The South Africa Odyssey tour is an exceptional, long wandering journey through South Africa. South Africa is a premier travel destination. From city life to adventure, wildlife to culture, and breathtaking scenery to sun soaked coasts.
Our Odyssey begins in Johannesburg and travels through Mpumalanga. With visits along the Panorama Route as well as the Kruger National Park, a safari extravaganza. Once you have encountered the wildlife of the country, you will then travel to the Kingdom of eSwatini. Where a vibrant cultural journey inspires. Zululand is where ancient kings once hunted, and where the Big Five now roam. Conserved, and protected. The last leg of the odyssey is a Garden Route journey. Including a trip to Hermanus, a whale-watching mecca (in season). Ending off with a few days in the city of Cape Town.
2026 Highlights of the South Africa Odyssey Tour
There are some very small variations in 2025.
Visit the beautiful and unspoiled Mac Mac Falls.
Visit the spectacularly scenic Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and God’s Window.
Experience an open vehicle game safari in the Kruger National Park and intro to the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit
Meet the friendly people of eSwatini to experience their culture
Visit Tsitsikamma and the scenic Storms River Mouth
Experience a sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon followed with a dinner at a lagoon side restaurant
Visit the ‘Dolphin Point’ lookout in Wilderness
Visit the Outeniqua Transport Museum
Guided tour of the Cango Caves and a working ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn
Visit a rural farm school in the Barrydale area with the opportunity to interact with the children*
Explore the small towns along the well-known Route 62 and Hermanus, a seaside resort in the heart of the whale route
Authentic African dinner experience
Three nights in Cape Town
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour
*This visit supports the Barrydale Farm School Development Fund that encourages local education of underprivileged children in rural communities. School will be closed 1st – 13th January; 28th March – 7th April; 27th June – 20th July; 3rd – 12th October; 10th – 31st December 2026
Enjoy a variety of carefully chosen optional TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Activities that positively impact both the travellers and the destinations they visit.
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Day |
Journey |
Day 1, Sunday | Johannesburg |
Day 2, Monday | Johannesburg – Mpumalanga |
Day 3, Tuesday | Mpumalanga visiting the Panorama Route |
Day 4, Wednesday | Mpumalanga – safari in Kruger National Park |
Day 5, Thursday | Mpumalanga – eSwatini (Swaziland) |
Day 6, Friday | eSwatini (Swaziland) – Zululand and Hluhluwe |
Day 7, Saturday | Zululand – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) – Tsitsikamma |
Day 8, Sunday | Tsitsikamma – Knysna (day 7 – 10 is in the Garden Route) |
Day 9, Monday | Knysna – Oudtshoorn |
Day 10, Tuesday | Oudtshoorn – Hermanus |
Day 11, Wednesday | Hermanus – Cape Town |
Day 12, Thursday | Cape Town |
Day 13, Friday | |
Day 14, Saturday |
Day 1: (Sunday) Johannesburg
On arrival in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large scale gold and diamond trade. Due to its location on the mineral rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Why not enjoy an optional (own account) sightseeing tour of Soweto & Apartheid Museum*. Learning more about the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Or simply relax at your hotel? At 7 pm we will meet for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travelers.
*Afternoon Soweto & Apartheid Museum Tour: 2025: R 2 530 / 2026: R 2 770 per person
On this tour we will discover Soweto and the surrounding area, driving past Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Orlando Power Station, Mandela House Museum, Desmond Tutu’s House, the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum and the Regina Mundi Church. Afterwards we will head towards the Apartheid Museum, where you will have the opportunity to discover the history of the Apartheid era on your own.
Distance traveled today: 35 km
Overnight:
2025: 4* Southern Sun Sandton
2026: 4* Protea Hotel Balalaika
Day 2: (Monday) Johannesburg / Mpumalanga
Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour. Continue on to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld. Continue through spectacular scenery to the historic logging town of Sabie, once a gold mining town. Visit the beautiful Mac Mac Falls, a 65 meter waterfall on the Mac Mac River. Arrive late afternoon in Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.
Distance traveled today: 440 km
Overnight:
2025: 3* Hazyview Sun Hotel on dinner, bed & breakfast basis
2026: 3* Hippo Hollow Country Estate on dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Day 3: (Tuesday) Panorama Route
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular ‘Panorama Route’, offering views of amazing scenery. Including the 26 kilometre long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic God’s Window. A breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park.
We arrive back in Hazyview in the late afternoon where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax.
