13 Day Spectacular South Africa
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Enjoy the comfort of having your travel arrangements all to yourself. From the exclusivity of having your own transportation to your own expert English-speaking guide who in most cases will accompany you throughout the entire tour unless stated.
✓ Experience a harmony of intriguing cultures, stunning wildlife, lush winelands, and elaborate history of South Africa
✓ Seek out the “Big Five” on two open-air safari game drives
✓ Travel the lush Garden Route between the mountains and the balmy Indian Ocean
✓ Visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve for a cruise in the lagoon
✓ 24 Meals - 12 Breakfasts - 5 Lunches - 7 Dinners
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Your journey begins in Sandton, a city established in 1969. Famous for its rich veins of gold and other valuable minerals, it is now the bustling cosmopolitan center of greater Johannesburg.
Today, have some time to ponder history at Liliesleaf, the former centre of the liberation movement and the site of the police raid that led to Nelson Mandela’s lifetime prison sentence. Following this, a guided tour of Soweto – South West Township – showcases luxurious mansions and informal settlements as you learn about the historical significance of the area. Experience the regional lifestyle when joining locals for lunch at a nearby Shebeen, or house tavern. This afternoon, visit the Apartheid Museum commemorating the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa. Gather this evening with your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.
Travel through the spectacular Northern Drakensberg Mountain Range en route to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. Scenic wonders surround you as you pass through the Blyde River Canyon, made mostly of red sandstone, and known as one of Africa's greatest natural wonders. Along this magnificent route, stop at God's Window and stand at what seems like the edge of creation. On clear days, you can see as far as Mozambique.
Have your camera ready for an unforgettable day of adventure and excitement! Enjoy a full day open-air-vehicle safari game drive. A local expert leads you in search of the "Big 5" – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino – and provides insight into these fascinating animals along the way. Watch carefully – you may also see a graceful impala, dazzling zebra or gorgeous giraffe. Relax with a picnic lunch surrounded by giraffes in the natural beauty of Kruger National Park. This evening, enjoy a traditional Boma dinner where you may sample some local game meat!
Embrace the rare opportunity to head back into the wild on another safari game drive in Kruger National Park. Enjoy this second attempt to see any elusive animals you may have missed yesterday or get another look at your favorites.
Travel back to Johannesburg to board your flight to George. Upon arrival, travel to the picturesque resort town of Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route. Located on the coast, Knysna is your gateway to the natural beauty of South Africa, which will be highlighted tonight during your dinner at the Featherbed Nature Preserve.
This morning’s township tour will highlight the diversity of this community, followed by a touching experience as you visit a school.* Learn about the efforts of the Collette Foundation and the local community to conquer the challenges of educating the children of the region. Visit the nearby Featherbed Nature Reserve, looking out over the Indian Ocean. Begin with a lagoon cruise out to the famous Knysna Heads, which mark the entrance to the lagoon. Next, board a 4x4 vehicle and travel deep into the forest. Discover the local flora and fauna during a leisurely-paced nature walk. Enjoy lunch amongst the ancient milkwood trees – so called because of their white latex sap – before your return cruise. This afternoon, it's your choice! Visit Plettenberg Bay, a tranquil and charming town originally known as Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay) and witness views of beaches, dramatic rock formations and lagoons -OR- enjoy your afternoon at leisure in Knysna with time to independently explore the charming waterfront.
Say goodbye to Knysna as you begin your journey to Stellenbosch. Get a taste of the culture when you join your fellow travellers for dinner and a wine tasting.
Start your day with a walking tour of Stellenbosch, a university town known for its vineyards and mountainous nature reserves. Get a chance to taste some wine before continuing on to nearby Franschhoek. Experience the town’s renowned wine culture with a cellar tour and tasting followed by lunch before returning to Stellenbosch. With the remainder of your day at leisure, discover the town on your own. Maybe you’ll taste some more of the legendary wine, wander along the oak-lined avenues, or explore the surrounding nature.
Travel to the beautiful harborside city of Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa. Settle in for your 3-night stay in the “Mother City,” nestled in the valley between towering mountains and the glistening sea.
See the highlights of the city on a panoramic tour. Take in the celebrated architecture that fuses the traditions of the French, German and Dutch. Enjoy a thrilling ride on a cable car that whisks you to an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, landing atop the aptly named – and flat-topped – Table Mountain.** The views of Cape Town, Robben Island and Lion’s Head will leave you breathless. Return to the city via Table Bay, passing through the Malay Quarter with its mosques and minarets. Make a special stop at the massive Milnerton Lighthouse.
Explore the coastal scenery and charming towns that populate the Cape Peninsula. Travel out to Cape Point, stopping for a visit with the penguins at Boulders Beach. This evening, experience a unique farewell to Africa as you enjoy a lesson on the djembe drums before a communal African dining experience with dishes from all over the continent!
Your tour ends today in Cape Town.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request:
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost
Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 50 people depending on your selected holiday.
Tour Type – Independent
On these packages you will travel from city to city on your own, exploring at your own pace. We have arranged transportation in most cases and day tours for you to see the destination. Enjoy the time and flexibility to linger longer or pick up the pace and see as much as possible. The choice is yours.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
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