Highlights of South Africa (2012)

Board your overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. Or begin your trip early with our Big Five Bush Safari pre-trip extension.

A Grand Circle representative will meet you at the airport and help you transfer to your hotel, where you’ll meet the Grand Circle Program Director who will accompany you throughout your trip. Settle in, and get to know your surroundings.

This morning, you’ll drive to Soweto, enjoying scenic views of Johannesburg en route. You’ll see the city skyscrapers, including the Carlton Centre, which is the tallest office block in Africa, as well as the Nelson Mandela Bridge.

Soweto, a former shantytown on the city’s outskirts, is both a bustling center of black South African life and a poignant symbol of the struggle to end apartheid. Here, you’ll see Freedom Square, the scene of many rallies, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, which commemorates a young boy who died during the infamous 1976 anti-apartheid Soweto riots. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for some leisure time.

This evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a Welcome Dinner at your hotel.

This morning’s included tour takes you to the Apartheid Museum, where you’ll confront one of the 20th century’s greatest injustices. The history of nearly 50 years of unequal rights affecting more than 20 million black South Africans is recounted here, in 22 exhibits spanning print, photo, and film. It’s a fascinating and moving examination of an era that has since been replaced by a constitutional democracy that celebrates diversity.

After lunch on your own, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to make your own discoveries in Johannesburg. Or join an optional tour to nearby Pretoria, where you’ll visit the Voortrekker Monument, an architectural homage to the early pioneers who settled South Africa’s interior. You’ll also see Church Square, and Kruger House (or Melrose House, depending on availability), and visit the Union Buildings, home of the president’s office and government offices.

Dinner is on your own tonight.

After breakfast, set off for Kruger National Park. Along the way, marvel at breathtaking views of the Klein Drakensburg escarpment, with its densely wooded canyons, sheer sandstone cliffs, and sparkling waterfalls. Before checking into your lodge near Kruger, you’ll travel the Panorama Route, passing God’s Window (a spot with stunning views) and the Bourkes Luck Potholes at the mouth of the Blyde River Canyon.

Kruger is one of the oldest and most notable among African game parks. Transvaal President Paul Kruger saw the need to protect the wilderness and its animals and first proclaimed it the Sabie Game Reserve before it became a national park in 1926. It is known for the chances it offers for spotting the “Big Five” animals—always elusive, but certainly present here: lion, elephant, leopard, Cape buffalo, and rhino. In addition to game animals, Kruger boasts an avian population of almost 500 species, some of which are found nowhere else in South Africa.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner at your hotel.

Embark on a full-day game-viewing drive, during which you will explore Kruger National Park aboard a small, open-air safari vehicle. Perhaps see one of the elusive "Big Five"—buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino—safari animals during your journey. A packed lunch will be provided by the hotel.

Tonight, during an exclusive Discovery Series event, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss and learn more about South African wildlife with a local expert.

Then, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll board a coach for a full-day game-viewing drive.

Or, if you choose, take advantage of another opportunity to join our optional Intimate African Safari—climbing aboard 4x4 vehicles to discover South Africa's wildlife in a smaller group. Please note: A minimum of six participants is required to operate this tour.

Dine tonight at your hotel.

After breakfast, cross the border into the Kingdom of Swaziland. A fully independent nation since 1968, this African kingdom originated in the early 19th century and maintained its cultural identity as a British protectorate—never absorbed into South Africa—through much of the 20th century. Today, Swaziland has a population of about 800,000 and is a peaceful, agricultural country where ancient and modern ways mingle. You enter the country through its mountainous northwest, admiring a landscape of sloping hills and sugar-cane plantations. Along the way, you'll enjoy a packed lunch before learning more about the artistry of Swazi glassblowing during a Discovery Series visit to a local workshop.

You arrive at your hotel near the capital city of Mbabane in mid-afternoon and have the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Today after breakfast, gather with your fellow travelers to enjoy produce, local crafts, and wares of the Swazi people when you attend the Mbabane Craft Market.

