South Africa: An Elegant Adventure

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Cape Grace. A transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Cape Grace is included; named to Travel + Leisure's 2026 list of the world's best hotels, this luxurious property is perfectly situated on the waterfront in the heart of Cape Town. Meet your Tauck Director and fellow travelers at a welcome reception, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Your morning begins with a lecture on apartheid from Christo Brand, a former prison guard of Nelson Mandela who developed a lasting friendship with him during his imprisonment. Then set out on an orientation tour of Cape Town, with views of City Hall, Parliament, and St. George's Cathedral, where Desmond Tutu was enthroned as Archbishop of Cape Town. Weather permitting, ascend famous Table Mountain aboard a rotating cable car, enjoying magnificent views of the city, Table Bay, and the surrounding coastline. At the summit, take in the scenery and enjoy an opportunity to explore on foot. Continue to Groot Constantia, one of South Africa's oldest wine estates, whose history dates to 1685. Discover the estate's winemaking heritage on a guided cellar tour, followed by a tasting of its wines and lunch at an onsite restaurant. Later, stop at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), housed in a strikingly transformed historic grain silo on the V&A Waterfront. This evening, enjoy the freedom to choose your own dinner at Time Out Market Cape Town, where a variety of food vendors showcase the flavors of the city.

Travel along the Cape Peninsula to Cape Point, where dramatic cliffs and sweeping ocean views create one of South Africa's most memorable coastal landscapes. Ride the funicular toward the historic lighthouse and enjoy panoramic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, False Bay, and the Cape of Good Hope. Stop for photographs at the famous Cape of Good Hope marker before continuing toward Simon's Town for lunch at a seaside restaurant. This afternoon, visit Boulders Beach, where a colony of African penguins makes its home among the sheltered coves and granite boulders. Follow the boardwalks for a closer look at these distinctive birds in their natural habitat. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening free to enjoy as you wish.

Fly from Cape Town to Skukuza, in the heart of Kruger National Park, where your safari experience begins at Lion Sands. Set in the South African lowveld, this remarkable wildlife region encompasses a diversity of habitats that support elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalo, and numerous other species. Settle into your luxurious safari lodge, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush, and enjoy a substantial afternoon tea before setting out on your first game drive. Accompanied by an expert safari guide, explore the reserve in search of wildlife as the afternoon light begins to soften. Return to your lodge for dinner this evening.

Wildlife viewing is a highlight of your stay at Lion Sands, where the protected landscapes along the Sabie River provide habitat for an extraordinary variety of animals, including elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and numerous antelope species. Begin the day with an early morning game drive, when the bush comes alive with activity and your expert guide helps you recognize animal tracks, identify birds, and search for wildlife moving through the landscape. Return to the lodge for breakfast and enjoy some free time to relax, perhaps taking in the views from your private deck or enjoying the lodge's amenities. Following lunch, head out again for an afternoon game drive, with another opportunity to observe the animals that inhabit this remarkable region. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Enjoy a final early morning game drive at Lion Sands before continuing your safari experience at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, situated within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, bordering expansive Kruger National Park. Your journey between the lodges includes wildlife viewing along the way, with opportunities to discover more of the region's diverse landscapes. Sabi Sands is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity and sightings of Africa's iconic Big Five – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard. Wild dogs, cheetahs, giraffes, and hundreds of bird species also inhabit the area. Arrive at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge in time for lunch, then enjoy an afternoon game drive with experienced guides and trackers who know the surrounding bushveld intimately. Return to the lodge for dinner this evening.

Morning and afternoon game drives aboard open four-wheel-drive safari vehicles bring the African bush to life, offering opportunities for close-up sightings of wildlife in its natural surroundings. Experienced rangers and skilled local trackers help you search for animals throughout the reserve, from lions and leopards to elephants, giraffes, kudus, and impalas. Along the way, learn about animal behavior, the relationships between different species, and ongoing efforts to protect the region's wildlife and habitats. For another perspective on the bush, you may choose an optional guided walk, discovering the smaller details of the landscape that can be overlooked from a vehicle. Between game drives, enjoy lunch and time to relax at the lodge, perhaps taking a swim or simply enjoying the surrounding scenery. This evening, gather for a traditional South African braai – a barbecue dinner served outdoors beneath the stars.

Today's guided exploration of Johannesburg offers a deeper understanding of South Africa's history, the struggle against apartheid, and the people whose courage helped shape the nation's future. Visit the Apartheid Museum, whose powerful exhibitions trace the origins, enforcement, and eventual dismantling of South Africa's system of racial segregation. Through photographs, personal accounts, historical footage, and artifacts, gain insight into the everyday realities of apartheid and the extraordinary movement that brought about its end. Continue to Soweto, a township that played a pivotal role in the struggle for freedom and became a center of resistance to apartheid. Here, visit Mandela House on Vilakazi Street, the former home of Nelson Mandela and his family, now a museum preserving the story of his life and political legacy. Discover more about the people and events that shaped this historic community, including the 1976 Soweto uprising, a turning point in South Africa's fight for democracy. Following lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel, where the remainder of the afternoon and evening are yours to spend as you wish.

Fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, for a two-night stay at the historic, five-star Victoria Falls Hotel. Set amid tropical gardens near one of the world's most spectacular waterfalls, this celebrated hotel has welcomed travelers for more than a century. Late this afternoon, follow in the footsteps of African explorer and missionary David Livingstone aboard a private sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. Relax with refreshments as you take in the scenery along the riverbanks, watching for birds and other wildlife as the sun begins to set. Return to the hotel, where you'll have a choice of restaurants for dinner this evening.

Experience the extraordinary power and beauty of Victoria Falls this morning, with a choice of two ways to explore this natural landmark. Join a privately guided walking tour along the falls, stopping at viewpoints that reveal the immense curtain of water and the dramatic gorge below, or take to the skies aboard a helicopter for a bird's-eye view of the falls and surrounding landscape. Later, visit an elephant sanctuary, where a naturalist introduces you to the behavior, conservation, and care of African elephants. Meet these remarkable animals and have an opportunity to feed them from a designated viewing platform. Continue to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust clinic, where you'll learn about the work of veterinarians, scientists, and conservationists dedicated to protecting the region's wildlife. Return to your hotel for an elegant high tea and some free time before gathering this evening for a farewell reception and dinner at the Livingstone Restaurant.

Tour ends: Victoria Falls. Begin your morning with an insightful lecture on the life and legacy of Dr. David Livingstone, whose explorations brought international attention to this remarkable region. A transfer is included from The Victoria Falls Hotel to Victoria Falls International Airport. Please allow three hours for flight check-in.