Current as of: October 10, 2024 - 17:49

Cape Town to Johannesburg

Cape Town to Johannesburg Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group
  • Destination: Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, South Africa
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    3 out of 7 - Moderate

  • 20 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: AZJR
  • Carbon Footprint: 45kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Enjoy safaris, mountain kingdoms, world-class wine and the dramatic coastline of southern Africa

This epic journey explores three very diverse countries. In South Africa, we go on game drives in Kruger National Park, walk in the spectacular Drakensberg mountains, travel along the Garden Route and enjoy wine tasting in renowned vineyards. We also visit exciting Cape Town and journey through the mountain kingdoms of Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho. This three-week trip has something for everyone: prolific wildlife, incredible scenery, beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring mountains and, of course, the rich culture that makes these countries what they are today.

At a Glance

  • Accommodation: 19 Classic nights (log cabins, chalets, hotels and permanent tented camp)
  • Travel is by minibus or overland truck
  • Mainly good roads with some long drives

Highlights

  • Visit Kruger and the Drakensberg
  • Discover Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho
  • Enjoy Cape Town and the Garden Route

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

It is designed for people in good health who enjoy the outdoors. It is a varied trip with sightseeing, city tours, game viewing, beach activities and walking. The moderate grading is given as some of the walks, especially in the Drakensberg, require a reasonable level of fitness.

Due to the nature of this trip, we have some long driving days as we cover a lot of the country but there is lots to do and see along the way. We do, however, stop regularly for toilet breaks, refreshments, photographs and leg stretches. Drive times on a lot of the days are four to five hours but a couple may be in excess of seven hours (not including time for stops). Drive times in the itinerary are approximations only and do vary.

Group

There is a local leader plus a driver/assistant and local guides where needed.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Cape Town to Johannesburg

Land Only

  • Start City: Cape Town
  • End City: Johannesburg

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town any time today. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city. Cape Town sits in one of the most beautiful locations of any of the world’s major cities with the impressive bulk of Table Mountain as its backdrop and Table Bay in the foreground. The city is a mix of cultures as people from Europe, Africa and Asia have all settled here (either voluntarily or forcibly) over the centuries. The city is a blend of Europe and Africa and a great place to watch the world pass or visit various sites and museums.

Accommodation: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)

Day 2
Cape Peninsula visit

After an early morning breakfast, we drive via the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay and then over Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve is home to elands, springboks, wildebeest, baboons and ostriches. Rugged cliffs, unspoiled beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora are the main features of the reserve. We also visit the Cape Point lighthouse. In the afternoon, we take a one-hour walk that is almost entirely downhill. Our destination is the Cape of Good Hope with a detour to Diaz Beach. The trail ends at the Cape of Good Hope signboard. We then return to Cape Town, passing through the former Royal Navy base town of Simon’s Town and a visit to the resident penguin colony (optional). Our driving time today is approximately three to four hours (125mi/200km).

Accommodation: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3
Cape Town

The day is free and an optional trip to Robben Island, site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration during the apartheid period, is highly recommended. Weather permitting, a cable-car ride to the top of Table Mountain is a must.

Accommodation: InnsCape on Castle Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4
Stellenbosch and Hermanus

Leaving Cape Town, we drive to the vineyard region of Stellenbosch where we have the option of visiting wineries and doing some wine tasting. We then continue towards Hermanus driving via Gordon’s Bay. There is always a good chance of seeing whales in season. Hermanus is an interesting little town, rightly famous for delicious seafood – a visit to one of the great restaurants in the evening is highly recommended. It is also widely regarded as the best place on Earth for land-based whale watching from August to November. Our drive time today is approximately three to four hours (120mi/190km).

Accommodation: Windsor Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5
Garden Route

Today we drive along the beautiful Garden Route coastline via the cultivated fields of the Western Cape Boland and the town of George towards the Tsitsikamma National Park. The route is stunning and follows the ragged coast passing through small fishing villages and seaside resort. This national park, at the mouth of the Storms River, protects the indigenous forests as well as the marine life 50km out to sea. We stay at a beautifully positioned camp with the waves breaking a stone’s throw away. Our driving time today will be approximately 6-7hrs (500kms).

Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Tsitsikamma National Park

Our second day in Tsitsikamma is free to enjoy the beautiful setting. There are a range of optional activities including walks to the Storms River gorge and along the rocky coast, snorkelling, sea and river cruises and a tree canopy tour through the forests. In season, approximately August to October, the marine park is home to a population of migratory whales.

Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Storms River Huts (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
Graaff Reinet

We head over the Kouga and Baviaanskloof mountains as we head towards Graaff Reinet. This small 19th-century town is set in the middle of the Karoo National Reserve and is a stopover on our way to Lesotho. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (242mi/390km).

Accommodation: Obesa Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8
Long drive to Lesotho

Today is a long day’s drive as we traverse the Great Karoo and enter Lesotho. This mountainous kingdom has been shielded from outside influence over the generations and the Bastho people historically used this strategic location as a defence against events on the plains below. Our lodge in this rugged, mountainous region provides the ideal opportunity to experience Lesotho culture. Our driving time today is approximately seven to eight hours plus time at the border (330mi/530km).

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9
Lesotho

The day is free to relax and experience the unique culture of Lesotho. Mountain ridges protrude into the town and an optional day pony trek to a local village is recommended. Alternatively, the craft shops and markets can be an enjoyable way to pick up African souvenirs.

Accommodation: Malealea Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10
Drakensberg mountains

Today is a long day’s drive as we travel through Lesotho and exit at the Maseru border post. We then travel through the eastern farmlands of the Free State before driving through Golden Gate National Park. We continue to the Northern Drakensberg, our base for the next two nights. The Drakensberg is a basalt escarpment forming the border between Kwa Zulu-Natal and Lesotho and continuing into the Free State. It means Dragon Mountains, but the Zulu named it Ukhahlamba (the Barrier of Spears). Our driving time today is approximately five to six hours (250mi/400km).

Accommodation: Alpine Heath (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11
Drakensberg: the Amphitheatre

We spend a full day in the mountains where our route has us walking for approximately five to six hours into a natural amphitheatre, following the Tugela River past protea trees. The protea is the national flower of South Africa and the nickname of their cricket team. Our driving time today is approximately one hour (31mi/50km).

Accommodation: Alpine Heath (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12
Rorke's Drift and Dundee

Today we drive through the Natal midlands and to Dundee. En route, we stop at Rorke’s Drift to learn about the famous battle that took place here and featured in the Michael Caine film Zulu (1964). The small cluster of buildings isolated in the enormity of the African Bush is a moving reminder of this troubled time. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (155mi/250km).

Accommodation: Battlefields Country Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13
To St Lucia

Today we head for the Indian Ocean and the small town of St Lucia on the shores of a lake renowned for hippos, crocs and birds. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (195mi/315km).

Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14
St Lucia

In the early morning, we spend two hours exploring Lake St Lucia by boat, with an excellent chance of seeing some of the many resident hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles. From here, it’s a short drive to Cape Vidal, a long stretch of beach along the Indian Ocean where we spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or walking to Mission Rocks (please note, the walk to Mission Rocks is only possible at low tide and can take about four hours’ return). Alternatively, there are several optional activities available, including whale watching (in season: June to November) or sunset and night game drives on the western shores of the lake. Our driving time today is approximately two to three hours (47mi/75km).

Accommodation: Shonalanga Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15
To Eswatini (Swaziland)

Today we head into our third country, Eswatini (Swaziland), and overnight in the king’s old hunting grounds, now the beautiful Hlane Royal National Park. In the afternoon, we can leave the vehicle for a nature walk (optional). Seeing animals and tracks outside the confines of a vehicle is a thrilling experience and gives us the chance to see and hear the variety of smaller animals and birds that are often passed by on game drives. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (185mi/300km).

