Best of South Africa
From CAD $7,375
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 10 Dinner (D)
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
- 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
Be My Guest
- Knysna: Join host Ella and friends for a traditional meal and insights into the local Xhosa culture, including traditional dress, language and songs.
Dive into Culture
- Eswatini: Step into the heart of Eswatini’s vibrant culture on a guided tour of a Swazi Chief’s village. You’ll feel the energy of this community as you watch an energetic dance performance, taste local pap and stew, and roll up your sleeves for a hands-on drumming class with the villagers.
Iconic Experience
- Hazyview: Take in the magnificent sights of Kruger National Park Area on your scenic drive.
- Kruger National Park: Travel to the most iconic national park in South Africa and marvel at its wildlife.
- Durban: Enjoy the views of the tropical east coast hub in Durban.
- Mpumalanga: Bask in the beautiful views of the Valley of 1000 Hills on your scenic drive.
- Chintsa: Venture along the beautiful coast of Xunu and discover its rich historic roots.
- Gqeberha: Spend the day exploring Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, and all of its wonders.
- Cape Town: Discover the iconic sights in Cape Town.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Knysna: Emzini is a not-for-profit organization supporting the local community providing education, food, clothing and a safe place to live. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 & 4: No Poverty & Quality Education.
Must-see Highlights
- Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna and Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting) in Cape Town
- View Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains and Storms River Mouth, South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
- See South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
Trafalgar Difference
- Durban: Durban’s award-winning, five-star Oyster Box Hotel is one of South Africa’s finest. Enjoy unmatched service, elegant charm, a garden terrace, and stunning ocean views over Umhlanga Beach and Lighthouse.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19208
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 375.1039A
Starts: Johannesburg, South Africa
Finishes: Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7,375 ($492 /day)
Itinerary
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.
Accommodation: The Maslow
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Sabi River Sun Resort
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Sabi River Sun Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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 close and feel the beat of this vibrant culture with a spirited drumming class. You’ll come away with a deeper connection to the villagers and their traditions.
Accommodation: Royal Swazi Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, 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 (weather dependent) – a perfect way to end the day.
Accommodation: Anew
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: The Oyster Box
Meals: 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 .
Accommodation: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Premier Resort Sani Pass
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Crawfords Beach Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Accommodation: Boardwalk
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
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.
Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate
Meals: 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).
Accommodation: Southern Sun The Cullinan
Meals: 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.
Accommodation: Southern Sun The Cullinan
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2019
People service was fantastic- bus did break down though. Itinerary was great but a little too rushed at times
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/22/2019
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2019
Our Travel Director and Coach Driver were the Best!!!!!!! Overall the hotel and restaurant staff were very accommodating. One hotel (A New Hotel). was least desired and should be evaluated. The itinerary was loaded which is a positive and sometimes negative. The coach had some issues that our wonderful driver and director addressed professionally and really very humanly! They were great! There was one hotel that was less desired (A New) and one ( Oyster Box) that was highly desired. The other hotels were average overall.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/22/2019
Alexander Nunn - Traveled, May 2019
Would travel with your company again. Driver Rodger was very safe ....bus had problems but over come by our tour guide Adel who had years in the business and lots of local knowledge. Got us on the road early to go up table mount. as next day was very over cast...tour should be listed as on the go, it is a fast pass tour early start to see a lot.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/17/2019
Eliezer Francois - Traveled, April 2019
I would recommend them and buy from them. Because it was excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/20/2019
Christopher Rider - Traveled, April 2019
