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Essence of South Africa
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Length
10 Days
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Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Cape Town (South Africa)
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Ends in
Johannesburg (South Africa)
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Available Tour Start Dates
APR 19, 2026 to DEC 20, 2026
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Activity Level
No Rating Provided
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Language
English
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Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).Yes
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$4,996.47
Overview
Bush, beach, and two vibrant cities—capture the essence of South Africa on this culmination of a Cape Town to Kruger experience, including Johannesburg, the 'City of Gold'.
Visited During Tour
Cape Peninsula (South Africa) | Cape Town (South Africa) | Cape Winelands (South Africa) | Hermanus (South Africa) | Hoedspruit (South Africa) | Johannesburg (South Africa)
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are Essence of South Africa tour dates available from Trafalgar. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Tour Itinerary
Trafalgar Tour Code 380-1046
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Day
1Welcome to Cape Town
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 dinner.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Accommodations: Southern Sun The Cullinan -
Day
2Table Mountain and Tour Cape Town
This morning, you'll 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 the Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap and District Six Museum. 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 fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Consider joining our Optional Experience to explore the infamous Robben Island, with your guide revealing its turbulent past and the cell where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his prison term.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Southern Sun The Cullinan -
Day
3Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula
Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula, from trendy Camps Bay to Cape Point and back. With 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, admire the Cape of Good Hope and travel through charming coastal towns along the way.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: Southern Sun The Cullinan -
Day
4Cape Winelands and Hermanus Excursion Connect with Locals
Venture to the town of Franschhoek and discover during your orientation why it is proclaimed as one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world. Enjoy a wine tasting at Rickety Bridge Winery, sampling a selection of local wines from the estate. Then, travel on to the coastal town of Hermanus for your Be My Guest experience. 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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
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Be My Guest
Being a guest in a local home for a meal prepared with love - enjoying an exchange of conversation and a first-hand look into the local life - was a revolutionary concept for group travel just a decade ago. Enter Be My Guest, Trafalgar’s original local travel experience, born from the idea of enhancing human connections between host (the local) and guest (the traveller).
Accommodations: Southern Sun The Cullinan -
Day
5From City to Safari
This morning, bid farewell to your Cape Town Travel Director and the Mother City before flying to Hoedspruit. Here, a private game reserve near Kruger National Park and your Safari Local Specialist for this next adventure await. Begin your time in the South African bushveld with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a Shangaan village, learning about their traditions, customs and way of life. Later, settle into Shiduli Private Game Lodge, a Stays with Stories accommodation and your home in the bush for the next three nights.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Shiduli Private Game Lodge -
Day
6Safari in Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Your adventure begins with an early morning game drive through Karongwe Private Reserve with a Local Specialist game ranger and a Shangaan tracker-guide. As the sun rises, the bush come alive with the sights and sounds of awakening birds and insects. This creates the perfect backdrop for your search for the Big Five. After lunch, join a local ranger for a hands-on bush walk, where you’ll learn how to track animals and uncover the hidden stories of the African bush, followed by an afternoon game drive.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Shiduli Private Game Lodge -
Day
7Seek out the 'Big Five' Safari Animals in Karongwe
Today, enjoy another full day of game drives through Karongwe Private Reserve. Continue exploring 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 an eye out for wildlife emerging from their cover of darkness.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodations: Shiduli Private Game Lodge -
Day
8Journey to Johannesburg
This morning, have your camera ready for the last of your game drives. Bid farewell to your Safari Local Specialist before your flight to Johannesburg. Meet your Johannesburg Travel Director and check into your hotel in the heart of Sandton, ideally located for exploring the nearby restaurants and shopping during your free evening.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Accommodations: The Maslow -
Day
9Discover Historical Soweto Dive Into Culture
Unlock the secrets of the 'City of Gold' on a full-day tour. Dive Into Culture during a visit to the Constitutional Hill, the Mandela House Museum and Regina Mundi Church, which chronicles South Africa's tumultuous Apartheid years.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodations: The Maslow -
Day
10Farewell Johannesburg
Our epic encounter with South Africa’s iconic sites comes to an end today. Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for your onward flight.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
More Details
Trafalgar is informing us of the following additional details regarding their Essence of South Africa tour:
Travelers Notes
* TRANSFERS: Complimentary transfers from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) are available on the arrival day of the itinerary or in conjunction with a pre-trip accommodation booked through Trafalgar. Complimentary transfers to O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) are available on the departure day of the itinerary or in conjunction with a post-trip accommodation booked through Trafalgar.* SOUTH AFRICA: USA passport holders traveling to South Africa do not require a visa for tourism stays up to 90 days. However, please ensure that guests passport has at least 2 blank visa pages. Guests must be in possession of a return air ticket or onward ticket. * IMPORTANT: Please see important visa details sent with your invoice.* INTERNAL FLIGHTS: This tour has an included internal flight; any excess luggage charges are at your own expense.* LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Each guest is permitted one bag with maximum dimensions of 58 linear inches (147 cm), the total of length, width, and height - and a weight not exceeding 44 lbs (20 kg). Guests may also bring one personal item, such as a purse, backpack, or similarly sized item that fits comfortably under the seat in front of them or the overhead compartment weighing no more than 15 lbs (7kg). * IMPORTANT: The full duration of this itinerary is operated by a 4X4 safari vehicles, every one of the 6 seats is a window seat which, along with the pop top roof, gives the best wildlife viewing opportunities. The tour will travel over a variety of terrains, resulting in some rough and bumpy journeys. We would not recommend it to anyone suffering from back problems. Guests must be comfortable climbing in and out of the safari vehicle multiple times a day on this trip. Guests must travel with a soft sided bag or medium size suitcases due to limited space in the safari vehicles. No washroom on board.* GROUND HANDLER: This trip is operated by Thompsons Africa.* IMPORTANT: There is no Travel Director for the Victoria Falls option; it is instead hosted locally by representatives. * SUNSET CRUISE: It is operated by Dingani Tours (approximately 2 hours) and snacks and drinks are included.* TABLE MOUNTAIN: The Cape Town Table Mountain cableway closes annually for maintenance between July and August. During this time, all cable car operations at the Table Mountain Cableway Company will be suspended. Hikers will still be able to make their own way to the top of the mountain and back down by foot, but please note that the facilities will be closed at the top during this time. Departures affected by the closure will have their guest documents updated with an adjusted itinerary / alternative inclusion. * NOTE: This Trip falls under Tour Deposit Level 2. Please refer to the Deposit, Payment and Cancellations policies on our website.
Pricing listed above for tours is per person, in US Dollars, and is based on double occupancy. Pricing may change for other occupancy types. Pricing is based on the last time the vendor electronically sent us pricing data, which varies by vendor (usually occurs overnight or multiple times throughout each day).
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by Trafalgar. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by Trafalgar (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.