South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
15 Days Starting and ending in United Kingdom
Visiting: United Kingdom, Johannesburg, Panorama Road, Kruger National Park, Zululand DC, Eswatini, KwaZulu-Natal, Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, George, Mossel Bay, Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn, Hermanus, Winelands Close, Franschhoek, Cape Town, Cape Point
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 50
Physical rating:
Please contact Riviera Travel if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility.
Age range:
9-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Riviera Travel with specific dietary requests.
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$3849 (USD) including Flights from the UKTourhub Members Discount - Sign In
Tour Overview
South Africans call their homeland 'a world in one country'. It covers an area equivalent to five times the size of Britain, with a climate ranging from temperate, Mediterranean and sub-tropical to desert; it offers spectacular scenery with arguably the finest wildlife on earth and no less than eleven official languages. South Africa is truly a world-class destination!
Firstly, a more naturally beautiful country would be difficult to find - from the serrated peaks of the Drakensberg mountains, to the contorted and timeless semi-desert landscapes of the Karoo and the forested sea-shores and mirror-like lakes of the Garden Route, the enchanting temperate valleys of the Winelands, the rare proximity to nature found in the national parks and the instantly recognizable symbol of the country, Table Mountain - all under an endless azure-blue sky. Quite remarkable!
Then there is the wildlife, one of the main reasons visitors travel to Africa. One of the finest places in the world to experience this is the Kruger National Park, which is a similar size to Wales. It is exactly how you imagine the African bush to be, as depicted on countless TV documentaries: areas of sweeping savannah, bisected by rivers full of hippos, muddy waterholes lined with animals quenching their thirst, and the bush itself, home to zebra and antelope, studded by immense biscuit-coloured termite hills and towering above it all, instantly recognisable giraffes! The park is home to an incredible 150 mammal and 500 bird species including the 'big five': elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo. Game-viewing is an intensely moving experience with nothing preparing you for the waves of emotion inspired by an encounter with these wonderful, almost regal creatures thriving in their natural habitat. Just to highlight the variety of flora too, the Cape Peninsula alone has twice as many plant varieties as Britain, which is 5,000 times bigger. But South Africa is not just about scenery and wildlife, fabulous as it is.
The cities are amazing and highlight the country's diversity. Brash Johannesburg, city of gold and South Africa's cultural capital, with skyscrapers of concrete and glass separated by canyon-like streets contrasting with townships on its outskirts. Then there is the 'Mother City', Cape Town, overlooked by the vast bulk of Table Mountain and easily Africa's most beautiful and sophisticated city. It is a real multi-cultural melting pot, with stunning Cape architecture, superb beaches, the best cuisine in the country, fabulous street musicians, mime artists and entertainers adding to its cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Departure
Location: United Kingdom, Johannesburg
Accommodation: Overnight Flight
Meals Included: No Meals
Take your overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Day 2 : Arrival In Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Indaba Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
After our morning arrival, we visit the Apartheid Museum, taking us on a fascinating, horrifying, humbling and ultimately inspiring journey from the dark days of ‘whites only’ privilege, through to Nelson Mandela’s historic release. It’s a truly fascinating exhibition charting the apartheid years and the struggle against it, culminating in the first democratic elections. It is a superbly presented walk through contemporary history using original material, riveting eyewitness accounts, photographs and film. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Day 3 : Panorama Route
Location: Panorama Road, Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hippo Hollow Country Estate
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we depart for the open spaces and farmlands of the Highveld, following the Panorama Route to Kruger National Park, one of the most scenic drives in South Africa. We follow the spectacular rim of the Blyde River Canyon, an amazing 20-mile long and 2,300- foot deep gorge cutting a vast swathe through the Great Escarpment separating the temperate grasslands of the highveld and the drier savannah beyond. Deep circular rock formations created by years of erosion and many excellent vantage points offer superb photo opportunities for some of the most breathtaking views in Africa. Our hotel for the next three nights is beautifully located in the midst of lush forest on the banks of the Sabie River on the edge of the National Park. Dinner is included tonight.
