Essential South Africa: From Cape Town to Kruger
About the Trip
September 8–24, 2026 | 17 Days
Discover the best of South Africa on this unforgettable 17-day journey perfect for independent travellers who crave meaning and connection. Start in Cape Town with visits to Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula. Travel along the scenic Garden Route to Knysna and Oudtshoorn, where you’ll explore Featherbed Nature Reserve and the Cango Caves. Enjoy a taste of the winelands before heading to Johannesburg and the vibrant streets of Soweto. Cap it all off with a luxury safari in Karongwe Private Game Reserve, complete with twice-daily game drives, a boma cooking class and a heartwarming visit to a local school. From coastlines to wildlife, this South African adventure is sure to make it into the Big Five of your most memorable getaways.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Local Community & School Visit
Spend time with local students and teachers during a meaningful visit to a nearby school. You’ll get to connect with the community, learn about daily life in the classroom and share a care package of much-needed school supplies. It’s a rewarding experience that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Cape Town and return from Johannesburg to Toronto or Winnipeg
- Flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg
- 5 + 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Cape Town
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Knysna
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Oudtshoorn
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Johannesburg
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Karongwe Private Game Reserve
- 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 13 dinners, 1 snack and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motor coach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Essential South Africa: From Cape Town to Kruger
Activity Level: Active. From Cape Town to Karongwe, discover South Africa’s coast, culture and wildlife on a 17-day journey packed with unforgettable experiences.
Day 1
Depart for your overnight flight to Cape Town.
Day 2
Cape Town – Meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Refreshments will be waiting in your room. (S)
Day 3
Cape Town – Enjoy the morning at leisure. This afternoon, explore the V&A Waterfront. Tonight’s interactive welcome dinner includes drumming and a Taste of Africa menu. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Cape Town – Discover the city on a guided tour including Table Mountain (weather permitting), Bo-Kaap, Company Gardens and Signal Hill. Dinner at the V&A Waterfront. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Cape Town – Full-day Cape Peninsula tour, including scenic spots like Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak, a ride up the Cape Point funicular and penguin spotting at Boulder Beach. (B/L/D)
Day 6
Cape Town – Take the ferry to explore historic Robben Island. Afternoon at leisure. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Knysna - Journey along the scenic south coast to Knysna. Lunch at your own expense. (B/D)
Day 8
Knysna - Have an epic eco adventure at Featherbed Nature Reserve with a ferry ride, guided 4X4 vehicle tour and lunch. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Knysna - A full day at leisure to relax or explore. (B/D)
Day 10
Oudtshoorn - Visit an ostrich farm and the Cango Caves before checking in at Surval Boutique Olive Estate. (B/L/D)
Day 11
Cape Town - Stop in Barrydale, enjoy wine tasting and lunch in the winelands, then return to Cape Town. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Johannesburg - Transfer to Cape Town for the flight to Johannesburg. Tour Soweto. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Travel to Chisomo Safari Camp. Settle into your luxury tented suite and enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the bush. (B/D)
Day 14
Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Enjoy two game drives today. Visit a local community and school during your Extraordinary Experience. (B/L/D)
Day 15
Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Head out on a morning game drive followed by a bush breakfast. Take part in a boma cooking class before your evening safari drive. (B/L/D)
Day 16
Transfer to Johannesburg Airport for your overnight flight home. (B)
Day 17
Arrive in Toronto or Winnipeg.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | S - Snack | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊ CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2026. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart for your overnight flight to Cape Town.
Day 2
Cape Town
Arrive and meet your guide, then transfer to the hotel. Refreshments will be available in your room. (S)
Day 3
Cape Town
Enjoy a leisurely morning to rest after your flight. In the afternoon, transfer to the V&A Waterfront with time to browse the shops and take in the waterfront views before lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel to freshen up before heading out for your welcome dinner, which includes an interactive drumming workshop paired with a delicious Taste of Africa menu. (B/L/D)
Day 4
Cape Town
Discover Cape Town on a guided city tour. Ride the cableway and tram up Table Mountain for panoramic views (weather permitting), then explore the city with stops in the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood and the historic Company Gardens. After a local lunch, continue to Signal Hill for more sweeping views and photo opportunities. Dinner this evening is at the V&A Waterfront. (B/L/D)
Day 5
Cape Town
Set out on a full-day Cape Peninsula tour, visiting scenic spots like Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. Explore Hout Bay and take in dramatic coastal views along Chapman’s Peak Drive. At Cape Point, ride the funicular to the top for spectacular vistas, then visit Boulder Beach to see its famous penguin colony. (B/L/D)
Day 6
Cape Town
Transfer to the Robben Island terminal for the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years in captivity. Return to the V&A Waterfront with the afternoon at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace before dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 7
Knysna
Enjoy lunch at your personal expense as we journey along the scenic south coast to Knysna. (B/D)
Day 8
Knysna
Today you’ll visit Featherbed Nature Reserve for a one-of-a-kind eco experience. Take a ferry across the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head, followed by a guided 4X4 vehicle tour with stops to appreciate the spectacular views. Lunch is served under a canopy of Milkwood trees. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Knysna
A full day at leisure to enjoy the hotel amenities or explore the town’s shops and galleries. (B/D)
Day 10
Oudtshoorn
Visit a working ostrich farm for an Ostrich Tractor tour and lunch, then continue to the impressive Cango Caves. Check in at Surval Boutique Olive Estate for the evening. (B/L/D)
Day 11
Cape Town
Travel through the winelands today, with a stop in Barrydale for one of their signature milkshakes. Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at Rickety Bridge Winery before continuing back to Cape Town. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Johannesburg
Transfer to Cape Town airport for the flight to Johannesburg. Tour Soweto, with visits to the Regina Mundi Church, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Mandela House. After lunch, check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Karongwe Private Game Reserve
After breakfast, journey along the scenic Panorama Route toward Kruger National Park. Highlights include Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window and the Three Rondavels. Arrive at Chisomo Safari Camp and settle into your luxurious tented suite. Take time to enjoy the lodge’s amenities, including the bar, lounge and pool overlooking a wildlife-rich watering hole. (B/D)
Day 14
Karongwe Private Game Reserve
While staying at the safari lodge, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy two half-day game drives daily. Today, enjoy your Extraordinary Experience: a visit to the local community and school. During this visit, you’ll have the chance to meet with the staff and students and present them with a care package of needed school supplies. (B/L/D)
Day 15
Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Head out on a morning game drive, followed by a bush breakfast at Look-Out Point and an anti-poaching talk from the Reserve Warden. After lunch, take part in a boma cooking class where your creations will be served during tonight’s farewell dinner. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to relax or take a dip in the pool before your evening safari. (B/L/D)
Day 16
Transfer from your safari camp to Johannesburg Airport for your overnight flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
Day 17
Return home to Toronto or Winnipeg.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | S - Snack | D - Dinner