Ultimate South Africa

Ultimate South Africa

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tourhub | Travelsphere | Ultimate South Africa | LUSA
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17 Days From

$5362

$4827

Ultimate South Africa

17 Days Starting in Cape Town, South Africa and ending in Johannesburg, South Africa

Visiting: Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Port Elizabeth, Dundee, Greater Kruger

Tour operator:

Travelsphere

Tour code:

LUSA

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

15 - 35

Physical rating:

Low, Classic Touring

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

Safari Tours

Activities:

4WD, Wine Tasting

From:
$5362
$4827 (USD) including Flights from the UK Operator discount: -$281 The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254
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Tour Overview

Discover the very best of South Africa on this all-encompassing tour. Beginning in Cape Town, take the cable car up Table Mountain and enjoy a tour of the Cape Peninsula which includes a visit to Cape Point and Boulders Beach. Next you'll head to Stellenbosch in the Western Cape winelands, before continuing to Knysna, a town at the heart of the famous Garden Route. From Port Elizabeth we'll go on to discover the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields on a tour. Kruger National Park is our next destination, where we'll head out in search of the Big Five, before a drive along the scenic Panorama Route completes this incredible adventure.

Highlights

  • Cape Town tour and Table Mountain

  • Cape Peninsula, Cape Point, Boulders Beach and Botanical Gardens 

  • Winelands tour and tasting

  • The Drostdy Museum in Swellendam

  • The Cango Caves and an Safari Ostrich Farm

  • Drive along the Garden Route

  • Knysna Lagoon with Featherbed excursion

  • Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park 

  • Port Elizabeth's Highlights

  • The Zulu battlefields

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Uk - Cape Town

Today you will fly to Cape Town.

Day 2 Cape Town

Location: Cape Town

Accommodation Name: City Lodge Hotel Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

On arrival in Cape Town, we'll transfer you to your hotel, with your sightseeing starting en route. Located on the shores of the Atlantic, with Table Mountain as a backdrop, Cape Town occupies a spectacular setting and you'll take in fabulous views as we approach it. You'll see many of the city's highlights including Table Mountain - on some days the top of the mountain is shrouded by clouds, a natural phenomenon known as the tablecloth - a beautiful sight. If the weather permits we'll even make the trip up Table Mountain by cable car. Join your fellow guests for a welcome drink this evening.

Day 3 Cape Peninsula

Location: Cape Town

Accommodation Name: City Lodge Hotel Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Meals Included: B

There’s a great day ahead as we set off to explore the Cape Peninsula to take in some absolutely breath-taking views including the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and a drive along one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world, Chapman’s Peak (weather permitting), we’ll explore Cape Point, stop at Boulders Beach, famous for its penguin colony, and travel into Simon’s Town before completing our travels with a visit to the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Day 4 Cape Town - At Leisure

Location: Cape Town

Accommodation Name: City Lodge Hotel Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Meals Included: B

The choice is yours today, you can explore independently, or perhaps come on an optional excursion to Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township. En route, you’ll visit Bo-Kaap Malay Quarter and drive through District Six.

Day 5 Cape Town - Western Cape Winelands

Location: Stellenbosch

Accommodation Name: Protea Hotel by Marriott Stellenbosch

Meals Included: B

Today we're going to discover the winelands of the Western Cape. A scenic drive takes us through lush farmland and vineyards, where our first stop will be in the town of Franschhoek. Here we will enjoy a tasting at a winery nestled against the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains. Next, we'll visit the Spice Route Destination in Paarl, where you will discover an array of artisans selling everything from chocolate and wine to cured meats and homeware. Finally we'll tour the charming, historic town of Stellenbosch. We'll wander along Dorp Street admiring fine examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture, and take in fantastic views of the mountains and surrounding countryside.

Day 6 Stellenbosch - Oudtshoorn

Location: Oudtshoorn

Accommodation Name: Protea Hotel by Marriott Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate

Meals Included: B

Your next base is Oudtshoorn, and during our drive here we'll stop at Swellendam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. A tour will introduce its stunning architecture and you'll also have time to visit its fascinating museum. Back on the road, take in lovely views of ravines, gorges, cliffs and lush vegetation as we journey through the Huisrivier pass, set between two valleys.?

Day 7 Oudtshoorn - Knysna

Location: Knysna

Accommodation Name: Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays

Meals Included: B

Oudtshoorn is the 'ostrich capital of the world', and home to the world's largest population of these unique flightless birds. Before we make our way to Knysna, our base for two nights, we'll visit the Safari Ostrich Farm to see some of these fascinating creatures up close. You're also going to see the Cango Caves today. Located in a limestone ridge alongside the stunning Swatberg Mountains, this magnificent system of underground caverns is more than 20 million years old.

