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Spectacular South Africa

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 Trip Length
13 Days
 Trip Starts
Johannesburg
 Trip Finishes
Cape Town
13 Day Spectacular South Africa Itinerary (Collette)
Countries Explored: South Africa
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Classic
Accommodation
4 Star
Max. Group Size
44
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
COL163

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Collette's 13 Day Spectacular South Africa. Experience a harmony of intriguing cultures, stunning wildlife, lush winelands, and elaborate history. Ponder the past during a visit to the Apartheid Museum. Seek out the “Big Five” on two open-air safari game drives. Travel the lush Garden Route between the mountains and the balmy Indian Ocean. Visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve for a cruise in the lagoon. Indulge in the beauty and flavors of South Africa’s wine region with included tastings and time on your own in stunning...read more Stellenbosch. Relax during a leisurely stay in the breathtaking city of Cape Town. A land on the edge of the world, South Africa awaits.

Itinerary

Your journey begins in Sandton, a city established in 1969. Famous for its rich veins of gold and other valuable minerals, it is now the bustling cosmopolitan center of greater Johannesburg. Stay: Sandton Sun Hotel (2 Nights)

Today, have some time to ponder history at Liliesleaf, the former center of the liberation movement and the site of the police raid that led to Nelson Mandela's lifetime prison sentence. Following this, a guided tour of Soweto – South West Township – showcases luxurious mansions and informal settlements as you learn about the historical significance of the area. Experience the regional lifestyle when joining locals for lunch at a nearby Shebeen, or house tavern.

This afternoon, visit the Apartheid Museum commemorating the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa. Gather this evening with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (B/L/D)

Travel through the spectacular Northern Drakensberg Mountain Range en route to Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. Scenic wonders surround you as you pass through the Blyde River Canyon, made mostly of red sandstone, and known as one of Africa's greatest natural wonders. Along this magnificent route, stop at God's Window and stand at what seems like the edge of creation. On clear days, you can see as far as Mozambique.

This evening, enjoy a traditional Boma dinner where you may sample some local game meat! (B/D) Stay: Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (3 Nights)

Have your camera ready for an unforgettable day of adventure and excitement! Enjoy a full day open-air-vehicle safari game drive. A local expert leads you in search of the "Big 5" – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino – and provides insight into these fascinating animals along the way. Watch carefully – you may also see a graceful impala, dazzling zebra or gorgeous giraffe. Relax with a South African braai lunch in the natural beauty of Kruger National Park. (B/L/D)

Embrace the rare opportunity to head back into the wild on another full day safari game drive in Kruger National Park. Enjoy this second attempt to see any elusive animals you may have missed yesterday or get another look at your favorites. (B/L/D)

Travel back to Johannesburg to board your flight to George. Upon arrival, travel to the resort town of Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route. Located on the coast, Knysna is your gateway to the natural beauty of South Africa. (B) Stay: The Rex Hotel (2 Nights)

Today visit the nearby Featherbed Nature Reserve, looking out over the Indian Ocean. Begin with a lagoon cruise out to the famous Knysna Heads, which mark the entrance to the lagoon. Next, board a 4x4 vehicle and travel deep into the forest. Discover the local flora and fauna during a leisurely-paced nature walk. Enjoy lunch amongst the ancient milkwood trees – so called because of their white latex sap – before your return cruise.

This afternoon, it's your choice! Visit Plettenberg Bay, a tranquil and charming town originally known as "Bahia Formosa" (Beautiful Bay) and witness views of beaches, dramatic rock formations and lagoons -OR- enjoy your afternoon at leisure in Knysna with time to independently explore the charming waterfront. (B/L/D)

Say goodbye to Knysna as you begin your journey to Stellenbosch. Get a taste of the culture when you join your fellow travelers for dinner and a wine tasting. (B/D) Stay: De Zalze Lodge (2 Nights)

Start your day with a walking tour of Stellenbosch, a university town known for its vineyards and mountainous nature reserves. Get a chance to taste some wine before continuing on to nearby Franschhoek. Experience the town's renowned wine culture with a cellar tour and tasting followed by lunch before returning to Stellenbosch. With the remainder of your day at leisure, discover the town on your own. Maybe you'll taste some more of the legendary wine, wander along the oak-lined avenues, or explore the surrounding nature. (B/L)

