Hidden South Africa Two-Week Tour

Bay in Cape Town, South Africa

What to expect on this itinerary

Highly authentic and vested in the local culture, this adventurous, two-week tour celebrates experiences that are yet to make the guidebooks. Venture off the beaten track in South Africa, and you will unravel the threads of a Rainbow Nation. Think Xhosa lifestyles, Zulu traditions, Bushman art, township culture, and enchanting histories that are narrated by specialist guides. Trek to the world’s second-highest waterfall, lounge on Durban beaches, and uncover the cradle of humankind.

Countries Visited

South Africa

Places Visited

Johannesburg, Drakensberg, Durban, Port St Johns, Cape Town

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Johannesburg - A Reinvented City Center

Central Johannesburg has reinvented itself over the last decade, mostly due to small, independent businesses and pop-up establishments. Once-derelict areas have become thriving social hubs, where boutiques and cafes meet with breweries and street art. You will be able to feel a high-paced city energy as you begin to explore the strands of the Rainbow Nation. After your airport transfer, you will spend the remaining afternoon and evening around these vibrant areas, including the Maboneng precinct. This will prove an ideal introduction to the country’s multicultural spirit and modern verve.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Johannesburg - Exploring the Cradle of Humankind

Day 3

Drakensberg - Rock Art in South Africa’s Mountain Range

Day 4

Drakensberg - Hiking to Tugela Falls

Day 5

Drakensberg - A Day Trip to Lesotho

Day 6

Durban - Traditional Zulu Culture

Day 7

Durban - Discovering a Cultural Legacy

Day 8

Port St Johns - First Impressions of the Transkei

Day 9

Port St Johns - Indian Ocean Beaches and Rolling Hills

Day 10

Port St Johns - At Home With Xhosa Culture

Day 11

Cape Town - Sunset from Kloof Corner

Day 12

Cape Town - Bo Kaap and District Six

Day 13

Cape Town - Art and Change on the Woodstock Streets

Day 14

Cape Town - Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Connect with a traditional Xhosa culture during your three days in the Transkei region
  • Trek to the world’s second-highest waterfall: Tugela Falls in the Drakensberg
  • Explore the colorful history of Bo Kaap, District Six, and Woodstock, which are three unique Cape Town neighborhoods
  • Discover the Zulu way of life by visiting a rural, KwaZulu-Natal community
  • Surround yourself with ancient stories when exploring rock art in the Drakensberg
  • Wander along a historical trail through Soweto and follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela
  • Bask in a day spent in Lesotho, which is a mountainous kingdom that is completely off the beaten track
  • Lounge on Durban beaches and feast on the city’s multicultural heritage
  • Marvel at the sunset from a secret point on Table Mountain
  • Uncover the Cradle of Humankind, which is home to 40% of the world’s hominid fossils

Starting Price

$8,200 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1598 reviews

Bernard L.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Travel Review: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, 16 Days

Zicasso's trip designer arranged a flawless, extraordinary trip.

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Mona P.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, Wildlife, Nature, 13-Day Trip

We’re still not over our trip! Everything was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for organizing such a great experience and making it so effortless for me. I already have family and friends asking who I went through, and I’m guessing some of them will be reaching out to you in the next year.

I do have one small piece of constructive feedback about our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. The staff, lodge, and food were wonderful, but unfortunately, the safari guide fell short. We had just come from the camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve (where we left our hearts—the guide there was truly exceptional, with such a great personality), so the difference stood out even more. At the Olifants West Nature Reserve camp, we saw very few animals and the guide didn’t engage much—he barely spoke, and when he did, it wasn’t very professional or kind, especially toward my son. My son even said the trip might have worked better in reverse, since after Botswana it was hard to adjust to seeing only a few animals a day.

That said, I’m so grateful for how smoothly you planned everything, especially on such short notice. It really was a trip of a lifetime for us.

Thank you again!

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Caitlin B.
South Africa, Mozambique Honeymoon Review: Kayaking, Private Wine Tour, Beaches, Wildlife, Nature, Local Cuisine, Culture, 14 Nights

The trip was simply magical. We had the absolute best experience working with Zicasso's travel company, from the planning stage to the best itinerary I've ever seen to every recommended location, transfer, and extra honeymoon surprises. We cannot thank this travel company's team enough for making our honeymoon the absolute best we could imagine.

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Dave A.
Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa Tour Review: Victoria Falls, 26 Nights

It was a unbelievable, fantastic trip. Working with Zicasso's travel agency was a pleasure. They set everything up, working with me closely to customize my trip. Everything went as planned and all the selections and partner companies were great.

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Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Celese M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Cape Town, Wildlife, 10 Nights

The trip was very well thought out and organized by Zicasso's travel agency. It was a good trip for a first time to sub-Saharan Africa.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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