Accommodation: Hlane Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 16 - 17
Kruger National Park

We cross back into South Africa and head towards Kruger, the most famous national park in Africa. It was established by president Paul Kruger in 1898 and has arguably the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, black and white rhinos, plus cheetahs, giraffes, hippos and many species of antelopes and smaller plains game. The total census includes 147 mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles and 336 different trees. The camps are also excellent and the general infrastructure good. If you see all the predators, you are very lucky; however, you will almost certainly see some of the classic safari giants and a huge variety of smaller mammals. We game drive through the park to the camps, where there is a chance for a swim and hot shower. We have two days in the park. On Day 17, morning and afternoon game drives are included to maximise our chances of seeing the plentiful fauna of this great park. Our driving time today is approximately two to three hours (87mi/140km) to the park entrance plus time on safari inside the park.

Accommodation: Kruger Park Huts or permanent tented camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18
Morning and afternoon game drives

After game driving out of Kruger National Park, we continue to this evening’s camp for an afternoon game drive in a private concession of Kruger National Park. Our driving time today is approximately four to five hours (185mi/300km).

Accommodation: Nkambeni Tented Camp (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19
Bourke's Luck potholes, Blyde River Canyon and Graskop

We head out of the park and make our way towards Graskop (Mpumalanga). En route, we drive through some spectacular countryside and stop at scenic places, such as Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. Our driving time today is approximately five to six hours (250mi/400km).

Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20
Drive to Johannesburg

On our final day, we drive along good roads towards Johannesburg. The tour ends upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport and we begin our return journeys home. Drive time is around five to six hours (235mi/380km)

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Chalets, hotels, permanent tented camps

Cape Town to Johannesburg

For this 20-day adventure through South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho, we have picked a selection of accommodations, each well located for our activities. We stay in a range of log cabins, chalets, hotels and permanent tented camps – the latter is a quintessential African experience that allows you to experience nature while enjoying the comforts of a regular room.

We mostly stay in three-star properties throughout this itinerary. In Cape Town, we have an ideal location between the city centre and the V&A Waterfront, a star attraction in the city packed with restaurants, shops and buzzy bars. Conversely, we spend many nights in the middle of nowhere, such as our time within Kruger National Park where the calls of lions and hippos provide a very different experience to our time in the populated areas of South Africa.

While our normal hotels used are listed in the day-to-day itinerary, below are some of the notable stays on this trip.

Hermanus: Windsor Hotel (night 16)

Johannesburg to Cape Town
The 120-year-old Windsor Hotel sits opposite Walker Bay, one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world when southern right whales migrate to the bay to breed (July to November). Whale-watching is even possible from the comfort of the hotel restaurant. However, the location of the property is also ideal out of season with a central setting within town and quick access to the 7.5mi (12km) Hermanus Cliff Path.

Northern Drakensberg: Alpine Heath Resort (nights 9-10)

Johannesburg to Cape Town
This stylish four-star resort has an idyllic setting in the heart of the Drakensberg. Beautiful alpine views can be enjoyed from every part of the property regardless of whether you are relaxing with a drink at your chalet’s patio or going for a paddle in one of the outdoor swimming pools. There are also five eateries including La Gruyere’s Restaurant or the Pool Bar to choose from while you enjoy downtime between walks.

Worth knowing

  • Wifi is available in several properties but not everywhere and it can be unreliable.
  • Private bathrooms are available throughout the majority of the tour; however, in Kruger National Park there are shared facilities and in the Drakensberg we stay in chalets where two rooms share one bathroom and a lounge area.
  • The single supplement applies to the bedrooms only and you may have to share a bathroom on certain nights.

Single supplement from £ 675

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, 16 lunches and 13 dinners are included.

Your guide and driver/assistant generally prepare the meals included in this trip. A rough idea of what the meals consist of is as follows:

  • Breakfast: Cereals, coffee, tea and toast. The occasional cooked breakfast too
  • Lunch: Cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls, fresh fruit
  • Dinner: Potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir fries, pasta with fresh vegetables. Most are generally cooked on the open fire.

Please be aware, we need at least two weeks’ notice to deal with special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies.) For this reason, if you did not indicate these on your booking form, please advise us as soon as possible. The tour leaders do all the shopping, meal planning and cooking for each group. They always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. We also supply the following drinks: fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages are at your own expense. We do not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops if you want to buy it yourself.

The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water, this will be at your expense. However, we would encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.

Transport

The type of vehicle used depends on the group size but it is minibus in style and fitted with individual forward-facing seats and tows a trailer for equipment and luggage. Please note, there are some long driving days, but the scenery is breathtaking so this should not prove too much of a hardship.

Weather & Seasonality

Although the greater part of South Africa lies north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the altitude moderates the temperature. Summer is from October to April and the average daytime temperature is 25C-30C (77F-86F). The average night-time temperature is 10C-20C (50F-68F). Winter is from May to September and average temperatures are colder at this time of year. In and around Cape Town, most of the rainfall is in the winter but it is frontal rain, which comes off the Atlantic. Therefore, it can rain solidly for two days with warm, sunny days in between.

There is likely to be very little rain inland during April through October. In July and August, the nights can be very cold, especially in the Drakensberg where temperatures can drop below freezing. However, the days are warm and crisp with generally cloud-free skies. November through February, rain can sometimes be expected and the temperature is higher. However, as anyone who has travelled to these parts will say, rain is often a blessing: it manifests the local colours, drops the sometimes-sweltering temperatures and never generally lasts too long. It also means the nights are incredibly clear. Due to the ocean’s proximity to the mountains and the winds, it is fairly common to experience tabletop clouds on the higher mountains in and around Cape Town.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: InnsCape on Castle Hotel, 53 Castle Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001
Phone: +27 21 202 5932
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you
Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Flying via Johannesburg
If you are flying to Cape Town via Johannesburg, you need to collect your baggage in Johannesburg, even if your bag has been checked all the way through to Cape Town (and even if you are told you do not need to pick it up). After collecting the bag, you are required to clear customs, and you should then drop it off at the bag drop for the onward flight. This only applies to the outbound flight – you do not need to do this at the end of the trip on the return flight.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Please note, we have a long drive back to the airport on the last day. Therefore, you should not book a flight earlier than the chosen flight to London, UK

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Cape Town
Location end: Johannesburg

What To Take

Essential Equipment

  • Good solid walking shoes
  • Lightweight long trousers or zip-off long trousers (pants) that can become shorts
  • Warm sweater/fleece
  • Large water bottle
  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Wet wipes
  • Hand gel
  • Binoculars
  • Headtorch (head lamp) and spare batteries
  • Portable charger for potential load shedding (power blackouts)

Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burned, both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. On your trip, the tap water is safe to drink and is used to fill water containers on the vehicle. This means safe drinking water is available throughout and all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list!

Optional Equipment

At all times, a good waterproof windbreaker in your backpack for the day is recommended should the cooler winds pick up during the course of a walk. Neutral-coloured clothing should be used on game drives and walking safaris.

There are numerous opportunities to do laundry along the way, normally every three or four days.

Practical Information

Visa

South Africa

Travellers from the UK, US and most (though not all) EU states normally do not need a visa to enter South Africa. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/south-africa
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html

Please note, all travellers to South Africa who require a visa need at least two consecutive blank pages in their passport (ie a left- and right-hand page) to enable an entry visa to be issued.

Additionally, any child under 18 travelling to South Africa needs to be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate with the names of both parents. If a child under 18 is only travelling with one parent, they will also have to have an affidavit, no less than three months old, from the absent parent confirming the child can travel with the other parent; a court order granting full legal guardianship of the child; or a death certificate of the deceased parent.

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Travellers from the UK, US and most EU states normally do not need a visa to enter Eswatini. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Lesotho

British nationals can obtain entry visas on arrival.

Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

 

Vaccinations and Health

South Africa

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria prophylaxis is essential if travelling in the greater Kruger area; seek advice from your doctor or travel clinic about which tablets to take. The rest of South Africa, including the Garden Route, has a low risk of malaria.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is also a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we recommend taking the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eswatini (Swaziland)

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have travelled from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic. There is also a risk of malaria in Eswatini, please confirm the recommended course of action with your doctor or travel clinic.

Lesotho

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Malaria prophylaxis is essential on this trip, and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.

Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.

Dengue fever and/or chikungunya are known risks in places visited on this trip. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Local Time

South Africa's time zone: Africa/Johannesburg (UTC +02:00)

Electricity

South Africa's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins), D (three round pins), M (three round pins) and N (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Eswatini (Swaziland)'s electricity: Plug type M (three round pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Lesotho's electricity: Plug type M (three round pins) – 220V, 50Hz

Cape Town to Johannesburg

Money

South Africa's currency: South African rand (ZAR)

Eswatini (Swaziland)'s currency: Swazi lilangeni (SZL)

Lesotho's currency: Lesotho loti (LSL)

ATM Availability

Credit cards can be used in major shops and restaurants but are not accepted at curio stalls and small shops. You can pay for optional excursions by credit card, although there may be an extra charge for this. There are ATMs in Johannesburg, Graskop, Kruger National Park, Dundee and Cape Town plus other places along the way.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Allow about 285 rand (US$15) per day for incidentals. Own-expense meals cost on average 285-565 rand (US$15-US$30) depending on personal preferences and drinks.

Optional excursions

All prices listed are subject to change:

  • Kruger National Park night drive: 307 rand (US$16.10) per person
  • Kruger National Park sunrise and sunset drives: 402 rand (US$21) per person
  • Nature walk in Hlane: 256 rand (US$13.50) per person
  • Open game drive in Hlane: 432 rand (US$22.60) per person
  • Whale-watching excursion in St Lucia (minimum two people, July to October only): 1,700 rand (US$90) per person
  • Half-day self-guided snorkelling at Tsitsikamma, including hire of snorkelling set and wetsuit: 450 rand (US$23.50) per person
  • Half-day guided snokelling trip, including hire of snorkelling set and wetsuit: 750 rand (US$40) per person
  • Tsitsikamma boat cruise: 285 rand (US$15) per person
  • Tsitsikamma tree canopy tour: 795 rand (US$41.50) per person
  • Wine tasting: 60-120 rand (US$3.15-US$6.30) per person, price dependent on the wine farm
  • Hout Bay Seal Island cruise: 110 rand (US$5.75) per person
  • Table Mountain: 240 rand (US$12.50) per person one way and 360 rand (US$18.80) per person round trip
  • Half-day township tour in Cape Town: 980 rand (US$51.20) per person
  • Robben Island: 600 rand (US$31.50). If you would like to book this excursion, please advise us at least four weeks before travel (ideally when you book the trip). We take all names and the tickets are payable locally – this is to avoid disappointment as it is a popular tour. Once you have signed up, we cannot accept cancellations. Refunds are only issued if we are refunded by the ticket office for adverse weather conditions etc.

Tipping

Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work. Tipping is entirely optional but we recommend budgeting approximately 100-120 rand (US$5.25-US$6.30) per day for the tour leader and 80-100 rand (US$4.20-US$5.25) per day for the driver.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

  • Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
  • This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
  • Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

  • By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
  • We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
  • The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves generates income which is used to upkeep and develop these important sites. We visit Kruger National Park.
  • Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
  • With our partners, Rewilding Apennines, we rewild 100 square meters (1,075 sqft) of land per passenger who travels with us.
  • Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

  • Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
  • Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

  • Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
  • Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Important Information

Optional activities and excursions

If you would like to join an optional activity or excursion outside those listed in the itinerary, your leader may be able to assist with selecting a provider. However, Exodus has not assessed the safety standards of activities or excursions that are not listed in the Trip Notes. All optional activities or excursions are undertaken at your own risk.

Important Information

Your safe participation 

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

How to Book

  1. Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
  2. Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
  3. Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.