Essence of South Africa

Essence of South Africa

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10 Days From

$4825

$4584

Essence of South Africa

10 Days Starting in Cape Town and ending in Johannesburg

Visiting: Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, Hermanus, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park, Karongwe Private Game Reserve, Johannesburg, Soweto

Tour operator:

Trafalgar

Tour code:

AFESM18

Recommended For:

Couples

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

15 - 54

Age range:

5-99

From:
$4825
$4584 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$241
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Tour 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'.

Highlights

  • Explore Cape Town

  • 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

  • Connect with Locals 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.

  • View the Castle of Good Hope, Boulder's Beach penguin colony and Mandela House in Soweto

  • Stays with Stories Your stay at Becks Safari Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve contributes to the area's environmental sustainability and community development.

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

  • MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Support a local Shangaan village, its Eco Academy and work in the local community with your visit.

  • Dive into Culture Hear first hand about the traditions and cultures of the Shangaan people and how their village promotes eco and wildlife education.

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Welcome To Cape Town

Location: Cape Town

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Southern Sun Waterfront

Meals Included: No Meals

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 travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.

Day 2 : Table Mountain And Tour Cape Town

Location: Cape Town

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 3 : Circumnavigate The Cape Peninsula

Location: Cape Peninsula

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 4 : Cape Winelands And Hermanus Excursion

Location: Cape Peninsula, Hermanus

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 5: From City To Safari

Location: Cape Town, Hoedspruit, Kruger National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Becks Safari Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 6 : Safari In Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Location: Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 7 : Seek Out The 'Big 5' Safari Animals In Karongwe

Location: Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Day 8 : Journey To Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Michelangelo

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Our time in the South African bushveld comes to a close with a Dive Into Culture and 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.

Day 9 : Discover Historical Soweto

Location: Soweto

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Unlock the secrets of the 'city of gold' on a full-day tour to view several iconic sites including the Regina Mundi Church and Mandela's house in Soweto. Dive Into Culture during a visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum and the Apartheid Museum, which chronicles South Africa's tumultuous Apartheid years.

Day 10 : Farewell Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

What's Included

  • 1 Welcome Reception

  • 1 Be My Guest

  • 4 Lunches

  • 1 Farewell Dinner

  • 9 Breakfasts

  • 3 Dinners

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

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

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What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    Yes, Cape toen to Hoedspruit Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1947

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this Operator

Renato Arrieta  

Best tour I joined so far

14-Jan-2023

My first time with Trafalgar and I see no reason why I should not join them again.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
King Ng, Lafayette, California  

Very well planned trip with timely breaks during the coach ride..

08-Nov-2021

It was a well organized tour group and we hit lots of interesting and beautiful scenes. Like our previous trips with Trafalgar, tourists were treated with well manner and professional tour guide/director, making our trip very enjoyable and delightful!

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Best of Egypt

14-Jan-2023

We really did see the best of Egypt and beyond. Our tour guide, Mohammad, guided us through the rich history and the urban and rural life of such a unique and delightful country. We felt very safe and pampered.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Marshal Daguio  

Wonderful Best Of Turkey

06-Nov-2021

It was my first time with Trafalgar Tour and I had a wonderful trip from day 1 till the last day. The Tour Director, Yocel Atik is very knowledgeable and Excellent. The health director and coach driver are helpful and supportive as well. The hotels selected were comfortable especially Rixos Hotel and Movenpick Hotel. The Best of Turkey is better than I expected.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Barbara, Canada  

Irish Experience

09-Nov-2021

I am single and travel alone. I always feel secure and well-looked after when I travel with Trafalgar

Feefo Trusted Reviews

Dates & Availability

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Sunday - Tuesday

Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 16, 2024
$5595 $4840 (USD)

Operator discount: -$501 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$255 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$280 (USD)

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Aug 04, 2024 - Aug 13, 2024
$5595 $4840 (USD)

Operator discount: -$501 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$255 (USD)

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Operator discount: -$501 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$255 (USD)

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$5595 $4840 (USD)

Operator discount: -$501 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$255 (USD)

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Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 22, 2024
$5625 $4865 (USD)

Operator discount: -$504 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$256 (USD)

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Operator discount: -$504 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$256 (USD)

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Operator discount: -$504 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$250 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 11, 2025
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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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Nov 16, 2025 - Nov 25, 2025
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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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Dec 07, 2025 - Dec 16, 2025
$5250 $4988 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$263 (USD)

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Dec 19, 2025 - Dec 28, 2025
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The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$265 (USD)

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    Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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