Best of South Africa

Africa South Africa

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.
Best of South Africa

Accommodation

DAY 1: The Maslow - Meals: Dinner
DAY 10: Boardwalk - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11: Knysna Hollow Country Estate - Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
DAY 12: Knysna Hollow Country Estate - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13: Southern Sun The Cullinan - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14: Southern Sun The Cullinan - Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
DAY 2: Sabi River Sun Resort - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3: Sabi River Sun Resort - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: Royal Swazi Spa - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: Anew - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: The Oyster Box - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: Premier Resort Sani Pass - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: Premier Resort Sani Pass - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Crawfords Beach Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Experiences

Cape Town: Discover the iconic sights in Cape Town.

Chintsa: Venture along the beautiful coast of Xunu and discover its rich historic roots.

Durban: Enjoy the views of the tropical east coast hub in Durban.

Gqeberha: Spend the day exploring Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, and all of its wonders.

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.

Mpumalanga: Bask in the beautiful views of the Valley of 1000 Hills on your scenic drive.

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 travellers 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 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.

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  (weather dependent) – 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 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: 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.

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 travelling companions indulging in delicious Cape Malay speciality 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.

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19/07/2025 02/08/2025 £4,450 Book
09/08/2025 23/08/2025 £4,450 Book
23/08/2025 06/09/2025 £4,450 Book
06/09/2025 20/09/2025 £4,675 Book
20/09/2025 04/10/2025 £4,675 Book
11/10/2025 25/10/2025 £4,675 Book
25/10/2025 08/11/2025 £4,675 Book
08/11/2025 22/11/2025 £4,675 Book
22/11/2025 06/12/2025 £4,675 Book
09/12/2025 23/12/2025 £4,775 Book
20/12/2025 03/01/2026 £5,175 Book
03/01/2026 17/01/2026 £4,975 Book
17/01/2026 31/01/2026 £4,975 Book
31/01/2026 14/02/2026 £4,975 Book
14/02/2026 28/02/2026 £4,975 Book
28/02/2026 14/03/2026 £4,975 Book
14/03/2026 28/03/2026 £4,975 Book
04/04/2026 18/04/2026 £4,795 Book
18/04/2026 02/05/2026 £4,795 Book
09/05/2026 23/05/2026 £4,795 Book
23/05/2026 06/06/2026 £4,695 Book
06/06/2026 20/06/2026 £4,795 Book
20/06/2026 04/07/2026 £4,795 Book
04/07/2026 18/07/2026 £4,795 Book
18/07/2026 01/08/2026 £4,795 Book
08/08/2026 22/08/2026 £4,695 Book
22/08/2026 05/09/2026 £4,795 Book
05/09/2026 19/09/2026 £5,025 Book
19/09/2026 03/10/2026 £5,025 Book
10/10/2026 24/10/2026 £5,025 Book
24/10/2026 07/11/2026 £5,025 Book
07/11/2026 21/11/2026 £5,025 Book
21/11/2026 05/12/2026 £5,025 Book
08/12/2026 22/12/2026 £5,025 Book
19/12/2026 02/01/2027 £5,250 Book

Please contact Global Coach Tours for a list of the latest optional activities available.

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