Tour Sea, Safari, South Africa (14 Days)

Accommodation

11 nights in Hotels, 2 nights in Special Stay

Others

Cango Caves: Tour Africa’s largest limestone caves system. At over 20 million years old, it makes our nan look like a spring chicken. Addo Elephant National Park: See these gentle giants in their natural habitat as you cruise through this scenic conservation park. Jeffreys Bay: Known for its waves, its calamari and its natural beauty, there’s no beach quite like Jeffreys Bay Beach. Don’t forget your sunscreen! Knysna: If you’re looking for dramatic scenery, a trek through Tsitsikamma National Park will give you plenty of ops to fill up your memories and Insta feed. Knysna: Stretch out on the golden sands and enjoy some sea air at one of South Africa’s best beaches. Hermanus: Learn more about these majestic sea creatures and see the work being done to protect them. Stellenbosch: Get to know the photogenic wine town of Stellenbosch. Rich in vineyards, but even richer in history. Johannesburg: Harrowing and hopeful at the same time, you’ll delve deeper into the troubled history of South Africa – with the chance to visit the Nelson Mandela museum too, where you’ll learn about his life and work, as well as how apartheid was brought to an end. Durban: You’ll have the chance to check out one of South Africa’s best beaches – in all its craft stall-, fishing spot- and pavement-cafe-lined glory! Miliwane Wildlife Sanctuary: Traverse through Miliwane on your own two feet, keeping your eyes peeled for antelope, wildebeest and more as you go. With a local guide on hand to make sure everyone is going the right way. Kruger National Park: We’ll go on an adventure in the world famous Kruger National Park, keep your eyes peeled for animal sightings! Gqeberha: The good folks at the SANCCOB Penguin Rehabilitation Center work around the clock to rescue injured seabirds and help them make their way back into the wild. On this visit, we’ll see first hand how they work – and meet plenty of adorable penguins too. Mbabane: We’ll cross the border to Eswatini and travel to a local village where we’ll meet some locals, spend time with them and find out all about their culture and everyday life. Kruger National Park: Jump on a morning drive for another chance to spot this Park’s incredible animals.

Guide

Expert Trip Manager + Trip Driver + Local Guides

Transport

Coach

Meals

13 Breakfast (B)

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Optional

Eat a Bush Dinner in a Private Game Reserve Meet Meerkats at Sunrise Take a Morning Game Drive Take an Afternoon Game Drive with Dinner Explore Storms River by Kayak & Lilo Take an Ocean Safari Take a Township Tour (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience) Eat Dinner in Knysna Have Dinner in Cape Town Sample The Finest Tastes of the Capes Have Dinner in Durban Visit a Local Zulu Village (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience) Search For Hippos on Lake St Lucia Hluhluwe Game Drive & Lunch Take a Mountain Bike Safari Take a Morning Game Drive Take an Evening Game Drive Feast On One Last Bush Dinner Embark On One More Morning Game Drive

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Cape Town To Oudtshoorn Via Cango Caves
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Cape Town To Oudtshoorn Via Cango Caves

Hello Africa… and hello Cape Town. Ready to get going? It’s off to the Karoo desert via the famous ‘Route 62’. An included guided tour of Africa’s LARGEST show cave system. The Cango Caves are replete with cavernous halls, limestone formations, cave paintings and artefacts (which indicate they were in use throughout the Middle Ages)! How’s that for a pitstop? Welcome to the ‘Ostrich Capital of the World’. After passing vineyards and mountain passes along the way, we’ll check into Oudtshoorn, say hey to the ostriches and then enjoy a delicious bush dinner (overlooking a watering hole - IRL).
Day 2 Day 2: Oudtshoorn To Gqeberha Via Addo Elephant National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Oudtshoorn To Gqeberha Via Addo Elephant National Park

Marvelous meerkats… today we’ll get up close and personal with some of Africa’s most famous wildlife, both large and small. Starting out with a Meerkat Safari at sunrise, we’ll watch these precious creatures wake up, stretch and embark on their day’s activity. And if that’s not special enough, just wait till you get to today’s stop-off… That’s right, it’s elephant time. After lunch, we’ll set out in search of Africa’s largest land mammal here at the Addo National Park, home to over 600 of these tusk-tastic creatures. (Keep your eyes peeled for lions, buffalo, and antelope too though!) We’ll retreat here for the night but fear not, more safari adventures await in the morning. Stuck for something to do this evening? Let us introduce you to the karaoke bar just around the corner. (Cue your fave Lion King jams.)
Day 3 Day 3: Gqeberha And Private Game Reserves
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Gqeberha And Private Game Reserves

