Enthralling game drives, stunning scenery, and fun experiences…this South Africa tour has it all!Have your camera ready as you ride in open-air, safari vehicles during game drives in Kruger National Park, one of the world's largest game reserves and home to impala, zebra, cheetah, spotted hyena, and more, and in Mkuze Game Reserve, where you’ll watch for lion, leopard, rhino, Cape buffalo, and giraffe. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Jozini home to hippo, Nile crocodile, and, if you’re lucky, elephant along the shore. At Stony Point Nature Reserve, observe the endangered African penguins engage in their daily activities.In addition to wildlife, you’ll also experience unique culture and spectacular scenery on this tour through South Africa. Learn about Zulu customs and life today during a fascinating village walk and interact with local artisans in eSwatini. Visit Tsitsikamma National Park for a walk through its unique coastal forest. Drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the world’s most scenic drives skirting the rocky coastline, and the scenic Panorama Route, with its dramatic landscapes tracing the course of the mighty Blyde River. Marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites at the Cango Caves. Witness rugged rocks, sheer cliffs, crashing waves, and panoramic ocean views at Cape Point, Africa’s southwestern most point.All of this and more—including opportunities to learn about local cultures—await you on this South Africa tour for savvy, value-minded travelers.
Small-Group Discovery Dates Available
Each Cosmos Africa safari tour is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Safari Guide/Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery African safari vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes expert Tour Directors, hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations including intra-vacation flights—with value-minded travelers in mind. On safari, you’ll enjoy the knowledge and insight of a professional safari Guide aboard your open-air 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app! Big experiences come in small packages, so each Cosmos Africa safari tour is limited to a maximum of just 24 guests per departure.
Meals
Meals & Itinerary
12 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners
Notes:
For approximately one month each year (typically late July to mid-September), Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is closed for annual maintenance. In these instances, a private tour of Kirstenbosch National Garden will be included in its place. All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues.
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Welcome to South Africa! Check in to your hotel and prepare for a fascinating journey.CAPE-TOWN.jpg
Day 2 CAPE TOWN
This morning, visit Table Mountain for an aerial cable-car ride to the top for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape winelands. Then, take a scenic drive south via Chapman’s Peak Drive, which skirts the rocky coastline and is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the southwestern most point on the African continent. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. Return to Cape Town and enjoy the evening at your leisure. CAPE-TOWN-TABLE-MOUNTAIN.jpg
Breakfast
Day 3 CAPE TOWN
Enjoy a full day at leisure for free-time pursuits. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or go deeper with a whale-watching cruise in nearby Hermanus (Jun.-Oct.). Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day. May we recommend a glass-half-full kind of day in the stunning Cape Winelands for tastings and breathtaking scenery and cellars? Wine not! CAPE-TOWN-VICTORIA-AND-ALFRED-WATERFRONT.jpg
Breakfast
Day 4 CAPE TOWN–STONY POINT NATURE RESERVE–HERMANUS–MOSSEL BAY
This morning, depart Cape Town and drive to Stony Point Nature Reserve to see a colony of endangered African Penguins. Known for the unique sound they make, these penguins grow to an average height of two feet and live in burrows and rock crevices along the beach. Stop in Hermanus for independent exploration before reaching Mossel Bay for the evening. CAPE-TOWN-PENGUINS.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 MOSSEL BAY–OUDTSHOORN–KNYSNA
Drive north to Oudtshoorn and stop for a guided tour of the Cango Caves with its stunning limestone rock formations. You will also visit a local ostrich farm for an interactive tour to learn about the world’s largest bird. Continue to Knysna. OUDTSHOORN-CANGO-CAVES.jpg
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 6 KNYSNA–TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK RESERVE EXCURSION
Today, explore the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park for a walk through the indigenous coastal forest to the mouth of the Storms River. Cross the famous suspension bridge for views of the coastline and to see the Storms River Mouth Cave. Return to Knysna for time to explore the waterfront or make a splash with an optional whale-watching cruise off the coast of Knysna to spy the migration of whales passing through the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean (June - November; Jan – May departures include an exciting Eco Marine Cruise to spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and birdlife that call this stunning area home.). TSITSIKAMMA-SUSPENSION-BRIDGE.jpg
Breakfast
Day 7 KNYSNA–GEORGE–DURBAN–UMHLANGA
This morning, drive to George for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the bustling Umhlanga Rocks area for the evening. UMHLANGA-ROCKS-DURBAN.jpg
Breakfast
Day 8 UMHLANGA–MKUZE
Today, drive to Mkuze in the heart of Zululand. After lunch, travel to the Lebombo mountains for a memorable walk to interact with local Zulu people and learn about their customs and life today in this rural community. MKUZE-ZULU.jpg
Day 9 MKUZE
This morning, take a game drive in Mkuze Game Reserve, the oldest proclaimed wildlife reserve in all of Africa. The park is home to the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. You also have the chance to see giraffe, zebra, black and white rhino, and much more! After time to rest, embark on an afternoon boat ride on Lake Jozini. During the cruise, you are likely to spot hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, and a variety of bird life. MKUZE-RHINO.jpg
Day 10 MKUZE–MHLAMBANYATSI, ESWATINI
Today, drive to eSwatini. En route, stop at a local Swaziland market to view cultural arts and crafts. Continue through Swaziland, the last traditional kingdom of the proud and welcoming Swazi people. MKUZE-GLASSBLOWING.jpg
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 11 ESWATINI–GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA
Depart eSwatini, visiting a unique glass factory where skilled glass blowers use recycled glass to create stemware, animal figures, and more. Then, head north for the Greater Kruger area to visit a traditional Swazi village. Wander through the village with its many huts, each allocated for special social functions. Interact with the villagers as they go about their daily activities, experience folk songs and dance performances – maybe even join in the festivities. South African hospitality reigns today with leisure time at the lodge. Gaze from your balcony at the wildlife-rich gardens, relax at the pool and day spa, and select from delightful dining choices. KRUGER-NATIONAL-PARK.jpg
Day 12 GREATER KRUGER AREA
Rise early for coffee and tea before your early morning game drive with an experienced guide. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend time at leisure in the middle of the day watching wildlife from your balcony or on a guided nature or birding walk. Perhaps book a spa treatment or simply relax at the pool. Watch for kudu, impala, giraffe, cheetah, spotted hyena, the elusive wild dog, and more on your afternoon game drive. Return to your lodge for dinner. KRUGER-NATIONAL-PARK-IMPALA.jpg
Day 13 GREATER KRUGER AREA–JOHANNESBURG
A leisurely morning before a flight to Johannesburg. Your vacation ends at the airport. Schedule departing flights after 6 pm. JOHANNESBURG-SKYLINE.jpg
Breakfast
Tour Director
With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.
WENDY ATKINSON
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
“I am a proud South African who loves the nature, history, and culture of this beautiful land. As a Tour Director, it is my privilege to combine and share two of my passions-a love of the wilderness and of travel with you!”
Optional Excursions
No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else,
we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.
When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination,
so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities.
Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value.
Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences.
We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.
The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.
Price Ranges
$ ($50 CAD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 CAD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 CAD)
$$$$ (Over $150)
Cape Town
Cape Winelands
Sample wine and explore the picturesque valleys and vineyards in the beautiful Cape Winelands outside of Cape Town.
Price Range: $$$
Cape Town Helicopter
Soar high above Cape Town to experience great views of the Atlantic Coast, Table Mountain, and Robben Island.
Price Range: $$$$
Knysna
Knysna Cruises
Cruise along Knysna's rugged and beautiful coastline showcasing the area's natural treasures.
Price Range: $$
The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.