Day 4 : Kruger Game Drive
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hippo Hollow Country Estate
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we have a full day’s game drive in specially adapted 10 seat 4x4 vehicles. Experience areas of sweeping savannah, bisected by rivers full of hippos, muddy waterholes lined with animals quenching their thirst, and the bush itself, studded by biscuit-coloured termite mounds. There is simply nothing to beat that rising feeling of anticipation and excitement as we enter the nearby park in the half-light of the spectacular African dawn, surrounded by the noise of a unique ‘dawn chorus’. Which animal shall we spot first? Perhaps an elephant, a family of warthogs or possibly even the elusive cheetah. The experienced game rangers know the best tracks and waterholes whilst their stories will amuse, inform and fascinate you. Most have lived here all their lives, accumulating a vast wealth of knowledge.
Day 5 : Kruger Free Day
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hippo Hollow Country Estate
Meals Included: Breakfast
This is a day at leisure for anyone who just wants to take it easy by one of the pools at the hotel or do some hippo-spotting from the lovely lawn overlooking the river. Alternatively, you could try some elephant interaction, exciting microlight flights or even river rafting (all subject to weather conditions), as well as sunset safaris or night safaris where you can experience the unique thrill of an open 4x4 vehicle game drive by spotlight. Exclusively for Riviera Travel guests, there are also a limited number of places available to stay the night at a tented camp and go on a bushwalk. Our camp provides a ‘glamping’ experience with comfortable beds, electricity and en-suite shower with WC. Our chef will
create excellent wholesome cuisine and you can listen out for any nocturnal visitors whilst sitting
around the campfire! You rejoin the main tour on the morning of day 6.
Day 6 : Eswatini & Kwazulu Natal
Location: Zululand DC, Eswatini, KwaZulu-Natal
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Battlefields Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we leave Kruger on our way to the battlefields of Zululand. After breakfast we’ll drive south, entering the small but scenically beautiful country of Swaziland. As the road climbs past the interestingly named Piggs Peak we descend through lush green fields and rolling hills interspersed with small farms and drive through the country’s small capital Mbabane, passing the parliament house and Royal Palace
en route. We cross back into South Africa in the afternoon and enter Kwazulu Natal province.
Day 7 : Isandlwana & Rorke’S Drift
Location: Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Battlefields Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we visit the battlefields of the Zulu Wars, Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift – one a crushing British defeat sending shock waves throughout the Empire, the other a valiant stand of just 140 against 4,000 Zulus. Brilliantly dramatised in the films Zulu Dawn and Zulu, these two battles, just a day apart, became a defining moment for the British Empire. In 1879 at Isandlwana, a depleted force of 1,300 were surprised and outmanoeuvred by a 20,000-strong Zulu army armed with cowhide shields and spears. Only a handful survived. The next day just 9 miles away, about 140 British soldiers, some wounded, held off 4,000 Zulus for over ten hours at Rorke’s Drift, an action earning eleven Victoria Crosses, the largest number ever awarded in a single engagement. Isandlwana particularly, remains a haunting and lonely place, with mass graves marked by simple white stones. Our specialist Zulu guide will really make those desperate encounters come alive. We return to our hotel in the afternoon. Lunch is included today.
Day 8 : Mossel Bay
Location: Johannesburg, George, Mossel Bay
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Diaz Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we return to Johannesburg airport, flying to George in the Western Cape and at the heart of the gorgeous Garden Route, before the short drive to the coastal town of Mossel Bay. Dinner at a local restaurant is included tonight.Â
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Day 9 : Cango Caves / Featherbed Nature Reserve
Location: Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Diaz Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we head inland, through stunning mountain scenery of the Ruitersbos Nature Reserve to the foot of the Swartberg Mountains. Here we’ll visit the spectacular Cango Caves, formed over millions of years in the soft limestone and South Africa’s best-known caves. Next we head to the small town of Oudtshoorn, a centre of ostrich farming since the 19th century. We’ll have the opportunity to see these fascinating creatures close up and learn about their habits. After an included lunch, we head back to Mossel Bay.
