15 Days 2 Countries 9 Cities
Best of South Africa
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Departure date
Johannesburg, South Africa
Return date
Cape Town, South Africa
About this trip
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.
Trip type: Regional Explorer i
Trip code: AFSA
accommodation
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14 hot buffet breakfasts
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2 lunches (including Be My Guest)
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11 dinners
All transport shown.
What's Included
Sightseeing Highlights
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See South Africa's wildlife and birds on Safari
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View Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains and Storms River Mouth
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Visit the Kruger National Park, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Swaziland, Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, an Ostrich Farm and the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, the Bartolomeu Dias Museum in Mossel Bay and Table Mountain by Cable Car
What's Included
Dining
-
14 hot buffet breakfasts
-
2 lunches
(including Be My Guest) -
11 dinners
What's Included
Travel Highlights
-
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
-
Hand-picked hotels, lodges and luxury safari camps
-
Hand-picked Trafalgar Highlights
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Optional Experiences and free time
-
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
-
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
-
An expert Travel Director, Driver Guide or Trafalgar Representative
-
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
-
Specific transfer information can be found on the airport transfers page
Airport Transfers
1. Arrive Johannesburg
Your seamless South African journey begins with a private 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.
2. Johannesburg – Kruger National Park Area (2 Nights)
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.
Dinner
3. Kruger National Park Safari Game Drive
Connect with nature and explore South Africa's oldest national park in the company of a Local Specialist. Uncover the secrets of the bushveld - the magnificent and iconic 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 or consider returning to the bush for an optional afternoon drive.
Dinner
4. Kruger National Park Area – Mbabane (Swaziland)
Enjoy one last chance to spot some wildlife before we travel to landlocked Swaziland. 'Dive into Culture' during a visit to 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.
Lunch
Dinner
5. Mbabane (Swaziland) – Hluhluwe
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.
Dinner
Optional Experiences
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Safari
If you visit Kwazulu-Natal, you can't leave without visiting Big Five country in the oldest park in South Africa: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. This is the legendary park where a dedicated team made worldwide conservation history with their successful efforts to bring the white rhino back from the brink of extinction. Our specialist tours are all conducted in specially modified open safari vehicles to enhance your game viewing, lead by qualified, experienced guides. You'll learn more than you could have imagined possible about everything from trees, to animal spoor, to the rich bird life.
Adult Price: R940.00
6. Hluhluwe – Durban (Umhlanga Rocks)
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.
Dinner
Optional Experiences
Durban City Tour - Half Day
Travel along the brand new Golden Mile beach promenade of Durban and move through the City, viewing everything thing from the majestic City Hall, and enjoying its humorous history, to the bustling African/Indian Markets at Warwick Triangle home to nine distinct markets. Visit the fascinating Phansi Museum - home to the largest publicly accessible collection of Southern African artefacts and treasures (Closed on weekends and entrance fee for own account). Then move from culture to nature and visit the peaceful Durban Botanic Gardens founded in 1849. Conclude with a visit to an icon of Kwazulu Natal, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, where you will have the option of experiencing the cable car ride (own account) to the top of the Stadium for that phenomenal view of Durban and its surroundings.
Adult Price: R570.00
Ushaka Marine World Tour
Home to Africa's largest dolphinarium, the globally respected Ushaka Marine World entices you to explore the wonders of Africa's vast ocean life. It's a fascinating journey around 30 in- and outdoor themed exhibits, and you won't want to miss the spectacular dolphin, seal and penguin shows. In the aquarium, tank after tank offers a glorious insight into the wealth of South Africa's Indian and Atlantic Ocean marine life, an experience not to be missed.
Adult Price: R766.00
St. Lucia Boat Cruise
All aboard the comfortable Santa Lucia, a spacious double-decker boat on St Lucia Estuary, with ample room for everybody to have the best view possible. We're off on a two-hour relaxed interpretative cruise from the smartest vantage point - the water. We'll get up close to the sight and sounds of hippo, crocodiles and other game species, and if we're lucky, we'll be serenaded by the haunting cry of the fish eagle...perhaps even watch one catch a fish. The boat has a coffee, snack and full bar on board, so relaxation is the order of the day.
Adult Price: R240.00
7. Durban (Umhlanga Rocks) – Southern Drakensberg Mountains (2 Nights)
Enjoy free time this morning before venturing to the Southern Drakensberg mountains that frame South Africa's east coast like the tail of a sleeping dragon. Dive into Culture at Phezulu Safari Park where you'll embark on a village tour followed by traditional Zulu dancing, then spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner
8. Drakensberg Mountains Free Day or Sani Pass Excursion to Lesotho
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.
Dinner
Optional Experiences
Sani Pass Tour
The Tour departs at 09h30 and takes approx. 2.5 hours to reach the summit, climbing a grand 2874 meters above sea level, stopping at breath taking view sites along the Sani Pass and the two border posts i.e. The South African Border Control and Lesotho Border Control. Once at the Top of the Sani Pass, we enjoy lunch at the highest Pub in Africa - The Sani Mountain Lodge. After lunch the Tour continues into a living Basotho village, where our experienced mountain guide will interest you on Lesotho and its people - the hardy mountainous Basotho folk. Traditional beer and homemade bread offered on request .We wind down the Sani Pass after this cultural experience and arrive back in Underberg between 16h00- 16h30 depending on the wildlife spotted along the way.