Day 8 Knysna

Location: Knysna

Accommodation Name: Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays

Meals Included: B, L

The quaint town of Knysna lies at the heart of the Garden Route and is surrounded by ancient forests. It's a delightful place with plenty of craft shops, boutiques and cafés. After a leisurely start today, we will visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve with a cruise across Knysna Lagoon, a walk through the forest past the ancient sea caves, and a buffet lunch.

Day 9 Knysna - Port Elizabeth

Location: Port Elizabeth

Accommodation Name: Garden Court Kings Beach

Meals Included: B, D

Your journey to Port Elizabeth, or Gqeberha as it is now known, via Plettenberg Bay includes a stop at Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. Here you can walk across the 77-metre-long suspension bridge which hovers above the tumultuous water flowing into the Indian Ocean. Later, we will take in some highlights of Gqeberha en-route to our hotel for this evening.

Day 10 Port Elizabeth - Battlefields

Location: Dundee

Accommodation Name: Battlefields Country Lodge

Meals Included: B, D

On arrival in Johannesburg you'll discover a very different territory to that previously experienced, as we head into the heart of the Zulu kingdom, the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields. The area is our base for two nights.

Day 11 Battlefields

Location: Dundee

Accommodation Name: Battlefields Country Lodge

Meals Included: B, L, D

On today's guided tour you'll retrace history as you stand at the very spot where the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana and subsequent conflict at Rorke's Drift took place.? A Local Guide will bring to life the events of the day when 20,000 Zulu warriors, armed with traditional weapons, confronted the firepower of the British army.

Day 12 Greater Kruger

Location: Greater Kruger

Accommodation Name: Muluwa Lodge

Meals Included: B, D

Your journey today takes you to the Mpumalanga Lowveld region of South Africa, 40 mins from the Kruger National Park, South Africa's largest game reserve. Your accommodation over the next few nights is spectacular and special. The luxury safari tents at Ndhula & Muluwa Lodge are ideally situated and built on wooden decks and enjoy a breath taking natural setting. An inviting open-air reception area adjoins a large, thatched-roof dining room where you can enjoy South African and international cuisine with beautiful views over the valley. Todays journey is long but packed full of rewards as you travel through a variety of landscapes and take in spectacular views.

Day 13 Kruger National Park

Location: Greater Kruger

Accommodation Name: Muluwa Lodge

Meals Included: B, D

Kruger National Park is home to the Big Five - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. Today we'll take in the sights on a full-day game drive, which also includes a breakfast picnic. You'll travel in an open safari vehicle with an expert guide who will talk to other drivers and track down the best wildlife sightings - it's a wonderful way to experience the African wilderness.
We will return later this afternoon and the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Day 14 Greater Kruger - At Leisure

Location: Greater Kruger

Accommodation Name: Muluwa Lodge

Meals Included: B, D

You could relax and enjoy the facilities at the lodge, or head out on an optional game drive and continue your search for wildlife.

Day 15 Greater Kruger - Panorama Route

Location: Greater Kruger

Accommodation Name: Muluwa Lodge

Meals Included: B, D

Start your day with a drive along the breathtaking Panorama Route, which winds its way through some of South Africa's most beautiful scenery. The rainforest at God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels, are some of the highlights. We're also going to take an unforgettable journey on the Graskop Gorge Lift, which travels 51 metres down the face of the gorge and into the forest below. Here, a trail of wooden walkways and suspension bridges carves its way through the forest and interactive exhibits tell us more about the flora and fauna.
Tonight, if the weather is on our side, get to know one of South African's oldest traditions for dinner - the Boma. The lodge proudly features this amazing outdoor dinner facility in the traditional South African shape – round and protective like a traditional African village with a centralised fire place for ambiance and winter warmth and a chef's station that prepares those famous African barbecue meals.

