Best of South Africa - From £3,955

Africa South Africa
OVERVIEW
South Africa reveals itself here through game drives in Kruger, a visit to a Swazi Chief’s village, the Garden Route, Knysna and Cape Town’s Table Mountain, coast and cosmopolitan energy, all wrapped into one trip. From 2027, this tour will become a Small Group tour, with an average of 16 guests. Enjoy a smaller group setting while discovering the places, people and stories that make each destination special.
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.

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. 

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. 
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
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(price per person)		 Definite Departure
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05/09/2026 19/09/2026 £5,025 Book
19/09/2026 03/10/2026 £5,025 Book
10/10/2026 24/10/2026 £4,522 Book
24/10/2026 07/11/2026 £5,025   Book
07/11/2026 21/11/2026 £4,522   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 £4,725   Book
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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 travellers for dinner.

The golden Highveld gives way to rolling green hills as we travel to South Africa's Lowveld. 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, you'll venture to our hotel near the famous Kruger National Park, your home for two nights.

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 lookout for the magnificent Big Five, the Little Five 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.

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 during a spirited drumming class. You’ll come away with a deeper connection to the villagers and their traditions.

Venture to the 'garden of province' of KwaZulu-Natal and its northern wilderness. Traversing rolling sugarcane fields and lush valleys, you'll 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.

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. Continue south to Durban for an effortless encounter with this tropical east coast hub, beginning 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.

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.

Enjoy the freedom to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site your way. You might choose to join an Optional Experience and head off-road on a 4x4 Sani Pass adventure, climbing to 2,874 m (9,429 ft) and crossing into Lesotho. Stop to take in the incredible mountain views from Africa’s highest pub, before enjoying lunch at another local spot en route. Prefer to keep things low-key? Stay grounded and soak up the Drakensberg’s dramatic beauty at your own pace.

From enigmatic mountain landscapes to South Africa’s untamed coastline, 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.

Wake to the sound of the ocean and spend time admiring pristine natural surroundings before your journey to Gqeberha. Once a British settlement known as Port Elizabeth, this port city holds the distinction of being South Africa’s friendliest city, a quality you'll experience first-hand as you explore it on your own terms this evening.

Walk beneath the tranquil canopy of Tsitsikamma's giant and ancient Yellowwoods, then arrive 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 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. It is famed for its indigenous forests, fresh oysters and the two landmark Knysna Heads, which stand as sentinels at the edge of the lagoon, shielding the town from the Indian Ocean.

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.

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).

Capture the cosmopolitan energy of South Africa’s Mother City. Spend the day exploring its streets and squares in search of tucked-away restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences to tour the scenic Cape Peninsula, sample the Cape’s finest wines in the Cape Winelands or visit the infamous Robben Island.  Spend your final evening at dinner with your travelling companions, indulging in delicious Cape Malay speciality dishes.

Bid a fond farewell to Cape Town after breakfast. Explore the city on your terms before your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: The Maslow - Meals: 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
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, Dinner
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