Ready for the second chance at wildlife spotting? We thought so. Today is all about wildlife, both on land and in the ocean. We’ll start with a morning tour of the SANCCOB Penguin Rehabilitation Center, who give sick and injured penguins the care they deserve and help them to return to the wild. Later this morning, we’ll set out on the first of today’s two private game drives. (IKR?) The Eastern Cape’s game reserves are some of South Africa’s best spots for seeing the Big 5, home to valleys, plains, rivers and much more. We’ll head in for an included lunch, then back out again for the day’s second game drive. Yes, yes that is four game drives in 36 hours. Lucky you, right? Tonight we’ll head back to the city where a free evening awaits. Karaoke round two? We won’t stop ya.
Day 4 Day 4: Gqeberha To Knysna Via Jefferys Bay And Tsitsikamma National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Gqeberha To Knysna Via Jefferys Bay And Tsitsikamma National Park

Beach time. Desert? Tick. Caves? Tick. Safari? Tick. Now it’s time to make our way along the famous Garden Route to our next destination, Knysna – with a few sensational stop-offs on the way. Known as one of the best surf spots in the world, it’d be wrong not to start our day with some chill time on J-Bay… which is exactly what we’ll do. Welcome to our next pitstop, known for the infinitely Instagramable Storms River Bridge – which we’ll take a picturesque hike to so you can get all the legendary snaps you need. After that, you’ll have the chance to up the adrenaline, with a spot of kayaking up the mouth of Storms River. And then we pull into the beautiful coastal town of Knysna, ready to explore all the sights and activities the Garden Route is known for. (We’ve got two nights here too!)
Day 5 Day 5: Knysna And Plettenberg Bay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Knysna And Plettenberg Bay

Rise and shine, team. Today starts with an included breakfast, overlooking the Knysna lagoon, and then we’re off again once more. It’s ocean time… Join our optional marine safari and set out in search of whales, dolphins, seals and more spectacular sea life. Afterwards, we’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing on Plettenberg’s main beach, catching those rays and helping ourselves to some splendid seafood. This evening, we’ll embark on a Township visit here in Knysna, where you’ll meet the locals and have the chance to make a positive impact for the children who live here. Afterwards, we’ll tuck into a group dinner on the Knysna lagoon, followed by a night on the town.
Day 6 Day 6: Knysna To Cape Town Via Hermanus
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Knysna To Cape Town Via Hermanus

Make sure you call dibs on a window seat. As we drive back to Cape Town, you’ll watch the magnificence of the Garden Route unfold as we pass coastal towns, forests, gorges and some jaw-dropping ocean views. Marine mania… We’ll have lunch and some free time here in the coastal town of Hermanus, which is one of the world’s best areas for spotting whales – between July and November at least – so have your binoculars at the ready. Before hitting the road once more, we’ll spend some time learning all about shark conservation too. And here we are, back in the city where it all began. Tonight’s agenda? A group dinner at the V&A Waterfront – followed by a night out, of course!
Day 7 Day 7: Cape Town To Johannesburg Via Stellenbosch
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Cape Town To Johannesburg Via Stellenbosch

Fine wine, all in good time. Today we’ll add a touch of class to proceedings with a trip to Stellenbosch – the Cape’s famous wine region. After some free time to explore (and shop till you drop) we’ll set out to discover Stellenbosh’s awesome wine farms, sampling the very finest of the Cape’s fine wines. With spectacular views, and a traditional South African braai for lunch, this really is one tasty excursion indeed. Touching down, we’ll head straight to our hotel for the evening. The second half of our South African adventure awaits us in the morning...
Day 8 Day 8: Johannesburg To Durban
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Johannesburg To Durban

A day of history. Here in the City of Gold, we’ll take a drive through the heart of South Africa to the coastal city of Durban. Along the way, we’ll stop off for a sobering exploration of the nation’s troubled history, with a visit to the site of Nelson Mandela’s capture during the apartheid era. We’ll then take a trip to the museum – yes, you’ll confront the history, but you’ll leave feeling hopeful as you learn how apartheid was finally brought to an end. Tonight’s accom is conveniently located next to plenty of shops and restaurants… So you can go right ahead and treat yourself.
Day 9 Day 9: Durban To St Lucia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Durban To St Lucia

