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South Africa, woman on safari with giraffes
Cape Town, Winelands & Safari

South Africa Wildlife Walking Tour

9 DaysStarting at $10,365
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Overview

The wonder of South Africa is the dramatic and irresistible diversity of its cultures, landscapes and wildlife. The challenge is how to experience the best without committing to an extended visit that’s too long to make sense on your travel calendar. This carefully curated and wisely proportioned itinerary is the answer. You’ll go on thrilling safari in a wonderful preserve with abundant chances to see the Big Five and more. You’ll walk in gorgeous vineyards…taste your way to wine nirvana…and pair it all with remarkable cuisine. There are days in Cape Town with memorable visits to the Cape of Good Hope, the cultural townships and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Throughout, you’ll have the fulltime company of a fine local guide who helps you make sense of the complex history, the startling landscapes, and the native and colonial cultures that have clashed, sought common ground, and welcome you with warm hospitality.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

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• Enjoy a guided walk in Cape Town leads to a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city and the rugged Atlantic coast 

• Visit a colony of African penguins at Boulder Beach 

• Gain personal perspectives on apartheid on a moving visit to townships on the periphery of Cape Town 

• Meet a traditional healer and students in a small local school 

• Walk in Nelson Mandela’s shoes on Robben Island, now a UNESCO World Heritage site where he was held prisoner.

• In Stellenbosch, head out for amazingly scenic walks through vineyards and scenic wine estates 

• Savor tastings at some of the most interesting boutique wineries 

• Enjoy a progressive food walk punctuated with samples of local specialties.

• Follow expert guides to prime viewing areas for the Big Five – elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion, and leopard – as well as zebras, hippos, cheetahs, and more at Phinda Private Game Preserve 

• Explore the preserve’s seven unique ecosystems on remarkable walks

Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Cape Town – 9:00 am – Lobby of Cape Grace Hotel

  • Ending Point:

    KwaZulu-Natal – 8:00 am – Phinda Private Game Reserve
Itinerary Map

Click map to enlarge

Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Cape Town, Stellenbosch and other villages; as well as well-maintained countryside, riverside, beachside, vineyard and game preserve paths of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Internal Airfare

$600: This tour includes flights to/from the safari camp for a supplemental cost. (subject to change)

Hotels

Phinda Forest Lodge

Phinda Forest Lodge

Beautifully sited within the game preserve, the Mountain Lodge and Forest Lodge each offer luxurious comfort, private views of the bush from your chalet, cooling swimming pools, and remarkable access to the wildlife opportunities.

Lanzerac Hotel & Spa

Located on a private wine estate in the foothills of the Jonkershoek Valley, the luxurious Lanzerac Hotel & Spa is rich with Cape heritage. Indulge in their sought-after spa, indoor and outdoor pools, wine tastings, and refined accommodations for a rejuvenating stay.

Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa

The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa is a beautiful 5-star property in Cape Town’s scenic vineyard. A proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this upscale retreat offers breathtaking views of South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain range, as well as a spa, gym, and tennis court.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, seven lunches, and five dinners.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Travel + Leisure has awarded Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for South Africa tours?

If you want to experience South Africa in the most genuine way, Classic Journeys is your perfect choice. You’ll walk Cape Town’s colorful streets, explore vineyards with local vintners, and go on private Big Five safaris in places few travelers reach—all in the company of expert local guides who open doors to local culture, complex history, and wild places in nature for the trip of a lifetime.

Which locations does the Classic Journeys South Africa itinerary include?

On your Classic Journeys South Africa adventure, you’ll ride the Table Mountain cable car, meet penguins at Boulders Beach, wind along the Cape Peninsula, and walk the scenic vineyards of Stellenbosch. Your walking journey includes a memorable Big Five safari in the heart of Phinda Private Game Reserve—where game drives and expert local guides bring you up close to nature for a memorable trip.

When is the best time to visit South Africa?

The best time to visit South Africa is March through November Cape Town’s sun and wildflowers, prime wildlife viewing on safaris, and ideal weather. Classic Journeys offers departures each month from March through November, so you can choose when the country’s magic best fits into your schedule.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

On safari with Classic Journeys in South Africa, you’re likely to spot all of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—plus cheetah, wild dogs, zebra, giraffe, and sometimes even large herds of antelope and hippo. Your expert local guides know just where to look for spectacular close encounters every day and will share history, insight and stories along the way.

How active is the South Africa walking safari tour?

Classic Journeys’ South Africa tour is crafted for all ages and abilities, with a blend of city walks, vineyard strolls, coastal hikes at Cape Point, and game drives on safari. With daily mileage of about 2–8 miles, you can expect to walk along a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Cape Town, as well as well-maintained countryside, riverside, beachside, vineyard and game preserve paths with your expert local guides leading the way.

How does Classic Journeys’ South Africa tour compare with other operators?

With Classic Journeys, you’ll travel in a genuinely small group, which is usually 6-10 guests and no more than 18. Together with your expert local guides, you and your travel companions will enjoy curated walks, stays in luxury lodges, and get private access to exclusive reserves. You can look forward to unforgettable wildlife spotting and uncrowded game-viewing for the safari trip of a lifetime.