Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.
Starts
Johannesburg, South Africa
Ends
Cape Town, South Africa
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25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Best of South Africa
4.5Based on
Carbon neutral
CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
What are customers saying about Bookmundi
4.67/5
Excellent based on 807 customer reviews from
SAMER
Good service and easy going , highly recommend 👌
5 days ago
Highlights
Knysna: Join host Ella and friends for a traditional meal and insights into the local Xhosa culture, including traditional dress, language and songs.
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.
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.
Durban: Enjoy the views of the tropical east coast hub in Durban.
Mpumalanga: Bask in the beautiful views of the Valley of 1000 Hills on your scenic drive.
Chintsa: Venture along the beautiful coast of Xunu and discover its rich historic roots.
Gqeberha: Spend the day exploring Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, and all of its wonders.
Cape Town: Discover the iconic sights in Cape Town.
Knysna: Emzini is a not-for-profit organisation supporting the local community providing education, food, clothing and a safe place to live. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 & 4: No Poverty & Quality Education.
Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna and Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting) in Cape Town
View Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains and Storms River Mouth, South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
See South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
Durban: Durban’s award-winning, five-star Oyster Box Hotel is one of South Africa’s finest. Enjoy unmatched service, elegant charm, a garden terrace, and stunning ocean views over Umhlanga Beach and Lighthouse.
Mpumalanga: Bask in the beautiful views of the Valley of 1000 Hills on your scenic drive.
Chintsa: Venture along the beautiful coast of Xunu and discover its rich historic roots.
Gqeberha: Spend the day exploring Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, and all of its wonders.
Cape Town: Discover the iconic sights in Cape Town.
Knysna: Emzini is a not-for-profit organisation supporting the local community providing education, food, clothing and a safe place to live. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 & 4: No Poverty & Quality Education.
Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna and Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting) in Cape Town
View Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains and Storms River Mouth, South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
See South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
Durban: Durban’s award-winning, five-star Oyster Box Hotel is one of South Africa’s finest. Enjoy unmatched service, elegant charm, a garden terrace, and stunning ocean views over Umhlanga Beach and Lighthouse.
Tour Availability
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What's Included
Accommodation
The Maslow HotelSabi River Sun Resort HotelRoyal Swazi Spa HotelAnew HotelThe Oyster Box HotelPremier Resort Sani Pass HotelCrawfords Beach Lodge HotelBoardwalk HotelKnysna Hollow Country Estate HotelSouthern Sun The Cullinan Hotel
Meals
Dinner (x10)Breakfast (x14)Lunch
Transport
Travel by coach
Guide
Experienced Driver Guide
Others
Be My Guest
What's Excluded
Customer Reviews
Read what other travelers have to say about Best of South Africa
3 other people are considering this tour right now.
M
Michael A.Verified Traveler
4.0 out of 5
Our tour guide, was the best. I can't imagine anybody better suited to tour through South Africa with. His knowledge of the history, the sites, animals, culture, geology, and most important the people of South Africa was enlightening throughout the tour.
A
AnonymousVerified Traveler
5.0 out of 5
Super hotels, excellent tour guide() great excursions, good food, well looked after. Cant fault anything
B
Bonnie B.Verified Traveler
1.0 out of 5
The itinerary was great however Craig Oliver, the tour director/driver was very difficult to get along with and really impacted my trip in a negative way. Also, the vehicle that was provided for the transportation was disappointing and very poor quality. I was not notified that the group was going to be seven people in this small van. I probably would’ve canceled the trip. Had I known prior to getting there. I was very disappointed in Trafalgar.
P
Patrick B.Verified Traveler
5.0 out of 5
I’ve traveled many places around the world and this was by far one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. Very organized excellent hotels lots to see. You guys outdid yourselves.
C
Carol C.Verified Traveler
5.0 out of 5
Loved the hotel choices (except for crawfords. Wonderful concept, excellent location but 3* quality) & the optionals were of good quality. First rate overall!
From Durban’s coastal charm to the untamed wilds of Kruger National Park, the Best of South Africa tour offers a 15-day odyssey through one of Africa’s most diverse countries. Begin in Johannesburg and conclude in Cape Town, traversing 11 destinations that highlight South Africa’s rich culture, history, and natural wonders. This wildlife-focused trip features moderate activity, ideal for those with a sense of adventure and curiosity. With all accommodations, transport, meals, and expert guides included, you’ll connect with the legacy of Mandela and the cosmopolitan spirit of Cape Town. The tour’s unique selling point? It’s a comprehensive journey that seamlessly blends wildlife encounters with immersive cultural experiences.
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 dinner.
Meals:Dinner
Location Visited:Johannesburg
Accommodation:The Maslow
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. 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.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Johannesburg, Hazyview
Accommodation:Sabi River Sun Resort
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 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.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Hazyview, Kruger National Park, Hazyview
Accommodation:Sabi River Sun Resort
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 during a spirited drumming class. You'll come away with a deeper connection to the villagers and their traditions.
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Location Visited:Hazyview, Mbabane
Accommodation:Royal Swazi Spa
day 5 - Head to Hluhluwe
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.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Mbabane, Hluhluwe
Accommodation:Anew
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. 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.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Hluhluwe, Umhlanga
Accommodation:The Oyster Box
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.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Umhlanga, Himeville
Accommodation:Premier Resort Sani Pass
day 8 - A Day in the Drakensberg
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 Mandel at his birthplace in Xunu, then enjoy the unspoiled Wild Coast beaches of Chintsa, where the only footprints in the sand will be yours.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Himeville, Chintsa
Accommodation:Crawfords Beach Lodge
day 10 - Travel to Gqeberha
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.
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Chintsa, Gqeberha
Accommodation:Boardwalk
day 11 - On to Tsitsikamma National Park and Knysna Connect with Locals
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.
Meals:Breakfast, Be My Guest
Location Visited:Gqeberha, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna
Accommodation:Knysna Hollow Country Estate
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.
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Knysna
Accommodation:Knysna Hollow Country Estate
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).
Meals:Breakfast
Location Visited:Knysna, Cape Town
Accommodation:Southern Sun The Cullinan
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 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.
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner
Location Visited:Cape Town
Accommodation:Southern Sun The Cullinan
day 15 - Farewell Cape Town
Bid a fond farewell to Cape Town after breakfast. Explore the city on your terms before your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.
