Highlights of South Africa
Highlights of South Africa
$3408
Highlights of South Africa
9 Days Starting in Cape Town, South Africa and ending in Johannesburg, South Africa
Visiting: Cape Town, Hoedspruit, Karongwe, Johannesburg
Tour operator:
Tour code:
3850-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Highlights of South Africa" tour, a captivating journey through the heart of South Africa's most iconic destinations. Begin in Cape Town, where you'll ascend Table Mountain, visit Boulders Beach to see African Penguins, and explore the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Enjoy leisure time to discover the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or the Cape Winelands. Fly to Hoedspruit and transfer to Karongwe Private Game Reserve for thrilling game drives to spot the "Big 5" and other wildlife. Conclude your adventure in Johannesburg with a visit to Soweto, Mandela House, and the Apartheid Museum. Experience luxurious accommodations, including SunSquare Cape Town Gardens, Shiduli Private Game Lodge, and Garden Court Sandton City, ensuring comfort and relaxation throughout your journey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Cape Town,South Africa
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: SunSquare Cape Town Gardens
Welcome to Africa! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: SunSquare Cape Town Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing, starting with a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape Winelands. Next, visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of endangered African Penguins, known for their unique sound. After free time for lunch, continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. On your return journey back to Cape Town, skirt the rocky coastline as you ascend Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Day 3: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: SunSquare Cape Town Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, take an optional excursion to the stunning Cape Winelands for wine tasting, or go whale watching in nearby Hermanus (June-October). Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day.
Day 4: Cape Town,Hoedspruit,Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Location: Hoedspruit
Accommodation Name: Shiduli Private Game Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Hoedspruit and transfer to Karongwe Private Game Reserve, overlooking the majestic Drakensburg Mountains. This area, near Kruger National Park, is famous for its abundance of wildlife, including the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. After lunch, embark on your first exciting game drive. Stop for a sundowner in the bush before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Day 5: Karongwe
Location: Karongwe
Accommodation Name: Shiduli Private Game Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your skilled tracker and professional Ranger work together as a team during your early morning game drive, so you can learn more about the ecosystem as you view wildlife up close. Beyond the “Big 5,” you’ll have the chance to see kudu, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more! Return for breakfast mid-morning, followed by time to relax and enjoy the lodge and its surroundings. In the mid-afternoon, tea will be served prior to your afternoon game drive. Step out of your safari vehicle for a sundowner drink and watch as the sun sets over the Drakensberg Mountains. Return to your lodge in time to freshen up for dinner.
Day 6: Karongwe
Location: Karongwe
Accommodation Name: Shiduli Private Game Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early for coffee and tea before your morning game drive. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend time at leisure in the middle of the day. Perhaps take a swim in the pool, visit the wellness center for one of its many spa treatments, or simply sit back and watch the animals. Your afternoon game drive concludes with a sundowner drink as the sun sets over the bushveld!
Day 7: Karongwe,Hoedspruit,Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Accommodation Name: Garden Court Sandton City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy one last game drive this morning before transferring to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Day 8: Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Accommodation Name: Garden Court Sandton City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s sightseeing starts with a visit to Soweto (South Western Township), the largest township in the country. Along the way, see the neighborhood that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to around 1960, when he was forced underground to elude arrest. After lunch, visit the Museum to learn about the founding of South Africa before delving into the apartheid era. Using photos, video, and print, the museum takes you on an extraordinary journey through the apartheid years to the 1994 democratic elections that named Nelson Mandela president.
Day 9: Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Accommodation Name: Garden Court Sandton City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at SunSquare Cape Town Gardens, Shiduli Private Game Lodge, and Garden Court Sandton City.
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Meals
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
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Sightseeing
Full day of sightseeing in Cape Town including a cable-car ride up Table Mountain, visit to Boulders Beach, Cape Point Nature Reserve, and Chapman’s Peak Drive.
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Game Drives
Multiple game drives in Karongwe Private Game Reserve with opportunities to see the 'Big 5' and other wildlife.
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Soweto Tour
Visit to Soweto, Mandela House, and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.
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Flights
Internal flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit and from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg.
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Small Group
Each tour is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure.
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UNESCO Sites
Visit to Cape Floral Region Protected Areas.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and phone calls are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions such as wine tasting in Cape Winelands or whale watching in Hermanus are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and any related travel documentation are not included.
Meals
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Notes
All game viewing is done at your own risk. We will require a signed liability waiver prior to travel. For approximately one month each year, typically from late July to late August, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for annual maintenance. In these instances, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included in its place.
UNESCO Sites
Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
Small Group
Each Cosmos Africa safari tour is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Safari Guide/Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery African safari vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Accommodation
SunSquare Cape Town Gardens offers a contemporary hideaway with 136 well-appointed rooms, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a gym, and an outdoor pool. Shiduli Private Game Lodge features a lush garden, lounges with Internet, a bar, a pool, and dining areas with South African art. Garden Court Sandton City in Johannesburg provides an informal atmosphere, an outdoor pool, and a bar.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit and from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg. Ground transfers are provided between airports and accommodations, as well as for game drives and sightseeing excursions.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the game drives in Karongwe Private Game Reserve?
During the game drives in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including the 'Big 5'—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. Additionally, you may also spot kudu, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more.
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What activities are included during the stay in Cape Town?
In Cape Town, activities include a full day of sightseeing with a cable-car ride up Table Mountain, a visit to Boulders Beach to see a colony of endangered African Penguins, and a trip to Cape Point Nature Reserve with stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. You will also take a funicular ride to the old lighthouse and drive along Chapman's Peak Drive.
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What can I do during the leisure day in Cape Town?
During the leisure day in Cape Town, you can explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, take an optional excursion to the Cape Winelands for wine tasting, or go whale watching in nearby Hermanus (June-October). Your Tour Director will also have suggestions to help you make the most of your day.
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What is the accommodation like at SunSquare Cape Town Gardens?
SunSquare Cape Town Gardens is situated near the Cape Town city bowl in the lush suburb of Gardens. The hotel offers 136 well-appointed rooms equipped with amenities including air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The hotel also features a gym and an inviting outdoor pool.
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What can I expect during the visit to Soweto in Johannesburg?
During the visit to Soweto, you will see the neighborhood that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. You will visit Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to around 1960. After lunch, you will visit the Museum to learn about the founding of South Africa and delve into the apartheid era.
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What are the dining options during the tour?
The tour includes 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners. Meals are provided at various points throughout the tour, including during game drives and at the accommodations.
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What happens if the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for maintenance?
If the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for annual maintenance, typically from late July to late August, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included in its place.
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What is the group size for this tour?
Each Cosmos Africa safari tour is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure, ensuring a small-group experience with extra space between travelers.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.