Itinerary
- Day 1
Johannesburg
Your South African adventure kicks off with an airport transfer from O.R. Tambo International to your Johannesburg hotel. You'll meet your Travel Director and the rest of the group over dinner this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Maslow)
- Day 2
Johannesburg to Kruger National Park Area
Head out from Johannesburg through the Highveld toward South Africa's Lowveld, traveling along Mpumalanga's Panorama Route. You'll check out Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, and Bourke's Luck Potholes before settling into your hotel near Kruger National Park for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sabi River Sun Resort)
Included Activities
- Visit Blyde River Canyon
- Visit God's Window
- Visit Bourke's Luck Potholes
- Scenic drive through Mpumalanga Panorama Route
Landmarks/POIs Blyde River Canyon God's Window Bourke's Luck Potholes Kruger National Park 
- Day 3
Kruger National Park
Start early in Kruger National Park with a local specialist leading a game drive through the bushveld. You'll be looking for the Big Five along with the Little Five, and during the drive you'll spot golden orb spiders, acacia trees, and various animal tracks in the dirt. The afternoon is yours to relax and explore on your own time.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sabi River Sun Resort)
Included Activities
- Guided safari in Kruger National Park with Local Specialist
- Wildlife viewing including Big Five, Little Five and other fauna
Landmarks/POIs Kruger National Park - Day 4
Eswatini
Head into Eswatini to visit a Swazi Chief's village where you'll meet community members and learn how they live traditionally. Try local pap and stew for lunch, then check out the crimson traditional dress worn by villagers. Later, you'll join in a drumming class with the community, learning rhythms and getting a real feel for their culture.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Royal Swazi Spa)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Swazi Chief's village
- Meet local community and learn about their way of life
- Taste local pap and stew
- Traditional drumming class with villagers
Landmarks/POIs Swazi Chief's Village - Day 5
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park
Travel north through KwaZulu-Natal, driving past rolling sugarcane fields and green valleys on your way to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park. If you want, take an optional 4x4 game drive through the park to see wildlife. By evening, settle in for a South African braai with your group (weather permitting).
- Meals
- Dinner (South African braai (weather dependent))
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Anew)
Optional Activities
- 4x4 game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park
Landmarks/POIs Hluhluwe-Imfolozi National Park - Day 6
Lake St. Lucia - Durban
Start the morning with an optional boat cruise on Lake St. Lucia to watch hippos, crocodiles, and various birds in the estuary, or spend time exploring St. Lucia town on your own. Then travel south to Durban and head to The Oyster Box Hotel for lunch or dinner, where you'll have a curry buffet at this five-star seaside location with its retro charm.
- Meals
- Dinner (Curry buffet at The Oyster Box Hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Oyster Box)
Included Activities
- Curry buffet at The Oyster Box Hotel in Durban
Optional Activities
- Morning cruise on Lake St. Lucia with wildlife viewing (hippos, crocodiles, birdlife)
- Explore the town of St. Lucia
Landmarks/POIs Lake St. Lucia The Oyster Box Hotel - Day 7
Mpumalanga to Sani Pass
Drive through the Valley of 1000 Hills and explore Underberg's vibrant arts and crafts scene. After that, you'll head toward the foothills of Sani Pass, then the rest of your afternoon is free to do what you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Premier Resort Sani Pass)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Valley of 1000 Hills
- Morning drive through Underberg
Landmarks/POIs Valley of 1000 Hills Underberg Sani Pass - Day 8
Drakensberg Mountains
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is yours to explore at your own pace. Optionally, join a 4x4 adventure over Sani Pass climbing to 2,874 m/9,429 ft into Lesotho with mountain views and lunch, or stay in the area and take in the dramatic Drakensberg landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Premier Resort Sani Pass)
Optional Activities
- 4x4 Sani Pass adventure climbing to 2,874 m (9,429 ft) with crossing into Lesotho and lunch at local spot
- Explore Drakensberg mountains at your own pace
Landmarks/POIs Drakensberg Mountains Sani Pass - Day 9
Chintsa - Nelson Mandela Birthplace
Drive through the Eastern Cape region, passing green hills and traditional Xhosa kraals and homesteads. Stop at Nelson Mandela's birthplace in Qunu to pay respects and learn about his early life. After that, continue to the Wild Coast beaches of Chintsa where the sand is pristine and the landscape feels completely untouched.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crawfords Beach Lodge)
Included Activities
- Visit Nelson Mandela's birthplace in Xunu
- Explore Wild Coast beaches of Chintsa
Landmarks/POIs Nelson Mandela Birthplace Chintsa Beach - Day 10
Gqeberha
