Highlights of South Africa (2012)

Johannesburg • Kruger • Garden Route • Cape Town
  • 18 days
  • from only:
  • $2845
  • $159 per day
    Land Tour Only
  • 20 days
  • from only:
  • $4245
  • $213 per dayIncludes international airfare and government taxes
SAF map 2012
IN THIS SECTION:
Detailed Itinerary
Video: Travelers' experiences of Highlights of South Africa
Photos From Our Travelers
What Makes this Trip Unique
It's Included
Featured Accommodations
Pre- & Post-Trip Extensions
Big Five Bush Safari, South Africa
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Optional Tours
Local Team & Insider Tips
Know Before You Go
Your Travel Handbook
Air information
LearnMore
Interested in learning more? Our Travel Counselors are ready to assist you
Request A Call Request A Call
CT

Customize your trip

Learn how to customize your vacation, or view standard air routing and travel times. The choice is yours with our True Choice program.

Read More Request A Call
CT

Customize your trip

With our True Choice Program, you can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two vacations to maximize your value. Here are more ways to create the Grand Circle vacation that’s right for you:

  • Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer
  • Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available
  • Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip
  • Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your vacation
  • Choose to “break away” before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own
  • Extend your vacation with our optional pre- and post-trip extensions
  • Combine your choice of Grand Circle vacations to maximize your value
  • Upgrade to business or premium economy class

The air options listed above will involve an additional fee of $100 per person for confirmed requests (as well as incremental airfare costs based on your specific choice). This service fee will be waived for Inner Circle/Sir Edmund Hillary Club members.

Or, when you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing, for which approximate travel times are shown below.

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Tampa

22hrs

Dallas, Denver

23hrs

Minneapolis, Newark, New York (JFK), Philadelphia

21hrs

Washington, DC (Dulles)

18hrs

Phoenix

24hrs

Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle

25hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Johannesburg, South Africa. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

REFER and EARN

Earn increasing rewards as a Vacation Ambassador

REFER and EARN as a Vacation Ambassador with
the BEST referral program in the industry

Inspiring new travelers to join the Grand Circle family is a rewarding experience—both for you and your new travelers.

Share your love of travel with others and, for each referral who embarks on a Grand Circle trip, you will earn $100 in CASH or credit. With your 4th referral departing on a 2012 departure, your reward increases to $200 in CASH or credit per person. And once you refer 8 travelers departing in either 2012 or 2013, you'll earn a FREE trip valued up to $4,500 per household—which will bring the total value of your earned rewards up to $5,600.

And you are also passing along savings to your new traveler: We'll instantly deduct $100 off the cost of their reservation when they mention your name and Customer Number while reserving.

To learn more about the benefits of our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program, please call us toll-free at 1-800-221-2610
or click here.

ALSO SEE:
Photo & Video Gallery
Solo Friendly Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
See all Program Directors, read Insider Tips, and more
Font Size: AAA
Print
Send To a Friend
Request a Call
Add To My Travel Planner

Pre-Trip: Big Five Bush Safari, South Africa

4 nights from only $1195

Begin your South African discoveries with three days in Entabeni Game Reserve, an 85-square-mile private reserve located in South Africa’s UNESCO-protected Waterberg Biosphere—the perfect setting for a unique and enjoyable safari experience. You'll spend your days searching for the legendary "Big Five"—Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, rhino, and leopard—and your evenings sleeping under the thatched roof of your comfortable tented chalet. It's the perfect introduction to your South African experience.




Single Supplement: FREE.

Please note: This extension may not be available on all departures. Ask your Travel Counselor for details.

It's Included

  • Accommodations for 1 night in Johannesburg at the Protea Hotel OR Tambo and 3 nights in Entabeni Game Reserve at the Wildside Safari Camp or similar
  • 10 meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners
  • 6 included tours: Game-viewing drives in small, open-air safari vehicles
  • Exclusive services of a resident Grand Circle Program Director
  • All transfers
Day 1
Depart U.S.

Fly overnight to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Day 2
Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa

Arrive in Johannesburg this evening. A Grand Circle representative meets you at the airport and helps you transfer to your hotel, where you'll meet your Program Director and fellow travelers.

Day 3
Johannesburg/Entabeni Game Reserve

After breakfast, set off for Entabeni Game Reserve, about a four-hour drive from Johannesburg. A private reserve located in South Africa’s Waterberg region, Entabeni ("Place of the Mountain") features five distinct ecosystems—from arid, craggy rock structures to the wet lowlands, where streams have carved through the earth. The park’s characteristic geology provides a unique backdrop as you seek out the legendary "Big Five": Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, rhino, and leopard.

You’ll arrive at your lodge in time to settle in and enjoy lunch.

This afternoon, you’ll enjoy the first of your included game activities. These activities will vary on a daily basis, depending on the timing, season, and whims of the local wildlife. You might drive out in search of rare game, or stay close to the lodge for a leisurely game walk with a ranger. No matter what option presents itself, you’re guaranteed intriguing encounters. Because you’re staying in a private conservancy, game vehicles can travel off-road and approach wildlife at close range.

Return to the lodge for an included dinner with your fellow travelers tonight.

Day 4
Entabeni Game Reserve

This morning, you’ll enjoy a game activity—perhaps a drive to a water hole to watch as wildlife gathers. By now you’ll have acclimated to the safari life, revolving as it does around the daily temperature and local landscape. In fact, you’ll be mirroring the area wildlife—which lays low in the heat of the day, and becomes active in the mornings and evenings.

You’ll continue exploring the reserve on a second game activity, and return to the lodge for an included dinner.
Day 5
Entabeni Game Reserve/Boma dinner

Before breakfast, an early morning game activity offers the opportunity to glimpse nocturnal predators—including lion, leopard, and hyena—before they retire and sleep through the heat of the day. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a bush breakfast. Then, return to the lodge for some time to relax. With accommodations right inside the conservancy, you might even spot wildlife without even leaving the lodge.

This afternoon, you’ll enjoy another game activity.

Share the events of your day with your fellow travelers over an included open-air dinner in traditional boma style tonight.
Day 6
Entabeni Game Reserve/Overland to Johannesburg

This morning, you’ll enjoy an early morning game-viewing drive and then return to the lodge for breakfast. Then depart for Johannesburg, where you’ll begin your Highlights of South Africa vacation.