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Essence of South Africa

This tour has other variations available

Everyday Price From

$5,950

10 days

No Countries

Overview

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'.

Locations Visited

Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, Cape Winelands, Hermanus, Hoedspruit, Johannesburg

Countries Visited

South Africa

Travel Style

Country Explorer

Accommodations

9 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum Age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

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 dinner.

  • Accommodation

    Southern Sun The Cullinan Cape Town


  • Meals

    Dinner

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.

  • Accommodation

    Southern Sun The Cullinan Cape Town


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Table Mountain Visit

Spend the day discovering the wonderful views of Table Mountain.

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Cape Town City Tour

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.

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.

  • Accommodation

    Southern Sun The Cullinan Cape Town


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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See the Twelve Apostles

Discover the incredible views of the Twelve Apostles.

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Boulders Beach Visit

Spend the day surrounded by penguins on Boulders Beach. 

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.

  • Accommodation

    Southern Sun The Cullinan Cape Town


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Be My Guest

Highlights

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Hermanus Traditional Braai Lunch

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.

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Franschhoek Orientation

Take in the spectacular wine valleys of Franschhoek.

This morning, you’ll bid farewell to the Mother City and fly to Hoedspruit, where a private game reserve near Kruger National Park awaits. Begin your time in the South African bushveld with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a Shangaan village, learning about their traditions, customs, and way of life. Later, settle into Shiduli Private Game Lodge, a Stays with Stories accommodation and your home in the bush for the next three nights.

  • Accommodation

    Shiduli Private Game Lodge


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

    Dinner

Highlights

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Stays with Stories

Your stay in Karongwe Private Game Reserve contributes to the area's environmental sustainability and community development.

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Visit a local Shangaan Village at Tshukudu Lodge

Meet the Shangaan people and learn about their way of life through music, dance and daily traditions. Watch a performance celebrating the heritage of the San, Shona, Venda, Tswana, Zulu and Shangaan communities. Try your hand at grinding maize or building huts, and learn how architecture, agriculture and family customs shape daily life, before sharing a traditional meal with the community. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

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.

  • Accommodation

    Shiduli Private Game Lodge


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

    Dinner

Highlights

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Reserve Tour with a Shangaan Tracker- Guide

Have your camera ready to capture the beautiful scenery and fascinating wildlife on your Reserve Tour with a Shangaan tracker-guide. 

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.

  • Accommodation

    Shiduli Private Game Lodge


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

    Dinner

Highlights

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Karongwe Private Reserve Visit

Spend the day marveling at Africa's iconic wildlife on your Karongwe Private Reserve Visit. 

This morning have your camera's ready for the last of your game drives before your flight to Johannesburg. Check into your hotel in the heart of Sandton that's well located for exploring the nearby restaurants and shopping during your free evening.

  • Accommodation

    The Maslow Hotel Johannesburg


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Unlock the secrets of the 'city of gold' on a full-day tour. 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.

  • Accommodation

    The Maslow Hotel Johannesburg


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Johannesburg and Soweto Freedom Tour

Learn about South Africa's turbulent past on an interactive Johannesburg and Soweto Freedom tour.

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Johannesburg City Tour

Spend the day seeing the iconic sight of Mandela's house on your Johannesburg City Tour.

Our epic encounter with South Africa’s iconic sites comes to an end today. Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for your onward flight. 

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

Must-see Highlights

  • Explore Cape Town and Johannesburg

  • Visit Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting) and Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Franschhoek, Hermanus, the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, the Constitutional Hill, Mandela House Museum and the Regina Mundi Church in Johannesburg

  • View Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Soweto's Mandela House

What's Included

Transport

  • All transport and transfers shown

  • Air-conditioned coach or Quantum bus

Travel Director

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Hotels

  • Cherry-picked hotels and safari lodges, all tried and trusted

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Meals

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Sightseeing

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Optionals

  • Optional Experiences and free time

Dates & Prices

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Essence of South Africa

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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes:

  • ​International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
  • ​Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of itinerary.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy in CAD. Single room supplements are available. 
  • ​'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts', 'Last Minute Deals' or 'Early Booking Discounts'. Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals or Early Booking Discounts are available on select departures only and only available to travelers departing from Canada; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
  • ​'Exclusive Costco Member Price' is available upon member login. 
  • For 'Costco Vacations of a Lifetime itineraries the price shown is the final base price, exclusive to Costco members and already reflective of any special member savings. *Please note may not be available at all gateways/cities. Where unavailable, will offer a discount for up to $100 USD.Additional, limited-time discounts are not applicable, other conditions apply. Please refer to Terms & Conditions
  • ​​​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
  • For full details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions page.
  • Other conditions may apply