South Africa: See & Experience it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours

12 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 13 photos
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
100%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.

Health Safety

Cancellation Policy
Private Guided
You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all ""FIRST CLASS,"" yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can bea...
12%
$3,062
From$2,686
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Both Night & Day Jungle Safaris
    • A Sunset Cruise on a Historic Boat Called John Benn
    • Guided Sightseeing Tours in Cape Town & Durban
    • Watching Hippos, Crocodiles & Seals on Boat Excursions
    • An Adventurous ‘Crawling’ Tour Inside Cango Caves
    • Wine Tasting at the World Famous Cape Winelands
    • Zip Lining at a Place Called Storms River
    • Visiting the Infamous Prison on Robben Island
    • Greeting Penguins at Boulder’s Penguins Colony
    • A Suspension Bridge Walk Amid Breathtaking Nature

What's this trip about?

    You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all ""FIRST CLASS,"" yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price and substance. 

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityKruger National Park
End CitySimon's Town

Travel Themes

  • Birding
  • Climbing & Mountaineering
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Safari
  • Photography

Destinations

  • Africa
  • South Africa

Attractions

  • Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
  • Cape Town
  • Durban
  • Isimangaliso Wetland Park
  • Knysna
  • Kruger National Park
  • Oudtshoorn
  • Robben Island
  • Sani Pass
  • Simon's Town
  • Stormsrivier
  • Tsitsikamma National Park
  • Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Activities

  • Caving
  • Educational/ learning
  • Hiking
  • Land expedition
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • River cruise
  • Safari
  • Short Cruise

Trip includes

    • International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
    • Lodging *Some restrictions apply
    • Male or Female Tour Guides
    • Tours in English
    • All Ground & Water Transportation
    • All Activities in Itinerary Below
    • All Entry Fees
    • Your Own On-Call Concierge
    • Breakfasts

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map
Day 1: Arrival & Night Safari

Our tour starts at the Kruger National Park, officially at 8:00pm. Please be in the lobby at this time, as your tour guide and driver should be waiting for you there. We are to be taken into the park for a night safari. Animals often seen at this hour include lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, zebras, elephants and buffaloes.

Day 2: Exploring One of the Largest Game Reserves in Africa

We spent the day exploring Kruger National Park by Jeep. Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other game reserve in Africa. All the so-called ‘big five’ game animals roam within this park. They are the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo. Following the full-day safari, we relocate to the village of Hazyview.

Day 3: A Postcard-Perfect River Canyon Site & God’s Window

We make a daytrip today to Blyde River Canyon. If to compare canyons worldwide, Blyde is one of the largest on earth. It has some of the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. It is also the second largest canyon in Africa. Attractions we visit include Graskop Gorge, God’s Window cliffs, Lisbon Falls, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and a viewpoint called Three Rondavels.

Day 4: The Subtropical Climate & Extensive Beaches of Durban

We relocate to Durban. We have a private tour guide and driver who shows us the highlights of South Africa’s third largest city. One of the many attractions we visit is the Golden Mile beachfront.

Day 5: Rhinos in a Park & Seeing Hippos & Crocodiles by Boat

We go on a daytrip today. First is Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. It is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa and has the largest population of white rhinos in the world. What’s more, each of the big five game animals can be found there. Next is iSimangaliso Wetland...

Day 6: Traditional Beer, Prehistoric Cave Paintings, Hanging Out with Natives & an Incredibly Scenic Drive

We go on another daytrip today. The first stop is uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park. It is known for exceptional beauty, ancient caves and rock shelters. In fact, this park has the largest and most concentrated group of prehistoric paintings in Africa south of the Sahara. S...

Day 7: Zip Lining, Bungee Jumping, a Suspension Bridge Walk & a Charming Coastal Town

We relocate from Durban to Knysna, making several stops en route. From the airport in Port Elizabeth, we are taken to Tsitsikamma National Park. The first stop within this park is Storms River. There we go on a guided zip lining tour. Next, we go on a suspension bridg...

Day 8: Crawling Through Caves & a Sunset Boat Cruise

We go on a daytrip today. We start at the Cango Caves. We are provided with two different options for exploring. There is a Standard Tour and an Adventure Tour. The Adventure Tour consists of crawling through narrow passages and climbing up steep rock formations guide...

Day 9: One of the Most Notorious Prisons on Earth & the Country’s Showcase City

We relocate from Knysna to Cape Town. An attractive city resting upon natural beauty, surrounded with fine scenery and dominated by Table Mountain, this relatively prosperous metropolis is the undisputed architectural gem of South Africa. Cape Town is not only the mos...

Day 10: The Heartland of South Africa's Wine Production

We make a daytrip today to Cape Winelands. This area, famous for its vineyards, is only a 1-hour drive away from Cape Town. Thanks to Cape Winelands, South Africa ranks among the top wine producing countries in the world. Wine tasting is included on our tour, specifically in the estates.

Day 11: Classic Sites, an Island Overtaken by Seals, Greeting Penguins, Nice Beaches & Stunning Viewpoints

Today we explore in and around Cape Town. Highlights include a beach stretch called Sea Point, Camps Bay Beach, Maiden’s Cove, Hout Bay, Duiker Island (seals are everywhere), Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek Beach, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape of Good Hope, False Bay, Sim...

Day 12: Our Tour Ends Today

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Cape Town.

Note that if you can extend your trip, consider doing so. Give yourself another day or two to explore inside the city. Upon request, we can provide you with a private tour guide and driver.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,686
Price per day$224
Last Updated: 5/3/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Charlie The Traveler.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Charlie The Traveler Reviews & Ratings

5/5  Excellent
Excellent
828
Great
30
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
M

Marco K.