Distance traveled today: 320 km
Overnight:
2025: 3* Hazyview Sun Hotel on dinner, bed & breakfast basis
2026: 3* Hippo Hollow Country Estate on bed and breakfast basis
Day 4: (Wednesday) A morning ‘Big Five’ safari in Kruger National Park
The day begins with early morning coffee or tea. Followed by a thrilling open vehicle game safari (with English speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park. With a packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant). As well as prolific bird life and numerous other game species.
The game safari includes an introduction to the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog). Which was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs and their training. To track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition, and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Park gates. A portion of the trip price of this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care.
The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel.
*Optional Kruger National Park afternoon open vehicle game safari: 2025: R 1 030 / 2026: R 1 115 per person
For the wildlife enthusiasts a second open vehicle safari, as an extension to the morning safari, in one of the world’s most renowned game reserves.
Distance traveled today: 120 km
Overnight:
2025: 3* Hazyview Sun Hotel on dinner, bed & breakfast basis
2026: 3* Hippo Hollow Country Estate on bed and breakfast basis
Day 5: (Thursday) Eswatini (Swaziland)
This morning we travel to eSwatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa. Known for its lovely scenery, crafts, and colorful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience inclusive of lunch introduces us to the charming people of Eswatini and their traditions.
2025: We travel via the capital city, Mbabane. To the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for an overnight in eSwatini and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel.
2026: Visit the Ngwenya glass factory, where visitors can watch talented glass blowers create a range of exquisite wares made from recycled glass. We travel further to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight in eSwatini and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel.
Distance traveled today: 310 – 360 km
Overnight: 5* The Royal Villas with breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: (Friday) Eswatini to Zululand
After breakfast, we will continue south through eSwatini, before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas.
Optional afternoon open vehicle game safari in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve: 2025: R 1 115 / 2026: R 1 210 per person
Enjoy an afternoon, 3 hour open vehicle game safari into Africa’s oldest game reserve and world renowned for its highly successful white rhino conservation program.
Distance traveled today: 360 km
Overnight: 3* Anew Hotel Hluhluwe on bed and breakfast basis
Day 7: (Saturday) Zululand to Durban to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to Tsitsikamma
The day begins with an early breakfast before departing for Durban. Traveling past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive at Durban (Umhlanga) airport for the short southward flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Once everyone has arrived, we head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline. It is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests.
Distance traveled today: 430 km
Overnight: 3* Tsitsikamma Village Inn on bed and breakfast basis
Day 8: (Sunday) Tsitsikamma to Knysna
After breakfast, visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes. A remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.
Afterwards we’ll continue our travels to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa. Nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads, before sitting down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant. Renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavors, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region.
2026 includes: En-route to Knysna, a stop at Mungo, a family owned and managed textile producer in Plettenberg Bay, producing fine quality textiles, woven on antique looms.
Distance traveled today: 100 km
Overnight: 4* Rex Hotel on dinner, bed and breakfast basis
Day 9: (Monday) Knysna to Oudtshoorn
Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness.
In Oudtshoorn, we’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun filled interactive tour and light lunch that includes local specialties such as Ostrich Steak. Before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves. One of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon to check in.
2026 also includes: A visit to the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George. This museum offers a unique experience of the Garden Route’s railway history, showcasing a vast collection of vintage vehicles, locomotives and other transport related artifacts.
Distance traveled today: 210 km
Overnight: 4* Hlangana Lodge including breakfast & lunch
Day 10: (Tuesday) Oudtshoorn to Hermanus
Optional TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE activity – Early morning Meerkat Safari: 2025: R 985 / 2026: R 1 065 per person
Witness these incredible wild habituated meerkats emerging out of their burrows. In time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). A portion of the monies paid by guests for this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE experience go towards the Buffelsdrift Foundation. That focuses on Wildlife conservation in the Klein Karoo region, habitat conservation and the local community.
After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale. Where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, to interact with the children and teachers. Spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. A portion of the trip monies go towards our Barrydale Farm School Development Fund. That supports local education of underprivileged children in rural communities. (The school visit is subject to the school being open).
Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to the seaside town of Hermanus. Offering the best land based whale watching (August November) in the world.
Distance traveled today: 365 km
Overnight: 4* Auberge Burgundy Boutique Hotel on bed and breakfast basis
Day 11: (Wednesday) Hermanus to Cape Town
After a leisurely breakfast, depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West. Traveling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onward to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s oak shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before traveling to Cape Town.
