Best of South Africa
Best of South Africa
Best of South Africa
15 Days Starting in Johannesburg and ending in Cape Town
Visiting: Johannesburg, Panorama, Kruger National Park, Mbabane, Eswatini, Hluhluwe, Durban, Drakensberg, Chintsa, Gqeberha, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, Cape Town
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AFSAA17
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 54
Age range:
5-99
Trip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Cruise, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$6395
$5756 (USD)
Operator discount: -$640
Tour Overview
Connect with the culture of two countries as you travel from the north to south to encounter South Africa's legacy of Mandela and the cosmopolitan spirit of Cape Town.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Maslow
Meals Included: No Meals
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 travellers for a Welcome Reception.
Day 2 : Johannesburg – Kruger National Park Area (2 Nights)
Location: Johannesburg, Panorama, Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Kruger National Park Safari Game Drive
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Kruger National Park Area – Mbabane (Eswatini) (Formerly Swaziland)
Location: Kruger National Park, Mbabane, Eswatini
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Mbabane (Eswatini) – Hluhluwe
Location: Mbabane, Hluhluwe
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Hluhluwe – Durban (Umhlanga Rocks)
Location: Hluhluwe, Durban
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Durban (Umhlanga Rocks) – Southern Drakensberg Mountains (2 Nights)
Location: Durban, Drakensberg
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Drakensberg Mountains Free Day Or Sani Pass Excursion To Lesotho
Location: Drakensberg
Accommodation: Hotel
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 metres for lunch at Africa's highest pub in Lesotho, or alternatively relax down here on earth amidst the Drakensberg's lofty peaks.
Day 9 : Southern Drakensberg Mountains – Eastern Cape Beaches
Location: Drakensberg, Chintsa
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Eastern Cape Beaches – Port Elizabeth
Location: Gqeberha
Accommodation: Hotel
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 Port Elizabeth. Once a British settlement, 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 : Port Elizabeth – Tsitsikamma National Park – Knysna (2 Nights)
Location: Gqeberha, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna
Accommodation: Hotel
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. 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 Free Day
Location: Knysna
Accommodation: Hotel
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 : Knysna – Cape Town (2 Nights)
Location: Knysna, Cape Town
Accommodation: Hotel
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 Free Day
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 travelling companions indulging in delicious Cape Malay speciality dishes.
Day 15 : Depart 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.
What's Included
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14 breakfasts
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2 lunches (including Be My Guest)
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10 dinners
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Daily breakfast and up to half your evening meals
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Air conditioned coach, mini coach or safari vehicle transportation
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Optional Experiences and free time
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Cherry-picked hotels and lodges all tried and trusted
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver, or Driver Guide
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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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
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
2024 Aug
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Dec 20, 2025 - Jan 03, 2026Book with Confidence
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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