8 Day South Africa Beach & Safari Holiday

Our 8-Day Beach & Safari itinerary in South Africa is designed for travellers who want to combine relaxing coastal time with a rewarding wildlife experience. The journey includes a stay at Diaz 15 Guest House in Jeffreys Bay, a popular seaside town on the country’s southern coastline known for its sandy beaches and laid-back atmosphere. From here, the itinerary continues to Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, a private Big Five reserve offering guided game drives and immersive safari activities. This combination provides a well-balanced South African experience, blending beach relaxation with the excitement of a malaria-free safari destination.

8 Day South Africa Beach & Safari Holiday
Itinerary at a Glance:
  • Day 01

    Johannesburg to Jefferys Bay

  • Day 02 & 03

    Days at leisure at Diaz 15 Guest House

  • Day 04

    Jeffereys Bay to Kariega Game Reserve

  • Day 05, 06 & 07

    On Safari at the Ukhozi Lodge, Kariega Private Game Reserve

  • Day 08

    Kariega Game Reserve to Cape Town

Day 01

Johannesburg to Jefferys Bay

On arrival at O. R. Tambo International Airport, you will connect with your flight to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (formerly Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape. Upon landing, you will be met and transferred by road to Jeffreys Bay, a well-known coastal town famous for its long sandy beaches and relaxed seaside atmosphere. Your home for the next three nights is Diaz 15 Guest House, where you will stay on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

See views from your room at Diaz 15 Guest House
Beautiful beach views from Diaz 15 Guest House

Located directly on the beachfront, Diaz 15 offers uninterrupted sea views and easy access to the sand and surf. The guest house features stylishly appointed rooms, landscaped gardens, and a rim-flow swimming pool overlooking the ocean. With its prime position on the main beach and comfortable facilities, it provides an ideal setting for enjoying the coastal side of your South African journey.

Day 02 & 03

Days at leisure at Diaz 15 Guest House

Your next two days at Diaz 15 Guest House are free to enjoy at your own pace in Jeffreys Bay, affectionately known as J-Bay. This coastal town is internationally recognised for its surf culture, with Supertubes regarded as one of the best right-hand point breaks in the world. The thriving surf scene has shaped the town’s character, with surf shops, cafés, and relaxed restaurants lining the streets.
Beyond surfing, Jeffreys Bay offers a variety of activities suited to different interests. You can enjoy beach horse riding, hiking along coastal trails, kite surfing, paddle boarding, or sandboarding on nearby dunes. The coastline is also known for dolphin sightings and seasonal whale watching, while shell collecting along the long stretches of beach is a favourite pastime. The surrounding landscape features aloe-studded vegetation and scenic viewpoints, adding to the area’s natural appeal. Whether you choose to stay active or simply unwind on the sun-drenched beaches, Jeffreys Bay provides a relaxed and enjoyable coastal experience.

Day 04

Jeffereys Bay to Kariega Game Reserve

After breakfast at Diaz 15 Guest House, you will be transferred inland to Kariega Game Reserve, where you will spend the next four nights at Kariega Ukhozi Lodge on a fully inclusive basis. Ukhozi Lodge offers a more intimate safari experience, with standalone suites positioned to maximise privacy and sweeping valley views. Each suite features a private deck, plunge pool, spacious bedroom and bathroom, and a fireplace for cooler evenings. The main lodge area includes a lounge, dining space, and infinity pool overlooking the valley, providing a comfortable setting to relax between safari activities while enjoying the surrounding wilderness. Your stay includes accommodation in a luxury suite, all meals, selected beverages, and twice-daily guided game viewing activities.

Game Drives at Kariega Private Game Reserve

Kariega Private Game Reserve spans over 10,000 hectares in the scenic Kariega River Valley in the Eastern Cape. The reserve’s diverse landscape includes rolling savannah, riverine bush, and forested areas bordered by the Kariega and Bushmans Rivers, creating a rich habitat for wildlife. Guests have the opportunity to encounter the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—as well as giraffe, zebra, eland, wildebeest, and a wide variety of bird species. Activities range from morning and afternoon game drives to river cruises and even kayaking along the river.

