Trafalgar : South Africa Tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town

Travel highlights : 

Best of South Africa

15 Day South Africa Tour from Johannesburg to Cape Town

Connect with the culture of two countries as you travel from the north to south to encounter South Africa's legacy of Mandela and the cosmopolitan spirit of Cape Town.

Book with Confidence : 

• FREE 3 day booking hold
• FREE cancellation within 30 days*
• FREE booking changes*
• From £100 risk-free deposit*

What's included : 

• 14 Nights Accommodation
• 26 MEALS : 14 breakfasts, 2 lunches (including Be My Guest), 10 dinners
• Transport : All transport shown. VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.

The Trafalgar difference :  

CONNECT WITH LOCALS

• in Knysna join host Ella and friends for a traditional meal and insights into the local Xhosa culture, including traditional dress, language and songs. (Day 11)

DIVE INTO CULTURE

• Connect with Swazi culture during a visit to a local Chief's village. (Day 4)

LOCAL SPECIALIST

• Private safari game drive in the Kruger National Park

STAYS WITH STORIES

• Durban's five-star Oyster Box Hotel overlooks Umhlanga's iconic lighthouse and is owned and run by Trafalgar's Tollman family. (Day 6) 

Sightseeing highlights : 

• SEE South Africa's wildlife and birds on safari
• VIEW Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, the Drakensberg mountains and Storms River Mouth
• VISIT Bourke's Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park, eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), Port Elizabeth, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna and Table Mountain by Cable Car

Travel highlights : 

• Daily breakfast and up to half your evening meals
• Air conditioned coach, mini coach or safari vehicle transportation
• Cherry-picked hotels and lodges all tried and trusted
• Optional Experiences and free time
• All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
• An expert Travel Director and professional Driver, or Driver Guide
• All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• Handcrafted Highlights

Book with Confidence :

ABTA AND ATOL PROTECTED

FREE CANCELLATION WITHIN 30 DAYS OF BOOKING : 

• Secure your trip with just £100pp* and if you need to cancel within 30 days of booking, you will receive a full refund. Limited time only. T&C’s apply

FREE CHANGES UP TO 60* DAYS OF DEPARTURE :

• To give you peace of mind and more time to make decisions about your future travel plans, you’re free to change your travel plans until 60 days before your trip.
• If for any reason you change your mind, you can choose new dates and/or a new destination without penalty on the land portion of your trip (airlines impose different change policies and penalties) 

Day 1

Arrive 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 a Welcome Reception.

 Hotel - The Maslow

 Included Meals - Welcome Reception

Day 2

Johannesburg – Kruger National Park Area (2 Nights)

The golden Highveld gives way to rolling green hills as we travel to South Africa's Lowveld. We 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, we venture to our hotel near the famous Kruger National Park, our home for two nights.

 Hotel - Sabi River Sun Resort

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

Kruger National Park Safari Game Drive

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 look out for the magnificent 'Big 5', the Little 5 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.

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4

Kruger National Park Area – Mbabane (eSwatini) (formerly Swaziland)

Travel to landlocked eSwatini. 'Dive Into Culture' during a visit to a Swazi Chief's village and gain insights into the community's way of life, sampling some of the local pap and stew, and admiring their striking crimson traditional dress.

 Hotel - Royal Swazi Spa

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Mbabane (eSwatini) – Hluhluwe

We venture to 'garden of province' of KwaZulu Natal and its northern wilderness. Traversing rolling sugarcane fields and lush valleys, we 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 - a perfect way to end the day.

 Hotel - Anew

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Safari

If you visit Kwazulu-Natal, you can't leave without visiting Big Five country in the oldest park in South Africa: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. This is the legendary park where a dedicated team made worldwide conservation history with their successful efforts to bring the white rhino back from the brink of extinction. You won't simply be enthralled with this game-rich reserve and the extraordinary beauty of the terrain, but also with the sense of history having been made here. Our specialist tours are all conducted in specially modified open safari vehicles to enhance your game viewing, and give photographers the very best vantage point to capture that perfect image. We only tour with qualified, experienced guides, so you will not only be one step ahead because of their intimate knowledge of the animal movements and habitats, but you'll learn more than you could have imagined possible about everything from trees, to animal spoor, to the rich bird life.

