The 14 day South African Explorer Tour is a combination of the best that South Africa has to offer. It all starts in Cape Town. Traveling through the celebrated Garden Route and experiencing its warm hospitality, quirky towns. Then on to Johannesburg. In Johannesburg, get a historical insight into the country’s apartheid struggle years, and its liberation. It is a fascinating and heart wrenching narrative. A story that needs to be told.
A trip to South Africa would be incomplete without visiting the Kruger National Park. Where wildlife encounters will have the spirit of Africa coursing through your veins. Finally you will get to experience the highlights of the Panorama Route. Before ending the tour in Johannesburg.
The scheduled tour departs on selected Saturdays from Cape Town. With a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 10 people.
South African Explorer Tour Highlights
Visit a farm stall packed with locally produced products from the Overberg region Visit to Cape Agulhas (the southernmost tip of Africa) Travel via the scenic Tradouw Pass Guided tour of the Cango Caves and a guided tractor tour of an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn Wine tasting, sampling top quality wines of the Klein Karoo region Afternoon sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon Guided tour of Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary & Birds of Eden Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay Visit to Tsitsikamma National Park and scenic Storms River Mouth Visit to vibrant Soweto, Apartheid Museum, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum Two days of game viewing in the Kruger National Park including a thrilling open vehicle game safari with packed breakfast Experience the spectacularly scenic Panorama Route with visits to God’s Window, Three Rondavels, Blyde River Canyon, and Bourke’s Luck Potholes
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. South Africa’s Mother City is consistently voted one of the world’s best cities to visit. The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the vibrant culture, scenic beauty, and award winning cuisine. Overnight: 4* The President Hotel or similar in Cape Town.
Day 2, Sunday: Cape Town
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour including Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and Constantia Winelands*. Or join an authentic, local experience on a day out at Babylonstoren Wine Farm* in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Or, a tour to Cape Point* is always a hit. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town’s many pristine beaches. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes, and restaurants. As well as colorful craft markets.
* (optional and for own account)
Cape Point
Overnight: 4* The President Hotel or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 3, Monday: Cape Town – Cape Agulhas – Oudtshoorn
This morning you will be met by your local tour guide and depart for the scenic Garden Route. Travel along Sir Lowry’s Pass, with its magnificent views, to Grabouw and Elgin, a lush landscape surrounded by majestic mountains. Stop en route at a farm stall packed with locally produced products from the area.
Our journey continues to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. Where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The area has largely been untouched and unexplored with its rugged coastline being the graveyard for many a ship. The historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is considered the icon that signifies the tip of Africa.
After this thrilling experience, we continue via historic Swellendam and the Tradouw Pass to Barrydale and the famous Route 62. Continue to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘ostrich feather capital’ and centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry.
Enjoy dinner at an Ostrich Farm (included), dining on local specialties such as Ostrich Steak. Distance traveled today: 550 kms
Overnight: 4* La Plume Boutique Hotel or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 4, Tuesday: Oudtshoorn
After a leisurely breakfast take 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. Join a fun filled interactive guided tractor tour at a working Ostrich Farm. Followed by a wine tasting, sampling top quality wines of the region. Distance traveled today: 90 kms
Overnight: 4* La Plume Boutique Hotel or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn
Day 5, Wednesday: Oudtshoorn – Knysna
After breakfast, travel over the Outeniqua Pass to George. The sixth oldest town in South Africa. It has many historical landmarks like the Slave Tree and King Edward VII Library building. Which is said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in the town.
The tour travels via Wilderness, an attractive holiday resort. On 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 delicious lunch en route of traditional cuisine and local treats (included). The remainder of the day is at leisure until you join an afternoon sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon. Distance traveled today: 170 kms
Overnight: 4* Rex Hotel or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 6, Thursday: Knysna
Today you’ll have the opportunity to further explore the natural beauty of the Garden Route. Visit Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where you will be able to see a variety of primates, roaming free in the forest. This award winning sanctuary is well known for its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates. A portion of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, goes towards ensuring that these already endangered species can survive. And reproduce for a future reintroduction into the wild. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
The tour continues to the famous Eastern Head, where you will enjoy spectacular views of the Knysna Heads (weather permitting). Afterwards you’ll travel to Brenton on Sea. A breathtaking holiday location and a nature lover’s paradise with its unspoiled beaches and peaceful surroundings. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure. Distance traveled today: 110 kms
Overnight: 4* Rex Hotel or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 7, Friday: Knysna – Tsitsikamma
Travel to Plettenberg Bay, considered the jewel of the Garden Route, for a visit to the Birds of Eden sanctuary. The biggest single free flight aviary in the world. The sanctuary has created a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free flight African birds. A portion of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards protecting genetically pure species of various Taxa. In a semi wild state and to hold the seeds of these Taxa for future reintroduction into the wild. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
Our journey continues to Bloukrans Bridge, currently offering the highest commercially operated Bungy Jump in the world. Visit the 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. Distance traveled today: 100 kms
Overnight: 3* Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 8, Saturday: Tsitsikamma – Gqeberha – Johannesburg
Head eastwards along the Tsitsikamma Forest to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), affectionately known as the “friendly city”. Travel to the airport for an onward flight to Johannesburg, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax. Distance traveled today: 185 kms
Overnight: 4* Southern Sun Sandton or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 9, Sunday: Johannesburg
Spend a full day exploring Soweto and surrounds, where some of the watershed events in the struggle against apartheid occurred. The tour starts with a drive past the FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City. This was the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. It was also the site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison in 1990.
