Best of South Africa

Small Group Safari (min 2 / max 8 passengers) 13 Days Johannesburg to Cape Town Departs: Set departures Note: Min age - 7 years 2027 Departure Dates: Jan: 03, 17, 31 | Feb: 28 | Mar: 14, 28 | Apr: 25 | May: 23 | Jun: 06, 20 | Jul: 18 | Aug: 15 | Sep: 12, 26 | Oct: 10, 31 | Nov: 14 | Dec: 19 Johannesburg (1) | Makalali Game Reserve (1) | Hazyview (1) | Eswatini (1) | St Lucia (1) | Umhlanga (1) | Gquberha (Port Elizabeth) (1) | Knysha (2) | Oudtshoorn (1) | Cape Town (2) Discover the best of South Africa with an unforgettable journey that includes thrilling game viewing in Kruger National Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where you’ll encounter diverse wildlife, including the Big Five. Travel along the stunning Garden Route, from Port Elizabeth to Knysna, with its scenic lagoons and lush forests. Enjoy a sunset oyster cruise on the Knysna Estuary and walk through the Tsitsikamma Forest. Continue to Oudtshoorn, known for its ostrich farms and the Cango Caves, before finishing in Cape Town, where you’ll explore vibrant culture, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking coastal views. This tour combines wildlife, natural beauty, and rich heritage for the ultimate South African experience. Highlights: 24/7 local operator support in South Africa Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondavels Bourke’s Luck Potholes God’s Window Game viewing in the Kruger National Park Visit Swazi Candle Factory and Crafts Market Boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary Storms River Suspension Bridge walk Sunset Knysna oyster cruise Marine excursion in Plettenberg Bay Qolweni Township visit Outeniqua Mountain Pass Cango Caves heritage tour Olive tasting Ostrich farm tractor tour Cape Point full day tour Itinerary Accommodation Day 1: Johannesburg Welcome to South Africa. On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, transfer to your Sandton hotel, with views of Johannesburg’s skyline. Relax or explore Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square, Diamond Walk and local curio shops. Dinner is at your own expense. Day 2: Johannesburg - Dullstroom - Makalali Game Reserve (456km) (BD) After breakfast, travel via Dullstroom, known for trout fishing, shops and restaurants, to the 25,000-hectare Makalali Private Game Reserve. Join an open-vehicle safari in search of the ‘Big 5’, hyena, cheetah and other wildlife, including the endangered Southern Ground Hornbill. Dinner is at the lodge. Day 3: Makalali Game Reserve - Hazyview via Panorama Route (180km) (BD) Take an early guided bush walk or open-vehicle game drive. After breakfast at the lodge, follow the Panorama Route to Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window. Stop in a former gold-mining town for a late lunch (at your own expense). The scenic drive to Hayzview winds through rolling hills and forests. Soak in the outstanding natural beauty of the Mpumalanga Province as you proceed to your hotel. Day 4: Hazyview - Eswatini via Kruger National Park (285km) (BD) Enter Kruger National Park through Phabeni Gate for game viewing en route to Malelane Gate. Look for the ‘Big 5’, cheetah, rhino, giraffe, hyena, crocodile, hippo and abundant birdlife. After lunch at a bush picnic spot (at your own expense), continue to Eswatini via Jeppes Reef Border Post. Arrive in the late afternoon and have dinner at the lodge. Note: When entering the Kingdom of Eswatini, guests must ensure they have a valid passport and for nationals of applicable countries, multi-entry visa regulations apply (own expense). Day 5: Eswatini - St Lucia (335km) (B) Visit the Swazi Candle Factory to see colourful candles handmade using the “millifiore” technique, then browse the craft market and Yebo Art Gallery. Sample local specialities or visit Sambane Tea Garden. After a fascinating morning, re-enter South Africa through Lavumisa Border Post. Stop for lunch (at your own expense) on the way to St Lucia. The landscape changes dramatically as you approach the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Travel through lush wetlands and dense forests in this paradise on the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean on the way to your lodge. Dinner is at your own expense. Day 6: St Lucia - Umhlanga (225km) (B) Begin with an open-vehicle safari through iSimangaliso’s wetlands, with coffee and rusks on the beach. Look for white and black rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard and antelope. After breakfast, cruise the St Lucia Estuary to spot crocodiles, hippos, monitor lizards and prolific birdlife. Gliding over the water will be a very different experience from the morning safari. Lunch is lakeside (at your own expense), followed by a late-afternoon transfer to Umhlanga and farewell to your northern guide. Dinner is at your own expense. Day 7: Umhlanga - Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) (B) After breakfast, explore Umhlanga’s