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.
Essence of South Africa
Preferred
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Hermanus: Join a local Hermanus business owner for a traditional braai (barbecue) and some of his homemade wine against a clifftop backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Johannesburg: Learn about South Africa's turbulent past on an interactive Johannesburg and Soweto Freedom tour.
- Cape Town: Spend the day discovering the wonderful views of Table Mountain.
- Cape Town: Take in the landmarks of Cape Town during a city tour with your Travel Director. See the Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap and the Castle of Good Hope.
- Cape Peninsula: Discover the incredible views of the Twelve Apostles.
- Cape Town: Spend the day surrounded by penguins on Boulders Beach.
- Franschhoek: Take in the spectacular wine valleys of Franschhoek.
- Hoedspruit: Have your camera ready to capture the beautiful scenery and fascinating wildlife on your Reserve Tour with a Shangaan tracker-guide.
- Johannesburg: Spend the day seeing the iconic sight of Mandela's house on your Johannesburg City Tour.
- Karongwe Portfolio: Spend the day marvelling at Africa's iconic wildlife on your Karongwe Private Reserve Visit.
- Hoedspruit: Support a local Shangaan village, its Eco Academy and work in the local community with your visit.
- Explore Cape Town and Johannesburg
- Visit Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Cape of Good Hope, Franschhoek, Hermanus, the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg
- View the Castle of Good Hope, Boulder's Beach penguin colony and Mandela's House in Soweto
- Hoedspruit: Your stay at Becks Safari Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve contributes to the area's environmental sustainability and community development.
Short Description
Bush, beach and two vibrant cities – capture the essence of South Africa on this culmination of a Cape Town to Kruger experience, including Johannesburg, the 'City of Gold'.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Cape Town
South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ and her iconic Table Mountain extend a warm welcome as you embark on a small group journey that will reveal the highlights of South Africa. Spend the day delving into Cape Town’s cosmopolitan surrounds before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner.
Southern Sun Waterfront
Dinner
Day 2: Table Mountain and Tour Cape Town
This morning, we encounter Table Mountain first-hand, ascending via aerial cableway to its vast flat top – a rocky wonderland of rich Cape fynbos and curious dassies (hyraxes). Peer over the bustling City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard keeping a keen eye out for the landmarks your Travel Director will show you during this morning's city tour, including Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap and the Castle of Good Hope. The rest of the day is yours to explore Cape Town at leisure. Ramble up Bree Street to sample the city’s vibrant coffee culture or take a stroll along the Sea Point promenade with the fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Consider joining our Optional Experience to explore infamous Robben Island, with your guide revealing its turbulent past and the cell where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his prison term.
Southern Sun Waterfront
Breakfast
Day 3: Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula
Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula, from trendy Camps Bay to Cape Point and back. The crashing waves of the Atlantic to your right, the rocky 12 Apostles to your left, wind your way along one of the world’s most magnificent coastal roads towards the outcrop that is Africa’s most extreme south-western tip. Say a quiet hello to the shy penguins of Boulders Beach, see the Cape of Good Hope and travel through charming coastal towns along the way.
Southern Sun Waterfront
Breakfast
Day 4: Cape Winelands and Hermanus Excursion Connect with Locals
Venture to the town of Franschhoek and see during your orientation why it is proclaimed as one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world. Take the scenic Franschhoek Pass to the coastal town of Hermanus for your Be My Guest experience. Connect With Locals when you meet local business owner Stefan, who will treat you to a delicious traditional braai (barbecue) featuring deliciacies such as boerewors, pap and melktert. Over a glass of his homemade wine he’ll share stories of his life in South Africa’s whale watching capital. Return to Cape Town via a scenic driving route, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy your evening at leisure.
Southern Sun Waterfront
Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 5: From City to Safari Stays With Stories
This morning you’ll bid farewell to the 'Mother City' and fly to Hoedspruit where a private game reserve near South Africa's great Kruger National Park beckons. Kick back, relax and settle in to one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories, Becks Safari Lodge, your home in the bush for the next three nights.
Becks Safari Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Safari in Karongwe Private Game Reserve
The action begins as we embark on an early morning game drive through Karongwe Private Reserve with a Local Specialist game ranger and Shangaan tracker-guide. The rising sun awakens the birds and insects that share your journey into the bush, as you scour the dense brush for signs of the Big 5. After lunch, and time for a siesta and a swim, return to the bush for an afternoon safari drive.
Becks Safari Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Seek out the 'Big 5' Safari Animals in Karongwe
Today enjoy another full day of game drives through Karongwe Private Reserve. Continue to scour the dense brush with your Local Specialist for incredible encounters with Africa’s iconic wildlife. End the day with a traditional sundowner drink overlooking the Game Reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for signs of wildlife that emerge from their cover of darkness.
Becks Safari Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Journey to Johannesburg
Our time in the South African bushveld comes to a close with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit to a local Shangaan village. Learn about the traditions and customs of the Shangaan people and how the Eco Academy there provides eco and wildlife education. The visit includes a simple meal of grilled chicken, pap, Shangaan style cabbage, and for the brave, the opportunity to try mopani worms! Fly to Johannesburg and check into your hotel in the heart of Sandton that's well located for exploring the nearby restaurants and shopping during your free evening.
Michelangelo
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Discover Historical Soweto Dive Into Culture
Unlock the secrets of the 'city of gold' on a full-day tour to see several iconic sites including the Hector Pietersen Memorial. Dive Into Culture during a visit to the Constitutional Hill, Mandela House Museum and the Regina Mundi Church, which chronicles South Africa's tumultuous Apartheid years.
Michelangelo
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 10: Farewell Johannesburg
Our epic encounter with South Africa’s iconic sites comes to an end today. Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for your onward flight. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Breakfast
Availability
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19,631 Trafalgar Travel Reviews & Ratings
Essence of South Africa
Company Reviews
Best of Italy Tour for 13 days, really 11 days. Recommendation: Do NOT take a Trafalgar Tour of any kind!
1) Could ONLY understand about 10 % of the travel director's harangue. Her name was Frederica. The same situation occurred in Egypt.
2) The bus driver named Theo was surly and rude.
3) The Travel Director constantly sold the extra excursions. These were 2.5 times more expensive then privately-made tours. Example in Rome--Crown Tours.
4) The food was terrible.
5) The hotels were at best 2-3 star. NO AC, low water pressure, and the breakfasts were poor.
6) Many hours were spent most days on the bus--4-8 hours. There were 49 passengers on this bus! You could not relax on the bus because the tour director constantly was speaking and selling optional excursions. Again, could not understand but 10 % of what she said.
7) We pre-paid gratuities, but wished that we had not done so. Neither the driver nor Travel Director thanked us. We will not prepay again, however, we will NEVER take another Trafalgar Tour.
Anonymous
Carolyne and Christof deserves a raise!
Anonymous
Kerrie
Anonymous
Details
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Maximum Number of People in Group: 40
Accommodations
- Southern Sun Waterfront
- Becks Safari Lodge
- Michelangelo
Trip ID#:
trafalgar-AFESZN18
Meals Included
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)
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