Travel Type
Guided Tours
Duration
14 Days/13 Nights
Country
South Africa
 

The South Africa Odyssey is an exceptional, long wandering journey through South Africa. From city life to adventure, wildlife to culture, breath-taking scenery to sun-soaked coasts, South Africa is a premier travel destination.

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, where the Big Five now roam, conserved, and protected. The last leg of the odyssey is a Garden Route journey ending with a few days spent in the city of Cape Town.

Inclusions

– 13-night accommodation
– 19 meals: 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners, including gratuities
– Transportation in air-conditioned vehicles
– Services of a professional English-speaking tour guide
– Visits and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
– Bottled water in eco-friendly packaging
– Porterage at the hotels

Exclusions

International airfare – Domestic flight Durban-Gqeberha – Visa – Optional excursions – Beverages – Gratuities to hotel personnel, guides and drivers – Insurance – All other items not mentioned in the Inclusions.

Additional Information

Note

Recommended flight – FA421 departing Durban at 14h00, arriving Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) 15h30.
Minimum 2 and maximum of 10 passengers.
This tour travels through eSwatini (Swaziland). Please check visa requirements, as certain nationalities may require visas to travel through eSwatini (Swaziland).

1

DAY 1 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 and unescorted. Why not enjoy an optional (+$) sightseeing tour of Soweto, learning more about the struggle for freedom in South Africa, or simply relax at your hotel? At 19h00 we will meet at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travellers.
Distance travelled today: 35 kms

Accommodation : Johannesburg for 1 night

Optional Excursions : JOHANNESBURG – AFTERNOON SOWETO AND APARTHEID MUSEUM TOUR – $CA 315 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, the Regina Mundi Church, Maponya Shopping Mall, Kliptown, Walter Sisulu Freedom Square and Aldorado Park. Afterwards we will head towards the Apartheid Museum. Once there you will have the opportunity to discover the history of the Apartheid era on your own.

2

DAY 2 JOHANNESBURG - MPUMALANGA

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast, on a long drive today, heading to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel past the small town of Waterval Boven, nestled in the Drakenberg Mountains. Continue through spectacular scenery to the historic logging town of Sabie, once a gold mining town. Visit the beautiful and unspoilt Mac-Mac Falls, a 65-meter waterfall on the Mac-Mac River. Arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.
Distance travelled today: 440 kms

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Hazyview for 3 nights

3

DAY 3 MPUMALANGA

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 travelled today: 320 kms

Meals : Breakfast

4

DAY 4 MPUMALANGA

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 pre-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 birdlife and numerous other game species. The game safari includes an introduction to the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of the trip price 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. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. An afternoon open vehicle game drive is available as an extension to the morning game drive (+$).
Distance travelled today: 120 kms

Meals : Breakfast

Optional Excursions : KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE GAME SAFARI –$CA 125 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.

5

DAY 5 MPUMALANGA - 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 colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience inclusive of lunch, introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight in eSwatini (Swaziland) and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel.
Distance travelled today: 310 kms

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation : eSwatini for 1 night

6

DAY 6 eSWATINI (SWAZILAND) - ZULULAND

After breakfast, visit the Swazi candle factory, where visitors can watch wax artists make beautiful candles. Continue south through eSwatini (Swaziland), before re-entering South Africa. Embark on a long drive into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open vehicle game safari (+$) in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhinos. Overnight in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi region.
Distance travelled today: 360 kms

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Zululand for 1 night

Optional Excursions : HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK – AFTERNOON OPEN VEHICLE GAME SAFARI –$CA 140 per person
Enjoy an afternoon, 3-hour open vehicle game safari into the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve and world renowned for its highly successful white rhino conservation programme.

7

DAY 7 ZULULAND – DURBAN – GQEBERHA (PORT ELIZABETH) - TSITSIKAMMA

The day begins with an early breakfast before departing for Durban, travelling 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; flight NOT included), where we will be met by our representative and once everyone has arrived, we head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests.
Distance travelled today: 430 kms

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Tsitsikamma for 1 night

8

DAY 8 TSITSIKAMMA - 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 flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region.
Distance travelled today: 100 kms

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation : Knysna for 1 night

9

DAY 9 KNYSNA - OUDTSHOORN

After breakfast, visit 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. 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 will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (at leisure). Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation : Oudtshoorn for 1 night

10

DAY 10 OUDTSHOORN - HERMANUS

There is an option (+$, subject to availability) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. 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 resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world.
Distance travelled today: 365 kms

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Hermanus for 1 night

Optional Excursions : OUDTSHOORN – MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® EXPERIENCE - EARLY MORNING MEERKAT SAFARI – $CA 120 per person
There is an option to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting & subject to availability at the time of booking). A portion of the monies paid by guests for this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience go towards the Buffelsdrift Foundation, that focusses on Wildlife conservation in the Klein Karoo region, habitat conservation and the local community. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.

