Best of South Africa with Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, Johannesburg & Cape Town, 3 game drives in Kruger and a private conservancy, plus a bush walk; stay in upscale hotels throughout.

Blyde River Canyon
White Rhinocerous
Vendors dressed in traditional clothes
Lioness and cubs drinking, Zambezi River
Rainbow over Victoria Falls
Leopard lying in grass
Young Pedi beadworker
Twelve Apostles in Cape Town
Lion cubs
Beach huts, Cape Town
Aerial view of Victoria Falls
Traditional dancing
Soweto, Johannesburg
Hout Bay, Cape Town
Cheetah and cubs
Elephant, Zambezi River
Cape Point, South Africa
Elephant, Kruger National Park
Lighthouse, Cape Point
Impala, Kruger National Park
Hippo, Zambezi River
Bo Kaap, Cape Town
Three Rondavels, Blyde River Canyon
Victoria Falls
White lion
Wildlife along the Zambezi River
Blyde River Canyon
from$6699Tour + Flightsfrom$5499Tour ONLY15days56 Traveler Reviews
price per person, double occupancy,* based on Nov 6, 2025 departure from EWR
$500 Instant Savings. Expires May 22, 2025.*   All prices reflect savings.
Piggy bank
$199 deposit.Lock in your spot for less.††
Traveling with friends or family?Claim a departure as a private trip for you and your crew (minimum 10 travelers). to learn more.
Style
Small Group Tour
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout
DeparturesAugust 2025 – December 2026Group Size16 travelers max
ThemesActive, History & Culture, Grand Tours, Nature & Wildlife
Activity Level
What to ExpectThis moderately-paced, escorted South Africa tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations and may have limited rest stops.Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols.
Already booked?Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more.

Explore deeper into South Africa on our comprehensive Best of South Africa small group escorted tour. Begin your tour by visiting majestic Victoria Falls. Then, travel to cosmopolitan Johannesburg, South Africa's largest metropolis, also know as "Egoli" or City of Gold. Head north to begin your safari in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, where you'll embark on a late morning bush walk with an experienced ranger. Continue your game viewing in Kruger National Park, one of the world's oldest and most famous game reserves. Rest assured, you'll have ample opportunities to spot the Big 5! Finally, end your tour in scenic Cape Town, exploring the city's vibrant neighborhoods, storied past and incredible cuisine; then look down on it all from the top of Table Mountain. Your ticket is pre-purchased, so you won't spend hours waiting in line to buy one. 

Package includes

  • Flights
  • Coach
  • Transfers
  • Hotel
  • Meals
  • Guides
  • Round-trip flights from New York via wide-bodied jet service, including taxes & fees
  • Flights, ground transportation and transfers within South Africa
  • 13 nights in superior first class and deluxe hotels
  • 23 meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, & 6 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners with wine
  • Professional English-speaking tour directors
  • Comprehensive touring program and safaris, including entrance fees

Optional add-ons

  • Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
  • Optional excursion to Chobe National Park, Botswana.

Why you'll love it

  • Visit South Africa's largest and most populous city, Johannesburg, and learn about the country’s poignant past at the Apartheid Museum.
  • Experience a close-up look at daily life in the bustling neighborhood of Soweto.
  • Come face-to-face with lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and more during 2 game drives and a bush walk in Karongwe Private Game Reserve and a full-day game drive in Kruger National Park.
  • Enjoy the jaw-dropping view of the Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest canyons, during your drive along the astonishing Panorama Route.
  • Bask in the scenic and historic highlights of beautiful Cape Town, including a trip to Table Mountain by cable car.
  • Explore Cape Point including Hout Bay, Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
  • Standing in the presence of the majestic Victoria Falls, surround yourself with the thunderous roar of the powerful water and the constant mist rising above.
  • Cruise along the Zambezi River and marvel at the stunning African sunset.

Videos

Video
Video
Video
Video

Dates & Prices

Detailed Itinerary

To see full details, click the button to the right.

