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  • Black Friday

South Africa Escape

  • Coach

From safari to sandy beaches, scenic drives, adventure and wilderness, allow us to introduce you to South Africa's unrivalled diversity.

From safari to sandy beaches, scenic drives, adventure and wilderness, allow us to introduce you to South Africa's unrivalled diversity.

Tour overview

Start Point
Cape Town
End Point
Johannesburg
Accommodation
13 Nights(3 & 4 star hotels & safari lodge)
Meals
13 Breakfasts3 Lunches9 Dinners
south-africa-escape-square-map-sep-2026

Summary

Welkom in Suid-Afrika! Wamkelekile eMzantsi Afrika! Welcome to South Africa! Designed by locals, this adventure-packed tour showcases the best of the “Rainbow Nation”. Discover captivating Cape Town - voted the World’s Best City. Discover the scenic Garden Route, explore the Great Karoo, and see incredible African wildlife in the Kruger National Park.

Included

  • 13 Nights (3 & 4 star hotels & safari lodge)
  • 13 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 9 Dinners
  • Air-conditioned coach | Plane
  • Fully-guided tour

Everything you’ll want to Know

Where you'll stay

Hand-picked hotels throughout

Show Me

Day-by-day itinerary

Where you'll be and what's on each day

Show Me

Experiences

What's included and what you can add

Show Me

Our Tour Leaders

The people who make it work

Take Me There

20+ YEARS ON TOUR

“THE BEST PART OF A GROUP TOUR? THE GROUP.”

JAKES MARITZ, CO-FOUNDER

CHOOSE YOUR CHASE

Go all the way from Cape Town to Kruger, choose a single leg, or add Victoria Falls. Pick the itinerary that suits you below:

South Africa Escape route map
Classic Deal
Rating4.8
14Days1Country17Experiences
South Africa Escape

The full South African experience. From Cape Town to Johannesburg, chase scenic drives, unforgettable safaris and the wild beauty of South Africa.

25% OFF
From$1,826
Up to$2,875
Selected
Cape Town & the Garden Route route map
Classic Deal
Rating4.7
9Days1Country13Experiences
Cape Town & the Garden Route

A coastal classic. From Cape Town to the Garden Route, chase wine country, Route 62, the Cango Caves and dramatic coastal scenery.

25% OFF
From$1,106
Up to$1,700
View Tour
Kruger Safari & the Panorama Route route map
Classic Deal
Rating4.9
6Days1Country5Experiences
Kruger Safari & the Panorama Route

South Africa's wild side. From Johannesburg to Kruger, chase safari, the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Panorama Route's dramatic views.

25% OFF
From$746
Up to$1,210
View Tour
South Africa Escape with Victoria Falls route map
Classic Deal
Rating4.8
17Days2Countries19Experiences
South Africa Escape with Victoria Falls

The full Southern African experience: scenic drives and unforgettable safaris from Cape Town to Johannesburg, followed by three nights in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

25% OFF
From$2,959
Up to$4,650
View Tour
Kruger Safari & the Panorama Route with Victoria Falls route map
Classic Deal
Rating4.9
9Days2Countries7Experiences
Kruger Safari & the Panorama Route with Victoria Falls

Safari and scenic drives through Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route, followed by three nights in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

25% OFF
From$1,879
Up to$2,985
View Tour

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

All the flexibility to book on your terms.

  • GUARANTEED DEPARTURES

    Your tour is going ahead. Every single one, guaranteed.

  • FLEXIBLE BOOKING

    10% secures your seat. Pay the rest with interest-free instalments or all at once.

  • FREE DATE CHANGES

    Plans change? We've got you. Get in touch and we'll help you work through your options.

  • 10-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE

    Changed your mind? We'll refund every penny.

  • 24/7 SUPPORT

    Need us? We're there. Day or night, on the road or off it.

Tour Highlights

17 Included Experiences

  • Embark on a Cape Town city tour
  • Enjoy a traditional braai & African drumming
  • Visit Stellenbosch
  • Taste local wine in the Cape Winelands
  • Explore Hermanus
  • Discover Swellendam
  • Go on a Garden Route Game Drive
  • Visit Knysna
  • Explore Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park
  • Visit a Klein Karoo ostrich farm
  • Visit the Cango Caves
  • Visit a winery in Robertson
  • Enjoy a cheese and wine tasting in Paarl
  • Embark on a full-day Kruger National Park game drive
  • Visit the Three Rondavels for Blyde River Canyon views
  • Explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner in Johannesburg

Included Experiences

Optional Experiences

Not sure how to spend your free day? Explore the city on your own, or choose from these handpicked optional experiences designed to show you the best of the region.

