation: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Accommodation Name: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 9: On The Road To The Eastern Cape Beaches
Location: Chintsa
Accommodation: Crawfords Beach Lodge
Accommodation Name: Crawfords Beach Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 unspoiled Wild Coast beaches of Chintsa, where the only footprints in the sand will be yours.
Day 10: Travel To Gqeberha
Location: Gqeberha
Accommodation: Boardwalk
Accommodation Name: Boardwalk
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 11: On To Tsitsikamma National Park And Knysna Connect With Locals
Location: Tsitsikamma National Park
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Accommodation Name: Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 insights into Xhosa culture. Host Ella will share her life story and reveal the meaning behind some of the local songs that will 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. Famed for its indigenous forests, fresh oysters and the two landmark Knysna Heads that stand as sentinels at the edge of the lagoon which shield the town from the Indian Ocean.
Day 12: Knysna Your Way
Location: Knysna
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Accommodation Name: Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. This evening, why not join an Optional Experience sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads and see where the Indian Ocean crashes against their towering sandstone cliffs?
Day 13: Continue To Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Southern Sun The Cullinan
Accommodation Name: Southern Sun The Cullinan
Meals Included: Breakfast
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).
Day 14: Cape Town Your Way
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Southern Sun The Cullinan
Accommodation Name: Southern Sun The Cullinan
Meals Included: Breakfast
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, sample the Cape’s finest wines in the Cape Winelands or visit infamous Robben Island. Spend your final evening at a Farewell Dinner with your traveling companions indulging in delicious Cape Malay specialty dishes.
Day 15: Farewell Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
What's Included
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Airport Transfer
Your journey begins with an airport transfer from O.R. Tambo International Airport to your hotel.
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Accommodation
Stay at various accommodations including 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, and Southern Sun The Cullinan.
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Meals
Enjoy 9 dinners, 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 Be My Guest experience, and 1 Farewell Dinner.
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Guided Safari
Explore Kruger National Park with a Local Specialist.
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Cultural Experiences
Participate in cultural experiences such as visiting a Swazi Chief's village and a Be My Guest experience in Knysna.
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Table Mountain Visit
Visit Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting).
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as a 4x4 game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, a morning cruise on Lake St.
Lucia, and a 4x4 Sani Pass drive are not included. -
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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International Flights
International flights to and from South Africa are not included.
Dining Summary
- 9 Dinner (D)
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
Dive Into Culture
- Eswatini: Connect with Swazi culture during a visit to a local Chief's village.
Mode of Transport
Travel seamlessly across South Africa with airport transfers, comfortable coach journeys, and optional 4x4 game drives. Experience the scenic beauty of the Panorama Route, the Drakensberg Mountains, and the Garden Route, with opportunities for optional experiences like a cruise on Lake St. Lucia and a cable car ride up Table Mountain.
Accommodation
Experience a variety of accommodations throughout your journey, including The Maslow in Johannesburg, Sabi River Sun Resort near Kruger National Park, Royal Swazi Spa in Eswatini, and the luxurious Oyster Box in Durban. Enjoy the scenic Premier Resort Sani Pass in the Drakensberg Mountains and unwind at Crawfords Beach Lodge in Chintsa. Conclude your stay at the Southern Sun The Cullinan in Cape Town.
Check out our Q&As
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What cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to a Swazi Chief's village in Eswatini where you can gain insights into the community's way of life, including sampling local pap and stew and admiring traditional dress. In Knysna, you will join host Ella for a traditional meal and learn about the local Xhosa culture, including traditional dress, language, and songs.
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What wildlife experiences can I expect on this tour?
You will have the opportunity to explore Kruger National Park with a Local Specialist, where you can look out for the 'Big 5', the Little 5, and other wildlife. There is also an optional 4x4 game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park, and a chance to see hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife on a cruise on Lake St. Lucia.
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What unique accommodations are part of the tour?
The tour includes a stay at the Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, which is a five-star hotel overlooking Umhlanga's iconic lighthouse and is owned by Trafalgar's Tollman family. This hotel is part of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories.
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What are some of the scenic highlights of the tour?
The tour features scenic highlights such as the Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains, and Storms River Mouth. You will also visit Table Mountain by cable car in Cape Town, and explore the picturesque lagoon setting of Knysna, known as South Africa's Garden of Eden.
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What optional activities are available during the tour?
Optional activities include a 4x4 Sani Pass drive to Africa's highest pub in Lesotho, a morning cruise on Lake St. Lucia, and a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads. You can also explore the town of St. Lucia or visit Featherbed Nature Reserve in Knysna.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions