CAPE TOWN AND DINOKENG PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
If South Africa is one of the many destinations on your bucket list, our Cape Town and safari package is a very smart choice. The tour includes three full days in this spectacular harbor city, where you can book extraordinary (and affordably priced!) optional tours that showcase South Africa’s incredible diversity. Discover the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela, explore the scenic Winelands or even go shark cage diving…if you dare! Then it’s off to Dinokeng Private Game Reserve where we’ll do our best to help you spot lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos, aka the “Big 5.” 4.5/5 stars on Tripadvisor!
For COVID-19 updates, please scroll down to our Before You Depart section.
Did you know that you can make this tour private for your friends and family? Find out more about pricing and options for your group.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- International flight
- 4 nights in Cape Town
- 2 nights in Dinokeng Private Game Reserve
Tour
Highlights
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from the NY Area (EWR or JFK) (passengers may also book this tour without flights)
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Intra-South Africa flight and ground transport
- Accommodations at superior first-class hotels
- 8 meals: 6 breakfasts (B) and 2 dinners (D)
- Cape Town guided orientation tour
- 3 open-vehicle, half-day game drives in Dinokeng Private Game Reserve
- Experienced, English-speaking tour guides
Tour Itinerary
Depart From U.S.
Overnight flight to Cape Town. Your tour includes round-trip airfare from the U.S.
*Passengers who did not purchase flights will join the tour in Cape Town on Day 2.
Arrive in Cape Town
Welcome to the “Mother City,” where Mother Nature definitely shows off some of her very best handiwork. As you’re escorted from the airport to your hotel, tune into a guided orientation tour of Cape Town. Orientation briefing will outline all of your Cape Town options. Learn more about all this city offers here. Tonight, join the other smarTours travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
President Hotel or similar | Dinner
Cape Town
Cape Town/Dinokeng Private Game Reserve
Dinokeng Private Game Reserve
Dinokeng Private Game Reserve/Depart South Africa
After your early morning game drive and a buffet breakfast, transfer to Johannesburg Airport for your overnight return flight. Along the way, stop at Cambanos Curios, known for its large and varied selection of souvenirs and African goods, for any souvenirs and gifts.
The tour will end for passengers who did not purchase flights today, on Day 8, in Johannesburg.
| Breakfast
Arrive in the U.S.
Your South African journey comes to an end as you touch down in the U.S. this morning.
*The tour will end for passengers who did not purchase flights on Day 8 in Johannesburg.
Guided Tour Pricing
Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip airfare from the New York area (EWR or JFK) for 2022 departures. Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination. Please note this may change your tour start date.
Because we can’t secure airline pricing more than a year in advance, 2023 dates and prices listed below are for the tour only. Once flights are available, we’ll notify you of your options.
| 2022 Tours | Tour Only | With Flights | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wednesday
August 24 Thursday
September 1 |
From
$1,999
$1,599
|
From
$3,099
$2,699
|
Select |
|
Wednesday
September 21 Thursday
September 29 |
From
$1,999
$1,599
|
From
$3,099
$2,699
|
Select |
|
Wednesday
October 12 Thursday
October 20 |
From
$1,999
$1,599
|
From
$3,099
$2,699
|
Select |
|
Wednesday
December 7 Thursday
December 15 |
From
$1,999
$1,599
|
From
$3,099
$2,699
|
Select |
| 2023 Tours | Tour Only | With Flights | |
|
Wednesday
January 11 Thursday
January 19 |
From
$1,799
$1,399
|
From
$2,999
$2,599
|
Select |
|
Wednesday
April 5 Thursday
April 13 |
From
$1,799
$1,399
|
From
$2,999
$2,599
|
Select |
|
Wednesday
August 23 Thursday
August 31 |
From
$1,799
$1,399
|
From
$2,999
$2,599
|
Select |
|
Wednesday
October 11 Thursday
October 19 |
From
$1,799
$1,399
|
From
$2,999
$2,599
|
Select |
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single room supplement is $250.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $99 per person for all 2021 departures, and $300 per person for all 2022 departures. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
*NEW* Indicated optional tours are now available to pre-book when you reserve your trip. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Availability and pricing are subject to change. Optional tours require a minimum number of participants in order for the tour to operate. If you choose to book your optional tour while on your trip, payments are non-refundable and should be made by cash or credit card (VISA, MasterCard or AmEx, subject to service charge).
