Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.


South Africa Highlights & Safari

Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Explore Table Mountain (Cape Town)
- See the Cape Peninsula (Cape Town)
- Explore amazing Hluhluwe Game Reserve
- Visit to Kruger National Park
- Vist Apartheid Museum (Johannesburg)
Short Description
Experience South Africa like never before on this comprehensive journey! Arrive in Cape Town to your elegant hotel and spend four nights exploring the highlights of this spectacular city. On the next leg of your trip, traverse the gorgeous coastlines of the Indian Ocean and enjoy a game drive in the fascinating Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Then, visit the most famous of all the game reserves in South Africa, Kruger National Park. Your unforgettable odyssey comes to an end in the gorgeous metropolis of Johannesburg.
Destinations
South AfricaActivities & Interests
Culture Game drive Historic sightseeing Nature Safari Wildlife viewing WinetastingItinerary
Day 1: Depart USA.
Your fascinating sojourn to South Africa begins as you depart New York today.
Day 2: Arrive Cape Town.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel
Arrive in Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest and most spectacular city, where you’ll be met and escorted to your hotel, ideally located near the vibrant V&A Waterfront. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a welcome dinner and briefing. Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel.
Day 3:
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel
Sheltered beneath the dramatic shape of Table Mountain, Cape Town is indeed one of the world’s most unique cities. This morning, a local expert leads you on a sightseeing tour to explore the charms of the city. Ride by cable car to the top of Table Mountain for glorious city and bay views. Descend and travel through the Malay Quarter and the city center for a chance to view and photograph impressive Table Mountain from a distance. Your tour ends at the vibrant V&A Waterfront where the balance of the day is at leisure. You may relax at one of the many cafes, stroll around and browse the craft and art shops or sample South Africa’s renowned wines.
Day 4:
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel
A memorable full day excursion to Cape Peninsula begins with a scenic drive passing steep mountains, secluded coves, and sweeping beaches en route to Cape Point at the southern tip of the Peninsula. Stop at the fishing village of Hout Bay before arriving to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve is rich with flora and fauna and you may see baboons, rheboks and Cape Mountain zebras. Savor the stunning views of the coastline where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. After lunch at a famous seafood restaurant follow the majestic coastline along False Bay and stop at Simon’s Town, where you’ll visit the Penguin colony. Lastly, visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and enjoy the magnificent display of indigenous South African flora before returning to Cape Town late this afternoon.
Day 5:
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel
Today is at leisure for independent exploration, shopping or relaxing! An optional excursion to the charming winelands region just outside Cape Town is available. You may also use your free time to visit Robben Island and see where Nelson Mandela spent nearly two decades in captivity.
Day 6: Cape Town/ Zululand/ Hluhluwe.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Emdoneni Lodge
Board a morning flight to King Shaka International Airport on the Kwazulu Natal North Coast, just outside the bustling port city of Durban. Journey to the charming resort village of Westbrooke, where you may enjoy a stroll on the golden sands of the Indian Ocean shoreline. Later, travel northwards through canefields and timber plantations to Zululand, home to one of the most famous of the African tribal peoples. Arrive at your hotel located near the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, renowned for saving the white rhinoceros from extinction. Emdoneni Lodge
Day 7: Hluhluwe Game Reserve/Zululand.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Emdoneni Lodge
An exciting day begins with a morning game drive in open safari vehicles to explore the magnificent animals and species in the fascinating Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Later, visit Dumazulu Village and experience the everyday life of the Zulu tribe, renowned for its warrior culture. Witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and a ceremony of beer drinking. A special Zulu lunch will be served. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Day 8: Hluhluwe/Swaziland.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lugogo Sun Hotel
Today, continue your scenic drive north and cross the border into the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. Shop for unique African souvenirs at the colorful markets and see basket weavers at work. Lugogo Sun Hotel.
Day 9: Swaziland/Kruger National Park.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Kruger Gate Lodge
Drive through the beautiful countryside of the province of Transvaal to the world famous Kruger National Park. Encompassing some of the most stunning and diverse terrain, the park is South Africa’s premier game sanctuary. An unforgettable game drive in your own motor coach this afternoon takes you in search of the wild. Your upscale lodge is located near the park. Kruger Gate Lodge.
