Countries: South Africa
Duration: 12 nights/13 days
Itinerary: Cape Town 4n, Garden Route 3n, Kruger National Park 2n, Mpumalanga 1n, Johannesburg 2n
Day 1
Arrive in Cape Town where you’ll be met by your guide in the airport after you pass through customs and collect your luggage.
After the transfer to your hotel for check in, you can relax or walk around the beautiful Mother City.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel.
Half-day city tour
On this tour you’ll get to see and experience the highlights of Cape Town – the center of town, where you can walk through Company’s Garden and visit the Castle of Good Hope, pass parliament and City Hall and visit Bo-Kaap, the colourful Malay Quarter. Weather permitting, you end the excursion with a highlight – a trip up Table Mountain.
Return to your hotel after lunchtime and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full-day Peninsula tour
Travel through the picturesque harbour of Hout Bay along beautiful mountainous roads towards the The Cape of Good Hope. A state-of-the-art funicular takes you up to the highest observation point. Following lunch, you proceed to Boulders beach, home to thousands of penguins. The tour also includes a cruise around Seal Island.
Return to your hotel after lunchtime and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full-day Winelands tour
A tour of the beautiful Winelands region of the Western Cape includes a visit to the historical towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, where you’ll learn about the history of the area and of winemaking in South Africa. You’ll also visit a number of farms where you’ll get to taste South Africa’s incredible wines.
Return to your hotel after lunchtime and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and depart for Hermanus.
Hermanus is a beautiful seaside town that becomes a whale-watching hotspot from June to November. These beautiful creatures visit the bay to calve and mate, and can be watched from the expansive shoreline, close up on a boat cruise, or from a scenic helicopter flight above!
Day 6
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and departure on the Garden Route Tour.
An incredibly beautiful stretch of coastline, starting from Mossel Bay in the West and extending to the Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park. With a mild climate, it’s beautiful all year round. Almost any kind of activity imaginable is offered along the route – from hiking and fishing, to scuba diving and bungee jumping
Today you’ll drive through mountain passes past the town of Swellendam. Along the way you can stop at farms stall and wine farms. After lunch you proceed to the world-famous Cango Caves, where you’ll stop off for an excursion before proceeding to the quaint town of Oudtshoorn, where you stop for the night.
Day 7
Breakfast and check out from the hotel.
Oudtshoorn is known for its many Ostrich farms, and you’ll get to experience these creatures close up with a tour and lunch. Afterwards you proceed south towards the coast and the beautiful town of Knysna.
You can relax or wander around the town’s markets and quaint shops or take some additional excursions from the many on offer. An evening cruise on the Knysna lagoon ends a beautiful day.
Day 8
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and transfer to George airport for your flight to Johannesburg and connecting flight to Mpumalanga.
On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your Lodge at Kruger National Park.
Time permitting, you’ll be able to enjoy a late-afternoon/evening game drive followed by dinner.
Day 9
Typical day at a Safari Lodge (times may vary depending on season and sightings)
05:00 – Wake up for an early start.
05:30 – Meet your ranger tea and coffee before heading out on safari, typically on open 4X4 safari vehicles.
09:30 – Return from the game drive for breakfast.
13:00 – Lunch.
16:00 – Meet your ranger for afternoon tea before heading out for an evening game drive including a stop for a sundowner.
19:00 – Return to the lodge to freshen up before dinner.
20:00 – Dinner.
Day 10
After a morning safari and breakfast, you’ll depart on the Panorama Route Tour.
Drive through the picturesque mountainous regions of Mpumalanga, stopping en-route to witness the beautiful sights of God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, as well as numerous waterfalls. You’ll also pass through the Pilgrim’s Rest, a historical mining town where you’ll get the opportunity to wander around and learn about the history of Gold in the area.
Arrive at your hotel for check in and dinner.
Day 11
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to KMIA for your flight to Johannesburg.
On arrival you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel via a City Tour of Johannesburg.
Pass through downtown Johannesburg where you can learn about the city’s rich history built on the discovery of Gold in the area. Then drive through the old affluent suburb of Houghton, past the former residence of Nelson Mandela before heading to Sandton – Johannesburg’s new financial district and business centre. You can opt to have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Nelson Mandela square, overlooking the famous statue that gave the square its name. The tour ends with a visit to the Montecasino leisure complex.
Day 12
After breakfast, depart on the Pretoria City Tour
Known as the “Jacaranda City” for the beautiful purple blooms on display in spring, Pretoria is also rich in history. Your tour starts with a visit to the Voortrekker Monument where you’ll learn about the Great Trek and the migration of Dutch settlers inland from the Cape. At the Kruger Museum you’ll learn about the Anglo-Boer war before heading to Church Square where you can see the historic buildings of Parliament, The Palace of Justice, and the Netherlands Bank. The tour ends with a visit to the Union Buildings – the official seat of the South African Government
Return to your hotel.
Day 13
Breakfast at the hotel.
Time permitting, you can enjoy some additional excursions or shopping before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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