Best of South Africa
from $9950
Duration: 15 Days
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.
Day 1
Welcome to Johannesburg
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
  • 9 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
  • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
  • Knysna: Join host Ella and friends for a traditional meal and insights into the local Xhosa culture, including traditional dress, language and songs.
  • Eswatini: Connect with Swazi culture during a visit to a local Chief's village.
  • 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.
  • Knysna: Emzini is a not for profit organization supporting the local community providing education, food, clothing and a safe place to live.
  • : 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
  • : View Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains and Storms River Mouth
  • : See South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
  • Durban: Durban's five-star Oyster Box Hotel overlooks Umhlanga's iconic lighthouse and is owned and run by Trafalgar's Tollman family.
Start Date: 2023-11-25
End Date: 2023-12-09
twin
Adult Price: $9950
Child Price: $9030
single
Adult Price: $11880
Start Date: 2023-12-12
End Date: 2023-12-26
twin
Adult Price: $10225
Child Price: $9305
single
Adult Price: $12295
Start Date: 2023-12-23
End Date: 2024-01-06
twin
Adult Price: $10875
Child Price: $9955
single
Adult Price: $13145

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