Discover the Magic of South Africa — 10-Day Itinerary

Travel to a continent full of stories and wonder. Join this 10-day journey through powerful history, vibrant culture, unforgettable wildlife, and Cape Town’s coastal beauty.

Trip Dates
June 4 – June 13, 2026
Main Cities
Johannesburg • Durban • Cape Town
Estimated Cost
$2,485 + International Airfare
Prefer to copy/paste? gp@cipchicago.org Try email link

Optional Experiences

Day 3: Dinner with cultural program — $90 additional
Day 8: Dinner at GrandWest Entertainment Centre — $90 additional

10-Day Itinerary

A balanced route across Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town—combining history, cultural connections, and nature experiences.

Day 1 — Departure from the U.S.

Thu, Jun 4
  • Depart from Chicago
Johannesburg skyline
Journey begins — South Africa awaits

Day 2 — Soweto and Mandela Story

Fri, Jun 5
  • Arrive Johannesburg @ 1:05 PM (Ethiopian Airlines)
  • Meet & greet + Soweto tour
  • Visit Mandela House + Vilakazi Street
  • Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight: City Centre Hotel
Mandela House in Soweto
Mandela House (Soweto)

Day 3 — Johannesburg & Transfer to Pietermaritzburg

Sat, Jun 6
  • After breakfast, check out
  • Johannesburg city tour
  • Travel by road to Pietermaritzburg
  • Overnight: Pietermaritzburg
Optional: Dinner with cultural program — $90 additional
Johannesburg city skyline
Johannesburg City Skyline

Day 4 — Gandhi Legacy & Mandela Capture Site

Sun, Jun 7
  • Commemorative event at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station
  • Project Gateway tour with Reverend Jabu (historic former prison)
  • Visit Nelson Mandela Capture Site
  • Lunch with dignitaries • Continue to Durban
  • Dinner and overnight at a beachfront hotel
Gandhi legacy statue
Gandhi Legacy

Day 5 — Durban Heritage & Phoenix Settlement

Mon, Jun 8
  • Durban city tour
  • Visit Ohlange Institute (Mandela’s first vote site)
  • Phoenix Settlement (founded by Gandhi in 1904)
  • Engage with Ela Gandhi and team • Lunch with dignitaries
  • Indian dinner • Overnight: Durban
Durban beachfront and city
Durban Beachfront and City

Day 6 — Safari Adventure (Hluhluwe–Imfolozi)

Tue, Jun 9
  • Day trip to Hluhluwe–Imfolozi for Big 5 safari experience
  • Lunch at the Safari Park
  • Dinner in Durban at an Indian restaurant (Consul General of India may be invited)
Safari reserve
Big Five Safari Reserve

Day 7 — Cape Town Arrival & Waterfront Evening

Wed, Jun 10
  • Transfer to King Shaka Airport • Flight to Cape Town
  • On arrival: Cape Town city tour
  • Evening at V&A Waterfront with dinner
  • Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express City Centre
Cape Town aerial view
Cape Town City View

Day 8 — Table Mountain & Robben Island

Thu, Jun 11
  • Full-day Table Mountain and Robben Island tour
Optional: Dinner at GrandWest Entertainment Centre — $90 additional
Table Mountain
Table Mountain

Day 9 — Cape Peninsula Scenic Tour

Fri, Jun 12
  • Hout Bay — Seal Island boat cruise
  • Boulders Beach — African penguins
  • Cape Point National Park (Indian & Atlantic Oceans)
  • Evening at Canal Walk with dinner
Boulders Beach penguins
Boulders Beach Penguins

Day 10 — Departure from Cape Town

Sat, Jun 13
  • Check out and transfer to Cape Town International for your return flight
Cape Town
Cape Town — Homeward bound

Escorted Package Includes

  • Flights: Chicago–Johannesburg, Cape Town–Chicago (other departure cities available)
  • Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
  • Intra-flight: Durban–Cape Town
  • Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
  • All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
  • 18 meals: 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in a modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Game drives in modern 10-seater safari vehicles
  • Services of an English-speaking tour manager throughout
  • Entrance fees per itinerary

Special Features

  • In Cape Town, view the Castle of Good Hope, the Grand Parade, and visit Table Mountain
  • Tour historic Robben Island,* a World Heritage Site, and view the former prison cell of Nelson Mandela
  • On the Cape Peninsula tour, visit the Cape of Good Hope reserve and the penguin colonies at Boulders Beach
  • Cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, a uniquely diverse ecosystem
  • Game drive through Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Game Reserve
  • In Soweto, visit Nelson Mandela’s former home

Contact to Reserve or Ask Questions

To reserve your spot or request additional details, email or call us anytime.

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