South Africa Vacation

On this 8-day trip from Great Value Vacations, you'll see South Africa's cosmopolitan Cape Town, then dive into the wilderness at a safari lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, which is home to all of the Big Five game animals. This vacation includes:

• Round-trip economy class airfare from New York City (JFK)
• One-way, economy-class airfare from Cape Town to Johannesburg
• 4 nights of standard accommodations at The Portswood Hotel in Cape Town, or similar hotel
• Daily breakfast at The Portswood Hotel
• Full-day guided Cape Peninsula Tour
• 2 nights of standard accommodations with breakfast, dinner, and three game drives at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, or similar hotel
• All airport and hotel transfers

Click here for a full itinerary.

Day 1: Travel from New York to Cape Town

flight time: 16 hours

Days 2–4: Cape Town

Cape Town's enduring creative spirit and spectacular natural beauty earned it the #1 spot on the New York Time's 52 Places to Go in 2014. South Africa’s oldest city and legislative capital, Cape Town extends into the South Atlantic Ocean near the African continent’s southern tip. You can get a view of the ocean and much of the city from Table Mountain, accessible by an aerial cableway or rugged hiking trails that wend past silver trees, king protea, and other indigenous plants.

• Guided tour of the Cape Peninsula: See the Cape of Good Hope, a nature reserve at the southwestern tip of Africa, and a penguin colony on Boulder's Beach.
• Two days at leisure: Take some time to check out Cape Town mainstays such as the 17th-century Castle of Good Hope and the trendy Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (called the V&A for short), a good spot to shop and dine.
• Historic accommodations: The Portswood Hotel is built around the original holding cells for prisoners on their way to Robben Island, an archipelago that once housed political prisoners—including Nelson Mandela—for more than 300 years.

Days 5–6: Pilanesberg National Park

Pilanesberg National Park sits in the crater of a 1,300-million-year-old volcano in a transitional ecosystem, sandwiched between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld. The park's rocky outcrops, open grasslands, and wooded valleys and thickets are home to a wide range of animals, including the Big Five: lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, and leopards.

• Board a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg: Flight time is 2 hours, followed by a 2-hour drive to Pilanesberg National Park.
• Three game drives led by experienced rangers; keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five, as well as sable antelopes, fleet-footed cheetahs, and more than 350 species of bird
• Wild accommodations: Guests will be able to spot plenty of local wildlife at Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge's underground hide, which is linked to a watering hole by a 600-foot tunnel. The lodge also boasts two swimming pools and traditional South African cuisine that may include springbok carpaccio or chicken and coriander salad.

Day 7: Travel from Johannesburg to New York

flight time: 16.5 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

1. From what airport does the deal depart? How much does it cost to fly from a city that isn't included in the deal options?
Deal options with 3-letter airport codes depart from that specific airport. Deal options with full city names depart from an airport that is assigned at time of redemption with the tour operator. Departures from airports that are not included in the deal options may be available (and may cost more). Call Great Value Vacations at 1-800-495-4903 for pricing from any airport that isn't listed on the Groupon Getaways deal page.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal?
Yes, for an additional fee you can arrange for that over the phone when you redeem your vacation.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available?
After your purchase, call Great Value Vacations at (800) 495-4903 for the most up-to-date availability.

4. What happens if I buy the Groupon and my travel dates are not available?
If Great Value Vacations is unable to book the stay you want during the available dates and before the book-by date, Groupon will refund your purchase.

5. Does my child need a Groupon, and can they stay in my room?
All travelers age 2 and over are required to purchase a Groupon. Different occupancy arrangements can be requested with Great Value Vacations at the time of reservation.

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