Day 16 Johannesburg - Uk

Meals Included: B

Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Day 17 Uk

You'll arrive in the UK today.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    3 & 4 star hotels

  • Return flights from London

  • 14 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels plus 2 nights in flight

  • 23 meals: 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners and welcome drink

  • Overseas transfers, internal flights, other transportation and porterage

  • Travelsphere Holiday Director

  • Travelsphere Holiday Director

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

    At your discretion

  • Any other items not mentioned or detailed as optional

Accommodation

    • ONOMO Hotel Cape Town - Inn on the Square
    • Overlooking Green Market Square in Cape Town, Inn on the Square Cape Town is a contemporary hotel in one of Cape Town’s oldest buildings. Inn on the Square Cape Town’s in-house restaurant, DISH, offers quality South African cuisine. Here they offer a selection of local and imported wines that can be enjoyed either in the restaurant, Cobble & Stone Pub or on the terrace. All rooms include air-conditioning, hairdryers, Wi-Fi and tea/coffee-making facilities.
    • Protea Hotel by Marriott Stellenbosch
    • Located in-between two international golf courses with the best of the Winelands. The hotels facilities include a restaurant, bar, heated pool, lounge and health centre. Private room facilities are included.
    • Protea Hotel Riempe by Marriott Oudtshoorn
    • Standard rooms come with free WiFi, satellite TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. All have en suite bathrooms. Amenities include a restaurant and cocktail bar, a garden with an outdoor pool.
    • Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays
    • The 4-star Protea Hotel Knysna Quays is set on the Knysna Quays waterfront, within easy reach of the city's main attractions.



      Hotel facilities include a restaurant, bar, lounge and outdoor pool (typically open May-Sept). Bedrooms have private facilities, air-conditioning, TV, hairdryer, telephone, minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities and Wi-Fi.
    • Garden Court Kings Beach
    • This hotel is just a 3 minute walk from the beach, and has facilities including a restaurant and bar, outdoor pool and gym. Guest rooms have en-suite, TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
    • Battlefields Country Lodge
    • The 3-star Battlefields Country Lodge is situated in the heart of the well known historic Battlefields in KwaZulu Natal near Dundee.



      Hotel facilities include a restaurant and a bar. Bedrooms have private facilities and air-conditioning.
    • Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate
    • Protea Hotel Kruger Gate is a lodge-style hotel in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, located 12 minutes walk away from the Paul Kruger Gate. Rooms have free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and tea/coffee-making facilities. Other hotel amenities include outdoor pool with a bar and a spa.

Excursions Included


  • Cape Town tour and Table Mountain

  • Cape Peninsula, Cape Point, Boulders Beach and Botanical Gardens 

  • Winelands cellar tour and tasting

  • The Drostdy Museum in Swellendam

  • The Cango Caves and an ostrich farm

  • Drive along the Garden Route

  • Knysna Lagoon cruise

  • Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park 

  • Discover charming Port Elizabeth

  • The Zulu battlefields

  • Game drive in Kruger National Park

  • Drive along the scenic Panorama Route

  • Graskop Gorge Lift and forest walk

  • A 'braai' dinner under the stars


 

Optional Excursions


  • Cape Town Township tour



  • Game drives at Kruger National Park

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the maximum group size?

    The maximum group size for this trip is 35 people

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    No. Min age is 18 years.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    Requirements do change, and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure so that you have the correct documentation and are adequately vaccinated. Information on health is available from your GP surgery and from the National Travel Health Network and Centre www.travelhealthpro.org.uk

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    Yes, international flights from/to the Uk

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Travelsphere’s Flexibility Promise has been created to give you complete peace of mind and make you feel confident when booking your holiday with us. We have also been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Travelsphere has been operating escorted touring holidays for 60 years

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    At Travelsphere, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    You will receive Holiday conformation upon booking, and then several documents detailing any adddiotnal information and the optional excursions that you can book before you travel. The final information covering your flights, hotels and itinerary will be sent to you around 14 days before your departure date.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    No, we do not offer single share options

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    No, Im afraid not

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If we can accomadate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - and make sure you have your booking number to hand.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Our Travelsphere Cares programmes, in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate a portion of the funds from our tours, so it’s great to know that when you travel with us you are helping to change lives and turn travel into real impact.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Like minded travellers

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

    All of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.

Reviews of this Operator

KARL WILSON (Google Reviewer)  

A great company and we'll...

28-Mar-2024

A great company and we'll definitely be using them again. Our trip to south America was fantastic.

Alison Packer (Google Reviewer)  

Great escorted holiday to Austria. Well...

05-Aug-2019

Great escorted holiday to Austria. Well looked after by Paul tour leader and Ollie coach driver and the staff at the hotel. Austria is beautiful the lakes are stunning met some great people Well lead tours interesting and not to long Great food and accommodation very Austrian lovely to see the traditional side of Austria good value holiday if you prefer a guide to all the attraction door to door.