Half-Day Cultural Heritage Tour & Township Tour
- Cape Town
- From approx. $48 Per Person
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour
- Cape Town
- From approx. $131 Per Person
Robben Island Tour**
- Cape Town
- From approx. $40 Per Person
Winelands Tour
- Cape Town
- From approx. $55 Per Person
Taste for yourself why South African wines are so celebrated with a trip to the enchanting Winelands and the second oldest town in South Africa. See Stellenbosch’s oak-lined streets and admire the gables of Cape Dutch architecture. We’ll then head to a wine estate for a wine tasting session and to explore the grounds. Here’s your chance to purchase some local wines!
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Half-Day City & Table Mountain Tour
- Cape Town
- From approx. $90 Per Person, plus cable car ticket fee
Join a local expert to explore the charms of Cape Town and see its highlights. Ascend via cable car (ticket extra) to the top of the iconic Table Mountain for incredible city and bay views. You’ll have a chance to view and photograph Table Mountain from a distance from the historic, colorful neighborhood known as Bo-Kaap (the Malay Quarter).
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Full Day Great White Shark Cage Diving***
- Cape Town
- From approx. $194 Per Person, including breakfast, packed lunch and transfers
Featured Accommodations
President Hotel
Cape TownAuthentic artwork adds charm to this sophisticated hotel. Set between the city and Atlantic Ocean, it features a spa and outdoor infinity pool.
4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Mongena Private Game Lodge
Dinokeng Private Game ReserveLocated approximately 1.5 hours from Johannesburg within the Dinokeng Private Game Reserve, Mongena Private Game Lodge offers incredible game drive experiences with opportunities to see the Big 5 and more.
10 KM ON Rust De Winter Road D48, Dinokeng Game Reserve, Hammanskraal, Gauteng Province, South Africa
Before You Depart
COVID-19 UPDATE
Departing the U.S.: For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours has implemented some COVID-19 travel requirements which apply to all tours regardless of destination. To learn more, click here.
Returning to the U.S.: In accordance with U.S. entry requirements, smarTours will arrange testing for the group in destination. Full details and requirements can be accessed here. The test must be paid in cash at the testing site.
- South Africa & Eswatini Tour: The cost of the test is approximately $70 USD. The test must be paid by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) at the testing site.
- Zimbabwe (with optional tour to Botswana) Extension: TBA
Please note entry requirements are changing rapidly. For up-to-date information, please click the links below.
- Entry requirements
- State Department Travel Advisory Updates (South Africa)
- Center for Disease Control Updates & Information (South Africa)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your departure flights from the U.S. to South Africa and back are on the below airlines. We recommend that you check-in 3½ hours before departure.
| Dates | Airline | Airport | Depart | Return |
| 2022: Feb. 9, Mar. 2 | United Airlines | Newark (EWR) | 8:45PM | 7:00AM |
| 2022: Apr. 6, Aug. 17, Aug. 24 | United Airlines | Newark (EWR) | 8:45PM | 6:00AM |
| 2022: Sep. – Dec. 2023: All Dates |
TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
The above airlines do not assign seats in advance. Seat assignment can only be arranged when you check-in at the airport.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour Only: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at the hotel in Cape Town on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on the tour page. Land-only services end with a drop off at O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on Day 8 with the group.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. All visitors are required by the South African immigration authorities to have a minimum of two consecutive blank visa entry pages in their passport. Insufficient pages in the passport normally results in denied boarding or denial of entry upon arrival, and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin. Visa is not required for U.S. passport holders. Non-U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Final instructions and additional travel tips will be sent to you 14-21 days before the scheduled start of your tour via email. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Please consult your personal physician or local public health authorities regarding taking anti-malaria pills, as well as other recommendations.
CLIMATE
South Africa is located in the southern hemisphere and has the reverse seasons to those of the U.S. The weather is temperate, even in the winter. Overnight temperatures are 10-20 degrees lower. Night and day temperature can vary greatly. Here’s what you can expect:
- April–September: Highs in the 60s and 70s.
- October–March: Highs in the 70s and 80s.
NON-INCLUDED MEALS
Food costs in South Africa are quite reasonable compared to the U.S. In Cape Town, you may dine at either of the hotels used on this tour or in a nearby restaurant recommended by your guide. The V&A Waterfront offers a fantastic range of dining options. Your hotel will accept credit cards for your non-included meals.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels and some stores accept major credit cards. For “street shopping” you will need local currency or U.S. Dollars. Your hotels will be able to exchange cash to local currency. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (suitcase) max. 44 pounds, and one carry-on not exceeding 18”x10”x8”. We recommend that you do not overpack and that you take a variety of casual separates with climate and comfort in mind.