South Africa: From the Cape to Kruger (3800)

13 Day Tour from Cape Town to Johannesburg

2026 Tour Details View 2025 Tour Details »

Enthralling game drives, stunning scenery, and fun experiences…this South Africa tour has it all!

Have your camera ready as you ride in open-air, safari vehicles during game drives in Kruger National Park, one of the world's largest game reserves and home to impala, zebra, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more, and in Mkuze Game Reserve, where you’ll watch for lion, leopard, rhino, Cape buffalo, and giraffe. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Jozini home to hippo, Nile crocodile, and, if you’re lucky, elephant along the shore. At Stony Point Nature Reserve, observe the endangered African penguins engage in their daily activities.

In addition to wildlife, you’ll also experience unique culture and spectacular scenery on this tour through South Africa. Learn about Zulu customs and life today during a fascinating village walk and interact with local artisans in eSwatini. Visit Tsitsikamma National Park for a walk through its unique coastal forest. Drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the world’s most scenic drives skirting the rocky coastline, and the scenic Panorama Route, with its dramatic landscapes tracing the course of the mighty Blyde River. Marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites at the Cango Caves. Witness rugged rocks, sheer cliffs, crashing waves, and panoramic ocean views at Cape Point, Africa’s southwestern most point.

All of this and more—including opportunities to learn about local cultures—await you on this South Africa tour for savvy, value-minded travelers.

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.

The world is within reach 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 safari Guide aboard your open-air 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Your Tour Includes:
  • All internal flights
  • Cape Town Sightseeing including Table Mountain aerial cable car, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape of Good Hope Lighthouse funicular, and Stony Point Nature Reserve’s penguins
  • Cango Caves with Local Guide
  • Knysna Ostrich farm visit
  • Tsitsikamma National Park hike to Storms River Mouth Cave
  • Zulu village immersive visit with lunch
  • Game drives by land and water in Mkuzu Game Reserve
  • Swaziland Arts Center and Glass-blowing Factory
  • Swazi village visit with lunch and cultural entertainment
  • Morning and afternoon game drives in the Greater Kruger National Park area

Big experiences come in small packages, so each Cosmos Africa safari tour is limited to a maximum of just 24 guests per departure.

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
South Africa: From the Cape to Kruger map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

12 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners


Notes:

For approximately one month each year (typically late July to mid-September), 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. All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Welcome to South Africa! Check in to your hotel and prepare for a fascinating journey.

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Day 2 CAPE TOWN

This morning, visit Table Mountain for an aerial cable-car ride to the top for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape winelands. Then, take a scenic drive south via Chapman’s Peak Drive, which skirts the rocky coastline and is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the southwestern most point on the African continent. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. Return to Cape Town and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3 CAPE TOWN

Enjoy a full day at leisure for free-time pursuits. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or go deeper with a whale-watching cruise in nearby Hermanus (Jun.-Oct.). Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day. May we recommend a glass-half-full kind of day in the stunning Cape Winelands for tastings and breathtaking scenery and cellars? Wine not!

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 CAPE TOWN–STONY POINT NATURE RESERVE–HERMANUS–MOSSEL BAY

This morning, depart Cape Town and drive to Stony Point Nature Reserve to see a colony of endangered African Penguins. Known for the unique sound they make, these penguins grow to an average height of two feet and live in burrows and rock crevices along the beach. Stop in Hermanus for independent exploration before reaching Mossel Bay for the evening.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 5 MOSSEL BAY–OUDTSHOORN–KNYSNA

Drive north to Oudtshoorn and stop for a guided tour of the Cango Caves with its stunning limestone rock formations. You will also visit a local ostrich farm for an interactive tour to learn about the world’s largest bird. Continue to Knysna.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 6 KNYSNA–TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK RESERVE EXCURSION

Today, explore the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park for a walk through the indigenous coastal forest to the mouth of the Storms River. Cross the famous suspension bridge for views of the coastline and to see the Storms River Mouth Cave. Return to Knysna for time to explore the waterfront or make a splash with an optional whale-watching cruise off the coast of Knysna to spy the migration of whales passing through the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean (June - November; Jan – May departures include an exciting Eco Marine Cruise to spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and birdlife that call this stunning area home.).

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 KNYSNA–GEORGE–DURBAN–UMHLANGA

This morning, drive to George for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the bustling Umhlanga Rocks area for the evening.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 UMHLANGA–MKUZE

Today, drive to Mkuze in the heart of Zululand. After lunch, travel to the Lebombo mountains for a memorable walk to interact with local Zulu people and learn about their customs and life today in this rural community.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 9 MKUZE

This morning, take a game drive in Mkuze Game Reserve, the oldest proclaimed wildlife reserve in all of Africa. The park is home to the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. You also have the chance to see giraffe, zebra, black and white rhino, and much more! After time to rest, embark on an afternoon boat ride on Lake Jozini. During the cruise, you are likely to spot hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, and a variety of bird life.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 10 MKUZE–MHLAMBANYATSI, ESWATINI

Today, drive to eSwatini. En route, stop at a local Swaziland market to view cultural arts and crafts. Continue through Swaziland, the last traditional kingdom of the proud and welcoming Swazi people.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 11 ESWATINI–GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA

Depart eSwatini, visiting a unique glass factory where skilled glass blowers use recycled glass to create stemware, animal figures, and more. Then, head north for the Greater Kruger area to visit a traditional Swazi village. Wander through the village with its many huts, each allocated for special social functions. Interact with the villagers as they go about their daily activities, experience folk songs and dance performances – maybe even join in the festivities. South African hospitality reigns today with leisure time at the lodge. Gaze from your balcony at the wildlife-rich gardens, relax at the pool and day spa, and select from delightful dining choices.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 12 GREATER KRUGER AREA

Rise early for coffee and tea before your early morning game drive with an experienced guide. 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 watching wildlife from your balcony or on a guided nature or birding walk. Perhaps book a spa treatment or simply relax at the pool. Watch for kudu, impala, giraffe, cheetah, spotted hyena, the elusive wild dog, and more on your afternoon game drive. Return to your lodge for dinner.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 13 GREATER KRUGER AREA–JOHANNESBURG

A leisurely morning before a flight to Johannesburg. Your vacation ends at the airport. Schedule departing flights after 6 pm.

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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)


Cape Town
Knysna

Cape Town

Cape Winelands

Cape Winelands

Sample wine and explore the picturesque valleys and vineyards in the beautiful Cape Winelands outside of Cape Town.

Price Range: $$

Hermanus Whale Watching

Hermanus Whale Watching

Journey to Hermanus, one of the world's whale-watching meccas, for your chance to see the rare southern right whale.

Price Range: $$$$

Cape Town Helicopter

Cape Town Helicopter

Soar high above Cape Town to experience great views of the Atlantic Coast, Table Mountain, and Robben Island.

Price Range: $$$$

Knysna

Knysna Cruises

Knysna Cruises

Cruise along Knysna's rugged and beautiful coastline showcasing the area's natural treasures.

Price Range: $$



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).