Adult Price: R1153.00
9. Southern Drakensberg Mountains – Eastern Cape Beaches
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.
Dinner
10. Eastern Cape Beaches – Port Elizabeth
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.
11. Port Elizabeth – Tsitsikamma National Park – Knysna (2 Nights)
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. We'll indulge in local cuisine with an opportunity to 'Connect with Locals' over a unique Be My Guest lunch before arriving in 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.
Lunch
12. Oudtshoorn Excursion
Travel to Oudtshoorn, which holds the distinction of being the world's ostrich capital. We join a Local Specialist for a tour of an ostrich farm to learn about our feathered friends and even feed them, before descending into the ancient Cango Caves to admire its dripstone caverns and dimly lit vast halls.
13. Knysna – Mossel Bay – Cape Town (2 Nights)
See the highlights of Mossel Bay, including its Old Post Office Tree, Africa's oldest post box, and the Bartolomeu Dias Museum, telling the story of the first European navigators who braved the rugged waters of the tip of Africa. We continue our journey through Swellendam, Worcester and the Huguenot Tunnel before arriving in Cape Town. Visit the iconic Table Mountain by cable car this evening - the perfect introduction to this spectacular city (weather permitting).
14. Cape Town Free Day
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. Consider an Optional Experience tour around the Cape Peninsula to visit Cape Point and see the penguins of Boulder's Beach, or sample the Cape's finest wines in the Cape Winelands.
Farewell Dinner
Optional Experiences
Cape Peninsula Tour - Full Day
Cruise along Millionaire's Paradise from Clifton to Camps Bay and on to Llandudno before an up-close-and-personal Seal Island cruise. Wind along Chapman's Peak Drive with lunch (own account) at Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park before meandering back along the coast, visiting Simon's Town and the penguin colony at Boulder's Beach. End at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Summer or in Winter, Groot Constantia for a wine tasting and cellar tour.
Adult Price: R1300.00
Winelands Tour - Full Day
A superb day dedicated to celebrating the glorious grape, the exceptional winelands region, and the heavenly scenery. The area's rich with history, and guests can't help but feel it as you move through the region to experience a wine cellar tour and tasting, where you'll learn all about the process of winemaking, from grape to goblet. Visit the exquisite little town of Franschhoek, pass by the impressive Huguenot Monument, and in a town with a reputation for gourmet fare, where else could you choose to enjoy lunch. Wind your way to the heady heights of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to meet the charming university town of Stellenbosch on the other side. Stroll through this little town, absorbing the quaintness, and sneaking into the odd shop or two (on Sundays not all galleries and shops are open). Enjoy a wine tasting at two different wine estates where you'll be able to purchase your favorite wine to take back home.
Adult Price: R1065.00
15. Depart Cape Town
We bid a fond farewell to Cape Town after breakfast. Explore the city on your terms before your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.
Available Departures
Please see http://www.trafalgar.com:80/en-za/tours/best-of-south-africa?season=Summer%202019 for the latest discounts & departure information.
The Trafalgar Difference
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Stays with Stories
Durban's five-star Oyster Box Hotel overlooks Umhlanga's iconic lighthouse and is owned and run by Trafalgar's Tollman family. (Day 6) -
Connect with Locals
Immerse yourself in Khoisan and Xhosa culture, tasting their authentic cuisine and learning about their traditions. (Day 11) -
Dive into Culture
Connect with Swazi culture during a visit to a local Chief's village. (Day 4) Tour the village of Phezulu and witness a traditional Zulu dance performance (Day 7) -
Local Specialist
Private safari game drive in the Kruger National Park
Find out what makes Trafalgar different.
What's Included
Sightseeing Highlights
-
See South Africa's wildlife and birds on Safari
-
View Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains and Storms River Mouth
-
Visit the Kruger National Park, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Swaziland, Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, an Ostrich Farm and the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn, the Bartolomeu Dias Museum in Mossel Bay and Table Mountain by Cable Car
What's Included
Dining
-
14 hot buffet breakfasts
-
2 lunches
(including Be My Guest) -
11 dinners
What's Included
Travel Highlights
-
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
-
Hand-picked hotels, lodges and luxury safari camps
-
Hand-picked Trafalgar Highlights
-
Optional Experiences and free time
-
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
-
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
-
An expert Travel Director, Driver Guide or Trafalgar Representative
-
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
-
Specific transfer information can be found on the airport transfers page
Airport Transfers
Why Trafalgar?
The Trafalgar Experience
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MeetMeet warm-hearted locals and like-minded travellers. Along your journey of discovery, stop to share stories and flavours with local farmers, chefs and winemakers. Pause to admire the handicrafts and rich traditions of amazing artisans. Explore the essence of Europe through captivating accounts shared by expert historians and savvy local guides.
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Best of South Africa