22 Days
40 Meals
Leader
CT Rating
Small Group
Book Early
The World in One Country
South Africa is blessed with a diversity of climate, geography, wildlife and cultural heritage not possible anywhere else.
Find new and exciting vistas each day: the rolling pasturelands of the Mpumalanga, the rugged peaks of the Drakensberg.
This itinerary offers endless varieties of game and bird life, miles of golden sand beaches, quaint country towns, modern thriving cities and much more.
This departure is fully booked! However, you can still join the waitlist jdoucette [at] craigtravel.com (subject: Join%20the%20Waitlist, body: I%20would%20like%20to%20join%20the%20waitlist%20for%20South%20Africa%202023.) (here) before October 1, 2023 to receive $200 savings per person on this trip if space becomes available.
Tour Highlights
- Three nights in Africa’s most beautiful city, Cape Town with tours to the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain and the surrounding Wine Districts
- Arid Little Karoo and Oudtshoorn, home of the ostrich
- Garden Route via Tsitsikamma Forest, Wilderness, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay
- Homelands of the Zulu and the Kingdom of Swaziland with opportunities to see tribal activities
- Kruger and Chobe National Parks for the best game viewing and scenic drives in southern Africa
- Pretoria, national capital of South Africa, Johannesburg and Bishop Desmond Tutu’s Soweto
- Victoria Falls, Africa’s most magnificent waterfall on the Zambesi River and Chobe National Park on the flood plains of the Chobe River
Inclusive Features
- Return economy group airfare from Canada to South Africa plus domestic flights within each country
- First class hotels and lodges as indicated or similar
- Extensive sightseeing throughout including all admissions plus more than five game drives
- Special opportunities to meet and share a BBQ dinner and a presentation of Zulu war dances
- 40 meals included as noted in the itinerary (B - 19 breakfasts, L - 10 lunches, D - 11 dinners)
- Services of your journey leader plus Beverley Gossayn, our very popular expert guide in South Africa
- All gratuities, surcharges, taxes and fees for included services
- Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value with purchase of group airfare
Itinerary
Tour members from across Canada gather to fly to Amsterdam before connecting to South Africa.
After our late arrival in Cape Town, we will be transferred directly to our hotel in vibrant Bantry Bay on the slopes of Lion’s Head.
The President Hotel (3 nights)
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the heights of Table Mountain (weather permitting). This unique landmark rises over 1,000 metres above the city and spreads horizontally across the skyline. After lunch, we will drive through the city centre and visits to the Company’s Garden and St. George’s Cathedral. Dating from 1824, the church has been the pillar of the Anglican Church in South Africa and was a major centre against apartheid led by Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Enjoy a guided walk through the National Botanical Garden in Kirstenbosch, a 528 hectare natural area set on the slopes of Table Mountain with over 10,000 different native flowers and plants. Following a lunch break, we will visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Delight in the magnificent scenery as we drive to Cape Point, on the tip of the Cape of Good Hope. This evening, we will enjoy our Welcome Dinner at the Gold Restuarant, where we sample different foods from around the continent.
This morning we depart for the long established university town of Stellenbosch, with its oak lined streets and stately mansions. The area was first settled in 1680 and many buildings date from the late 18th century. Continue to Grande Provence Estate to appreciate a cellar tour, wine tasting and buffet lunch. Explore Franschhoek, situated in a beautiful valley of its own, where we shall see the Huguenot Monument.
Montagu Country Hotel (1 night)
Our journey east follows the route of the early settlers over rolling farmlands and past spectacular scenery. Our travels will take us through Barrydale into the Little Karoo. Following lunch, we continue to De Krans Estate where we will enjoy a glass of port wine. We then head to our hotel in the old fashioned town of Oudtshoorn, made wealthy by the feathers of the flightless Ostrich.
Queens Hotel (1 night)
This morning we shall explore the fascinating Cango Caves followed by a visit to an ostrich farm to learn more about these fascinating birds and to enjoy a lunch featuring its eggs and very lean meat. This afternoon we descend the Outeniqua Pass and drive through the Garden Route Lakes District to the resort centre of Knysna.
Protea Knysna Quays (2 nights)
Enjoy a leisurely morning relaxing or exploring on your own (members can take a cruise on the Lagoon). Our afternoon is highlighted by a reception at Theodora Creche, hosted by the local community. Enjoy the Garden Route’s very own free flight bird sanctuary, Birds of Eden, then a short nature walk on Robberg Nature Reserve. Tonight we enjoy dinner together at Drydock restaurant in Knysna Waterfront.
