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-Stay with the locals in a village homestay experience
-4x4 Excursion in a private game reserve
-Observe the Big Five in Kruger National Park
-Stay in a safari lodge near Kruger National Park
-Visiting Boulder’s Beach to view the African Penguin
-South African winery tour
South Africa is one of the world’s finest Big Five safari destinations and is also known for amazing food and adrenaline-pumping adventure activities. What more can you ask for when crossing a country off your bucket list?
Start your journey in Johannesburg, one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world. Then immerse yourself in traditional South African tribal culture during a 1-night homestay in a rural village. Next up, spend three days cruising around in safari vehicles observing the wildlife of Kruger National Park and the majestic Big Five. After a few days of roughing it out in the bush, unwind and close out your experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world - - Cape Town!
Trip begins at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) at 4:00 pm.
We recommend booking your flight to arrive a few hours before this time.
Trip ends in Cape Town, South Africa. Plan to depart at any time.
Travelers are responsible for their own transportation back to the airport.
This trip is relaxing and includes light activities with optional moderate activities. Participants can decide how much time they spend being active. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the experience.
This trip is a good mix of activity and relaxation and includes moderate physical activities. Participants should expect to be active for 3-4 hours most days. An active lifestyle is helpful, though not required to enjoy the trip.
This trip is for those who enjoy being physically challenged and reaping the rewards. It includes moderate to intense physical activities, and participants should expect to be active for 6-8 hours most days. Participants should have an active lifestyle.
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This trip has a 30-day cancellation policy. Give us at least 30 days’ notice, and you can switch your trip for free, or we'll hold your Experience Credits for future use.
Because we purchase non-refundable tickets on your behalf, we have a 60-day cancellation policy, and your $195 deposit is non-refundable. Give us at least 60 days' notice, and you can switch your trip or we'll hold your Experience Credits for future use, only forfeiting your deposit.
Because this trip has non-refundable tickets, we have a 60-day cancellation policy. Give us at least 60 days' notice, and you can switch your trip for free, or we'll hold your Experience Credits for future use.
Welcome to Johannesburg! Meet your Trip Leader at Johannesburg Airport and head over to your hotel.
Also known as Jozi, Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and offers vibrant nightlife, excellent restaurants, and renowned cultural institutions.
Join your new friends for your first dinner as you settle into South Africa.
After a short stint in Johannesburg, it’s time to head out to the bush! Though today’s journey is long, the landscapes are beautiful, and your final destination is well worth it.
Arrive at Mashishimale village, where the locals have opened their homes to you to explore the cultures and engross yourself in the rich diversity that South Africa has to offer.
Meet your host mothers, settle into your homestay, and then gather for a traditional home-cooked South African dinner.
Rise and shine to the sounds of South African village life.
Go for a walk around the village and learn about traditional Venda culture. Throughout the morning, you will meet community members, participate in the day-to-day activities, and have the opportunity to live like a local for the duration of your stay.
For lunch, enjoy another home-cooked meal while sitting around listening to stories, playing games, and simply feeling like a part of the community.
Later that afternoon, journey to Pridelands Nature Reserve for your first opportunity to view the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African buffalo!
Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptiles, and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog.
Navigate your way through the incredible landscapes in 4x4 safari vehicles. Your entire day will be spent game viewing, bird watching, and stopping at the various watering holes to spot animals in their natural habitat.
Spend your evening at the lodge relaxing around a campfire and gazing at a canopy of stars on your African safari.
If you didn’t check off all of the Big Five on yesterday’s drive, today, you’ll have another chance with a return to Kruger National Park!
Continue exploring one of Africa's most biodiverse areas on a 4x4 game drive. Enjoy the thrill of spotting an impala, zebra, giraffe, or lion as you stop at watering holes throughout your explorations.
Settle into your safari lodge and satisfy your taste buds with a bush-style barbecue dinner.
Rise early for a guided bush walk with a local guide to learn about the local flora and fauna surrounding the lodge.