Day 1 Depart USA

  • Depart New York on your overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa

Day 2 Arrive Johannesburg

  • Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa, meet your guide, and transfer to your hotel
  • This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner

Sandton Sun or similarDinner

Day 3 Johannesburg

  • Experience daily life in the Soweto neighborhood
  • Learn about the rise and fall of apartheid at the Apartheid Museum
  • Visit the urban Maboneng Precinct

Sandton Sun or similarBreakfast

Day 4 Johannesburg & Karongwe Private Game Reserve

  • Depart for Karongwe Private Game Reserve
  • Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Shiduli Private Game Lodge or similarBreakfast & dinner

Day 5 Karongwe Private Game Reserve

  • Enjoy an early morning game drive in open safari vehicles
  • Join a bush walk with an experienced local ranger

Shiduli Private Game Lodge or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6 Karongwe Private Game Reserve & Kruger National Park

  • Drive along the awe-inspiring Panorama Route
  • Stop at Graskop Gorge and take the lift to the forest below
  • View the spectacular Blyde River Canyon

Angels View Hotel Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7 Kruger National Park

  • Enjoy a full-day game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles in Kruger National Park

Angels View Hotel or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 8 Kruger National Park & Cape Town

  • Transfer to the airport in Johannesburg for your afternoon flight to Cape Town
  • Spend the balance of the evening at leisure

The Capital 15 on Orange or similarBreakfast

Day 9 Cape Town

  • Witness the scenic and historical highlights of Cape Town on a half-day panoramic city tour
  • Weather permitting, ascend by cable car to the top of Table Mountain
  • Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure

The Capital 15 on Orange or similarBreakfast

Day 10 Cape Point & Cape Town

  • Enjoy a full-day excursion to Cape Point National Park, including a cruise along Hout Bay
  • Visit Boulders Beach and see the African jackass penguins
  • Tour the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
  • Enjoy dinner paired with a drum performance

The Capital 15 on Orange or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 11 Cape Town

  • Explore Cape Town at leisure, or join an optional excursion to Stellenbosch Winelands

The Capital 15 on Orange or similarBreakfast

Day 12 Victoria Falls

  • Transfer to the airport for your flight to Victoria Falls
  • Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel
  • Spend the remainder of the day at leisure

Victoria Falls Safari Club or similarBreakfast

Day 13 Victoria Falls

  • Enjoy a guided tour of Victoria Falls
  • Embark on a Zambezi River sunset cruise

Victoria Falls Safari Club or similarBreakfast

Day 14 Victoria Falls

  • Spend the day leisurely or join an optional full-day excursion to Chobe National Park

Victoria Falls Safari Club or similarBreakfast

Day 15 Zimbabwe & Depart Johannesburg

  • Enjoy the morning at leisure
  • Transfer to the airport for your return flight

Breakfast

Hotels

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Reviews & Photos

We love hearing your stories and seeing your photos! Here are some moments other travelers captured on this package. Or check out our entire fan photo gallery.

No reviews yet! Check back soon to see what our travelers are saying.

Traveled with us, but haven't received an invitation to review your trip? Contact us at reviews@friendlyplanet.com.

Trip Details

Other Packages

Small Group Tour
Best of South Africa
Best of South Africa

Johannesburg & Cape Town, 3 game drives in Kruger and a private conservancy, plus a bush walk; stay in upscale hotels throughout.

From

$4599

W/ Flights

From

$3399

Tour Only

12

Days

per person, double occupancy*
Small Group Tour
On Sale
Highlights of Southern Africa
Highlights of Southern Africa

Nairobi National Park, Kenya, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe with Zambezi River cruise, 3 world-class safaris in Chobe, Botswana & Cape Town, jewel of South Africa

From

$4349

W/ Flights

11

Days

per person, double occupancy,* during sale**
Small Group Tour
Incredible South Africa with Rovos Luxury Train
Incredible South Africa with Rovos Luxury Train

Johannesburg, 4 safaris in a Private Game Reserve, Pretoria, 3 nights aboard Rovos Luxury Train & Cape Town.

From

$8899

W/ Flights

From

$7799

Tour Only

14

Days

per person, double occupancy*
Small Group Tour
Incredible South Africa with Rovos Luxury Train and Victoria Falls
Incredible South Africa with Rovos Luxury Train and Victoria Falls

Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, 4 nights aboard Rovos Luxury Train, 4 safaris in Private Game Reserves, and Cape Town.

From

$13499

W/ Flights

From

$12399

Tour Only

17

Days

per person, double occupancy*
Small Group Tour
Kenya Wildlife Safari with Victoria Falls
Kenya Wildlife Safari with Victoria Falls

Nairobi, then 9 game drives in Samburu, Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru & Masai Mara; Stay in superior Nairobi hotels & safari lodges. All this, plus the majestic Victoria Falls.

From

$6599

W/ Flights

14

Days

per person, double occupancy*