Great Experience of Africa. Craig our tour director was first class. He went to great lengths to make sure our tour ran smoothly and our experience of Africa was something we would remember for a long time. Coach driver was safe and competent and the local specialists were eager and enthusiastic for us to enjoy the experiences. Generally the hotels were very good and we would be happy to travel with Trafalgar again. The itinerary was well planned but for us spending two of the days travelling on the Coach with not a lot of stops or experiences. I think the (Day 9-10) could be shortened or include something more interesting. Coach was acceptable for a small tour group but the air-condition leaked water on me each day from the overhead unit. Hotels were generally very good but the hotel in Kynsa did not have internet, which is not good enough in 2019.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/21/2019
Carol - Traveled, April 2019
Really the Best of South Africa .We had the most wonderful trip with Trafalgar on our Best of South Africa tour. Our tour guide, Craig and our driver, Lucky were the best tour guide and driver you could hope to encounter. Fabulous trip with so many highlights and wonderful experiences. The itinerary was fabulous. We saw lots of South Africa, learned about the local people and had some really lovely inspiring experiences. We covered a great deal of the country and ventured into Swaziland and Lesotho.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/17/2019
Barbara Ahlm - Traveled, April 2019
There was always someone to assist getting bags down or in and out of the coach. So friendly and knowledgeable--could answer all the questions. Loved that I was met at the airport and walked to the ticket agent on the way back home. Coach was clean, the itinerary really packed everything in. learned way more than I expected. The hotel by the Sani Pass that we spent 2 nights in was the worst for me--I couldn't get the water to run hot for a shower.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/22/2019
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2019
This turned out to be a small group, despite what we were told when we booked it. The group got along well and we were able to do things that would have been difficult with a larger group. Two things should be eliminated from the itinerary: The Reptile zoo/Zulu village and the museum on the way to Cape Town. I would add the game reserve near Crawford's Beach Lodge in Chintsa East and then spend 2 days at Crawford's. The rest of the Itinerary was excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2019
Julie Campos - Traveled, April 2024
Awesome Trip - just go!! Highly Recommended! Tour Director *Personal information removed by Feefo* was top notch - providing us with wonderful information along the way, as well as being caring and attending to each person on our tour. His knowledge and love of his home country is evident, and having him at the helm only enhanced the experience. His patience, steady demeanor and laid-back personality made this trip very enjoyable for everyone. Our driver, *Personal information removed by Feefo*, also did a fantastic job - dodging animals crossing the highway, climbing narrow streets, and parking in tight places masterfully. The hotels we stayed at were some of the best I’ve ever stayed at in my life, especially The Oyster Box in Port Elizabeth. Well-done, Trafalgar! This is a wonderful, comprehensive, and extensive itinerary that covers some main highlights of South Africa, from Johannesburg to Cape Town. It covered two game drives to see animals in their natural habitats (unbelievably surreal!), beautiful mountain scenery, incredible beaches (and beach sunrises!), a river cruise to see hippos, a tour to a South township in Knysna, a glass-blowing factory, a hand-carved candle factory, several national parks or nature preserves (and opportunities for lovely hikes), a penguin colony, plus forays into the small countries of Eswatini and Lesotho. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique, diverse experience, and I can’t say enough wonderful things about it. Every day was different from the one before, which provided such a rich, variety-filled tour. Though we had a couple of long driving days, I’m not sure that this itinerary could be done any other way in order to cover so much. It’s thoughtfully laid out, and we did, saw, and learned more than I could ever have imagined. The hotels on this trip were also some of the best I’ve ever experienced on my five trips with Trafalgar.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/18/2024
Marie Sylvie Francois - Traveled, April 2019
A memorable and enjoyable trip. Trafalgar's service is excellent. My last trip, Best of South Africa was my ninth trip with Trafalgar. Patricia, the Travel Director was gentle, keen to help; dedicated and knowledgeable. She made the trip enjoyable. The Coach Driver was an excellent Driver who makes you feel safe, comfortable and relax on the road. The coach was always clean. The hotel's locations and their buffet breakfasts were superb, and hotels' staff was friendly and always prepared to assist you. Upon our arrival at the hotels we were always greeted with refreshments and snacks. My favorite hotel was the Oyster Box. This itinerary is very educational. It's about wilderness; civilization; nature and its beauty; ecology. I am contemplating of doing that trip again next year.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/20/2019
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