Fascinating South Africa
SMALL GROUP TOURS
20 day tour from £3,195pp
Why we love this tour
South Africa is a vast country with huge diversity. During this tour, we take you to the most wonderful highlights of this unique country and at the same time allow you ample time to discover, experience and unwind.
You will be enchanted by the impressive Drakensberg, the world-renowned Kruger National Park, the scenic Garden Route and beautiful Cape Town and its surroundings. Enjoy stunning landscapes and spectacular wildlife sightings, immerse yourself in South Africa’s complex history and look forward to diverse cuisines and warm hospitality. This is a journey full of authentic encounters and magical moments.
Tour Highlights
- Visit the wonderful Drakensberg and Panorama Route
- Enjoy safaris in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, iSimangaliso Wetland, Pongola, and the Kruger National Park
- Explore many different spots along the stunning Garden Route with hiking, viewpoints, penguins and even whale watching in the right season
- Taste some of the finest wines in the Western Cape and explore the beautiful Cape Peninsula
Days 1-6 | Pretoria, Drakensberg, St. Lucia & Surrounds
Upon your arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, you will be transferred to Pretoria for a city tour to give you a glimpse into the complex history of South Africa. Driving through the Free State Province we travel to the Golden Gate National Park and enjoy the tranquillity and spectacular views of the Drakensberg mountains! Here we have several options to explore from hiking various trails to experiencing the beautiful surroundings on horseback.
Heading further southeast we travel through the rolling hills of Kwa-Zulu Natal to the coastal town of St. Lucia where our time here is dedicated to game viewing. First up is the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and we also board a boat trip on the St. Lucia Estuary to spot hippos and crocodiles. Next we head to one of the most beautiful parks in Southern Africa, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, well-known for its black and white rhino project, for more exciting game drives . Our next destination is the Pongola Game Reserve, which is one of South Africa’s oldest game reserves where we enjoy a stay at the intimate and beautiful White Elephant Bush Camp with stunning sunsets and the magnificent views, and embark on an early morning bush walk – an incredible experience and an absolute must to encounter the African bush from a different angle and feel connected with nature by soaking up the sights, sounds and smells.
Days 7-12 | Mbabane, Kruger National Park & Panorama Route
Next up on this fabulous and all encompassing tour is the Kingdom of Swaziland, where stunning landscapes, friendly people and a rich cultural heritage await you! With a visit to the Mantenga Cultural Village to gain an insight into the rich Swazi culture, and options to explore the surroundings by mountain bike, on foot or on horseback, plus you'll have a chance to visit the colourful markets with watch the making of the famous and decorative Swazi Candles and the magical art of glassblowing.
As we leave Swaziland behind we travel to South Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary, the wonderful Kruger National Park, home to all animal species of Southern Africa. Not only will you find large herds of elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions and leopards, but also around 150 species of mammals, more than 500 bird species and almost 100 different reptiles. We'll go on extensive game drives in open game vehicles and have the chance to join a night drive whilst staying in the Kruger Rest Camp. After so much fantastic game viewing it'll be hard to leave the bush behind, but luckily the magnificent views on the Panorama Route await before the tour ends back in Johannesburg.
Days 13-16 | Wilderness, Tsitsikamma, Oudtshoorn
On arrival at George airport you'll be transferred to the beautiful area of Wilderness for two nights with the opportunity to stroll along the beach or go hiking along the Half Collared Kingfisher Trail through the dense forest of the Wilderness National Park to a beautiful waterfall. En route to Tstsikamma National Park we explore will explore the charming town of Knysna nestled on the banks of a beautiful lagoon with its impressive sea cliffs,before reaching South Africa’s most famous hiking "Otter" trail and the popular suspension bridge over Storms River with spectacular views guaranteed! You'll enjoy the impressive panorama of the precipitous coastline and the strong contrast of the vivid green land with the deep blue sea. Leaving the coast behind we drive on the scenic Route 62 to Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, visiting the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm during our time here.
Days 17-20 | Hermanus, Stellenbosch, Cape Peninsular
Next we head to the beautiful Hermanus, located on the so-called Cape Whale Coast as it is world-renowned for incredible whale watching opportunities during the months of June and November. We then make our way to South Africa’s most famous wine region, stopping en route to visit a colony of African Penguins before exploring the town of Stellenbosch and enjoying some wine tasting at a beautifully located wine farm. Finally we end our trip in Noordhoek, which is renowned for having one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in the Cape, and makes a perfect base to explore the Cape Peninsular before heading into the city of Cape Town where the tours finishes.
- Starts: Johannesburg International Airport
- Ends: Cape Town Central
- Dates: This tour operates weekly in high-season and bi-weekly in low-season
- Group size: Min 2, Max 10
- Accommodation Type: 4* boutique hotels with low-mid range lodges in some parks
- Age restrictions: 12+
Includes
- 19 nights accommodation
- Transport in an air-conditioned minibus
- Internal flight from Johannesburg to George
- 19 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 10 Dinners
- Activities stated in the itinerary and national park fees
- Services of a highly experienced guide
- Take Me To Africa goody bag
Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Pre or post tour accommodation
- Meals not stated
- Activities not stated
- Gratuities and spending money
- Items of a personal nature
Key Facts
Tour Dates
Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|
01/09/2023 | 20/09/2023 |
29/09/2023 | 18/10/2023 |
03/11/2023 | 22/11/2023 |
01/12/2023 | 20/12/2023 |
26/01/2024 | 14/02/2024 |
23/02/2024 | 13/03/2024 |
19/04/2024 | 08/05/2024 |
17/05/2024 | 05/06/2024 |