Essence of South Africa
On an Essence of South Africa, 10-Day, tour learn some of the many reasons worldwide guests vacation here. From cities to safaris, mountains, fascinating history and rich cultures there is so much to explore. See colorful Bo-Kaap, Boulder Beach's penguins, residents of Kruger National Park and Soweto to name a few highlights around Cape Town, Hoedspruit and Johannesburg.
There are so many thrilling experiences awaiting in South Africa and this vacation showcases many of them. Ascend Table Mountain via cable car and admire the panoramic views. See the tuxedo clad penguins on Boulders Beach. Pass beautiful vineyards en route to a traditional braai (barbecue) with delicious foods such as boerewors (sausage), pap (polenta) and melktert (custard pie) accompanied by homemade wine. Begin your multi-day safaris with an early morning game drive through Karongwe Private Reserve with a ranger and Shangaan tracker-guide. Stay alert for sightings of the Big 5! See Nelson Mandela's Soweto home, visit the stirring Apartheid Museum and Regina Mundi Church. Stays in the bush, cosmopolitan cities, incredible wildlife, tumultuous history and iconic sites are among the many treasures you will find on this exciting vacation.
10 Days • fr. $4,017
Tour Highlights & Offers
Tour Includes
- CITY TOUR in Cape Town
- JOIN an experienced tracker-guide on 4x4 safari game drives
- VIEW the Castle of Good Hope
- WITNESS Boulder's Beach penguin colony
- SEE Mandela House in Soweto
- MEET a local business owner for a traditional braai (barbeque)
- TASTE homemade wine
- LEARN about the traditions and cultures of the Shangaan people and how their village promotes eco and wildlife education
- DELVE INTO South Africa's turbulent past on an interactive Johannesburg and Soweto Freedom tour
- VISIT the Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- TOUR Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto
- EXPLORE the Apartheid Museum
- ASCEND Table Mountain via aerial cableway
- SEE vividly colored Bo-Kaap
- VISIT Franschhoek
- ENJOY the views in coastal Hermanus
- KEEP your eyes peeled for the BIG 5 on multiple safaris
- WITNESS Cape of Good Hope
- Handcrafted Highlights
- Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries
- All porterage and local charges included
- An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- VIP entry to many sights
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Not Included
- Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation unless otherwise noted. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your tour director, local hosts, guides, and drivers are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) 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
- Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa (4 nights)
- Becks Safari Lodge in Hoedspruit, South Africa (3 nights)
- Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa (2 nights)
- The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Trafalgar Tours 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 CAPE TOWN Location Information Description
Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa's 'Mother City' and her iconic Table Mountain extend a warm welcome as you embark on a small group journey that will reveal the highlights of South Africa. Spend the day delving into Cape Town's cosmopolitan surrounds before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.
Dinner
Southern Sun Waterfront
Day 2
TABLE MOUNTAIN AND CAPE TOWN CITY TOUR Location Information Description
Cape Town, South Africa
This morning, encounter Table Mountain first-hand, ascending via aerial cableway to its vast flat top - a rocky wonderland of rich Cape fynbos and curious dassies (hyraxes). Peer over the bustling City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard keeping a keen eye out for the landmarks your Travel Director will show you during this morning's city tour, including Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap and the Castle of Good Hope.
The rest of the day is yours to explore Cape Town at leisure. Ramble up Bree Street to sample the city's vibrant coffee culture or take a stroll along the Sea Point promenade with your fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Consider purchasing an Optional Experience to explore infamous Robben Island, with your guide revealing its turbulent past and the cell where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his prison term.
Breakfast
Southern Sun Waterfront
Day 3
CAPE PENINSULA TOUR Location Information Description
Cape Town, South Africa
Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula, from trendy Camps Bay to Cape Point and back. The crashing waves of the Atlantic to your right, the rocky 12 Apostles to your left, wind your way along one of the world's most magnificent coastal roads towards the outcrop that is Africa's most extreme south-western tip. Say a quiet hello to the shy penguins of Boulders Beach, see the Cape of Good Hope and travel through charming coastal towns along the way.
Breakfast
Southern Sun Waterfront
Day 4
CAPE WINELANDS AND HERMANUS EXCURSION Location Information Description
Hermanus, South Africa
Venture to the town of Franschhoek and see during your orientation why it is proclaimed as one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world. Take the scenic Franschhoek Pass to the coastal town of Hermanus for your 'Be My Guest' experience.
'Connect With Locals' when you meet local business owner Stefan, who will treat you to a delicious traditional braai (barbecue) featuring delicacies such as boerewors, pap and melktert. Over a glass of his homemade wine he'll share stories of his life in South Africa's whale watching capital. Return to Cape Town via a scenic driving route, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy your evening at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch
Southern Sun Waterfront
Day 5
CAPETOWN - GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Location Information Description
Hoedspruit, South Africa
This morning you'll bid farewell to the 'Mother City' and fly to Hoedspruit (flight purchased separately, not included in the trip price) where a private game reserve near South Africa's great Kruger National Park beckons. Kick back, relax and settle in to one of Trafalgar's 'Stays With Stories', Becks Safari Lodge, your home in the bush for the next three nights.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Beck's Safari Lodge
Day 6
Karongwe Private Reserve Safari Game Drives Location Information Description
Hoedspruit, South Africa
The action begins as you embark on an early morning game drive through Karongwe Private Reserve with a 'Local Specialist' game ranger and Shangaan tracker-guide. The rising sun awakens the birds and insects that share your journey into the bush, as you scour the dense brush for signs of the Big 5. After lunch, and time for a siesta and a swim, return to the bush for an afternoon safari drive.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Beck's Safari Lodge
Day 7
Karongwe Private Reserve Safari Game Drives Location Information Description
Hoedspruit, South Africa
Today enjoy another full day of game drives through Karongwe Private Reserve. Continue to scour the dense brush with your 'Local Specialist' for incredible encounters with Africa's iconic wildlife. End the day with a traditional sundowner drink overlooking the Game Reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for signs of wildlife that emerge from their cover of darkness.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Beck's Safari Lodge
Day 8
GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA - JOHANNESBURG Location Information Description
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Your time in the South African bushveld comes to a close with a 'Dive Into Culture' visit to a local Shangaan village. Learn about the traditions and customs of the Shangaan people and how the Eco Academy there provides eco and wildlife education. The visit includes a simple meal of grilled chicken, pap, Shangaan style cabbage, and for the brave, the opportunity to try mopani worms!
Location Information Description
Johannesburg, South Africa
Fly to Johannesburg (flight purchased separately, not included in the trip price) and check into your hotel in the heart of Sandton that's well located for exploring the nearby restaurants and shopping during your free evening.
Breakfast, Lunch
Michelangelo Hotel
Day 9
JOHANNESBURG SIGHTSEEING Location Information Description
Johannesburg, South Africa
Unlock the secrets of the 'city of gold' on a full-day tour to view several iconic sites including the Regina Mundi Church and Mandela's house in Soweto. 'Dive Into Culture' during a visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum and the Apartheid Museum, which chronicles South Africa's tumultuous Apartheid years.
Breakfast, Dinner
Michelangelo Hotel
Day 10
DEPART JOHANNESBURG Location Information Description
Johannesburg, South Africa
Your epic encounter with South Africa's iconic sites comes to an end today. Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 60 days or more prior to departure the deposit is non-refundable
- 59-16 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
- 15-8 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
- 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 90% 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 $200 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 60 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 Trafalgar Terms & Conditions for more information.