Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter South Africa (and Zambia, on extension).
Take the journey of a lifetime on this tour through South Africa and Swaziland. Explore the region’s rich culture and its vast nature and gaming preserves, catch a glimpse inside one of Cape Town’s most notorious prisons, and stand at the edge of the world where two oceans meet.
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Johannesburg
Begin your adventure with an overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Day 2 - Johannesburg
Welcome to South Africa! A Go Ahead representative greets you as you clear customs and assists you with check-in at your hotel. If you took the pre-tour extension, join the rest of your tour today. Become acquainted with your fellow travelers at this evening’s included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner
Day 3 - Kruger National Park
This morning, travel across the open savannah of Gauteng Highveld. This afternoon, venture on your first game drive to see buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions and rhinos at Kruger National Park, which, at two million hectares, is the largest game reserve in South Africa.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 4 - Kruger National Park
Continue your game drive in Kruger National Park, where there’s plenty to do and see. All the Big Five game animals are found at Kruger National Park, which has more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve. Here, you’ll also spot the mighty baobab tree, the “tree of life” that may just be the oldest life form on the African continent.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 5 - Mbabane
Today you’ll enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, one of Africa’s smallest countries. Thanks to its rigorous attitude towards wildlife and environmental conservation, Swaziland is also one of Africa’s most lush and beautiful. En route, drive through Mbabane, its capital city, to visit a local market.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 6 - St. Lucia
This morning, venture to the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve. Upon arrival, embark on a game drive. Situated in the heart of Zululand, Umfolozi is Africa’s oldest game reserve and was where Zulu kings hunted and enacted the first conservation laws. In the 1950s and 60s, Umfolozi was the home of Operation Rhino and became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Today, it is one of the best reserves thanks to its many watering holes which attract a plethora of game.
Leaving Umfolozi behind, you’ll make your way to St. Lucia, the southernmost entrance to the world-renowned Wetlands Park, known for its relaxed atmosphere and its integration with local wildlife.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 7 - St. Lucia
Today, depart for the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park for an ECO cruise tour exploring the St. Lucia Estuary for hippos, bush bucks, crocodiles, fish-eagles, mangroves, monkeys, kingfishers and mudskippers. Return to your hotel in St. Lucia (Tonight may instead be spent in Durban, depending on flight schedules.)
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: St. Lucia Estuary
Day 8 - Port Elizabeth
Today, travel to Durban and board your flight to the sun-drenched shores of Port Elizabeth, where your tour director introduces you to this major seaport and vacation destination set on the shores of the beautiful Algoa Bay. With 40 km of unspoiled coastline, it is the ideal spot for a bit of relaxation. Later, enjoy an included dinner with your group.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 9 - Port Elizabeth
On today’s excursion, visit the Pumba Private Game Reserve, where you’ll enjoy a game drive and included lunch. This evening, opt for our Township Tour & Dinner excursion.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Pumba Private Game Reserve
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$69 CAD |
Township Tour & Dinner
Discover the history of the people of Port Elizabeth, as you visit this township to discover the integral part it has played in South African history. Later, enjoy dinner in a local sheeban.
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Day 10 - Knysna
Continue on to Knysna, heading through the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma National Park, where forests, rivers and fynbos roll down verdant slopes and rocky shores to the sea. Enjoy lunch then ready yourself for spectacular scenery on a guided, tractor- drawn wagon tour through the Garden Route forests (weather permitting).
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 11 - Knysna
Embark on a ferry ride to Featherbed Nature Reserve, a pristine piece of paradise only accessible by boat. Enjoy an included lunch beneath the milkwood trees. Take 4-by-4’s up to an impressive viewpoint and enjoy a guided nature walk along the coast. Tonight, opt to visit an Elephant Sanctuary, where you’ll interact with these gentle giants and enjoy dinner.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Included entrances: Featherbed Nature Reserve
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$119 CAD |
Elephant Sanctuary
Visit the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary and spend an evening interacting with these gentle giants. Dinner is included.
Please note: An elephant ride is not included in the price of this excursion and must be arranged on your own when you reach the Knysna Elephant Sanctuary.
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Day 12 - Cape Town
Leave Knysna as for Cape Town this morning, stopping in the majestic and mountain-ringed Oudtshoorn valley, where you’ll enjoy a tour of an Ostrich Ranch. This afternoon, you’ll visit a local wine estate for lunch. Celebrate your arrival in Cape Town with an included dinner this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Included entrances: Ostrich Ranch
Day 13 - Cape Town
Enjoy a tour of the beautiful city of Cape Town, the “Mother City”, with a cable car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting) and a visit to the South Africa Museum. Catch glimpses of the National Gallery and the Houses of Parliament as you drive through the city and stop in the Malay District. This afternoon, take a tour of Robben Island (weather permitting), the historic symbol of apartheid and South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Table Mountain, South African Museum
Day 14 - Cape Town
Travel to Hout Bay on a cruise to view the island seals. Enjoy lunch with your group at Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and Southern Oceans meet. To conclude your South African journey, opt for a Wine Tour & Dinner excursion this evening.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
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$69 CAD |
Wine Tour & Dinner
The South African wine industry dates back to the 1600’s, though over the past 20 years it’s experienced tremendous growth and has fully established itself as a key player in the world of fine wines. On this excursion, you’ll venture to Groot Constantia wine estate for a wine tasting, followed by a delicious dinner.
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Day 15 - Cape Town
Transfer to the airport to board your overnight flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
Extend Your Stay
Add 3 nights in Victoria Falls for only $769 CAD (Single room: add $160 CAD)
The 'Vic Falls' are the most beautiful waterfalls in Africa, if not the world. Located about 1000km from the source of the Zambezi River in western Zambia, the falls' towering column of spray when the river is high can be seen from over 20 km away, and the thunder of the falling water will take your breath away. Politically speaking, Victoria Falls is on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. You can visit the falls on both sides, but the Zimbabwean side is considered by many to be the more beautiful, with a direct sightline to the "Devil's Cataract" and "Rainbow Falls."
Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter South Africa (and Zambia, on extension).