The drive continues through Diepkloof, home to Soweto’s richest. And then to Kliptown, where the Freedom Charter was officially adopted in 1955. Drive past the Regina Mundi Church that played a pivotal role in the township’s history of resistance against apartheid. Then onto Vilakazi Street, the most famous street in Soweto. Where two Nobel Prize winners once lived, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
The afternoon will conclude with visits to the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum. That commemorate the role of the country’s students in the struggle against apartheid. And the prestigious Apartheid Museum, that covers the full history of the Apartheid era in South Africa. Distance traveled today: 100 kms
Apartheid Museum
Overnight: 4* Southern Sun Sandton or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 10, Monday: Johannesburg
Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a tour to Maropeng, the Cradle of Mankind (optional and for own account). Or enjoy some shopping at Nelson Mandela Square. Home to a variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets.
Overnight: 4* Southern Sun Sandton or similar on a bed & breakfast basis
Day 11, Tuesday: Johannesburg – Kruger National Park
This morning you will be collected from your hotel, heading east to the Mpumalanga region. After freshening up at your lodge enter the world famous Kruger National Park. Spend the afternoon game viewing in your closed touring vehicle. The Park offers some of the best game viewing and wildlife opportunities in the world. And you’ll soon appreciate the challenges of managing this unique reserve. After an action packed afternoon in the Kruger Park, enjoy authentic cuisine from the region at your hotel. Distance traveled today: 430 kms
Overnight: 3* Hazyview Sun Hotel or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Day 12, Wednesday: Kruger National Park
The day begins with early morning coffee or tea. Followed by a thrilling open vehicle game drive through the Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Your guide will endeavor to spoil you with sightings of the “Big Five”, general game and prolific bird life.
Kruger open vehicle game drive
There is an option (for own account) to learn more about the Kruger Park Anti-Poaching Dog Unit. This specialist unit trains dogs to track poachers in the field. And detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care. In support of the vital work they do. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
Return to the lodge for lunch (own account) and a short siesta. In the afternoon we will journey once again through the magnificent expanses of the Kruger National Park. Unrivaled in its diversity of flora and fauna. Enjoy an afternoon of game viewing in your closed touring vehicle. Pursuing the Big Five and other rare and endangered species. Optional (own account) open vehicle game drives are available. Distance traveled today: 250 kms
Overnight: 3* Hazyview Sun Hotel or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Day 13, Thursday: Mpumalanga
Enjoy breakfast before setting out to explore the magnificent Panorama Route. One of the most scenic routes in the region, offering glorious views, spectacular landscapes, and exquisite waterfalls. Visit majestic sights including God’s Window, the Three Rondavels and Blyde River Canyon (third largest canyon of its kind in the world), and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. And the charming village of Graskop; one of the first gold mining camps in the country.
Blyde River Canyon
Optional (own account) open vehicle game drives are available, should you prefer not to join the Panorama Route tour. Distance traveled today: 260 kms
Overnight: 3* Hazyview Sun Hotel or similar on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis
Day 14, Friday: Mpumalanga – Johannesburg
Enjoy breakfast before starting the return journey to Johannesburg. Arrive in Johannesburg, at OR Tambo International Airport, at approximately 2.30 pm, where the tour ends on arrival. [Breakfast]Distance traveled today: 400 kms
Responsible travel
Enjoy carefully chosen optional MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that positively impact travelers and the communities you visit. Meals included in this trip support sustainable food production. With at least 30% of the food on the menu being sourced locally (within 50-80km) of where it’s prepared.
South Africa is undoubtedly one of the most interesting countries in the world. People from all over the globe flock to its shores for its natural beauty, wildlife, and sunshine. South Africa’s immensely varied terrain supports a rich diversity of animals, birds, and plant life. It has an incomparable range of experiences.
South African Explorer Tour Rates
Please note the itinerary differs in 2024 and is only 12 days. Scheduled Tour Rates 2024: R 48 980 per person sharing. Single Rate: R 57 500
South African Explorer Scheduled Tour Rates 2025
Per person sharing
Per single person
1st January – 30th April 2025
R 56 995
R 69 190
1st May – 30th September 2025
R 56 250
R 67 645
1st October – 31st December 2025
R 58 130
R 70 865
South African Explorer Scheduled Guided Tour Rates Include:
Transportation is in air-conditioned touring vehicles appropriate to the requirements of the tour If there are only 2 guests, you will travel in a sedan vehicle. For 3-10 guests, you will travel in a 13-seater vehicle. 18 Meals: 13 x breakfasts, 1 x lunch, 4 x 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.
South African Explorer Exclusions
Flight and departure tax between Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Johannesburg on Day 8. Recommended flight – FA374 departing Gqeberha at 3.25 pm, arriving JNB at 5.05 pm.
South African Explorer Scheduled Tour Departure Dates
November 2024
4,11,18,25
December 2024
2
January 2025
4, 11, 25
February 2025
1, 8, 15, 22
March 2025
1, 8, 15, 22, 29
April 2025
5, 12
May 2025
3, 17
June 2025
7
July 2025
5
August 2025
2, 16, 23, 30
September 2025
13, 20
October 2025
4, 11, 18, 25
November 2025
1, 8, 15, 22, 29
December 2025
–
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