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The “Merveilles australes” tour at a glance

Merveilles australes (Southern Wonders) is a 12-day, 11-night Club Med Discovery tour of South Africa and Eswatini, in the Nature Escape theme. It starts in Cape Town and ends in Johannesburg. You ride up Table Mountain, reach the Cape of Good Hope and the penguins of Boulders Beach, fly over Cape Town's bay by helicopter and taste the wines of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. A flight then takes you to Durban, on the Indian Ocean, before the St Lucia estuary, a safari in Hluhluwe, Eswatini, two nights in the private Makalali reserve for the Big Five, the Blyde River Canyon, Pretoria and Soweto. You stay in 4- and 5-star hotels and lodges. Domestic flights, full board, the helicopter flight, 4x4 safaris and visits are included. An extension to Victoria Falls is available.

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How do the five days in Cape Town and the winelands unfold?

On the first day, you settle in at the Vineyard 4*, surrounded by gardens at the foot of the mountain. On the second day, you visit Kirstenbosch botanical garden, then ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, which overlooks the city and two oceans. On the third day, 160 km of coastal road lead to the Cape of Good Hope and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. On the fourth day, you stroll the Waterfront, fly over the bay by helicopter and enjoy a tasting at the Glen Carlou estate. On the fifth day, you discover Stellenbosch, a wine estate and the village of Franschhoek, and stay at the Grande Roche 4*.

And what happens from Durban to Johannesburg?

On the sixth day, a flight links Cape Town to Durban, where you stay at the Beverly Hills 5*, facing the Indian Ocean. On the seventh day, a cruise on the St Lucia estuary, in iSimangaliso park, shows you hippos and crocodiles, before a safari in Hluhluwe and a night at the Ghost Mountain Inn 4*. On the eighth day, you enter Eswatini for the Mantenga cultural village and a hike. The ninth and tenth days are spent in the private Makalali reserve, 15,000 hectares, with sunrise and sunset safaris. On the eleventh day, you follow the Blyde River Canyon toward Johannesburg, and on the twelfth, you visit Pretoria, Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.

What are the highlights of this South Africa tour?

This tour shows South Africa in its full breadth, from one ocean to the other. In Cape Town, there is the wind at the top of Table Mountain, the penguins waddling on the sand at Boulders Beach and the bay seen from a helicopter. In KwaZulu-Natal, the St Lucia estuary and its hippos. In Makalali, three 4x4 safaris and two nights in a private reserve to look for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinos. And at the end, Soweto and the Apartheid Museum convey the weight of the country's recent history.

Which hotels and lodges do you stay in?

The tour has seven addresses, chosen for their location. In Cape Town, the Vineyard 4*, then the Grande Roche 4* in the winelands. In Durban, the Beverly Hills 5*, facing the ocean. In Zululand, the Ghost Mountain Inn 4*. After the day in Eswatini, the Summerfield Botanical Garden 4*. In Makalali, the Makalali Main Lodge 4*, in the heart of the reserve. In Johannesburg, the Courtyard Waterfall City 4*. With the extension, you stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel 5*, one of the great historic addresses of southern Africa.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes domestic flights, including Cape Town–Durban, full board, the helicopter flight over Cape Town's bay, 4x4 safaris, the visits on the programme, the French-speaking guide and local taxes. International transport, transfers between the airport and the hotel, extra drinks, insurance and, for the extension, the Zimbabwe visa are booked separately. Your advisor brings everything together in one file, from the flight to Cape Town to the return from Johannesburg.

Who guides the group and how many travellers are there?

Club Med Discovery tours travel in small groups, with departures guaranteed from the first booking. From 9 participants, a French-speaking guide travels with the group for the whole tour; for a smaller group, a driver-guide takes the road with you, in an even more intimate setting. In Makalali, three 4x4 drives set the rhythm of the stay. The pace is brisk, with legs of up to 500 km, designed for curious travellers who want to see it all.

When should you go to South Africa and how do you get there from Quebec?