Feb 2023

Written on

I felt blessed to find CharlieTheTraveler did all of this for their customers.

I personally struggle when I travel abroad, as there is so much research that goes into finding activities, planning the transportation to and from places, and picki...

N

Nicole J.

Feb 2023

Written on

Each of the tours by CharlieTheTraveler included so many exciting activities, so it was an easy decision to book my trip to South Africa through them.

Each of the tours by CharlieTheTraveler included so many exciting activities, so it was an easy decision to book my trip to South Africa through them. I was pleased ...

D

Denise F.

Feb 2023

Written on

My trip to South Africa was perfect!

My trip to South Africa was perfect! I loved every minute of the trip planned by CharlieTheTraveler. Every tour brought a new experience. I appreciated that there wa...

R

Roger T.

Feb 2023

Written on

I felt confident booking through CharlieTheTraveler as they were organized and had great reviews on all of their tours.

I felt confident booking through CharlieTheTraveler as they were organized and had great reviews on all of their tours. I wanted to go to South Africa and found thei...

J

Jerry Stich

Feb 2023

Written on

We are extremely happy with Paul and the places we have seen.

We are extremely happy with Paul and the places we have seen. He is very flexib...

Write a Review

Other Charlie The Traveler Reviews

C

Catherine

May 2024

Charlie The Traveler Company Reviewsby Charlie The Traveler

You took care of our every need and I feel spoiled

CharlieTheTraveler far exceeded our expectations. You took care of our every need and I feel spoiled. We did not have to worry about anything. We will definitely use...

J

Janet Wiener

May 2024

Charlie The Traveler Company Reviewsby Charlie The Traveler

We had a fantastic trip.

We had a fantastic trip. We loved Valentin, our primary Belize contact. He was incredibly reliable and exceeded our expectations in every way. In fact, everyone used...

T

Tali

Apr 2024

Written on

Thank you guys for setting up this trip.

Thank you guys for setting up this trip. We spent 7 days in Palawan and Coron island and enjoyed every day. The remote coordinator worked very well for us through Wh...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Charlie The Traveler

Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
View Profile

Discovering the world through CharlieTheTraveler is a life-changing experience, one which leaves customers with memories to last a lifetime. Few of us have the time and patience to research where to go and what to do and where to eat and how to get around. We, at CharlieTheTraveler, figured out the ins and outs of traveling without the stress and exhaustion that accompany it. We take care of it all so you can spend your time enjoying rather than ‘planning’, plus we know how to not waste time and money. If you want to truly see and do it all and not miss worthwhile destinations and activities, then we are the right company for you.

Why we love this operator
Travelers report that traveling with CharlieTheTraveler is a life-changing experience, in the best possible way.
What they’re known for
Doing detailed research and preparation to create perfect trips that uncover the best things to do and places to eat.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Flights
    • Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
    • Below are the domestic flights needed for this tour:
    • Day 1: Johannesburg or Cape Town to Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga Airport)
    • Day 4: Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga Airport) to Durban
    • Day 7: Durban to Port Elizabeth
    • Day 9: Port Elizabeth to Cape Town
    • Insurance
    • Although travel insurance is not included in the price, we can recommend a company which provides comprehensive coverage. Note all customers are required to have travel insurance for this tour.
    • Additional Services
    • Bungee Jumping at the Bloukrans River Bridge
    • Alcohol
    • Travel Visa (only applicable to citizens of certain countries)
    • There is a hotel sales tax which guests are required to pay directly. Unfortunately, the South African government does not permit anyone except for the guests themselves from paying this.

Accommodation

,Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our travelers stay. Note this is subject to availability. Our tours include the first night of accommodation, the hotel included is always selected as 4-5 Star by American standards - always unique and great customer service. We can also book 3 Star and boutique properties on behalf of our guests. Please inquire if interested. Night 1: Kruger National Park, Preferred Accommodation: Pretoriouskop Rest Camp or Skukuza Rest Camp Nights 2-3: Hazyview, Preferred Accommodation: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel Nights 4-6: Durban, Preferred Accommodation: Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Nights 7-8: Knysna, Preferred Accommodation: Rex Hotel Nights 9-11: Cape Town, Preferred Accommodation: Pepperclub Hotel   This tour includes lodging for 1 night, specifically at Kruger National Park. However, upon request, we can book accommodation for you for all nights at establishments which meet your needs. For years, we automatically included 5-star hotels in our travel packages. In the interest of our customers, we ultimately decided to reduce the price of our tours and encourage specifically those with higher expectations to simply request room upgrades. Why? Some of our customers want simple and clean but ultimately cheap rooms. Some of our customers want 4-star hotels and are willing to pay more. Others want nothing short of 5-star extravagance. There isn’t a way to uphold ONE standard for hotels in our travel packages considering everyone has a different budget. What we CAN uphold are the standard and quality of our tours, all of which offer nothing short of a first-class experience. Again, upon request, we can upgrade your room type for the night included as well as book lodging for all nights on this tour. Let us know and we will provide you with pricing options.
Cancellation policy

What Happens If I Cancel This Trip?

To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.

What Happens If You, CharlieTheTraveler, Cancel This Trip?

In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation. Note: We are not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, nor is this transaction covered by the Restitution Fund.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • Lodging x 1 Night
  • Air-Conditioned Vehicle
  • All Entry Fees
  • All Ground & Water Transportation
  • Tour Guides *Female guides upon request
Trip ID
charli-charli-SoAfSeExClTr

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!