Departing early, we head east along the coast following the scenic route from Tsitsikamma to Port Elizabeth which is known for its sunshine and beautiful sandy beaches. From there, we fly to Durban, where we will overnight by the northern beaches.
Protea Hotel Umhlanga (1 night)
Relax this morning with opportunities to stroll along the beach or join an optional early morning panoramic tour of Durban. Drive through Zululand to Lake St. Lucia, an area known for its exceptional bird life, where we will enjoy a delightful cruise. Continue into the land of Zulu and our delightful country inn.
Ghost Mountain Inn (2 nights)
This morning we are taken on our first game drive, exploring the Mkuze Game Reserve in open 4x4 vehicles, with opportunities to see a wide variety of game. This afternoon we can relax at our resort or join an optional excursion to explore the mountainous countryside of the traditional Zulu homelands, highlighted by a visit to a Zulu compound where we will be introduced to their unique lifestyle. This evening we are treated to a BBQ dinner and a presentation of Zulu war dances.
Our morning drive takes us to neighbouring Swaziland, an independent kingdom. Follow the Ezulwini Valley, known as the “Place of Heaven”, to the capital of Mbabane. Lunch is in the Ezulwini Valley. Along the way we will visit the Swazi Market, Swazi Candle Factory and a craft centre.
Piggs Peak Hotel (1 night)
Enjoy spectacular scenery as we drive over Piggs Peak and enter eastern Mpumalanga en route to Kruger National Park. Enjoy game viewing from our coach as we drive across the park.
Protea Hotel Kruger Gate (2 nights)
Enjoy a full day game drive through the heart of Kruger National Park in open game-viewing vehicles. Keep an eye out for sightings of the “Big Five” which includes elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions and leopards. This evening, relax in our delightful lodge.
This morning we drive from the plain of Kruger to the Highveld and follow along its crest for magnificent views of the Blyde River Canyon and God's Window. Enjoy the wonderful scenery along the escarpment before we continue to the Protea.
Protea Nelspruit Hotel (1 night)
This morning we travel to Pretoria crossing the rolling farmlands of the Highveld. Pretoria is the picturesque capital of South Africa. Explore this gracious city known for its broad avenues bordered by flowering trees and its impressive public buildings and monuments.
Fire & Ice Melrose Arch B&B (2 nights)
Enjoy a morning drive through Johannesburg, a city created from the wealth of gold and diamonds, before a visit to the engaging Apartheid Museum. We enjoy a special lunch at Chez Alina before heading off to explore the township of Soweto, home of Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.
This morning we fly north to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, the falls are this region’s most spectacular natural sight. Enjoy a guided walk along the falls. Weather permitting, there will also be an optional helicopter ride (extra cost). At 353 feet high and over a mile wide, the falls are the largest in Africa. Enjoy the sights of the main falls, Devil’s Cataract and Danger Point.
Victoria Falls Hotel (1 night)
We depart for Botswana and the world famous Chobe National Park. Home to superb game viewing, Chobe covers over 11,000 sq. kilometres and has a large variety of wildlife including large herds of buffalo and elephants plus hippos and lions. Enjoy free time to relax by the pool and appreciate a dinner under the stars accompanied by the unique sounds of Africa.
Chobe Game Lodge (2 nights)
Enjoy a full day in the park with morning and afternoon excursions in open land rovers and by boat to view the game that frequent the fertile flood plains of the Zambesi. A highlight of our stay will be the visit by boat to the natural hippo pool, a short distance from the lodge.
Relax and enjoy the amenities of our beautiful resort before checking out after breakfast. Early this afternoon we catch our return flights via Johannesburg and Amsterdam to Canada.
On arrival in Toronto, we catch our continuing flights to our homes across Canada.
Have any questions? Contact Joilyn at jdoucette [at] craigtravel.com or call 1-800-387-8890
Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars Per Person
jdoucette [at] craigtravel.com (subject: Join%20the%20Waitlist, body: I%20would%20like%20to%20join%20the%20waitlist%20for%20South%20Africa%202023.) (Join the Waitlist)class="button"
Deposit is $600 per person. Final payment is due July 12, 2023.
Land only price includes no flights. International and internal flights are only included if booking air-inclusive.
Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Airfares and air carriers are subject to change. Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded room. Prices are based on a minimum 15 members and on rates, taxes and fees effective December 2022 and are subject to change due to factors beyond our control.
This journey has a small group size for a more intimate experience. Maximum 20 travellers.
Insurance is NOT INCLUDED but is highly recommended. Premiums are calculated based on the individual’s age, destination (country), trip length, and trip booking window – please contact our staff to receive a quote. Your coverage starts on the effective date of your confirmation of coverage. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking. Refer to terms and conditions for more details.