Adult Price: R1,065.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 6

Hluhluwe – Durban (Umhlanga Rocks)

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. We continue south to Durban for an effortless encounter with this tropical east coast hub, which begins 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.

 Hotel - The Oyster Box

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

St. Lucia Boat Cruise

All aboard the comfortable Santa Lucia, a spacious double-decker boat on St Lucia Estuary, with ample room for everybody to have the best view possible. We're off on a two-hour relaxed interpretative cruise from the smartest vantage point - the water. We'll get up close to the sight and sounds of hippo, crocodiles and other game species, and if we're lucky, we'll be serenaded by the haunting cry of the fish eagle...perhaps even watch one catch a fish. The boat has a coffee, snack and full bar on board, so relaxation is the order of the day.

Adult Price: R280.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 7

Durban (Umhlanga Rocks) – Southern Drakensberg Mountains (2 Nights)

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 .

 Hotel - Premier Resort Sani Pass

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

Drakensberg Mountains Free Day or Sani Pass Excursion to Lesotho

Indulge in the freedom of a day spent exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site on your terms. Consider joining an optional 4x4 Sani Pass drive, ascending to a heavenly height of 2,876 metres for lunch at Africa's highest pub in Lesotho, or alternatively relax down here on earth amidst the Drakensberg's lofty peaks.

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sani Pass 4 X 4 Tour

The Tour departs at 09h30 and takes approx. 2.5 hours to reach the summit, climbing a grand 2874 meters above sea level, stopping at breath taking view sites along the Sani Pass and the two border posts i.e. The South African Border Control and Lesotho Border Control. Once at the Top of the Sani Pass, we enjoy lunch at the highest Pub in Africa - The Sani Mountain Lodge. After lunch the Tour continues into a living Basotho village, where our experienced mountain guide will interest you on Lesotho and its people - the hardy mountainous Basotho folk. Traditional beer and homemade bread offered on request .We wind down the Sani Pass after this cultural experience and arrive back in Underberg between 16h00- 16h30 depending on the wildlife spotted along the way.

Adult Price: R1,250.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 9

Southern Drakensberg Mountains – Eastern Cape Beaches

From enigmatic mountain landscapes to South Africa's untamed coastline, we venture through the Eastern Cape and the green hills of the Transkei, dotted with Xhosa kraals and homesteads. Discover the legacy of Nelson Mandela, at his birthplace in Xunu, then enjoy the unspoiled Wild Coast beaches of Chintsa, where the only footprints in the sand will be yours.

 Hotel - Crawfords Beach Lodge

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10

Eastern Cape Beaches – Port Elizabeth

Wake to the sound of the ocean and spend time admiring pristine natural surrounds before we begin our journey to Port Elizabeth. Once a British settlement, this port city holds the distinction of being South Africa's friendliest city, which you'll encounter first-hand as you explore it on your own terms this evening.

 Hotel - Boardwalk

 Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 11

Port Elizabeth – Tsitsikamma National Park – Knysna (2 Nights)

Walk beneath the tranquil canopy of Tsitsikamma's giant and ancient Yellowwoods, arriving 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 will accompany your traditional Xhosa meal. Our final stop today is the picturesque lagoon setting of Knysna, known as South Africa's own Garden of Eden. Famed for its indigenous forests, fresh oysters and the two landmark Knysna Heads that stand as sentinels at the edge of the lagoon which shield the town from the Indian Ocean.

 Hotel - Knysna Hollow Country Estate

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest

Day 12

Knysna Free Day

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. This evening, why not join an Optional Experience sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads and see where the Indian Ocean crashes against their towering sandstone cliffs?

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wilderness Forest Guided Walk

Set off on a mystical adventure in the indigenous forests of Wilderness, and get back to nature on this enchanting 2.6 kilometre circular forest walk, crossing moss-framed bridges and trickling streams. Marvel at the sheer size of a giant old Outeniqua Yellowwood tree, and go in search of ancient gnarled trees, curtains of ferns, wild mushrooms growing on tree trunks, and pretty flowers showering in thin rays of sunlight. Who knows what magical treasures you’ll find.