Sue Williams  

enjoyable trip to Bulgaria

07-Jun-2021

We had a really enjoyable trip to Bulgaria , all the excursions and hotels were very good . Our Tour Director and Tour Guide were excellent and helped to make the holiday extra special. It is the first time that I have ever used Travelsphere but would not hesitate using them again in the future or to recommend them to friends or family .

Charles  

Best travel company I have ever booked with!

03-Aug-2021

As a previous traveller with Travelsphere,I know that customer care and excellent tours are their stock in trade.When the Covid 19 Vaccination scheme was announced in November 2020 I booked Discover New Zealand with a cook island add on,all my internet and telephone calls were top rate ,my questions answered and my monies safe.As the pandemic changed I had to cancel the cook Island add on,again all handled in a prompt,efficient and personable way.Now due to the Covid Restrictions in New Zealand,my your has been cancelled and a full refund given.Excellent customer service from a well established and careing company.Thank you to all at Travelsphere.I am now planning a double tour to Australia and New Zealand when circumstances allow and have the Travelsphere brochure on order !

Jennifer Zammit (Google Reviewer)  

Can't fault them always polite...

15-Dec-2019

Can't fault them always polite friendly and very helpful on phone. I booked Canada last year and they were first class from start to finish. Also went to Italy with them and already booked for next year Chicago to New Orleans. Keep up the good service and you'll always have my bookings and 5 star status .

Terry Hill  

Such enjoyable holidays

03-May-2022

I have been lucky enough to have travelled 13 times with Travelsphere with several more booked over the next 18 months. Every holiday has been fantastic with three main reasons. (1) The itineraries in many wonderful locations. (2) The excellent Tour Managers. (3) The fellow travellers who also enjoy such fantastic Touring holidays. Thoroughly recommend Travelsphere and cannot wait for our 14th holiday starting next week!

Jan  

Best Holiday ever!

23-Jun-2021

This was the first time we have been on a 'tour', we had always felt it wouldn't be our thing. We are total converts, the value of having a knowledgeable guide, plenty of time to explore on our own when we wanted to and extra tours available if we wanted easy access to some hard to get into places. I can't recommend Travelsphere enough, they were recommend to us by two sets of friends and we would happily recommend Travelsphere to others. (Packing tip :- We used clothes packs to separate everything into types.. made finding stuff so easy without packing and unpacking a whole case every few days.)

Keith Taylor (Google Reviewer)  

Travel company providing tours. We...

18-Aug-2023

Travel company providing tours. We did top to toe Italy in 2008 and are travelling with them again on a tour around Turkey in 2024.

Pauline Jones (Google Reviewer)  

Toured Analucia, or should I...

29-Sep-2023

Toured Analucia, or should I say visited. Too much travelling time, not enough seeing anything, great rep, hotel good but evening buffet hit and miss. Maybe a different company next time

Julie Smith (Google Reviewer)  

I have been trying to...

08-Jan-2024

I have been trying to contact Travelsphere by email for several weeks now but not a single email ahs been answered. How can an enquiry go unanswered???

Dates & Availability

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Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Sep 06, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024
$5362 $5094 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$268 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Nov 01, 2024 - Nov 17, 2024
$5362 $4827 (USD)

Operator discount: -$281 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Feb 14, 2025 - Mar 02, 2025
$5362 $5094 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$268 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Mar 14, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025
$5362 $5094 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$268 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025
$5362 $4827 (USD)

Operator discount: -$281 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Nov 14, 2025 - Nov 30, 2025
$5362 $4827 (USD)

Operator discount: -$281 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Jan 09, 2026 - Jan 25, 2026
$5362 $4827 (USD)

Operator discount: -$281 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Feb 13, 2026 - Mar 01, 2026
$5362 $4827 (USD)

Operator discount: -$281 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Sep 04, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026
$5362 $4827 (USD)

Operator discount: -$281 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Instant Booking Available

Friday - Sunday

Nov 13, 2026 - Nov 29, 2026
$5362 $4827 (USD)

Operator discount: -$281 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$254 (USD)

Including UK Flights

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Travelsphere allows you to make 4 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Travelsphere allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform travelsphere, 75 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Travelsphere requires a minimum deposit of 21% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

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

    Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Book with Confidence

    When you book your holiday with Just You, you can have complete peace of mind. Your money is 100% protected through our Independent Trust Fund, any money you pay to us is held by them & governed by 3rd?party trustees. It is also a condition of our ATOL license and is regularly monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority. We don’t receive any money until after you’ve come back from your holiday – so your money is 100% protected no matter what. If you have any questions you can speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable holiday advisors.

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