Grand South Africa

Grand South Africa is an 18 day journey that pairs classic Big Five safaris with the country's most scenic coast and cities. You will track wildlife in Kruger National Park and Mkuze Game Reserve, meet Swazi and Zulu communities, and follow the Garden Route past Tsitsikamma and Plettenberg Bay. The tour finishes in Cape Town with the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands and the penguins of Boulders Beach. Return international flights, quality accommodation and 23 meals are all included.

Deal ID: 5645
Duration: 18 Days
Available dates: 24 Oct 2026 to 4 Dec 2027
Destinations: Kruger NP, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth
Rating: 4.4 (9 reviews)

Itinerary:
Day 1: Australia (or New Zealand) to Johannesburg. Depart home on your international flight to Johannesburg to begin the tour.
Day 2: Welcome to Johannesburg. Arrive, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3: Johannesburg to Panorama Route to Hoedspruit. Travel the scenic Panorama Route past the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels.
Day 4: Kruger National Park Full Day Safari. Enjoy a full day open vehicle safari in Kruger, watching for lions, elephants, leopards, rhino and buffalo.
Day 5: Hoedspruit to Eswatini, Swazi Cultural Experience. Cross into the Kingdom of Eswatini for a Swazi cultural showcase and traditional lunch, then visit Ngwenya Glass Works.
Day 6: Eswatini to Mkuze, Zulu Homestead Visit. See the Swazi Candle Factory, drive the Ubombo Mountains and visit an authentic Zulu homestead at sunset.
Day 7: Mkuze Game Reserve Safari Game Drive. Set out on a game drive through Mkuze in search of rhino, lion, elephant, giraffe and exceptional birdlife.
Day 8: Mkuze to St Lucia to Umhlanga. Take an estuarine boat trip in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park to spot hippos, crocodiles and birds before continuing to Umhlanga.
Day 9: Durban to Port Elizabeth. Tour Durban's Golden Mile and landmarks, then fly to Port Elizabeth for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 10: Port Elizabeth to Tsitsikamma to Plettenberg Bay. Travel the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma National Park and walk the Storms River suspension bridge.
Day 11: Birds of Eden and Knysna Waterfront. Visit the free-flight Birds of Eden aviary and Monkeyland sanctuary, then explore the Knysna Waterfront.
Day 12: Plettenberg Bay to Oudtshoorn. Journey to Oudtshoorn, the feather capital of the world, and tour a working ostrich farm.
Day 13: Oudtshoorn to Cango Caves to Cape Town. Explore the awe inspiring Cango Caves, then travel Route 62 to arrive in Cape Town.
Day 14: Cape Town Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour. Drive the Atlantic Seaboard and Chapman's Peak to Cape Point, then meet the penguins at Boulders Beach.
Day 15: Cape Town Full Day Cape Winelands Tour. Enjoy wine tastings in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl among vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads.
Day 16: Cape Town City Tour. Discover Cape Town's history at the Company Gardens, Castle of Good Hope and the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood.
Day 17: Cape Town to Australia (or New Zealand). Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, possibly transiting via Johannesburg.
Day 18: Arrive in Australia (or New Zealand). Arrive home, with some travellers arriving the following day.

Inclusions: Return international full-service economy flights, one-way internal flight from Durban to Port Elizabeth, 15 nights of 3 to 5-star accommodation, 23 meals including daily breakfast, qualified safari field rangers and trackers, English-speaking city tour guides, airline taxes and surcharges, transport by private air-conditioned vehicles, 4x4 safari vehicles for game drives, return airport transfers.