Wake up to the sound of the ocean and spend some quiet time taking in the natural surroundings before heading to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). This port city has a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, so during the evening you can explore on your own and get a sense of that hospitality firsthand.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Boardwalk)
Included Activities
- Explore Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)
Landmarks/POIs Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) - Day 11
Tsitsikamma - Knysna
Walk through Tsitsikamma under massive ancient Yellowwood trees, then move on to Storms River Mouth to see the scenic gorge and river valley. You'll visit with a local named Ella through a Be My Guest experience in Knysna, where you'll pick up some Xhosa phrases, taste traditional Xhosa food, and hear about local culture and songs. The day finishes in the lagoon town of Knysna with its indigenous forests, fresh oysters, and the famous Knysna Heads at the harbor entrance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Xhosa meal during Be My Guest experience in Knysna with host Ella)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Knysna Hollow Country Estate)
Included Activities
- Walk through Tsitsikamma forest beneath ancient Yellowwoods
- Visit Storms River Mouth and view the gorge
- Be My Guest experience in Knysna with Ella - traditional Xhosa meal, language, culture and songs
Landmarks/POIs Tsitsikamma National Park Storms River Mouth Knysna Heads 
- Day 12
Knysna
A free day in Knysna means you start with leisurely coffee at the Quays overlooking the lagoon. From there, consider an optional trip to Featherbed Nature Reserve with scenic views from the Western Head, or just wander the town yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Knysna Hollow Country Estate)
Optional Activities
- Visit Featherbed Nature Reserve including scenic drive to Western Head
Landmarks/POIs Knysna Quays Featherbed Nature Reserve - Day 13
Knysna to Cape Town
Leaving the Garden Route, you'll wind through vibrant coastal towns and the Cape Winelands toward Cape Town. On arrival, head straight to Table Mountain for a cable car ride up (weather permitting).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun The Cullinan)
Included Activities
- Table Mountain cable car visit (weather permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain 
- Day 14
Cape Town
Spend the day exploring Cape Town's cosmopolitan side, wandering through hidden restaurants, boutique shops, and local galleries at your own pace. You have options to join a guided tour of the Cape Peninsula, visit wineries in the Cape Winelands, or take a trip to Robben Island if any appeal to you. The trip ends with a final dinner celebrating Cape Malay specialties shared with your travel group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Cape Malay speciality dishes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Southern Sun The Cullinan)
Included Activities
- Final dinner with travelling companions featuring Cape Malay speciality dishes
Optional Activities
- Tour of scenic Cape Peninsula
- Wine tasting in the Cape Winelands
- Visit to Robben Island
Landmarks/POIs Table Mountain Cape Peninsula Robben Island - Day 15
Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Flying from Cape Town to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, your Trafalgar representative meets you for transfer to the lodge. Later, board a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River watching crocodiles and hippos before returning for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Victoria Falls Safari Lodge)
Included Activities
- Zambezi River cruise with wildlife viewing
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls Zambezi River - Day 16
Victoria Falls
A Local Specialist guides you through Victoria Falls, the world's largest waterfall. You'll experience the water from different angles, feel the spray, and hear the roar as water crashes over 100 metres into the gorge. The afternoon is free, with an optional Boma dinner and drum show available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Victoria Falls Safari Lodge)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Victoria Falls
Optional Activities
- Boma dinner and interactive drum show
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls - Day 17
Chobe National Park
You'll cross into Botswana today for a day in Chobe National Park. Board a river cruise on the Chobe River where you'll see large herds of elephants and buffalo coming down to drink, plus kingfishers and other wildlife along the banks. Lunch is included at Chobe Safari Lodge, which overlooks the river and gives you time to relax and take in the scenery. After lunch, head back across the border to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for your final night in Zimbabwe.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge on the banks of the Chobe River)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Victoria Falls Safari Lodge)
Included Activities
- Chobe River cruise
- Wildlife viewing (elephants, buffalo, kingfishers)
Landmarks/POIs Chobe National Park Chobe River - Day 18
Victoria Falls to Departure
Say goodbye to Victoria Falls and head to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward journey.
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Falls
