South Africa 2026
Let’s adventure to see the best of South Africa
dates: AUGUST 14 -22, 2026
Group trips for modern women
why travel with us?
Our team has spent countless hours planning trips, traveling, and experiencing new cultures. Our travel expertise and our passion to build a community of travel girls is what led us to start Scout Escapes. We love that traveling can create life-long friendships through experiences you’ll never forget.
Here’s what our group trips can offer you:
- Expert team to research & plan every trip detail
- Bespoke itineraries with a balance of activities & free time
- Small-group environment to forge true connections
- Bucket-list experiences with trusted guides, drivers & vendors
- Top-notch boutique & luxury hotel selection
How It Works
Register
Register online to receive confirmation information & book a call with our team to go over group trip details
Confirm
Confirm your spot with our trip deposit & booking agreement. Set up your payment plan or financing with Affirm
Prepare
Prepare for your trip by filling out our detailed questionnaires, joining our group trip chat & pre-trip welcome call
Hotel Selection
Where are we staying?
Queen Victoria Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel in Cape Town, South Africa with a prime location and elegant accommodations with stunning views of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain- 3 nights
The Last Word Franschhoek is an exclusive five-star boutique hotel nestled in the heart of South Africa’s gourmet capital & picturesque winelands, in walking distance to shops and wineries – 2 nights
Simbavati Hilltop Lodge is a luxury safari retreat nestled atop Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in Kruger National Park, featuring tents with private plunge pools and views of the Drakensberg Mountains and elephants & other wildlife in the Nhlaralumi River oasis below- 3 nights
Activities & excursions
What are we doing?
We have crafted a balanced itinerary for you to experience the most on your trip while having plenty of free time to explore on your own!
Day 1
- Arrival day
- Airport meet and greet
- Welcome dinner
Day 2
- Private guided tour of Table Mountain
- Shop & explore the V&A waterfront
Day 3
- Private guided tour to Boulder Beach penguins, Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay
- Optional foodie tour in Bo Kaap
Day 4
- Travel to the Franschhoek,
- Private winery tastings & lunch
Day 5
- Explore town
- Optional wine tram
- Enjoy the hotel pool
Day 6
- Fly to the bush
- Settle in at our luxury safari tents
- Afternoon safari
- Campfire under the stars
Day 7
- Early morning coffee and safari
- Time at leisure for spa or pool
- Afternoon safari
- Sundowner cocktails
Day 8
- Optional hot air balloon safari
- Time at leisure for spa or pool
- Afternoon safari
Day 9
- Flight to Johannesburg for international departure
South Africa 2026
Pricing & Inclusions
$9750 USD
What's Included
- 4 & 5-star hotels in Capetown, Franschhoek & Kruger National Park (double occupancy)
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers on arrival (CPT) & departure day (JNB)
- Daily private drivers
- Private guided tour of Boulders Beach, Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay
- Private guided tour of Table Mountain
- Private wine tastings & lunch in Franschhoek
- Flight from Cape town to Hoedspruit
- All meals & beverages (excluding premium brands & cellar wines) at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
- Two safari activities per day at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge
- Flight from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg
- Welcome & farewell dinners
What's Not Included
- International Flights
- Additional alcohol, snacks & meals not mentioned
- Taxis/transit on personal time
- Travel insurance (required)
- Airport transfers outside of the tour dates & designated airports
Ready to join us?
South Africa 2026
Payment Information
- $1000 USD non-refundable deposit required to confirm your spot.
- Scheduled payments are due upon receipt. There is a $30 fee for late payments made after 15 days
Loyalty Program
The More You Explore, The More You're Rewarded.
Join our loyalty program and earn points with every Scout Escapes trip, redeemable for discounts and exclusive member perks. Because the best travel community should come with its benefits.
Behind our group trips
Who is this trip for?
This trip is perfect for open minded travelers looking to have new experiences, make new friends, and immerse themselves into a new culture.
This trip will be full of outdoor activities, cultural exploration, animal encounters, and unique bucket list experiences!
type of traveler
travel essentials
guilty pleasures
on your bucket list
Unique considerations for South Africa
- Flights: you will be flying into Cape Town (CPT) on August 14 & out of Johannesburg (JNB) on August 22. Please chat with us before booking your flights.
- Transportation: we’ll be traveling by car & by plane during this trip. We will also have multiple game ride opportunities which last multiple hours.
- Weather: this is the dry season which is best for seeing animals! You can expect temps in the 60s-70s
Sam & Marilee
Co founder & event planner
Meet your hosts
Sam is a co-Founder of Scout Escapes and full-time travel blogger and content creator for the past 7 years. She loves curating special experiences on our Scout Escapes trips and scouting the best restaurants, shopping areas & sightseeing. She loves meeting locals while traveling, learning about history & art, trying new foods! Her favorite destination of all time is Paris!
Marilee been an event planner for 14 years & trip planner for 10 years. She loves planning trips & itineraries for family, friends, and clients to help them enjoy once in a lifetime vacations. She’s been to 56 countries so far and her big travel goal is to complete the new 7 wonders of the world. Some favorites of Marilee’s: the color blue, the fall season, Greece, Brooklyn 99 – and her number one bucket list destination is Egypt!
Questions about our group trips? We have answers.
What is the age range?
Our trips are open to anyone aged 21+. We offer segmented trips for specific age ranges: Scout Escapes for our Gen Z and Millennial travelers -or- Scout Beyond for our mother/daughter and Gen X and beyond travelers. We offer different itineraries tailored to each age group to foster friendship and exploration!
Can you explain your pricing
Our group trips are bespoke itineraries, curated with boutique hotels and private experiences. We exclusively select 4 and 5-star hotels and prioritize private guided activities and private transportation with trusted travel partners in the industry to provide you with an exceptional trip that is worth the price tag.
Is this open to first-time travelers?
Absolutely! Our trips are open to first-time travelers and travel veterans alike. We craft our trips in detail and can assist you every step of the way. You’ll be given an abundance of information, including destination info, travel tips, packing list, and restaurant and free-time recommendations. As always, you will also have your expert host and local guides with you during the entire trip!
How are roommates assigned?
All attendees are required to submit an extensive questionnaire that helps us get to know you and pair roommates. We take into account sleeping habits, travel preferences, tidiness, personality, hobbies and interests to choose your roommate. We also open our Instagram group chat if you prefer to find a roommate with someone you vibe with on your own. If you prefer to be solo, single rooms are an additional fee & subject to availability.
Can I explore on my own?
Yes, you can absolutely do things on your own. We have scheduled free time in every destination and provide you with a list of suggestions for activities. You’re welcome to explore on your own or opt in with the group for an optional free time activity. If you’re planning to explore on your own, please let us know as transfers can be difficult to obtain here.
Why are your trips priced in USD?
With the ever-changing foreign exchange rate, it’s easier for us to price this trips in USD as this is how we pay our vendors.
Sit back & relax, you’re in good hands
“The trip exceeded my expectations, I can’t recommend them enough”
Mallorca, 2026
-Attendee Name
“The trip exceeded my expectations, I can’t recommend them enough”
Mallorca, 2026
-Attendee Name
“The trip exceeded my expectations, I can’t recommend them enough”
Mallorca, 2026
-Attendee Name