

Best of South Africa
Small-Group Discovery
Magical experiences are offered on the incredible and affordable 9-day escorted Best of South Africa tour. The tour begins in Johannesburg and includes a visit to Soweto where you can learn much about South Africa turbulent history. Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, offers morning and evening safaris which hopefully will provide a glimpse of the "Big 5". The trip winds down on Cape Town, a beautiful city located on the southernmost tip of Africa. .
Highlights on this South Africa tour include Johannesburg, where history will come alive when you visit the Mandela House and Apartheid Museum. Take a drive past beautiful scenery on the Panoramic Route, renowned for stunning landscapes that include the breathtaking God’s Window, the Lisbon Falls and Berlin Falls as you head to Kruger National Park area, home to what are called the Big 5: lions, leopard, rhinos, elephants and buffalo, plus other magnificent wildlife. Enjoy four game drive in Kruger National Park at different times of the day so you can see different animals, including those that are nocturnal. Fly to beautiful Cape Town and take an unforgettable cable-car ride up to the top of Table Mountain offering views of where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Enjoy a funicular ride to Cape Lighthouse boasting stunning city views. Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve and see a colony of endangered African Penguins. This exceptional and value-packed Best of South Africa tour offers an amazing once-in-a-lifetime-experience for the vacation you have always dreamed of and that you will happily remember.
9 Days • fr. $2,696
Tour Includes
- Visit Soweto, Mandela House, and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg
- Drive along the Panoramic Route and visit God’s Window, Lisbon Falls, and Berlin Falls in Mpumalanga
- Enjoy four game drives in Kruger National Park
- Take a cable car ride up Table Mountain in Cape Town
- Visit a colony of African penguins
- Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve with funicular ride to old Cape Point lighthouse
- Bottled water is included on all game drives
- Touring by private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
- Touring by open-air safari vehicle in Kruger National Park
Not Included
- Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation, except on Cosmos Lite vacations and unless otherwise noted above. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your Tour Director, Local Hosts®, Local Guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary. Gratuities are not included on Cosmos Lite vacations and are discretionary.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
Hotel Details
- Garden Court Sandton City in Johannesburg, South Africa (2 nights)
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate at Kruger National Park, South Africa (3 nights)
- SunSquare Cape Town Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa (3 nights)
- The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Cosmos reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those listed. No refunds are provided for hotel changes and full cancellation penalties apply.
Day 1
ARRIVE IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Location Information Description
Johannesburg, South Africa
Welcome to Africa! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Garden Court Sandton City
Day 2
JOHANNESBURG Location Information Description
Johannesburg, South Africa
Today’s sightseeing starts with a visit to Soweto (South Western Township), the largest township in the country. Soweto is a part of South Africa’s turbulent past, but this multicultural area is also a reflection of today and hope for tomorrow. Along the way, see the neighborhood that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Gain some perspective of life here at Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to around 1960, when he was forced underground to elude arrest.
After lunch, visit the unforgettable Apartheid Museum to learn about the founding of South Africa before delving into the apartheid era. Using photos, video, and print, the museum takes you on an extraordinary journey through the apartheid years to the 1994 democratic elections that named Nelson Mandela president.
Breakfast, Lunch
Garden Court Sandton City
Day 3
JOHANNESBURG–KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA Location Information Description
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Depart Johannesburg and explore the Panoramic Route known for its dramatic landscapes. Along the way, see God's Window, the Lisbon Falls, and Berlin Falls. Continue on to the Kruger National Park area.
Breakfast, Dinner
Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate
Day 4
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA Location Information Description
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Rise between 5 am and 5:30 am for coffee and tea before your early morning game drive with an experienced guide. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend some time at leisure in the middle of the day. Perhaps book a spa treatment or simply relax at the pool. Be sure to watch for kudu, impala, giraffe, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more on your afternoon game drive. As darkness descends, your guide will bring out a spotlight to help you spot nocturnal animals. Return to your lodge for dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate
Day 5
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA Location Information Description
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Rise and shine early again and have your cameras ready for another early morning game drive. Relax mid-day and get ready for your next afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate
Day 6
KRUGER AREA–CAPE TOWN Location Information Description
Cape Town, South Africa
Enjoy some time at leisure this morning before flying to beautiful Cape Town.
Breakfast
SunSquare Cape Town Gardens
Day 7
CAPE TOWN Location Information Description
Cape Town, South Africa
Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing, starting with a cable-car ride (weather permitting) up Table Mountain for stunning views of the city and its surroundings. Next, visit Boulders Beach where you will see a colony of endangered African Penguins, known for the unique sound they make.
After free time for lunch, continue on to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the southwesternmost point on the African continent. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. On your return journey back to Cape Town, skirt the rocky coastline as you ascend Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
NOTE: Each year, generally in early August, the Table Mountain cableway closes for yearly maintenance. During this time, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens will be visited.
Breakfast
SunSquare Cape Town Gardens
Day 8
CAPE TOWN Location Information Description
Cape Town, South Africa
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps explore the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, take an excursion to the stunning Cape winelands for wine tasting, or cruise to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day.
Breakfast
SunSquare Cape Town Gardens
Day 9
CAPE TOWN Location Information Description
Cape Town, South Africa
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
- 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
- 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
- *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
- Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
- Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
- Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
- For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.