6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 6 dinners

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Eating is a big part of travelling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available in South Africa.

National Geographic Journeys

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

1. PASSPORT AND VISA

A valid passport and visas are required for entry into South Africa.

2. YELLOW FEVER: COUNTRY DETAIL

There is no risk of Yellow Fever transmission in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. However, all of these countries require proof of vaccination under International Health Regulations to prevent importation of the virus. It is compulsory to show a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling to any of the above countries from a Yellow Fever endemic country, or have recently transited through one (12 hours or more in airport). Endemic countries include: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Venezuela.

We advise all travellers on Southern and East Africa itineraries to carry a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate regardless of their country of origin. Given the multi-country nature of these itineraries, travellers will cross borders into countries that require the certificate as a condition of entry from preceding destinations. A traveller entering the itinerary from a non-endemic country may not require the certificate to enter the first country, but will almost certainly require it by the time they cross into a subsequent one. Yellow Fever vaccinations must be administered at least 10 days prior to entry into the first country visited. Under WHO regulations (effective 11 July 2016), certificates are valid for the lifetime of the person vaccinated, there is no 10-year expiry on the certificate itself, though some border officials may be unaware of this. Travellers should carry their original International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (yellow card) at all times during the tour. Travellers without a valid certificate run the risk of being denied entry and will not be able to continue with the tour. Any additional travel expenses incurred will be at the traveller’s own account.

3. TRAVEL DAYS

This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe air-conditioned touring vehicle for the long drives.

4. COMBO TOUR

Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.

5. DRONES

The use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.

6. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:

Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout, local guides
angers.

Start and end hotels on this tour offer comfortable accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, standard facilities, and wifi. Additional amenities vary from location to location. Please see the hotel listings on the Full Itinerary if you would like to learn more about the offerings of your accommodations.

The tented camp accommodations on this tour are situated centrally, with easy access to the park for wildlife safari drives. Tents are typically spacious with mosquito-proof netting, comfortable bedding, and en-suite bathroom with flushing toilets and camping showers.

Please remember that hotel/lodge/camp standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel.

Note:

1) Under certain circumstances, we reserve the right to change accommodation and provide something slightly different to what is described, though it will always be of similar or better standard/level.

2) Most lodges and camps do not have 24hr electricity – they usually run on generators which are routinely shut off overnight from approximately 10pm to 5am.

3) Lodges and camps are NOT equipped with fans or air conditioning due to the electricity constraints listed above.

4) Winter nights (June to September) can be cold, and most lodges and hotels do not have insulation or central heating. If you require additional blankets or a hot water bottle, these can be requested through your Expedition Leader or at the reception.

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and restricted to one soft compact suitcase, sports bag, or backpack. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. Porters may not always be available, so be prepared to carry your own bags. It is important to pack clothes for warm days and cool evenings, as well as a warm jacket for early morning wildlife safari drives. A set of smart casual clothes is also advisable.

The Southern Hemisphere essentially has the opposite weather to the Northern Hemisphere. The winter months of June, July and August, whilst clear and warm during the day (up to 25 degrees), can drop down to single figures and even below freezing at night. Between September and May it is considerably warmer with the time between October and March being the hottest, getting up to the high 30C and sometimes above. However it is always a dry heat and the temperature does drop at night. The wet season is between November and February, but this is not a bad time to go, as it generally does not rain for very long. We strongly recommend lots of layers to wear from the start of the day until the night. You might still need to wear a fleece jacket in the mornings, a t-shirt during the day and again the fleece jacket at sunset time. A woolen hat is also very much recommendable for the cold winter’s early morning wildlife safari drives.

Please be advised that if you plan to bring a drone with you, the use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Set out on a full-day safari in Kruger National Park aboard an open 4×4 with a skilled ranger and tracker, scanning for elephants, lions, buffalo, rhino, and elusive leopards. Move quietly through savanna and riverine thickets as you search for the Big Five and countless smaller marvels.

Cover varied habitats that shelter giraffe, zebra, hippos, and vibrant birdlife like lilac-breasted rollers. Gain insight into conservation within one of Africa’s great protected areas, spanning nearly 19,000 sq km, where ancient wildlife corridors and modern safeguarding efforts converge.

Venture out at dawn and dusk on ranger-led wildlife drives across Karongwe Private Game Reserve, prime hours when predators stir and antelope graze in golden light. Scan for lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo amid acacia bush and open clearings.

With local expert trackers interpreting fresh prints and alarm calls, travel in an open vehicle as daylight softens into the night sounds of the bush. These complementary outings reveal different rhythms of the ecosystem and heighten your chance of memorable sightings across Karongwe’s varied habitats.

Meet a researcher to learn about cheetah conservation with the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Range Expansion Project, a program supported by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative. Hear how habitat management, monitoring, and partnerships help protect cheetahs and other carnivores in the Greater Kruger landscape.

Following the briefing, join a wildlife-viewing excursion with the researcher to interpret tracks, scent marks, and prey movements in the field. Gain perspective on the challenges of coexistence and the science guiding reintroduction and protection strategies across southern Africa.

Taste South Africa’s convivial food culture as you enjoy a traditional boma braai at Karongwe, dining in a lantern-lit boma beneath southern skies while flames dance against the palisade.

Savor braaied meats, hearty potjiekos, and syrupy malva pudding as stories and laughter rise with the embers. This fireside feast celebrates regional ingredients and the shared ritual of cooking over coals that unites communities across the country.

Gather in Johannesburg’s Rosebank district to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travelers and share a welcome dinner featuring classic South African flavors.

Receive a concise orientation to the journey—wildlife etiquette, early starts, and regional culture—so you feel prepared for the bush. This convivial evening helps you connect with the group and set the tone for the adventure ahead.

Explore South Africa’s legendary Panorama Route, pausing to admire the emerald sweep of the Blyde River Canyon, the sculpted whirlpools of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the lofty vantage of God’s Window. Travel the escarpment where the Highveld falls away to the Lowveld and pause for photos and reflection at dramatic viewpoints.

Learn how swirling rivers carved cylindrical potholes at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur, and why this canyon is counted among the world’s largest green canyons. On clear days, gaze across forested slopes toward Kruger, with waterfalls and sandstone cliffs framing a route rich in geological wonder.