You’ll also visit the Fontein Social Care Center, supported by Grand Circle Foundation—part of the World Classroom initiative. During your visit, you'll have the chance to help prepare lunch for the children. 

This afternoon, enjoy an exclusive Discovery Series event, beholding the artistry of local candlemakers as they work their magic in wax—using an age-old process—at a Swazi workshop.

After lunch at the workshop, you’ll make a short stop at the memorial built in honor of King Sobuza, who brought Swaziland to independence in 1968. Crowned king at less than a year old, King Sobuza holds the record for the longest monarchial rule—over 60 years.

This evening, you might ask your Program Director for suggestions about where to dine on your own.

As you cross the border back into South Africa today, you’ll enter the KwaZulu-Natal region, home of the Zulu nation. Here the great warrior-king Shaka unified many clans in the early 19th century under the name Zulu, which was the name of his own clan. Though mostly ceremonial today, the Zulu monarchy continues as a proud symbol of a living culture, with its capital at Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal.

While in Zululand, you’ll stay in an authentic re-creation of a Zulu uzumi (homestead), where you’ll meet modern-day warriors, see fighting formations, witness traditional activities such as beer-brewing and bread-making, and learn some of the secrets of the mystical nyangas (herbal healers) and the Sangoma (a priest-diviner).

Tonight, spend an Evening with the Zulu during an exclusive Discovery Series event. The experience also features an authentic dinner and afterwards, weather permitting, Zulu dancing.

This morning, after an early wake up, you'll drive to Durban. From here, you’ll fly to Port Elizabeth—a major seaport set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay.

Enjoy a tour of the city's historical attractions, including St. George's Park and Settler's Park—both known for their cultivated and natural gardens. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the shimmering beaches and colonial history of "the Friendly City." This evening is at leisure.

Spend the day and evening as you please in Port Elizabeth. The city has many historical attractions—including the Historic Donkin Heritage trail, which allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of the British settlers who arrived in 1820. The trail, which is several miles long, winds past more than 40 historical sites and architectural gems in the Old Hill area of central Port Elizabeth. You might also choose to stroll through St. George's Park, home to the world-famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club. Lunch and dinner today are on your own.

Or join an optional tour of Addo Elephant National Park, where you’ll enjoy another chance to see South Africa's most celebrated safari animals. The park houses more than 450 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo, nearly 50 endangered black rhino, and a variety of antelope. You may even see lion and spotted hyena, which have been re-introduced to the area in recent years.

After breakfast this morning, you'll embark on a scenic journey along South Africa's famous Garden Route, the magnificent stretch of coastline that has served as an inspiration for artists and writers for centuries. View lofty mountains edging toward some of the best golden-sand beaches in the country ... vast forests of giant yellowwood, pine, and eucalyptus trees ... colorful wildflowers ... pristine, amber-colored lakes, and tumbling waterfalls ... coves and lagoons peeking out from behind a ridge of sand dunes ... and charming tiny villages.

This evening, you'll arrive in Knysna, known as the "Pearl of the Garden Route." Enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

Get close to the world of exotic animals in Oudtshoorn today. Arriving in Oudtshoorn, you'll have some free time to explore on your own. You might want to consider a visit to Cango Wildlife Ranch, the world's oldest and largest cheetah reserve. This ranch offers a rare opportunity to observe this endangered species and learn about conservation efforts. You might also view tigers, crocodiles, and pythons here.

In the late 1880s, European demand for ostrich feathers prompted a boom in ostrich farming worldwide. By the early 1900s, only gold, diamonds, and wool ranked higher than ostrich feathers in terms of exports. In Oudtshoorn, the center of the industry, ostrich farmers built lavish sandstone mansions to showcase their wealth.

On an included tour, you'll visit one of these estates: Safari Ostrich Farm, which remains a working ostrich farm to this day. View large flocks of the flightless bird, still highly prized for its feathers, leather, and meat. Experienced guides will reveal the life cycle of the ostrich, and you'll also learn how products such as handbags and feather dusters are produced. Perhaps you'll even observe and participate in an ostrich derby! After lunch at the farm, you'll have more time at leisure to explore Oudtshoorn.

