Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter South Africa (and Zambia, on extension).

Take the journey of a lifetime on this tour through South Africa and Swaziland. Explore the region’s rich culture and its vast nature and gaming preserves, catch a glimpse inside one of Cape Town’s most notorious prisons, and stand at the edge of the world where two oceans meet.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Johannesburg

Begin your adventure with an overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2 - Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg. A Go Ahead representative greets you as you clear customs. If you took the pre-tour extension, join the rest of your tour today. Become acquainted with your fellow travelers at this evening’s included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Kruger National Park

This morning, travel across the Gauteng Highveld. This afternoon, venture on your first game drive to see lions, elephants and rhinos at Kruger National Park. (B, D)

Day 4 - Kruger National Park

Continue your game drive in Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. (B, D)

Day 5 - Mbabane

Leave the animals behind and journey south to explore Swaziland’s idyllic beauty, stopping en route for a guided tour of Mbabane, its capital city. (B, D)

Day 6 - St. Lucia

Travel through the Umfolozi Game Reserve on your way to St. Lucia, the southernmost entrance to the world-renowned Wetlands Park, known for its laid-back atmosphere and integration with local wildlife. (B, D)

Day 7 - St. Lucia

Today, embark on a cruise tour exploring the St. Lucia Estuary for hippos, crocodiles, fish-eagles, mangroves, kingfishers and mudskippers. Later, opt for a game drive in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve in the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park. (B)

$75 USD

Game Drive in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve Embark on a trek through South Africa's oldest game reserve. Rich in cultural and conservation history, it’s best known for its efforts to save the white rhino from extinction.

Day 8 - Port Elizabeth

Fly to the sun-drenched shores of Port Elizabeth, where your guide introduces you to this major seaport and vacation destination set on the shores of the beautiful Algoa Bay. With 40 km of unspoiled coastline, it is the ideal spot for a bit of relaxation. Your township tour includes drinks and a buffet dinner of traditional African cuisine. (B, D)

Day 9 - Port Elizabeth

On today’s excursion, you’ll visit the Addo Elephant National Reserve to get a closer look at the elusive wild African elephants. Enjoy an included picnic lunch with your group. (B, L)

Day 10 - Knysna

Continue on to Knysna, heading through the Garden Route to Tsitsikamma National Park. This afternoon, take a guided, tractor-drawn wagon tour through Garden Route forests. Tonight, arrive in Knysna and opt for a waterfront dinner. (B, L)

$39 USD

Waterfront Dinner in Knysna As you watch the sun sink slowly over Knysna's tranquil lagoon, you’ll join your group for a fresh seaside feast, where you can choose from a variety of seafood dishes and fusion cuisine as well as soups, salads and sinful desserts.

Day 11 - Knysna

Board the ferry to Featherbed Nature Reserve this morning, enjoy lunch with your group and then embark on a guided nature walk to the top of the reserve. (B, L)

Day 12 - Cape Town

Bid farewell to Knysna as you head to Cape Town, stopping in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich farming capital of the world, on the way. Once in Cape Town, enjoy tours to both the Cango Caves and Ostrich Ranch. (B, L)

Day 13 - Cape Town

Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Cape Town with a cable car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting) and stops at the National Gallery, the South Africa Museum and the Houses of Parliament. This afternoon, opt for a tour of Robben Island, the historic symbol of South Africa’s struggle for freedom. Tonight, opt for an evening tour of Cape Town with dinner. (B)

$75 USD

Cape Town by Night and Dinner Cape Town by night is a magical place. Watch the city transform into a landscape of golden hues as you stop at the Gold of Africa Museum before sitting down to a truly authentic Cape Town feast.

$45 USD

Robben Island Nelson Mandela may have made it famous, but apartheid made it notorious. Set sail from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to this island where ex-prisoners will guide you on a walking and driving tour through this political prison—and show you the conditions they endured for speaking out for their freedom.

Day 14 - Cape Town

Travel to Hout Bay on a cruise to view the island seals. Enjoy lunch with your group as you stand at Cape Point Nature Reserve, where the Atlantic and Southern Oceans meet. You may also opt to visit the Jackass penguin colony this afternoon. Then unwind on a guided tour through the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Tonight, join your group for a Farewell Dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 15 - Cape Town

Board your flight home.

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter South Africa and Swaziland (and Zambia, on extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home.

A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter Zambia, on the tour extension. Though it is possible to obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival, we recommend that you obtain an individual visa prior to departure through one of our recommended providers:

U.S. Citizens: Zierer Visa Service (1-866-788 1100; www.zvs.com/home.aspx?login=73041. If you get to a page requiring a log in, please use code 73041.)

Canadian Citizens: Visa Connection (1-416-506-8787; www.visaconnection.biz)

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the relevant embassies as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.

Health

Visitors should be in good health. Please contact your family doctor well in advance of your departure for information regarding immunization and personal travel requirements.

While on safari, you are assured the services of emergency medical evacuation to Johannesburg, which has been designed to bring first-rate medical care by superbly qualified personnel to outlying areas.

Important Health Tips
In order for you to stay healthy on your South African tour, we recommend the following:

• Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
• Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Johannesburg with a stop in London on both outbound and departure flights.

On safari, you will be traveling in a specially equipped safari van. The vehicle is open at the top, allowing for a panoramic view during game drives. Window seats are also guaranteed.

Please keep in mind that transfers between the different parks are long and roads are not always of the best quality. The vans are roomy and comfortable, but some bouncing is to be expected.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Safaris are informal, and casual dress in comfortable lightweight cottons is appropriate.

Since the temperature varies significantly from midday to evening, clothing that can be layered is a good idea, as are comfortable shoes such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots. Sandals or other shoes that expose your skin are discouraged.

We advise that you wear a hat during the day, and make sure you use a strong sunblock.

Currency

The currency you will be using on your tour is the South African rand (and the Zambian kwacha, on extension). All African countries have stringent exchange regulations. Their currencies are not interchangeable.

We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, and small amounts of the U.S. dollar for small purchases. (Please make sure that you only bring U.S. dollars printed in 1997 or later.)

Otherwise, carry traveler’s checks. It is important to keep a receipt whenever you convert foreign currency. No local currency can be taken in or out of the country. Major American credit cards are accepted in South Africa.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping

All porterage gratuities are included on safaris. However, it is customary to tip the driver/guide at the end of the program. A general guideline of $8 to $10 per person per day is recommended. Tips may only be paid in cash.