Day 05, 06 & 07

On Safari at the Ukhozi Lodge, Kariega Private Game Reserve

Your days at Kariega Ukhozi Lodge follow a relaxed yet rewarding safari rhythm. Early mornings begin with coffee or tea before heading out on a guided game drive through Kariega Game Reserve. The cooler hours are ideal for wildlife viewing, and your ranger will navigate the diverse landscapes in search of the Big Five as well as giraffe, zebra, antelope, and abundant birdlife.
After returning to the lodge, a late breakfast is served, followed by free time to unwind. Midday can be spent enjoying the views from your private deck, cooling off in your plunge pool, relaxing by the lodge’s infinity pool, or simply taking in the peaceful bush surroundings.
In the late afternoon, you’ll head out again for another safari activity, which may include a traditional game drive or, depending on conditions, a river cruise along the Kariega River. As the sun sets, you’ll pause for sundowners in the bush before returning to the lodge for dinner. Evenings are relaxed, with meals served in the main dining area and time to reflect on the day’s sightings before retiring for the night.

Lion sighting on safari at Kariega
Gorgeous views from Ukhosi Lodge

Day 08

Kariega Game Reserve to Cape Town

After a final breakfast, your 8-Day Beach & Safari tour comes to an end. You will be transferred by road to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth) in time for your onward flight to Cape Town International Airport, where your journey concludes.
Should you wish to extend your stay in Cape Town or explore additional destinations, this itinerary can easily be tailored to suit your travel plans and preferences.

Tour Cost (Quoted in ZAR)

2026
Jan - Apr
R62,425 per person sharing

May - Aug
R52,655 per person sharing

Sep - 19 Dec
R65,615 per person sharing

20 - 31 Dec
R74,270 per person sharing

 

Cost Includes

03 Nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
04 Nights accommodation on a fully inclusive basis:
Kariega Ukhozi Lodge only:
Luxury Suite with a private plunge pool, all meals, bar accounts (selected beverages only - excluding all other bar accounts/beverages and premium imports) and twice daily game viewing activities and the services of professional guides and staff
All road transfers as per itinerary
Tourism levy

Flights:
Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth (economy class)
Port Elizabeth - Cape Town (economy class)

Cost Excludes

Visas if required
Meals not specified
Flights not specified
Bar accounts not specified and premium imports
Laundry
Additional activities/sightseeing/entry fees/park fees
Travel Insurance