Distance traveled today: 160 km
Overnight: 4* President Hotel on bed and breakfast basis
Day 12: (Thursday) Cape Town
Enjoy a full day at leisure*. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafés, and restaurants. As well as colorful craft markets. Enjoy a fun filled evening with interactive entertainment and delectable food at Gold Restaurant.
*Optional Tours
Morning Table Mountain & Kirstenbosch Gardens: 2025: R 1 230 / 2026: R 1 340 per person
Travel by cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting and excluding the cost of the Table Mountain cable way ticket). Then descend to explore Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world.
TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE activity: Marine Big Five Safari: 2025: R 4 235 / 2026: R 4 520 per person
Join a marine safari where you may see great white sharks, whales, Cape fur seals and a variety of seabirds. On a 2 hour cruise from Gansbaai, Marine Biologists will be on hand to explain more about the amazing animals that visit our shores. A portion of the monies paid by guests for this TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE Activity go towards the Dyer Island Conservation Trust that delivers conservation and research programs to protect the biodiversity of the marine eco-system surrounding Dyer Island.
Robben Island & Cape Town’s Apartheid History: 2025: POA / 2026: R 2 550 per person
Join a ferry trip to Robben Island (weather permitting & subject to seat availability and ferry schedule), then travel with an expert local guide to Athlone on the Cape Flats, a cultural hub with significant ties to the anti-apartheid struggle.
Full Day Cape Winelands – 2025: R 1 690 / 2026: R 1 840 per person
Join us for an authentic, local experience on a day out in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Visit Fairview wine estate, a local cheese and working wine farm that specializes in the production of handmade, full flavoured cheeses paired with a wine tasting, followed by a visit to Babylonstoren wine farm with its botanically diverse fruit and vegetable garden, incredible scenery, and warm hospitality for a second wine tasting.
Distance traveled today: 10 km
Overnight: 4* President Hotel on a bed, Breakfast & Dinner]
Day 13: (Friday) Cape Town
Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and for own account seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We’ll return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town. Where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account) and Fish Hoek fishing village. Overnight in Cape Town. [Breakfast]
Distance traveled today: 200 km
Overnight: 4* President Hotel on a bed, Breakfast & Dinner]
Day 14: (Saturday) Cape Town
After breakfast, enjoy some last minute shopping or sightseeing (own account). Perhaps wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Later you will be transferred to the airport, harbour, or railway station for your onward journey.
South Africa Odyssey Departure Dates
August 2025: 3;17;24
September 2025: 7;21;28
October 2025: 5;12;19;26
November 2025: 2;9;16;23
December 2025: 7
January 2026: 4;18
February 2026: 1;8;15;22
March 2026: 1;8;15;22
April 2026: 5;19;26
May 2026: 3;17
June 2026: 7;21
July 2026: 5;19
August 2026: 2;16;30
September 2026: 6;20;27
October 2026: 4;11;18;25
November 2026: 1;8;15;22
December 2026: –
South Africa Odyssey Tour Rates
2025 South Africa Odyssey Tour Rates |
Per person sharing a twin/double room | Single Room |
1st January until 30th April 2025 | R 60 760 | R 73 730 |
1st May until 31st July 2025 | R 58 370 | R 70 200 |
1st August until 31st December 2025 | R 62 340 | R 76 250 |
2026 South Africa Odyssey Tour Rates |
Per person sharing a twin/double room | Single Room |
1st January until 30th April 2026 | R 66 230 | R 80 370 |
1st May until 31st July 2026 | R 63 840 | R 76 290 |
1st August until 31st December 2026 | R 68 425 | R 83 850 |
This tour runs with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 10 people. 2 guests will travel in a sedan vehicle. 3-10 guests will travel in a 13 seater vehicle
Includes
In 2025: 21 Meals: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners including gratuities
In 2026: 19 Meals: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners including gratuities
13 Nights’ accommodation including porterage
Transportation including toll fees in air conditioned vehicles
Services of a professional English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
Bottled water in Eco-friendly packaging
Excludes
All beverages at included meals.
Flight: Durban – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) (DUR/PLZ) and departure tax on day 7.
We recommended booking the flight departing Durban about 2 pm, arriving at Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) about 3.30 pm.
Visa Requirements
This tour travels through eSwatini (Swaziland). Please check visa requirements, as certain nationalities may require visas to travel through eSwatini (Swaziland).