promenade, Whalebone Pier and red-striped lighthouse. Transfer to King Shaka International Airport for flight (independently arranged and at your own expense) to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). Settle into your beachfront hotel and take a walk along King’s Beach, swim or relax on the white sands. Dinner is at your own expense. Day 8: Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) - Knysna via Tsitsikamma forest (285km) (B) After breakfast, meet your local tour guide for the Garden Route journey to Cape Town. The road takes you to Knysna along the Garden Route, famous for its outstanding natural beauty. The excellent road ensures a smooth trip past coastal vistas and indigenous forests on the way to one of the gems of the Garden Route. Enter the Storms River section of the Garden Route National Park, walk across three suspension bridges above Storms River Gorge. After lunch in the forest (at your own expense), continue to Knysna, famed for its lagoon and sandstone Heads. Finish with a sunset oyster cruise, then dine beside the estuary (at your own expense). Day 9: Knysna - Plettenberg Bay - Knysna (B) Travel to Plettenberg Bay for a marine excursion from Central Beach, with opportunities to see whales, dolphins, seals, sharks and seabirds. Visit Qolweni Township to learn how visitor contributions support its crèche and community, and experience local Xhosa culture, a spaza shop or traditional drink in a shebeen. Return to Knysna for dinner at the Waterfront (at your own expense). Day 10: Knysna - Oudtshoorn via Wilderness (125km) (BD) Follow the Garden Route to Wilderness and the Map of Africa viewpoint, then cross the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn. Take a Heritage Tour through the ancient Cango Caves, including Van Zyl’s Hall. After lunch (at your own expense), enjoy an olive tasting with Protea Rosé or fruit juice at your lodge. Dinner is included at your hotel this evening. Day 11: Oudtshoorn - Cape Town via Route 62 (440km) (B) Tour an ostrich farm by tractor and learn about its three species and products. Continue along Route 62 through vineyards and orchards, stopping for lunch and optional wine tasting (at your own expense). Travel via Stellenbosch and its Cape Dutch architecture to Cape Town, then explore the V&A Waterfront and dine at one of its restaurants (dinner at own expense). Day 12: Cape Town (B) Tour Cape Point via the Atlantic seaboard and Hout Bay. If time permits, take an optional Duiker Island seal cruise (at your own expense), then follow Chapman’s Peak Drive if open to Cape Point Nature Reserve. Return via False Bay, with an optional Boulders Beach penguin visit (at your own expense), passing Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. Stop at Rhodes Memorial before returning to the hotel. Dinner is at your own expense. Day 13: Cape Town (B) This morning you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight. TOUR INCLUSIONS: 24/7 local operator support in South Africa 11 nights’ accommodation - 3* & 4* hotels; 5-star private game lodge Daily breakfasts 4 dinners 4 x airport transfers on a shared basis Excursions: 2 open safari vehicle game drives in a private game reserve, Morning open safari vehicle game drive in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia Estuary boat cruise, Short walk in Tsitsikamma to the Storms River Suspension Bridge, Sunset Knysna oyster cruise, Ocean safari in Plettenberg Bay, Qolweni Township visit, Ostrich farm tractor tour, Cango Caves heritage tour, Olive and wine tasting, Cape Point full day tour Entrance fees - Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, Conservation fees into Kruger National Park a private game reserve and iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, Garden Route National Park (Storms River) Conservation fee Hotel Porterage Africa Travel Notes - issued by Innovative Travel TOUR EXCLUSIONS: International airfares Airfare King Shaka Airport - Port Elizabeth Optional tours and excursions Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline) Personal Expenses Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges Visa fees Travel Insurance (compulsory) Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above Accommodation based on the following (or similar): Johannesburg - Sandton area Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton Makalali Game Reserve aha Makalali Main Lodge Hazyview ANEW Resort Hazyview Eswatini Mantenga Lodge St Lucia Forest Lodge Umhlanga The Capital Pearls Port Elizabeth Southern Sun The Marine Knysna Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays Oudtshoorn Surval Boutique Olive Estate Cape Town SunSquare Capt Town City Bowl Enquire About This Itinerary Download Itinerary Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers may be subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are available in some destinations for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.