Unless marked as "Pre-Book", all optional experiences can be booked directly with your tour leader on tour, payable in cash or by card in the stated currency. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Tour map & itinerary

south-africa-escape-landscape-map-sep-2026

Day by day itinerary

14 days itinerary trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg visiting 1 country

Start Point
StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl | Meet your tour leader at 02:00 PM
End Point
Garden Court OR Tambo International Airport Hotel | 10:00 AM - After breakfast

Accommodation

We partner with a range of hand-picked hotels in each destination. The hotels listed below are those we stay at most frequently. However, you may stay at different hotels of a similar standard. 

All rooms are twin share with private, en suite bathrooms. Solo travellers will be paired with another traveller of the same gender. Single supplements are available upon request at checkout. A confirmed list of hotels is emailed to all travellers prior to their tour departure. To extend your stay in Cape Town and Johannesburg book pre and post-tour accommodation through our partner Booking.com.

StayEasy-Cape-Town-City-Bowl-twin-hotel-room-south-africa

StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl (or similar)

  • Cape Town
stayeasy-cape-town-city-bowl-hotel-restaurant

StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl (or similar)

  • Cape Town
Windsor-Hotel-Hermanus-Room

Windsor Hotel Hermanus (or similar)

  • Hermanus
Windsor-Hotel-breakfast-room

Windsor Hotel Hermanus (or similar)

  • Hermanus
garden-route-hotel-room

Garden Route Hotel (or similar)

  • Mossel Bay
garden-route-hotel-pool-area

Garden Route Hotel (or similar)

  • Mossel Bay
Tsitsikamma-Village-Inn-room

Tsitsikamma Village Inn (or similar)

  • Tsitsikamma
Tsitsikamma-Village-Inn-outside

Tsitsikamma Village Inn (or similar)

  • Tsitsikamma
Protea-Hotel-by-Marriott-Oudtshoorn-Riempie-Estate-bedroom

Protea by Marriott Hotel Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate (or similar)

  • Oudtshoorn
Protea-Hotel-by-Marriott-Oudtshoorn-Riempie-Estate-outside

Protea by Marriott Hotel Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate (or similar)

  • Oudtshoorn
Hazyview sun twin

Hazyview Sun (or similar)

  • Southern Kruger Region
Hazyview Sun Mpumalanga exterior

Hazyview Sun (or similar)

  • Southern Kruger Region
Timbavati-Safari-Lodge-room

Timbavati Safari Lodge (or similar)

  • Central Kruger Region
Timbavati-Safari-Lodge-outside

Timbavati Safari Lodge (or similar)

  • Central Kruger Region
garden-court-or-tambo-international-airport-room-johannesburg-south-africa

Garden Court O.R. Tambo International Airport (or similar)

  • Johannesburg
garden-court-or-tambo-international-airport-pool-johannesburg-south-africa

Garden Court O.R. Tambo International Airport (or similar)

  • Johannesburg

The reviews are in

View All
4.8 out of 5134 verified reviews
  • P

    Peteree

    Loved every minute!

    We were initially hesitant as South Africa was very different from our previous destinations but we definitely made the right choice. Our tour leader Willem is from South Africa is fantastic! He was organised and prepared which helped us to feel at ease, and has a great sense of humour - nothing better than a good laugh to bring people together. Peter, our bus driver for the first leg of the tour kept us safe on the road and greeted us warmly every time we entered/exited the bus. South Africa is a beautiful country and it is impossible to name one highlight. We highly recommend this tour!
    South Africa Escape(opens in a new tab)
  • D

    Don

    Great Tour Group

    We had a great group on this tour, everyone got along, the guide was very organized, friendly and tried to work with everyone's special requests
    South Africa Escape(opens in a new tab)
  • S

    Swingers

    Great Itinerary

    Just back from this amazing South African adventure. We had a brilliant time. The trip involves a lot of travelling on the bus, which is very comfortable. The seats on the bus were not rotated despite several requests to do so. This resulted in the same people taking the front seats every day. Two nights in Kruger Park would be enough. The evening safari was a waste of time, the park ranger did his utmost to find the lions to no avail. Some of the optional tours were time fillers, I would have preferred the extra time at the hotel…. i.e Birds of paradise and monkey land. Overall I would highly recommend.
    South Africa Escape(opens in a new tab)

Traveller Stories For This Tour

View All
M

Moksha

Mauritius
Kruger
We have seen the beautiful South Africa from the marvellous cities , comfortable hotels to the nature's gift of mountains, rivers, lakes to the bush life with the wild animals and above all the tastiest foods and classy wines. Our Tour Leader Willem was a very wonderful.person and great communicator.
L