Travel to the beautiful harbor side city of Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa. Enjoy a traditional Cape Malay lunch in the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Settle in for your 3-night stay in the “Mother City,” nestled in the valley between towering mountains and the glistening sea. (B/L) Stay: Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel (3 Nights)

See the highlights of the city on a panoramic tour. Take in the celebrated architecture that fuses the traditions of the French, German and Dutch. Enjoy a thrilling ride on a cable car that whisks you to an altitude of more than 3,000 feet, landing atop the aptly named – and flat-topped – Table Mountain. The views of Cape Town, Robben Island and Lion's Head will leave you breathless.

Return to the city via Table Bay, passing through the Malay Quarter with its mosques and minarets. Make a special stop at the massive Milnerton Lighthouse. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own to explore Cape Town from your strategically located hotel. (B)

Explore the coastal scenery and charming towns that populate the Cape Peninsula. Travel out to Cape Point, stopping for a visit with the penguins at Boulders Beach. This evening, experience a unique farewell to Africa as you enjoy a lesson on the djembe drums before a communal African dining experience with dishes from all over the continent! (B/D)

Your tour ends today in Cape Town. For travelers with late flight departures, enjoy the use of a day room prior to your departure to the airport. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Experience a thrilling cable car ride rising more than 3,000 feet.
  • Taste the incredible wines that Stellenbosch is acclaimed for.
  • Learn the local beat with a lesson on the djembe drums.
  • Search for the “Big 5” on two open-air safari game drives.
  • Marvel at the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains.
  • Tour the historically relevant Soweto area — South West Township.
  • Join locals for lunch at a nearby Shebeen, or house tavern.
  • Experience an African Boma dinner in Kruger.
  • Enjoy lunch amongst the ancient milkwood trees in Knysna.

  • Expertly crafted itineraries
  • 4-star+ accommodation
  • Skilled and engaging tour managers
  • Expert local guides with insider knowledge
  • Attraction entrance fees
  • Many meals full of local flavour
  • Unparalleled sightseeing
  • Enriching cultural experiences
  • Comfortable on-tour transportation
  • Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling
  • Plus, access to Wi-Fi hotspots on tour

  • This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.

  • Arriving Flight: The closest arrival airport is Johannesburg (JNB) Airport
  • Departing Flight: The closest departure airport is Cape Town (CPT) Airport

  • Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Classic Touring
Classic Touring

Classic tours are for those who want to see the sights, taste the cuisine and experience the world. Read more

Travel Protection Plan
Travel Protection Plan

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Private Airport Transfers
Private Airport Transfers

Private, chauffeur service is included for all air-inclusive Collette bookings. Read more

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Spectacular South Africa' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
1 Review
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4 Star
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1 Star
South Africa, you are truly spectacular! 0 , NSW, Australia, Mar 2025
It was our first trip to South Africa but not our first time to use Global Journeys and Collette. We had a great time and were happy with our tour. The places and experiences covered in this journey were all enjoyable and memorable; from historic and educational Johannesburg, exhilarating Kruger National Park, scenic George Knysna Stellenbosch and Franschhoek ...read more and beautiful Cape Town, they were so diverse and all interesting places to visit. Hotel selection was very good, they were all in good location, close to where the main attractions are.

Happy with our fellow travellers as well, we always find nice people in our trip. Have to mention our local tour guide in Johannesburg - she was very passionate and knowledgeable. Guess the only thing that’s not memorable to us was the smell of the bus we used from George to Cape Town (only confined in the seats near the bus toilet though) - not fresh smelling for sure. But all in all, that didn’t take away the enjoyment we had on our trip. We thank Global Journeys and Collette for organising this tour and we look forward to travelling again. Will surely recommend this to our friends.
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Brochure

Collette Worldwide (2024-25) Brochure

Collette Worldwide (2024-25)

Collette's 106th travel season now offers you 170+ tours to all 7 continents. Your favourites are back with 9 new tours in our lineup. Look for small group tours, destination spotlights, and find your next adventure. (Note: 100MB Download)

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Collette. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Collette. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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