Day 10 : Hermanus
Location: Hermanus
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Diaz Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we take the long scenic drive to the Cape’s beautiful Winelands before continuing to Hermanus, a lovely town that’s also the world’s best spot for on-shore whale watching, usually between July and November. These gentle giants move in seemingly permanent slow motion and are a truly amazing sight as they playfully cavort in the water.
Day 11 : Winelands
Location: Winelands Close, Franschhoek
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pearl Valley Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we tour the awesomely beautiful Winelands. Set in a valley backed by majestic mountains, rows of manicured vines and orchards stretch into a distance studded by lime-washed, often thatched, 300-year-old wineries built in the unique Cape Dutch style, seemingly mirroring the undulations of the surrounding countryside. Our first stop is elegant Stellenbosch, established 300 years ago and home of South Africa’s most prestigious university. Period buildings and historic streets reinforce the town’s dignified atmosphere. We have time to explore this delightful town before enjoying a fascinating cellar tour and tasting at the award-winning Neethlingshof Wine Estate.
After that, we visit the small town of Franschoek, set at the head of a valley. Tonight we’ll enjoy
an included typical South African BBQ or Cape Malay buffet dinner at our hotel.
Day 12 : Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Southern Sun Waterfront
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning
This morning we visit the amazing Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, located just outside Cape Town and set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. These incredible gardens are some of the best in South Africa, with numerous and fascinating endemic flora and orchid varieties.
We soon arrive in Cape Town and our hotel, the four-star Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, staying three nights on bed-and-breakfast. It is located right in the centre of this bustling city within walking distance of the V&A waterfront.
Afternoon
The afternoon is spent at leisure when you can start to explore this beautiful city.
Day 13 : Cape Of Good Hope
Location: Cape Point
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Southern Sun Waterfront
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we visit Cape Point and the legendary Cape of Good Hope, firstly driving past pristine beaches to the picturesque fishing harbour of Hout Bay. We continue along the breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, full of rugged seascapes, to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, then on to Cape Point itself. We see the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean currents and the treacherous promontory of rocks and swells, the scourge of mariners for centuries. Finally we visit Boulders Beach and its penguin colony, returning to the city during the
afternoon.
Day 14 : Free Day In Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Southern Sun Waterfront
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cape Town, featuring British, Dutch and Cape Malay influences, is simply one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities with so much to offer the visitor! You could do some bargain shopping at the Waterfront, followed by a sumptuous seafood lunch. Or maybe go peoplewatching at fashionable Camps Bay? Obviously no visit to Cape Town is complete without taking a revolving cable car ride to the top of iconic Table Mountain which has announced the city to generations of sea-farers. The views are fabulous. You should also visit Robben Island (weather permitting and based on availability), where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27- year incarceration, and whose visitors since its opening have included Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Gates and even Nelson Mandela himself. Perhaps though, simply wander where your feet take you, or relax a little, taking afternoon tea in beautiful colonial splendour at the Mount Nelson hotel – the choice is yours.
Day 15 : Return Home
Location: Cape Town
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we transfer to the airport for our return flight home to the UK.
Day 16
We arrive back in the UK after a truly unique tour.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Thirteen nights’ accommodation
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Local Taxes
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Meals
18 meals: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners
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Fully Guided
The services of an experienced Riviera Travel tour manager
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International Travel
Return UK flights
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Porterage of one item of luggage per person
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Insurance
Check out our Q&As
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Are flights included in this tour?
Return UK flights
Scheduled flights to Johannesburg and from Cape Town -
Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
We are unable to accommodate children under 9 years old at the date of departure..
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For almost 40 years
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I have reduced mobility; can I still travel?
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns
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Do I require travel insurance?
It is a condition of booking that you carry suitable travel insurance.
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What is my luggage allowance?
You will receive details of your luggage allowance with your final travel documents, which are sent approximately 10 days prior to your date of departure.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
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Nov 12, 2025 - Nov 26, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Riviera Travel requires a minimum deposit of 300 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of riviera travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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