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Journey to the southern tip of Africa to a country that defies comparison.
No other destination offers such a spectacular combination of scenery, cities, and amazing wildlife sightings. One day you’re out on the savanna, spying on leopards and lions on this small group Adventure Tour; the next, you’re sipping a crisp chenin blanc and feeling the breeze off the Indian Ocean.
Your tour package includes
14 nights in handpicked hotels
14 breakfasts
5 lunches
7 dinners with beer or wine
1 liquor tasting
15 sightseeing tours
4 game drives
Expert Tour Director & local guides
Private deluxe motor coach
1 on-tour flight
Included highlights
Table Mountain
Cape of Good Hope
Pinnacle Point
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Tsitsikamma National Park
Pumba Private Game Reserve
Addo Elephant National Park
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Great St. Lucia Wetland Park
Chimp Eden
Kruger National Park
Panorama Route
Soweto
Itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Cape Town today.
Cape Town4 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Cape Town
Welcome to South Africa! Settle in to your hotel this evening.
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
This elegant hotel is located in the city center of Cape Town. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and bar, an indoor pool, and a spa. Nearby, you’ll find the Bo-Kaap Museum, Johans Borman Fine Art Gallery, Koopmans-de Wet...
Protea Knysna Quays
This stylish, scenic hotel is located in Knysna. Guests enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and a sun deck. Nearby, you'll find Knysna Elephant Park, the Knysna Waterfront, and Bramon Wine Estate.
Southern Sun the Marine
This beachfront hotel is located in Port Elizabeth. Guests enjoy a beachfront location and pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find Bayworld Oceanarium and Museum, Walmer Park Shopping Center, and the Donkin...
Anew Hotel Hluhluwe
This welcoming hotel offers a true bush experience and is located in Hluhluwe. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, sun deck, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find Sodwana Beach, St Lucia Estuary, and the Hluhluwe Game Reserve.
Foresters Arms Hotel
This cozy hotel is located in the beautiful Eswatini highlands. Guests enjoy free Wifi, a pool, and a gym. Nearby, you’ll find the village of Mhlambanyatsi and the Usutu Forest Country Club.
Hippo Hollow Country Estate
Nestled amongst lush indigenous gardens on the banks of the Sabi River in Hazyview, only ten minutes from the world famous Kruger National Park. Hippo Hollow has an “Out of Africa” feel about it, and leaves you feeling totally...
Protea Hotel Wanderers
This vibrant, elegant hotel is located in Illovo. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, spa, and laundry services. Nearby, you'll find the Wanderers Golf Club and the South African Chamber of Commerce.
A'Zambezi River Lodge
This unique hotel is located on the bank of the Zambezi River. Guests enjoy multiple restaurants, a bar, and an outdoor pool. Nearby, you'll find the Zambezi River and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter South Africa and Swaziland (plus Zimbabwe on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least three blank passport pages for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling to South Africa and Swaziland.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Zimbabwe on the tour extension. You will be able to purchase a visa at the airport upon arrival for $30 USD. If you choose to purchase your visa in advance, you may do so by applying directly for an e-visa.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa on departures flying into Zambia on the tour extension. We recommend obtaining your individual KAZA UNIVISA for $50 USD or a single entry for $25 USD, by purchasing it on arrival at the airport. If you choose to purchase your visa in advance, you may do so by applying directly for an e-visa. Please confirm your on-tour extension flight at least 30 days prior to departure before applying for a visa online.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
If you are or will be accompanied by a minor (under the age of 18), additional documents will be required to travel through South African ports of entry. Visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website for the most-up-to-date requirements for minors traveling to or from South Africa.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SAF.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Cape Town and depart from Johannesburg. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
A flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg is included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a round-trip flight between Johannesburg to Livingstone, Zambia.)
During game drives, you will be traveling in a specially equipped safari van.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
You will walk for at least 1 hour daily across mostly flat terrain, including dirt paths and unpaved walkways, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats. This tour also includes long bumpy rides in safari vehicles.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
Comfortable closed-toes shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
Insect repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada.) Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information. Travelers flying with South African Airways with a fuel-stop in Dakar, Senegal, will not be exiting the aircraft and therefore will not be required to present proof of vaccination due to this stop.
Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry on luggage.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code SAF.
You’ll find that most cuisine in South Africa reflects the region’s British, German, and Dutch colonial periods as well as Afrikaner influences. High-quality meats, vegetables, and fruits are sourced from the surrounding area’s farmland.
On the tour extension in Zimbabwe, cornmeal is an important staple used for making porridge and sadza, which is thicker and resembles Italy’s polenta. Rice, greens, potato, pumpkin, peanuts, black-eyed peas, and local fruits are popular additions to any meal.
South Africa operates on 220–240 volts and uses a Type M plug with two small round pins and one larger round pin.
Zimbabwe (on the tour extension) operates on 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Wi-Fi is available in some hotels, though charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches or safari vehicles.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
South Africa and Swaziland (plus Zimbabwe on the tour extension) are two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). South Africa and Swaziland (plus Zimbabwe on the tour extension) do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
From November through March, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
You will use the South African rand on this tour. (In Zimbabwe on the tour extension, it’s recommended that you use U.S. dollars or South African rand.)
You may be able to purchase South African rand in advance from your local bank or a foreign currency exchange retailer, such as Travelex.
Please note that travelers cannot import or export more than $25,000 in South African rand and may be required to claim any additional foreign currency at customs.
We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
ATMs are not readily available in more rural areas.
Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend tipping the equivalent of $5USD per person for your local wildlife guides per game excursion and the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.
Gratuities for baggage handling are included in the price of your tour.
Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your driver/guide will accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for moreinformation.
You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don’t be afraid to bargain—it’s a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.
Many Africans are fond of North American goods, and travelers often bring token items (such as T-shirts, baseball caps, pens, English-language books, small toys, and crayons for children) to offer as gifts or when bartering for souvenirs.
Offering local children candy or gum is somewhat controversial because of the potential lack of access to dental care.
Go Ahead Tours strongly recommends that you don’t bring any goods that will require batteries or chargers.
This trip exceeded my expectations. I wanted culture, animals, scenery, a general feel for how people live and how the economy is doing. I got it all! I loved the safaris but it was the cultural and township tours that gave me a good sense of the country- how people actually...
Fantastic and complete tour
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Anonymous, traveled in Jan 2024
Excellent tour of South Africa which touched on all aspects of the country in a well planned,efficient itinerary. Pieter was an excellent tour guide with extensive knowledge, experience,and a sense of humour. The extension to Victoria falls is well worth it.
EF Go Ahead Tours
Thank you for sharing your positive feedback about your South Africa tour! It's wonderful to hear that you had an excellent experience and...
Outstanding!
5 out of 5 stars
2nd-time traveler Cal, traveled in Jan 2024
Peiter was an excellent guide, very experienced and knowledgeable. The Itinerary was well planned and jam-packed. Good variety of sightseeing, cultural, landscapes and of course the incredible wildlife. The safaris exceeded my expectations, we had four incredible drives. We also...
EF Go Ahead Tours
Cal,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. We're pleased to hear that the safaris exceeded your expectations! Thank you...
5 out of 5 stars
6th-time traveler Anonymous, traveled in Sep 2023
Great.
Wonderous South Africa
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Mary Eliza, traveled in Oct 2023
Travelling to South Africa and seeing animals in their natural habitat has been a dream since I was little. I had big expectations and I wasn't disappointed. Every day just got better and better as we learned about the culture, the history, the people and the animals of a...
EF Go Ahead Tours
Thank you for your review, it sounds like you had an incredible time in South Africa! We are so happy to hear your Tour Directors provided...
AWESOME TOUR GUIDE
5 out of 5 stars
1st-time traveler Eric, traveled in Jul 2023
The trip was fantastic
What helped to make our trip so great was our tour guide - Pieter. I have been on over 13 guided trips and Pieter is BY FAR the best guide ever
He is very, very informative. He is so knowledgeable about South Africa and the places we visited. He told us...