You'll return to Knysna tonight in time for dinner on your own.

After breakfast, depart for Knysna's famed lagoon, which is protected from the open water by two giant sandstone cliffs known locally as “the Heads.”A ferry takes you across the lagoon for an included tour of the Featherbed Nature Reserve. On your guided nature walk, keep an eye out for a glimpse of the blue duiker, Africa's smallest antelope (named for the blue sheen of its back) and other wildlife.

After lunch outside under the reserve's milkwood trees, the remainder of the day is yours to explore Knysna. You can delve into the town's history at the Millwood House Museum, which displays items once owned by Knysna's founder, George Rex (reputedly an illegitimate son of British King George III). Or browse through the many quaint shops with their unique offerings.

Dinner tonight is on your own.

Ride to Cape Town after breakfast this morning. En route, you'll visit historic Mossel Bay, where Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to land in South Africa in 1488. For more than 400 years, this was a spot where passing mariners dropped off their letters as their voyages took them around the Cape of Good Hope.

You'll also stop in the historic town of Swellendam, where you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and tour the Drostdy Museum, a former outpost of the Dutch East India Company. Housed in a building that dates from 1747, the museum holds beautifully crafted historic furniture, art, and an old jail.

Enjoy dinner on your own in Cape Town this evening.

Today’s included city tour features a cable car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting), a 3,563-foot sandstone mountain that is remarkable for its flat top. Enjoy the ocean views from the summit.

This afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore Cape Town on your own.

Or perhaps you'll join our optional tour to Cape Town's vibrant townships—Langa, Guguletu, and Bonteheuwel. Learn about the traditions and daily way of life here through a tour—guided by a township resident—and a home visit.

Tonight, join a local family in their home for dinner. Enjoy a warm welcome, authentic local fare, and lively conversation during this exclusive Discovery Series event.

Departing after breakfast, head along the coast, with majestic Table Mountain rising in the distance. Your route follows the spectacular coast road, the Atlantic Ocean's crashing surf endlessly splashing the rocks below. Soon you reach the Cape Point Nature Reserve, with its wild fynbos landscapes, beautiful flowers, elusive bontebok, baboons, and ocean views.

Contrary to popular belief, the Cape Peninsula is not consistently where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Because of shifting currents, that distinction is shared with lesser-known Cape Agulhas, 100 to 200 miles east of the Cape Peninsula. Nevertheless, when you get to the tip of the Cape Point Nature Reserve, you'll see Cape Point, the technical "Cape of Good Hope." Rapidly changing climactic conditions and the Indian Ocean currents coming from Cape Agulhas make it a particularly dangerous spot for ships. Your Program Director will tell you that more "sightings" of the legendary ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, are reported here than anywhere else in the world. Who knows what you'll spy on the distant horizons as you gaze from the Cape Point viewing platform? You'll also explore some of the fascinating vegetation and more remote corners of this nature reserve, before stopping for an included lunch at a well-known local seafood restaurant.

On the return trip to Cape Town, a stop along the False Bay coastline offers a chance to see the penguins at Boulders Beach. Arrive back in town in the early evening, after passing through Simon's Town and Fish Hoek.

Dinner is on your own tonight.

Venture to South Africa’s wine-producing region on an included excursion to Stellenbosch. You’ll visit various wine estates and taste their delicious offerings. A scenic river valley of rolling hills, quaint farms, and mountain vistas, this area is also the heart of Cape Dutch culture. You’ll see fine examples of traditional architecture while learning about the history of early settlement here.

Tonight, share your impressions of South Africa with your travel companions during a Farewell Dinner.

After breakfast, you'll have the morning at leisure to do a little more exploring in Cape Town, or to simply relax before your flight to Johannesburg this afternoon. From Johannesburg, you'll board an overnight flight, arriving in the U.S. tomorrow.

Or begin your optional extension to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.