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Ali Bararsani
22 January 2026
I had a bucket list trip. African Travel Gateway is first class all the way. I travel extensively. +/- 100,000 miles for business & pleasure in 2025. I live in Los Angeles & wanted to plan a trip of a lifetime for my girlfriend ( as a surprise birthday present in September 2025 ) I worked directly with Lize Enderstein through the entire booking/travel process. She was delightful. Personable. Communicated in a timely manner in spite of 10-11 hour time difference with Los Angeles. There was a hiccup on our trip at Mostwari Game Reserve ( i.e., hot air balloon ride that had to be canceled due to bad weather ). Balloon ride was scheduled for January 2. Lize communicated me real-time on New Years Day & worked with me to process refund for that portion of the trip. The attention to detail that Lize & African travel gateway provided was impeccable. Top notch. They will be my "go to" travel agency for any & all trips to African continent on a going forward basis. Go Lize!
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Driss Moumni
30 December 2025
We had an absolutely incredible experience working with Petru at African Travel Gateway. Our two-week trip (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe) was truly once-in-a-lifetime, with memories we’ll cherish forever. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. Botswana was the clear highlight of the trip. The sheer quantity and variety of wildlife we saw was amazing, and the standard of the safari lodges — especially Moremi Game Lodge — exceeded our expectations. We really felt we benefited from Petru’s experience when it came to selecting the right safari lodges, striking a balance between comfort, amenities, and overall value for money. Petru was incredibly attentive and thoughtful in putting this trip together, especially on fairly short notice, and it really showed. We were also very glad not to have to deal with booking flights, transfers, and activities ourselves — having everything seamlessly organized made the entire journey much more relaxing. Highly recommended!
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William McCormack
20 November 2025
I cannot say enough about the service received from African Travel Agent Petru. From beginning to end it was excellent. The detail and the professionalism is to be attained by others. Ive had 3 trips over number of years and each time I am delighted with the engagement, suggestions, etc and most importantly the trips we highlights to me. Ive recommended Petru to friends and those who did reach out were also very pleased. I highly recommend this agent and company. Till we engage again, Thank you Petru and continue delivering a top service.
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Guy Hudson
20 November 2025
We’ve been booking through African Travel Gateway for over 25 years now and honestly, they’ve never dropped the ball once. They have looked after us for ages and just get what works for our family. This last trip we took the three kids (11, 9 and 6) to South Africa – Cape Town, a few nights camping in the Karoo, and then Kruger. They put the whole thing together perfectly: nothing felt rushed, everything suited the kids, and the logistics were completely painless. Cape Town was great fun (Table Mountain, penguins, the works). The Karoo nights were something else – massive sky full of stars, big campfire, total peace and quiet the kids still go on about. And Kruger… wow. We saw the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino – plus heaps of giraffe, zebra and everything else, pretty much every single drive. The guides were brilliant with the children and kept everyone safe. Everything just worked – flights, transfers, the lot. They checked in along the way and tweaked little things when we needed. Proper personal service. If you’re thinking of taking kids to South Africa, we can’t recommend African Travel Gateway enough.
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Pierre Boucher
30 September 2025
A heartfelt thank you to Bianca for arranging our unforgettable journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything went smoothly from start to finish, and your attention to detail made all the difference. Alex and I enjoyed every moment — from the breathtaking landscapes to the incredible wildlife and the welcoming people we met along the way. It was truly the trip of a lifetime, and we are so grateful for all the care and effort you put into making it perfect. With sincere appreciation,
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Jon Son
02 September 2025
Very bad service
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Mark Montague
04 August 2025
We had a wonderful time visiting South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We had a party of 10, including 4 grandchildren ages 10 and 8 and everything went beautifully. Lize did a great job helping us plan the itinerary, booking flights within Africa and identifying the best lodging and camps for us to visit. We saw the Big 5 on two separate days and also saw African wild dogs. Each of our camps in Sabi Sands, Victoria Falls and Moremi Game Reserve had a distinct style but all were welcoming and comfortable and animals proliferated. We would definitely use African Travel Gateway if we return to Africa. Thanks Lize!
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Andrew Beardmore
18 July 2025
Working with Lize, we crafted our second fully customized self-drive adventure through Southern Africa - this time in Northern Namibia. The itinerary was a perfect blend of rugged campsites and luxurious lodges. Lize’s expert knowledge and thoughtful advice were invaluable, everything was planned to perfection. We had the most incredible time, experiencing so much of what this stunning region has to offer, yet it feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface. We can’t wait for our next adventure!
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TJ Hefele
11 July 2025
We had an amazing trip! Petru did an outstanding job putting everything together for us! Truly couldn't imagine having a better experience. We are incredibly thankful!
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gary afford
13 June 2025
Just returned from a safari with my partner and 2 friends. 3 countries South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana. We stayed at Wilderness camps, accommodation and service was great and the wildlife sightings were excellent. All the arrangements and connections went like clockwork, Thanks again Lize from ATG.
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Michael Sump
13 June 2025
We had a wonderful trip to Africa with everything arranged by Bianca Gersbach. She was extremely attentive to our wishes, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We wanted a full overview for our first trip to Africa, and we received it. We went on Safari in 3 countries: South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. We saw so many animals! But that wasn't all, we had a delightful visit to the South African wine country, and deep-dive experiences in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. The township tours and trip to the Apartheid Museum really opened our eyes. At times, Bianca knew what we wanted better than we did. She insisted that we'd enjoy the Okabango Panhandle, and we did! It was magical. A real highlight. A less engaged travel consultant might have let me make a suboptimal choice. We also enjoyed several days in Victoria Falls. I can't praise Bianca and African Travel Gateway enough. We will certainly use them again when we decide to return, and we will return. Once is not enough!
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Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
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Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
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Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
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Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!

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