Best of South Africa
Johannesburg & Cape Town, 3 game drives in Kruger and a private conservancy, plus a bush walk; stay in upscale hotels throughout. Optional extensions to Victoria Falls or the Garden Route
| Style | Small Group Tour Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 24 travelers max | |
| Themes | Active, History & Culture, Grand Tours, Nature & Wildlife | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted South Africa tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
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Explore deeper into South Africa on our comprehensive Best of South Africa small group escorted tour. Begin your tour in cosmopolitan Johannesburg, South Africa's largest metropolis, also know as "Egoli" or City of Gold. Then head north to begin your safari in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, where you'll embark on a late morning bush walk with an experienced ranger. Continue your game viewing in Kruger National Park, one of the world's oldest and most famous game reserves. Rest assured, you'll have ample opportunities to spot the Big 5! Finally, end your tour in scenic Cape Town, exploring the city's vibrant neighborhoods, storied past and incredible cuisine; then look down on it all from the top of Table Mountain. Your ticket is pre-purchased, so you won't spend hours waiting in line to buy one. Want even more? Extend your stay with a pre-tour to the majestic Victoria Falls or a post-tour to the scenic Garden Route, or both!
Package includes
- Flights
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York via South African Airways wide-bodied jet service, including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
- Flights, ground transportation and transfers within South Africa
- 10 nights in superior first class and deluxe hotels
- 19 meals: 10 buffet breakfasts, 4 lunches, & 5 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners with wine
- Professional English-speaking tour directors
- Comprehensive touring program and safaris, including entrance fees
Optional add-ons
- Exciting excursions from Cape Town
- Pre-tour extension to the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
- Post-tour extension along the Garden Route, one of the world's most scenic coastlines
- Flights from Washington D.C. (IAD) are available for an additional charge. Booking the Victoria Falls pre-tour extension will require you to leave the U.S. 1 day earlier and an extra hotel night. Request pricing when making your reservation.
Why you'll love it
- Visit South Africa's largest and most populous city, Johannesburg, and learn about the country’s poignant past at Liliesleaf Farm and the Apartheid Museum.
- Experience a close-up look at daily life in the bustling neighborhood of Soweto.
- Come face to face with lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and more during 3 game drives and a bush walk in Karongwe Private Game Reserve and Kruger National Park.
- Enjoy the jaw-dropping view of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest canyons, during your drive along the astonishing Panorama Route.
- Bask in the scenic and historic highlights of beautiful Cape Town, including a trip to Table Mountain by cable car.
- Explore Cape Point including Hout Bay, Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Arrive Johannesburg
- 3 Johannesburg
- 4 Johannesburg & Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- 5 Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- 6 Karongwe Private Game Reserve & Kruger National Park
- 7 Kruger National Park
- 8 Kruger National Park & Cape Town
- 9 Cape Town
- Optional Excursion: Half Day Stellenbosch Winelands , $75
- 10 Cape Point & Cape Town
- 11 Cape Town
- Optional Excursion: Full Day Walk to Freedom Tour , $125
- 12 Depart South Africa
Victoria Falls Pre-Tour Optional Extension
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 Victoria Falls
- 3 Victoria Falls
- 4 Victoria Falls
- Optional Excursion: Chobe National Park, Botswana , $170
- 5 Depart Victoria Falls
Videos
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Depart New York on your overnight flight to Johannesburg
Day 2 Arrive Johannesburg
- Arrive in Johannesburg, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel
- This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner
Dinner
Day 3 Johannesburg
- Visit Liliesleaf Farm, where the journey to democracy in South Africa is honored
- See what daily life is like in the Soweto neighborhood
- Learn more about the rise and fall of apartheid at the Apartheid Museum
Breakfast
Day 4 Johannesburg & Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- Depart for Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- Afternoon game drive in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Breakfast & dinner
Day 5 Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- Early morning game drive in open safari vehicles
- Bush walk with an experienced local ranger
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6 Karongwe Private Game Reserve & Kruger National Park
- Drive along the awe inspiring Panorama Route
- View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon
- Arrive this afternoon in Kruger National Park
Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 7 Kruger National Park
- Early morning game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles in Kruger National Park
- Special Boma Dinner
Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 Kruger National Park & Cape Town
- Early morning transfer to the airport to board flight for Cape Town
- Balance of evening at leisure
Taj Cape Town or similarBreakfast
Day 9 Cape Town
- Witness the scenic and historic highlights of Cape Town on a half day panoramic city tour
- Weather permitting, ascend by cable car to the top of Table Mountain
- Remainder of the day at leisure or join an optional tour to the Stellenbosch Winelands
Taj Cape Town or similarBreakfast
Day 10 Cape Point & Cape Town
- Full day excursion to Cape Point including a cruise along Hout Bay
- Visit Boulders Beach and see the African jackass penguins
- Afternoon tour of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Remainder of the day at leisure
Taj Cape Town or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 11 Cape Town
- Last day to explore Cape Town at leisure
- Join an optional excursion to Cape Town's townships and a visit to Robben Island
- Enjoy a farewell dinner and drum performance
Taj Cape Town or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 12 Depart South Africa
- This morning, enjoy free time for some last minute shopping
- This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight home via Johannesburg
- Your memorable South African adventure ends as you touch down tomorrow morning in New York
Breakfast
Victoria Falls Pre-Tour Optional Extension
Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare to visit Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. You'll depart from the U.S. 3 days before the departure dates shown.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Depart New York on your overnight flight for Victoria Falls via Johannesburg
Day 2 Victoria Falls
- Arrive in Victoria Falls, meet your local guide, and transfer to your hotel
- Remainder of the day at leisure
Day 3 Victoria Falls
- Guided tour of Victoria Falls
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
Breakfast
Day 4 Victoria Falls
- Day at leisure or partake in an optional full day excursion to Chobe National Park
Breakfast
Day 5 Depart Victoria Falls
- Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Johannesburg
- See Day 2 of the tour itinerary above for the continuation of your touring program
Breakfast
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about South Africa?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Zimbabwe?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Botswana?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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