Day 10:
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Kruger Gate Lodge
Your safari today includes a morning game drive, in open vehicles, in search of the parks many residents including the “Big Five”: Lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino and hopefully the more elusive leopard. You may also spot hippopotamus and crocodiles as well as zebras and giraffes. Plains game and bird life also abound. Have your camera ready! After a lunch break, return to the park for an afternoon open-vehicle safari.
Day 11: Kruger Park/ Mpumalanga/ Sandton (Johannesburg).
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Garden Court Sandton City
Drive through Mpumalanga (formerly Eastern Transvaal) panoramic wild countryside and enjoy unparalleled views of densely forested mountains, valleys, rivers and waterfalls. Arrive in the magnificent Blyde River Canyon, one of the greatest spectacles of Africa. Proceed to Bourke’s Luck Pot Holes, a place of African legend containing bizarre holes cut into rock by powerful river erosion. Later relish sweeping views from God’s Window. Proceed to Sandton, a flourishing suburb of Johannesburg, the commerce and diamond mining center. Garden Court Sandton City Hotel.
Day 12: Soweto Excursion/Apartheid Museum.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Garden Court Sandton City
This morning learn more about South Africa’s turbulent past and its hope for the future on a fascinating tour to Soweto, a sprawling metropolis on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Peek into the past – hostels, Freedom Square and the struggle for liberty. Tread the paths to greatness by the late Nelson Mandela and visit his former house. This afternoon, visit the Apartheid Museum, the pre-eminent museum in the world exposing the rise and fall of apartheid and South Africa’s tumultuous journey through the 20th century. Tonight, celebrate with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner feasting on a traditional South African buffet.
Day 13: Depart South Africa.
Meals: Breakfast
Today is at leisure for last minute shopping or independent pursuits before transferring to the airport for your return flight.
Day 14: Arrive USA.
Your memorable journey comes to an end as you touch down in New York this morning.
Availability
- Deposit Price: $ 300
- Single Supplement: $ 449
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1,112 SmarTours Travel Reviews & Ratings
South Africa Highlights & Safari
experience of a lifetime
we have been so very happy with EVERYTHING
Efficiently hitting all the highlights
exceeded our expectations
Loved our trip
wonderful vacation
Details
Optional Activities
- Victoria Falls extension: from approx. $1,289 per person
- Half-Day Cultural Heritage & Township Tour (Approx. $40 per person)
- Winelands Tour (Approx. $48 per person)
- Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving*** (Approx. $148 per person, including breakfast, packed lunch, hot soup and transfers)
- Full-Day Chobe National Park (Botswana) Safari & Tour (Approx. $175 per person)
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Accommodations
- Night 1: International Flight: South African Airways
- Nights 2-5: Cape Town: Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel OR Cape Town: President Hotel
- Nights 6-7: Hluhluwe: Emdoneni Lodge
- Night 8: Swaziland: Avani Ezulwini Valley Hotel
- Nights 9-10: Kruger National Park: Kruger Gate Lodge OR Sabi River Sun Resort
- Nights 11-12: Johannesburg: Garden Court Sandton City
- Night 13 Main: International Flight: South African Airways
- Nights 13-15 Extension: Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
- Night 16 Extension: International Flight: South African Airways
Cancellation policy
Full Payment due 75 days before departure. Failure to make final payment on time may result in automatic cancellation of reservation and loss of deposit.
Changes to the original reservation will result in a $150 change fee per person per change. No changes allowed within 75 days of departure.
Cancellation charges per person are:
Up to 75 days before departure: $300
74-45 days before departure: $600
44-30 days before departure: $1000
29-10 days before departure: $1500
9 days or less before departure: No refund.
All cancellations must be received in writing
Trip ID#:
smartours-SSA
What's excluded
- Baggage and personal insurance
- Passport and visa fees
- Gratuities and optional tours
- Expenses of personal nature
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Beverages
- Meals other than specified in the trip itinerary
- Items of a personal nature.
Meals Included
18 meals: 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 5 Dinners
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