Lans

Australia
Private Game Reserve
This tour was amazing! Definitely a must do! As usual, Expat manage to cram so much into such a short amount of time without making it feel rushed! Matt, our Tour Guide, made sure everything ran smoothly and made sure this experience was the best for everyone. His knowledge of South Africa and all of the animals in Kruger was phenomenal. The accomodation was very clean and comfortable, and the included meals were absolutely delicious. If you're heading to South Africa, this tour is a must!
N

Neng

New Jersey
Great Tour leader
Book all possible options & enjoy the fullest of the tour
M

Michelle

Texas
Three Rondavels- Panorama Route
Amazing experience doing the full South Africa Escape tour! Forever grateful to Expat Explore for the unique opportunity to immerse into a country's culture with thoughtful itineraries, memorable experiences that push outside one's comfort zone, all while engaging with new lifelong friends, knowledgeable guides, & precious locals. Highly recommend the tour, including the optionals.
MF

Michael (Faf De Klerk)

Wales Uk
Photo shared by Michael (Faf De Klerk)
Just got back from an incredible tour of South Africa and it's an experience that will stay with me all my life. And Matthew our tour guide was the best tour guide i have ever had the pleasure of meeting and touring with. He's a credit to Expat Explore
C

CJG

Munich
Kruger Sunset Safari
This was an extraordinary trip. Our tour leader, Matt made it truly memorable and terrific fun. Everyday was action packed; up early and late nights interacting with other guests over a drink. Expat Explore really knows how to do South Africa!
J

Joash57

Australia
Kruger elephants
This tour was fantastic we saw so much of South Africa far more than I ever imagined, the highlight of the tour was obviously Kruger the amount of animals we saw was insane, Matt our tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, our driver Aby was a great driver and very friendly, Denny our second driver was friendly helpful and also a great driver, I would highly recommend this tour.
B

Becca

UK
Photo shared by Becca
From wildlife to adventure, you really see it all. This is the second time I have done this tour in under an year and yet I would happily come back and do it all over again! There's so much to do and see, it's amazing what can be fitted in to just 2 week!
S

Slim

Australia
Spotted Hyena @ Kruger N.P.
Wonderful itinerary. Comfortable coaches. Excellent pace of tour. Generally nice food. Good hotels. All had comfortable mattresses. Felt safe. Very good attentive generous efficient guide in Willem S. who solved many issues including unexpected severe health problems, etc.
M

Mtohm

Virginia
Photo shared by Mtohm
Overall My second expat explore trip did not disappoint! We absolutely loved our tour guide Matt and the itinerary of the trip. South Africa was everything we could have hoped for and more. The people, the food and the landscape were amazing. We loved the included wine tastings and ostrich farm! For optionals we highly recommend doing as many as you can. The shark cage diving, zip lining, sunset safari, Monkeyland and Soweto were so much fun! Matt One night our hotel room leaked due to a bad storm and Matt rectified the situation very quickly so it did not bother our trip. He was engaging with his commentary and we felt we actually learned something. Our bird knowledge went up by 90 percent. We felt he did a great job connecting with everyone on the tour and with so many different personalities that's no easy task.
K

Karen

Australia
Photo shared by Karen
Everyone thinks of the Africa wildlife, and they are definately a highlight (in the Kruger you get to see so many in all directions) but South Africa is so much more - lovely seaside villages, dramatic coastal scenery, mountains and jungles, fabulous food and wine and people with a unique history who are moving forward with enthuaism and a great love of country. This is an action packed itinerary but quite manageable for all ages and experience. The hotels and food were excellent. Excursions and extras were quite affordable when you factor in exchange rates. Tour guides and locals alike are all very friendly and welcoming. I would highly recommend this tour to see the beautiful 'rainbow nation' of South Africa.
G

Greg

United States
Photo shared by Greg
Amazing stops and sites. Signed on for most excursions. Experienced so much fun and shared so many wonderful memories with new friends.

Dates & Rates

Departure Year
Departure Month
All Departures Guaranteed

FAQ’s

Personalise Your Trip

Explore the optional experiences available at each stop, find the ones that match your interests and get an idea of the cost before you go.

Note: This tool is for estimation only.

When You Arrive

Everything you need to know about meeting your Tour Leader, when to arrive, where you’ll finish and who to contact if you need help along the way.

Something we haven’t answered?

For visa requirements, pre-departure information and everything else you need to know before you travel, visit our Help Centre.

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