loading spinner
South Africa

The Best of South Africa: Safari, Culture & the Garden Route

Program No. 22444RJ
Discover the history and natural diversity of South Africa from important urban centers to scenic coastlines. Join experts to search for iconic wildlife in the South African bush.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 9 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
7,399
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

Aug 25 - Sep 9, 2024
Starting at
7,599
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

Sep 10 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
7,599
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

Oct 1 - Oct 16, 2024
Starting at
7,599
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Apr 9 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
8,199
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

Aug 25 - Sep 9, 2024
Starting at
8,399
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

Filling Fast!
Sep 10 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
8,399
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

Filling Fast!
Oct 1 - Oct 16, 2024
Starting at
8,399
Itinerary Note

This departure offers optional program extension #22445 "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park."

At a Glance

It’s town and country — South Africa-style. Discover the vibrant cityscapes of Johannesburg and Cape Town to learn about the turbulent past and promising future of South Africa, then journey to the wild side of the country and search for the “Big Five” — elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. From the sparkling waters and emerald forests of the Garden Route to the vast plains and dramatic plateaus of the South African countryside, witness a stunning array of flora and fauna.

Extend Your Adventure

This program offers an optional program extension.

Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park

Discover the magnificent, mile-long Victoria Falls. Explore Chobe National Park with a local expert to witness herds of elephant, lions, leopard and more.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles on varied terrain. Bumpy, dusty game drives in open-air safari vehicles. Elevations up to 5,575 feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Walk in the footsteps of South Africa's freedom fighters and stand in Freedom Square where South Africans united in the name of democracy.
  • Explore the beautiful Garden Route and venture into the bush on game drives in Karongwe Game Reserve.
  • Ascend Table Mountain and enjoy the spectacular view it affords, and stand at the southwestern-most point of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope.

General Notes

Please refer to the “Travel Information” section on the Road Scholar website or contact the provider if you plan on booking your own flights for correct arrival and departure dates. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
Helen Malisan
Helen Malisan’s passion for exploration began in high school when she visited Italy, her ancestral country. After completing her final year at school, she immediately joined South African Airways where she worked for 10 years. In 1993, her love for nature and South Africa inspired her to complete the necessary courses to become a wilderness excursion leader, spurring her career as a safari leader in Namibia and Zambia. Helen says her interest in people, nature and animals inspires her work.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Helen Malisan
Helen Malisan View biography
Helen Malisan’s passion for exploration began in high school when she visited Italy, her ancestral country. After completing her final year at school, she immediately joined South African Airways where she worked for 10 years. In 1993, her love for nature and South Africa inspired her to complete the necessary courses to become a wilderness excursion leader, spurring her career as a safari leader in Namibia and Zambia. Helen says her interest in people, nature and animals inspires her work.
Profile Image of Johann Roscher
Johann Roscher View biography
Johann Röscher was born in South Africa and grew up on State Forestry stations along the coastal belt of the Cape Province. He joined the military and studied at the North West University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. After traveling through the Middle East and Eastern Europe, he returned to South Africa to work as a socio-political researcher. Disillusioned with city life, Johann decided to change careers and lead safaris. He’s been taking groups on safaris in Kalahari and Okavango Delta for 17 years, and he’s never been more content with his choice to move to that beautiful and remote region.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Africa Is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent
by Dipo Faloyin
So often, Africa has been depicted simplistically as a uniform land of famines and safaris, poverty and strife, stripped of all nuance. This book offers stories that bring to life Africa’s rich diversity, communities, and histories.
Lonely Planet South Africa
by James Bainbridge
Lonely Planet will get you to the heart of South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland, with amazing travel experiences and the best planning advice.
The Big Conservation Lie
by John Mbaria, Mordecai Ogada
This book takes the reader through Kenya’s conservation ‘industry’ and the players therein with all their prejudices, weaknesses and commitment to causes. It is a call to indigenous Africans to claim their place at the table where the management of their natural resources is being discussed, and invites well-meaning donors to look beyond the romantic images and detect the possible role of their money in the disenfranchisement of a people.
Southern Africa Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide
by Mike Unwin
A popular, photographic guide to the mammals, birds, reptiles and habitats south of the Zambezi. With 300 color photographs and illuminating text.
Mandela's Way: Fifteen Lessons on Life, Love, and Courage
by Richard Stengel
A firsthand account of Nelson Mandela's wisdom from Richard Stengel, a close friend of Mandela and the editor of Time magazine.
The Safari Companion
by Richard Estes
An encyclopedic guide to the behavior of Africa’s mammals by a noted scientist.
Long Walk to Freedom
by Nelson Mandela
An unpretentious tale of an extraordinary life. Mandela recounts the circumstances of his imprisonment and ultimately his successful drive to end Apartheid.
Cape Town, A Lonely Planet City Guide
by John A. Murray
A practical guide to the city and surroundings, featuring suggested walks, excursions and attractions. This surprisingly complete book also includes color photographs and a map.
Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa
by Kenneth Newman
This classic field guide features hundreds of color plates, a comprehensive checklist – and information on habitat and distribution.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.