The seasons are the mirror image of Quebec's. From October to April, it is the southern summer: Cape Town and its winelands are at their best. From May to September, the dry winter thins the vegetation and makes wildlife easier to spot. Your advisor tells you which departures are available. From Montreal, you reach Cape Town with a connection, and you fly home from Johannesburg. Our South Africa travel page gathers our tips.

What travel documents do you need for South Africa and Eswatini?

You need a Canadian passport valid for several months after your return, with several blank pages for stamps, since the tour passes through Eswatini. Your advisor checks the requirements at the time of booking, including the Zimbabwe visa if you add the Victoria Falls extension. They also invite you to consult a travel health clinic about precautions for the safari regions.

Which Club Med resort should you combine with this tour?

The tour passes through Durban, and that is exactly where, on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari opened in July 2026, about thirty minutes from King Shaka airport. A beach week after the tour, and the trip is complete. To go further, the 3-night extension leads to Victoria Falls, seen from a helicopter, Chobe National Park in Botswana and the Zambezi River.

Who is this tour made for?

It suits travellers who want to see all of South Africa in a single trip: the cities, the winelands, the coast and the bush. Couples, friends and families with teenagers find a complete journey. For a shorter safari elsewhere in Africa, see Les plaines de Tanzanie and all our Club Med tours in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Why book this tour with AquaTerra?

Twelve days, two countries, three flights and a possible extension to Zimbabwe: this tour is best prepared with someone who knows the region. At Voyages AquaTerra, our advisors arrange your flights, your travel documents and your week at the resort, then stay reachable throughout the trip. All our itineraries are gathered on the Club Med Tours page.

Call 1-866-628-6241. You will reach someone who knows this tour and has time for you. We look together at what is available on your dates, we choose the right departure, and we stay on the line throughout your trip. That is the difference between booking alone in front of a screen and travelling with someone behind you.

  • Beaches and mountains of Cape Town, South Africa

    Beaches and mountains of Cape Town, South Africa

  • Lion resting on the South African savannah

    Lion resting on the South African savannah

  • Vineyards of the Cape region

    Vineyards of the Cape region

  • Victoria Falls from above

    Victoria Falls from above

  • Safari vehicle in a South African reserve

    Safari vehicle in a South African reserve

  • African penguins on a South African beach

    African penguins on a South African beach

Meet our Club Med Specialists who can help you plan your trips to any of the Club Med destinations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach lives on a protected beach, and you watch them from boardwalks, a few metres away. They waddle between the granite boulders and dive into the cold water. The visit takes place on day three.
Yes, the flight over Cape Town's bay is included on day four. From above, you see the city, Table Mountain and the coast. With the extension, a second flight, over Victoria Falls, is also planned.
It is a 15,000-hectare territory where 4x4 safaris take place away from the traffic of the big public parks. The animals roam free, including the Big Five. You spend two nights there, with drives at sunrise and sunset.
Day four includes a tasting at the Glen Carlou estate, and day five a visit to a wine estate in Stellenbosch. Full board is included at meals, and extra drinks are paid on site. Your advisor details what is served at the table.
It is a small kingdom enclosed between South Africa and Mozambique, formerly called Swaziland. The Mantenga cultural village introduces Swazi traditions, with dancing and traditional homes. You spend day eight there.
The extension lasts 3 days and 3 nights, after day twelve. A flight links Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, and you stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel 5*. You fly over the falls by helicopter, visit Chobe National Park in Botswana and cruise on the Zambezi.
You pay in South African rand, and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. A little cash helps for tips and markets. Your advisor gives you pointers before departure.
Tips are customary for the guide, drivers, rangers and restaurant staff. Your advisor gives you an idea of the usual amounts. They are handed over at the end of each stage or of the tour.
Soweto is the large township southwest of Johannesburg, a place of memory for the struggle against apartheid. Nelson Mandela lived there, and the area keeps the memory of the 1976 uprising. The visit to the Apartheid Museum completes this last day.
Families with teenagers enjoy a very complete trip, between penguins, safaris, the helicopter and history. Some days involve long drives. Your advisor checks the age conditions at the time of booking.
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