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Essence of South Africa
Tour Description:
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'.
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Dates & Pricing
| Sunday 21 Aug 22 — Tuesday 30 Aug 22 | Starting at $4,150 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 04 Sep 22 — Tuesday 13 Sep 22 | Starting at $4,185 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 18 Sep 22 — Tuesday 27 Sep 22 | Starting at $4,185 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 02 Oct 22 — Tuesday 11 Oct 22 | Starting at $4,695 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 06 Nov 22 — Tuesday 15 Nov 22 | Starting at $4,695 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 20 Nov 22 — Tuesday 29 Nov 22 | Starting at $4,695 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Dec 22 — Tuesday 20 Dec 22 | Starting at $4,695 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 20 Dec 22 — Thursday 29 Dec 22 | Starting at $4,850 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 08 Jan 23 — Tuesday 17 Jan 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 22 Jan 23 — Tuesday 31 Jan 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 05 Feb 23 — Tuesday 14 Feb 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 19 Feb 23 — Tuesday 28 Feb 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 05 Mar 23 — Tuesday 14 Mar 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 19 Mar 23 — Tuesday 28 Mar 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 09 Apr 23 — Tuesday 18 Apr 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 23 Apr 23 — Tuesday 02 May 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 07 May 23 — Tuesday 16 May 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 21 May 23 — Tuesday 30 May 23 | Starting at $5,025 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Jun 23 — Tuesday 20 Jun 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 25 Jun 23 — Tuesday 04 Jul 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 09 Jul 23 — Tuesday 18 Jul 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 23 Jul 23 — Tuesday 01 Aug 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 06 Aug 23 — Tuesday 15 Aug 23 | Starting at $5,295 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 20 Aug 23 — Tuesday 29 Aug 23 | Starting at $5,025 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 03 Sep 23 — Tuesday 12 Sep 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 17 Sep 23 — Tuesday 26 Sep 23 | Starting at $5,525 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 01 Oct 23 — Tuesday 10 Oct 23 | Starting at $5,550 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 15 Oct 23 — Tuesday 24 Oct 23 | Starting at $5,550 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 05 Nov 23 — Tuesday 14 Nov 23 | Starting at $5,550 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 19 Nov 23 — Tuesday 28 Nov 23 | Starting at $5,550 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 10 Dec 23 — Tuesday 19 Dec 23 | Starting at $5,550 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 19 Dec 23 — Thursday 28 Dec 23 | Starting at $5,650 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDestination Highlights:
Explore Cape Town
Visit Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Cape of Good Hope, Franschhoek, Hermanus, the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg
View the Castle of Good Hope, Boulder's Beach penguin colony and Mandela House in Soweto
Connect with Locals Join a local Hermanus business owner for a traditional braai (barbecue) and some of his homemade wine against a clifftop backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Stays with Stories Your stay at Becks Safari Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve contributes to the area's environmental sustainability and community development.
Dive into Culture Hear first hand about the traditions and cultures of the Shangaan people and how their village promotes eco and wildlife education.
Dive into Culture Learn about South Africa's turbulent past on an interactive Johannesburg and Soweto Freedom tour.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Support a local Shangaan village, its Eco Academy and work in the local community with your visit.
Explore Cape Town
Visit Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap, Cape of Good Hope, Franschhoek, Hermanus, the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg
View the Castle of Good Hope, Boulder's Beach penguin colony and Mandela House in Soweto
Connect with Locals Join a local Hermanus business owner for a traditional braai (barbecue) and some of his homemade wine against a clifftop backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Stays with Stories Your stay at Becks Safari Lodge in Karongwe Private Game Reserve contributes to the area's environmental sustainability and community development.
Dive into Culture Hear first hand about the traditions and cultures of the Shangaan people and how their village promotes eco and wildlife education.
Dive into Culture Learn about South Africa's turbulent past on an interactive Johannesburg and Soweto Freedom tour.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Support a local Shangaan village, its Eco Academy and work in the local community with your visit.
First Class Travel Highlights:
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
Cherry-picked hotels and safari lodges, all tried and trusted
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Air-conditioned coach or Quantum bus
All transport and transfers shown
Optional Experiences and free time
ITINERARY
ITINERARYWelcome 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 travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.
Table Mountain and Tour Cape Town
This morning, we 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 the fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Consider joining our 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.
Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula
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.
Cape Winelands and Hermanus Excursion
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 deliciacies 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.
From City to Safari
This morning you’ll bid farewell to the 'Mother City' and fly to Hoedspruit 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.
Safari in Karongwe Private Game Reserve
The action begins as we 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.
Seek out the 'Big 5' Safari Animals in Karongwe
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.
Journey to Johannesburg
Our time in the South African bushveld comes to a close with a Dive Into Culture and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience 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! Fly to Johannesburg 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.
Discover Historical Soweto
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.
Farewell Johannesburg
Our epic encounter with South Africa’s iconic sites comes to an end today. Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for your onward flight. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