You have a free morning here at one of the finest coastal spots in South Africa. You can check out the uShaka Marine World, rent a bike and cruise down the ‘Golden Mile’ (AKA the 6km promenade) or you can simply sit back and soak up those rays like the sun junkie you are. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to St Lucia. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife by day and hippos by night here in St Lucia (we’re right by the UNESCO World Heritage listed iSimanagaliso Wetlands Park after all). On a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience this afternoon, we’ll visit a local Zulu village, learning all about the Zulu people and their traditions with a chance to meet some of the locals.
Day 10 Day 10: St Lucia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: St Lucia

Beach or bush? Why decide when you can do both? This morning we’ll head out to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, so watch out for elephants, buffalo, rhinos, antelope… plus whales (coz we’re right on the coast, baby). We’ll stop off at Cape Vidal for some snorkelling and all-round beach vibes (weather permitting, obvs). You’ll then have some free time to explore St Lucia or kick back at the hotel. This evening, we’ll embark on a Sunset Hippo Boat cruise on Lake St Lucia (Africa’s largest estuary – home to over 800 hippos and 1200 crocodiles). Afterwards, we’ll round things off with a traditional South African braai dinner. Yup, this day’s as action-packed as it is awesome.
Day 11 Day 11: St Lucia To Mbabane Via Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: St Lucia To Mbabane Via Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

It’s an early start today – we’re heading inland to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and we aim to be there by sunrise. The Big Five. A half-day game drive at the reserve instrumental for bringing the White Rhino back from the brink of extinction. Even a picnic lunch. Today’s excursion is a biggie indeed. With our wildlife bucket lists sufficiently checked, it’s time to set off for a brand new country. Passports at the ready folks – here in Eswatini, we’ll meet some of the locals and learn about their culture and language on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Day 12 Day 12: Mbabane To Kruger National Park Via Miliwane Wildlife Sanctuary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Mbabane To Kruger National Park Via Miliwane Wildlife Sanctuary

After a hearty breakfast, and checking out that blazing view one last time, we’re off in search of (you guessed it) even more wildlife. Here in Mlilwane, we’ll set out on a different type of safari – we’re talking walking, and even a mountain bike safari too. Next up, it’s the big one. The world famous one. Here in Kruger, we’ll stay at an exclusive safari campsite – located right in the middle of the park. (Struggling to picture it? Think glamping canvas tents with mattresses, linen and stretchers, a roaring bonfire burning all the while.) This is a true Once in a Lifetime experience, where you’ll fall asleep to the nocturnal calls of hyenas, jackals and lions.
Day 13 Day 13: Kruger National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Kruger National Park

Wakey wakey! We’ve got a morning and an evening game drive waiting for us today, where we’ll stop off for some spectacular view points, and try our luck at catching a glimpse of the elusive cheetahs, leopards and African wild dogs. We’ll escape the heat in the middle of the day, and you’ll have time to hit the pool or check out the camp’s riverfront restaurant (where you’ll have a great view of crocs and hippos in the river). Tonight after our evening game drive, we’ll tuck into a final bush dinner… and let the reminiscing begin.
Day 14 Day 14: Kruger National Park To Johannesburg
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Kruger National Park To Johannesburg

Our final day. But is there time for one last morning game drive? You bet there is. We’ll head out bright and early before making our way back to Johannesburg. And now, with heavy hearts (and even heavier camera rolls) we’ll make our way back to either the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Vic Falls anyone?) or Johannesburg International Airport. It’s been a thrill… we’ve seen wildlife, we’ve made friends for life. The only question is: where next?

+11

14 days tour

Sea, Safari, South Africa (14 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sea, Safari, South Africa (14 Days)

Day 1: Cape Town To Oudtshoorn Via Cango Caves

Day 2: Oudtshoorn To Gqeberha Via Addo Elephant National Park

Day 3: Gqeberha And Private Game Reserves

Day 4: Gqeberha To Knysna Via Jefferys Bay And Tsitsikamma National Park

Day 5: Knysna And Plettenberg Bay

Day 6: Knysna To Cape Town Via Hermanus

Day 7: Cape Town To Johannesburg Via Stellenbosch

Day 8: Johannesburg To Durban

Day 9: Durban To St Lucia

Day 10: St Lucia

Day 11: St Lucia To Mbabane Via Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

Day 12: Mbabane To Kruger National Park Via Miliwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Day 13: Kruger National Park

Day 14: Kruger National Park To Johannesburg

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania