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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.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
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Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Aug 22 - Sep 6, 2023
Starting at
7,399
Sep 12 - Sep 27, 2023
Starting at
7,399
Oct 1 - Oct 16, 2023
Starting at
7,399
Feb 11 - Feb 26, 2024
Starting at
7,399
Apr 9 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
7,399
Aug 25 - Sep 9, 2024
Starting at
7,599
Sep 10 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
7,599
Oct 1 - Oct 16, 2024
Starting at
7,599
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Aug 22 - Sep 6, 2023
Starting at
8,119
Sep 12 - Sep 27, 2023
Starting at
8,119
Oct 1 - Oct 16, 2023
Starting at
8,119
Feb 11 - Feb 26, 2024
Starting at
8,199
Apr 9 - Apr 24, 2024
Starting at
8,199
Aug 25 - Sep 9, 2024
Starting at
8,399
Sep 10 - Sep 25, 2024
Starting at
8,399
Oct 1 - Oct 16, 2024
Starting at
8,399

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. Off select departures, extend your adventure with "Extension: Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park (#22445)". Some dates of this program can be taken back-to-back with "Wild Africa: Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia (#3645)". 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.
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.
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.
The Safari Companion
by Richard Estes
An encyclopedic guide to the behavior of Africa’s mammals by a noted scientist.
The Myth of Wild Africa
by Jonathan Adams, Thomas McShane
A no-holds-barred attack on old-style conservation in Africa, provocative and dead-on. The authors explore the fallacy of an untouched continent where animals roam freely in sanctuaries.
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.
Adventuring in Southern Africa
by Allen Bechky
This comprehensive guide to game parks throughout Southern Africa includes an overview of the region, tips on watching wildlife and good descriptive information on each park or nature reserve.
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.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
by Alexander McCall Smith
McCall Smith’s detective, Mma Ramotswe, makes her debut. A pleasure in every respect, this novel – not really a mystery – evokes the cultures, customs and diverse landscapes of Botswana.
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.
The Scramble for Africa
by Thomas Pakenham
A well-written, meticulously researched history of the Victorian land grab in Africa. The book includes especially good portraits of the egomaniacal personalities who overran the continent.





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.