Leaving Kruger National Park, you’ll take an included flight to Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest city, voted one of the best metropolises in the world.
Enjoy a free evening of leisure and optional activities to explore this city known for its beautiful beaches, stunning biodiversity, and award-winning food and wine.
Make your way to Simon’s Town Harbor via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive. Start your day with a paddleboarding excursion. Stroll along the boardwalks of Boulder’s Beach and observe a colony of African penguins.
Spend your afternoon at the Cape Point Nature Reserve with a visit to the Cape of Good Hope, where you can gaze at both the mighty Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
Make your way back to Cape Town and then spend the evening in leisure or head out to explore Cape Town’s nightlife.
Explore the exquisite landscapes and vineyards of South Africa’s famous Winelands region on a gourmet wine tour focused on tantalizing your taste buds.
Spend your day pairing numerous foods and treats with quality wines. Expect cheese platters, gourmet slices of pizza, tapas, and fine chocolates paired with South African wine.
After a full-day tour of the Winelands region, return to your accommodations and then head out for your final dinner together in South Africa. You will also get to partake in an interactive Djembe drumming session.
On the final day of our adventure, wake up and soak in the last morning in South Africa together.
Say goodbye to your new friends and depart any time of the day with instructions from your Trip Leader on how to take local transportation to the airport.
Ask your Trip Leader for suggestions if you plan to spend more time in Cape Town or other regions of South Africa.
Welcome to the Under30Experiences Community!
-9 days & 8 nights shared accommodations in hotel rooms, village homestays, and a safari lodge
-8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, & 6 dinners
-Authentic village homestay experience
-Guided walk through Mashishimale Village
-Participation in village craftwork
-4x4 Excursion in a private game reserve
-Entrance to Kruger National Park
-Two full-day game drives in Kruger National Park
-Guided bush walk around the safari lodge
-Domestic flight from Hoedspruit Airport to Cape Town International Airport
-Full-day Guided Tour in the Winelands Region
-Standup paddleboarding experience
-Visit Boulder’s Beach to view the African penguin
-Experience Africa’s southernmost point—Cape Point
-Private group airport pick-up upon arrival
-Under30Experiences Trip Leader
-Personal recommendations for optional activities
-The chance to meet some kick-ass people
-Access to the Under30Experiences Community
-Taxes always included, never hidden fees, & NO blackout dates
Book with confidence: it's free to switch your trip more than 60 days out.
Travelers are responsible for international airfare to and from South Africa.
Optional activities and associated transportation are not included.
All Under30Experiences trip prices are in USD.
"This was my first U30X and it was phenomenal! For someone that mostly travels alone, I was skeptical to go as I always go with the flow or have my own itinerary but SA was definitely one that was a bit daunting to plan. The experience was 10/10 our trip leader Shimane was absolutely wonderful as well as the other members of U30X... The trip itself was incredible, we got a taste of every aspect of the country in my opinion. The life in the village of Mashishimale, the safari (saw way more wildlife than I expected) and then cape town ( city life and mountain views... I highly recommend it to those looking into going to SA. I will miss it very much and plan to go back in the future." -Cassandra S.
"I don't even know where to begin?! If you're even considering taking an Under30 Trip (especially South Africa) - DO IT! This was my first group travel experience and I'm SO glad I chose U30X for it. I went on the South Africa trip - starting with the group and extending a week for a solo trip. Papy, our guide, was SUCH an incredible guy, both personally and professionally. He was so knowledgeable - an incredible guide and also friend. Our driver was great as well."
"The South Africa trip was JAM PACKED with activities and a few nights for free time. Our group was incredibly compatible and we chose to do our optional activities together, which was awesome. The South Africa trip is fairly new, and this group was the biggest size they've had, so there was a day where we were behind on schedule a bit. Other than that, the trip was very organized. I'm a pescatarian and this was accommodated on every part of the trip, with Papy checking in on me every meal to make sure I was happy :)" -Larissa R.
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