The Best of South Africa: 16 days in February or October 2027

South Africa and Eswatini

Duration
15 Days
Category
Guided tour
French Accompanist
Date
Thursday February 18 2027
(1 autre départ disponible)

Description

The trip begins in Cape Town, a European-feeling city at the foot of Table Mountain. Five nights to explore it: Kirstenbosch garden, Robben Island where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in prison, the Chapman's Peak road to the Cape of Good Hope, the penguins of Boulders Beach, then the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, where wines from century-old estates are tasted.

A flight then leads to KwaZulu-Natal: the hippos of the St Lucia estuary, a safari in Hluhluwe and a Zulu village. The road crosses the small kingdom of Eswatini before reaching Kruger Park, where a full day in an open 4x4 sets out in search of the Big Five.

The Blyde River Canyon and the mining village of Pilgrim's Rest precede Pretoria and Johannesburg. The last day, in Soweto and at the Apartheid Museum, gives the trip its depth.

Highlights:
-Wine estate visit with tasting
-Boma dinner and traditional dance show
-Full-day 4x4 safari in Kruger Park
-Discovery of the Blyde River Canyon
-Robben Island and Table Mountain

Accommodation categories:
Cape Town: Hotel Cresta Grande Cape Town 4* or similar
Hluhluwe: Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge 4* or similar
Eswatini: Bushbaby Lodge @ Nkonyeni 3* or similar
Kruger Park area: Hippo Hollow Country Estate 4* or similar
Ohrigstad: Hannah Game Lodge 4* or similar
Johannesburg: Indaba Hotel Fourways 4* or similar

The itinerary is subject to change without notice. The final itinerary will be available from your travel advisor!

The displayed rate is for two adults in double occupancy. Other dates, room categories and occupancy types (single, triple or quadruple) may be available. Price available upon request*.

Inclusions

  • Connecting flights with Air France and KLM or another carrier
  • 1 domestic flight
  • Motorcoach transportation and 4x4 vehicles during safaris
  • 12 nights' accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels
  • 35 meals: 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 11 dinners
  • Services of a tour escort
  • Services of a tour guide
  • Scheduled activities
  • Robben Island and Table Mountain cable car
  • Boat trip to Duiker Island and Cape of Good Hope reserve
  • Wine tasting and dinner show in Cape Town
  • 4x4 safaris in Hluhluwe and Kruger Park
  • Zulu show and boma dinner
  • Apartheid Museum, Soweto and Nelson Mandela's house museum
  • Audio guides
  • First checked bag fee charged by the airline
  • Taxes and service fees

Exclusions

  • Travel insurance (trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical care, baggage)
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned
  • Gratuities
  • Baggage handling
  • Visa fees
  • Contribution to the Quebec travel agents' client compensation fund (FICAV)
  • Personal expenses
  • Anything not mentioned in the inclusions

2 available departures

Itinerary

Flights to Cape Town.

Flights to Cape Town.

Cape Town (5 nights). Morning arrival, welcome by your tour guide and transfer to the hotel.

Cape Town – Kirstenbosch. Orientation tour of the Mother City, the Castle of Good Hope and Kirstenbosch botanical garden. (B, L, D)

Cape Town – Robben Island. Crossing to the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and cable car up Table Mountain (weather permitting). (B, L, D)

Hout Bay – Cape of Good Hope. Boat trip to Duiker seal island, Chapman's Peak drive, Cape of Good Hope reserve and the penguins of Boulders Beach. (B, L, D)

Stellenbosch – Franschhoek. Stellenbosch and its museum, tasting at the Glen Carlou estate, Franschhoek, then a dinner show with songs and dance. (B, L, D)

Cape Town – Durban – Hluhluwe (2 nights). Flight to Durban, cruise on the St Lucia estuary among hippos and crocodiles, then Hluhluwe reserve. (B, L, D)

Hluhluwe. 4x4 safari, then lunch and Zulu show at Dumazulu village. (B, L, D)

Hluhluwe – Eswatini. Manzini market and the Happy Valley of this small African kingdom. (B, L, D)

Eswatini – Kruger Park (2 nights). Ngwenya glass factory, the mountains of Pigg's Peak and Matsamo cultural village, then the Kruger Park area. (B, L, D)

Kruger Park. Full-day safari in an open 4x4 with a ranger, in search of the Big Five. (B, L, D)

Kruger Park – Blyde River – Pilgrim's Rest – Ohrigstad. Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the old gold-mining village of Pilgrim's Rest. (B, L, D)

Ohrigstad – Pretoria – Johannesburg. Orientation tour of Pretoria and the Union Buildings, then a boma dinner to the sound of marimbas. (B, L, D)

Johannesburg – Soweto – Return. Apartheid Museum, lunch on Vilakazi Street, visit of Soweto and Nelson Mandela's house museum, then return flight. (B, L)

Return. Return flights to Montreal.

FAQ

Two departures in 2027, each 16 days and 12 nights: February 18 to March 5 and October 8 to 22 (guaranteed departure).

Synergia network group departures

Advisors in the Voyages Synergia network build their own escorted group departures every year, with limited places. These are trips born of a passion rather than a catalogue: fishing in Guatemala, safari in East Africa, guided expeditions. The list above changes with the seasons.

What sets these departures apart

  • A Quebec tour leader who knows the destination and travels with the group
  • A restricted number of places, often a few dozen, sometimes fewer than ten
  • A clear theme, built around one activity rather than a destination alone
  • Fixed dates: you join the departure, you do not build it

How to book

Each departure has its own responsible advisor. Choose the trip that interests you in the list, then reach us through the contact page for remaining places and terms. These departures often fill months ahead.

Other ways to travel as a group

If no date suits you, two other routes exist: organized trips, already built and sold by tour operators, and a custom group, built around your own participants. Voyages AquaTerra holds Quebec permit 702703.

Frequently Asked Questions

An escorted trip built by an advisor in the Voyages Synergia network, on fixed dates with limited places, usually built around one specific activity.
No. Most participants do not know each other at departure. That is one reason these trips appeal to people travelling alone.
It varies by product, from a few dozen to fewer than ten on expeditions. The number is stated in each departure file.
Often yes, several months ahead, because places are limited. It is worth enquiring as soon as a date is announced.
Sometimes, depending on the flights and hotels used. Ask the responsible advisor before confirming, since it changes the air booking.