Adult Price: R980.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Knysna Lagoon Sunset Dinner Cruise

Take to the waters of Knysna Lagoon aboard a unique paddle cruiser vessel for a lesiurely dinner cruise. Depart as the sun sets and travel to the famous Knysyna Heads whilst enjoying a delicious Mediterranean cuisine buffet. Note: Drinks are not included and bills must be settled directly with the onboard staff.

Adult Price: R795.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 13

Knysna – Cape Town (2 Nights)

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).

 Hotel - Southern Sun The Cullinan

 Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 14

Cape Town Free Day

Capture the cosmopolitan energy of South Africa's Mother City. Spend the day exploring its streets and squares in search of a tucked-away restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences to tour around the scenic Cape Peninsula, sample the Cape's finest wines in the Cape Winelands or visit infamous Robben Island. Spend your final evening at a Farewell Dinner with your travelling companions indulging in delicious Cape Malay speciality dishes.

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Cape Peninsula Tour - Full Day

Cruise along Millionaire's Paradise from Clifton to Camps Bay. Wind along Chapman's Peak Drive with lunch (own account) at Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park before meandering back along the coast, visiting Simon's Town and the penguin colony at Boulder's Beach.

Adult Price: R1,020.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Cape Winelands Tour - Full Day

A superb day dedicated to celebrating the glorious grape, the exceptional winelands region, and the heavenly scenery. The area's rich with history, and guests can't help but feel it as you move through the region to experience a wine cellar tour and tasting, where you'll learn all about the process of winemaking, from grape to goblet. Visit the exquisite little town of Franschhoek, pass by the impressive Huguenot Monument, and in a town with a reputation for gourmet fare, where else could you choose to enjoy lunch. Wind your way to the heady heights of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to meet the charming university town of Stellenbosch on the other side. Stroll through this little town, absorbing the quaintness, and sneaking into the odd shop or two (on Sundays not all galleries and shops are open). Enjoy a wine tasting at two different wine estates where you'll be able to purchase your favorite wine to take back home.

Adult Price: R1,100.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Cape Town Helicopter Flight - 12 Minutes

Spectacular views and a different perspective of the city await you on this 12 minute helicopter flight that showcases Cape Town's iconic sights. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of whales and dolphins below you in the Atlantic ocean, as you take off and return to the V & A Waterfront. Fly over the city's famous Green Point stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Then your route tracks the Atlantic coastline, showing you a birds-eye view of Robben Island on your right and Table Mountain and the Cape Town City Bowl on your left. Admire the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles mountain range before your pilot turns around and follows the same route back to the launchpad. Note: this activity is subject to weather conditions on the day being suitable for the helicopters to operate.

Adult Price: R1,615.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Robben Island Tour

Journey to the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to board a ferry to Robben Island (weather permitting), a home of our icon Nelson Mandela for more than a quarter of a century. It’s a highly charged and emotional moment when you visit the site of this suffering, and realise how far South Africa has come from those days. During the apartheid years Robben Island was used to isolate opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. Freedom fighters, like Nelson Mandela, spent many years in this prison for their beliefs. Take the ferry to this historic site, pass buildings and a high wall built by prisoners during the 1960s before meeting your guide, a former political prisoner from the Island, fully conversant and knowledgeable about the Island's multi-layered 500 year old history. Your route, aboard a bus, includes the graveyard of people who died from leprosy, the Lime Quarry, Robert Sobukwe's house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison where thousands of South Africa's freedom fighters were incarcerated for years culminating with a viewing of Nelson Mandela's cell. The round trip is approximately 3.5 hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides, and is subject to weather conditions.

Adult Price: R1,300.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 15

Depart Cape Town

We bid a fond farewell to Cape Town after breakfast. Explore the city on your terms before your transfer to Cape Town International Airport.

 Included Meals - Breakfast

Prices listed are per person in Great British Pound, based on twin occupancy, rates for single occupancy may differ, Rates offered are including all discounts unless otherwise stated. All bookings are subject to availability. Other travel periods may be available. Some block out dates may apply. Rates may alter depending upon the dates requested and surcharges if applicable. Final booking confirmation only provided once payment has been processed. Contact our travel team for more details. Our Holiday Centre reserves the right to withdraw this promotion without notice at any time. Flights are not included. Pricing correct as at 03rd Aug 2022