The Best of South Africa: Exploring the Rainbow Nation

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

A signed liability waiver is required before travel by the program provider (EXPLORE, Inc.); the form is found in the first informational mailing. During the program, you will be asked to sign an indemnity waiver on-site at the safari lodge; an example of this form is included in the first informational mailing.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

Malaria does occur in Southern Africa. During the program, only the Karongwe Game Reserve is in a malarial area; all other sites are malaria free. It is essential that you consult your health professional as to which medications are recommended against malaria. S/he will probably suggest a prophylactic course of one of the anti-malarial drugs, which may need to be started two weeks prior to departure. For this reason, you should consult with your health professional well in advance of your departure. Tell your physician that you will spend 4 days in malarial areas. No immunizations are required for entry into South Africa, unless you are traveling from a country with yellow fever, such as Kenya. If you are simply flying from North America or Europe to South Africa, a yellow fever inoculation is not needed Since game drives can be bumpy, pack motion sickness medication if you are sensitive. If you have any unusual prescriptions, carry a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug. Make sure your medication supply will be sufficient to last the entire trip. Avoiding scented bath products will deter bugs, but if you are allergic to bee stings or other insect bites be sure to bring a sufficient supply of antidote. Contact EXPLORE for questions or concerns.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on September 15, 2026

Meet the group at City Lodge Hotel Eastgate in Johannesburg

Start of Trip:  2:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 7:00 p.m. Welcome Dinner followed by Orientation.

Getting to the site: The arrival transfer from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport to the first hotel in Johannesburg is provided by hired coach for all participants, even those who have booked their own international flights ("Program Only Participants"). Transfer time is approximately 20 minutes.

Your trip ends on: Monday, September 28, 2026 in Karongwe Private Game Reserve at Shiduli Private Game Lodge

End of Trip: 3:30 p.m. after arrival of flight from Hoedspruit, South Africa, at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Getting to the airport: Group transfer from the last location to the Hoedspruit airport (Kruger National Park area) is included for everyone. The flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg is also included in the program price for all participants. Upon arrival in Johannesburg you connect to international departures; no further ground transfers are needed unless ongoing travel is planned. EXPLORE can help with ongoing travel arrangements if needed.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Arrival airport transfers are provided for all participants in Johannesburg, regardless of booking status. If you have chosen the Program Only Option (POP option), please be sure to send flight details to the Program Provider (EXPLORE, Inc) so that appropriate airport transfers can be arranged; email flight information to roadscholar.programs@exploreinc.com. Please note the correct start and end dates in Johannesburg when booking your international flights. Contact EXPLORE with any questions. For departure, independent travelers do not need to arrange any separate transfers from the group. The group is transferred from your final lodge to the Hoedspruit airport. The flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg is also included for everyone in the program price. Once in Johannesburg, you will connect to international flights home; no further ground transfers are needed.