11

DAY 11 HERMANUS – CAPE TOWN

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal
road and then onwards 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 travelling to Cape Town.
Distance travelled today: 160 kms

Meals : Breakfast

Accommodation : Cape Town for 3 nights

Optional Excursions :

12

DAY 12 CAPE TOWN (UNESCORTED)

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour of Cape Town and Table Mountain (+$) or join us for a Marine Big Five Safari (+$). Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafés, and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Enjoy a fun filled evening with interactive entertainment and delectable food at Gold Restaurant. Overnight in Cape Town.
Distance travelled today: 10 kms

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner

Optional Excursions : CAPE TOWN – MORNING TABLE MOUNTAIN AND KIRSTENBOSCH GARDENS - $CA 155 per person excluding the cost of the Table Mountain cable way ticket.
Travel by cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting), then descend to explore Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world.

CAPE TOWN – FULL DAY ROBBEN ISLAND AND CAPE TOWN’S ANTI-APARTHEID STRUGGLE - $CA 290 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.

CAPE TOWN – FULL DAY CAPE WINELANDS WITH FAIRVIEW WINE ESTATE AND BABYLONSTOREN WINE FARM EXPERIENCE - $CA 210 per person
Join us for an authentic, local experience on a day out in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Visit Fairview, a local cheesery 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.

CAPE TOWN – MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® EXPERIENCE - MARINE BIG FIVE SAFARI EXPERIENCE – $CA 510 per person
Join us for 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 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience go towards the Dyer Island Conservation Trust that delivers conservation and research programmes to protect the biodiversity of the marine eco-system surrounding Dyer Island. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 14: Life below Water.

13

DAY 13 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 t 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 not included) and Fish Hoek fishing village. Overnight in Cape Town.
Distance travelled today: 200 kms

Meals : Breakfast

14

DAY 14 CAPE TOWN

Enjoy some last-minute shopping or sightseeing on your own. The Robben Island Tour (+$, time permitting), which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion, or perhaps just wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets. Later you will be transferred to the airport, harbour, or railway station for your onward journey.

Meals : Breakfast

HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR

Johannesburg: Protea Hotel Balalaika 4*
Hazyview: Hippo Hollow Country Estate 3*
eSwatini: The Royal Villas 4*
Zululand: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe 3*
Tsitsikamma: Tsitsikamma Village Inn 3*
Knysna: Rex Hotel 4*
Oudtshoorn: Hlangana Lodge 4*
Hermanus: Auberge Burgundy Boutique Hotel 4*
Cape Town: President Hotel 4*

Rates in CA$, per person, starting fromLand Package
Departure Dates 2026
Double OccupancySingle Occupancy
January 18
February 1, 8, 15, 22
March 1, 8, 15, 22
April 5, 19, 26		52496359
May 3, 17
June 7, 21
July 5, 19
August 2, 16, 30		40486039
September 6, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22		54196639
Optional Excursions (min. 2 participants)
Day 1: Johannesburg – Afternoon Soweto and Apartheid Museum tour315 per person
Day 4: Kruger National Park – Afternoon open vehicle game safari125 per person
Day 6: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park – Afternoon open vehicle game safari140 per person
Day 10: Oudtshoorn – Early morning Meerkat Safari120 per person
Day 12: Cape Town – Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Gardens155 per person
Day 12: Cape Town – Babylonstoren Wine Farm Experience210 per person
Day 12: Cape Town – Full day Robben Island and Cape Town Anti-Apartheid Struggle290 per person
Day 12: Cape Town – Marine Big Five Safari Experience510 per person

Product Code: S

Minimum 2 / maximum 10 passengers.

**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.

*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***

South Africa Odyssey – Detailed itinerary
South Africa Odyssey – Detailed itinerary