Highlights of South Africa (3850)

9 Day Tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg

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From colorful Cape Town and historic Johannesburg to safari in a private game reserve, your tour of South Africa is an adventure like no other.

Start in Cape Town where you’ll ascend Table Mountain via cable car for spectacular views. At Boulders Beach, observe a colony of endangered penguins, then venture to Cape Point Nature Reserve, the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Point at the continent’s most southwestern tip. Next, travel to a private game reserve where you’ll set out on six games drives in an open-air 4-wheel-drive vehicle with an expert Ranger. Search for Africa's “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo and much more. Cap off each day with refreshing sundowner drink, the perfect way to relax and reflect as the sun sets over the beautiful South Africa landscape. You’ll also visit Johannesburg’s Soweto Township to learn about its turbulent past and hopeful future. Tour the thought-provoking Apartheid Museum and Mandela House, located in the former neighborhood of Nobel Peace Prize winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

Your South Africa tour is an adventure into historic heritage.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Each Cosmos Africa safari tour is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Safari Guide/Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery African safari vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes expert Tour Directors, hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations including intra-vacation flights—with value-minded travelers in mind. On safari, you’ll enjoy the knowledge and insight of a professional Ranger and Game Tracker aboard your open-air 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Filtered Water: Included on all game drives

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
Highlights of South Africa map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners


Notes:

All game viewing is done at your own risk. We will require a signed liability waiver prior to travel.

For approximately one month each year, typically from late July to late August, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for annual maintenance. In these instances, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included in its place.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Welcome to Africa! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2 CAPE TOWN

Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing, starting with a cable-car ride up Table Mountain for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape Winelands. Next, visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of endangered African Penguins, known for their unique sound. After free time for lunch, continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. On your return journey back to Cape Town, skirt the rocky coastline as you ascend Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 3 CAPE TOWN

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, take an optional excursion to the stunning Cape Winelands for wine tasting, or go whale watching in nearby Hermanus (June-October). Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 CAPE TOWN–HOEDSPRUIT–KARONGWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Fly to Hoedspruit and transfer to Karongwe Private Game Reserve, overlooking the majestic Drakensburg Mountains. This area, near Kruger National Park, is famous for its abundance of wildlife, including the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. After lunch, embark on your first exciting game drive. Stop for a sundowner in the bush before returning to your lodge for dinner.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 5 KARONGWE

Your skilled tracker and professional Ranger work together as a team during your early morning game drive, so you can learn more about the ecosystem as you view wildlife up close. Beyond the “Big 5,” you’ll have the chance to see kudu, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more! Return for breakfast mid-morning, followed by time to relax and enjoy the lodge and its surroundings. In the mid-afternoon, tea will be served prior to your afternoon game drive. Step out of your safari vehicle for a sundowner drink and watch as the sun sets over the Drakensberg Mountains. Return to your lodge in time to freshen up for dinner.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 6 KARONGWE

Rise early for coffee and tea before your morning game drive. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend time at leisure in the middle of the day. Perhaps take a swim in the pool, visit the wellness center for one of its many spa treatments, or simply sit back and watch the animals. Your afternoon game drive concludes with a sundowner drink as the sun sets over the bushveld!

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 7 KARONGWE–HOEDSPRUIT–JOHANNESBURG

Enjoy one last game drive this morning before transferring to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 JOHANNESBURG

Today’s sightseeing starts with a visit to Soweto (South Western Township), the largest township in the country. Along the way, see the neighborhood that was home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. Visit Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to around 1960, when he was forced underground to elude arrest. After lunch, visit the Museum to learn about the founding of South Africa before delving into the apartheid era. Using photos, video, and print, the museum takes you on an extraordinary journey through the apartheid years to the 1994 democratic elections that named Nelson Mandela president.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 9 JOHANNESBURG

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

WENDY ATKINSON

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“I am a proud South African who loves the nature, history, and culture of this beautiful land. As a Tour Director, it is my privilege to combine and share two of my passions-a love of the wilderness and of travel with you!”

Tour Director - WENDY ATKINSON

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).