Overview

South Africa is one of the most diverse and spectacular destinations in the world. With landscapes ranging from vast savannahs and lush Winelands to dramatic mountain ranges and rugged coastlines, it is truly a “world in one country.” This tour takes you on a journey through the country’s most iconic sites, including Kruger National Park, the Zulu battlefields, the scenic Garden Route, and the vibrant cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

• Duration: 16 days
• Inclusions:
  • Return flights and transfers
  • 14 nights in carefully selected three- to four-star hotels
  • 16 included experiences
  • Daily breakfasts, plus 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Expert Tour Manager
  • Checked luggage

Tour Highlights

• Visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg for a thought-provoking insight into South Africa’s history.
• Experience a full-day game drive in Kruger National Park, home to the Big Five.
• Explore the dramatic Panorama Route, including Blyde River Canyon.
• Visit the historic Zulu battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift.
• Discover the breathtaking scenery of the Garden Route, including Hermanus and Mossel Bay.
• Take a wine tour and tasting in the stunning Cape Winelands.
• Travel along the Cape Peninsula to the legendary Cape of Good Hope.
• Enjoy free time in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Departure

• Begin your journey with an overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2: Arrival in Johannesburg

• Upon arrival, transfer to the four-star Indaba Hotel in a leafy suburb north of the city.
• Visit the Apartheid Museum, an insightful and moving experience charting the country’s history from colonialism to Nelson Mandela’s release.
• Free afternoon to relax.

Day 3: Panorama Route

• Depart Johannesburg and travel along the Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic drives.
• Visit the Blyde River Canyon, with breathtaking views over deep gorges and lush forests.
• Check in at Hippo Hollow Country Estate, a charming lodge on the edge of Kruger National Park.
• Dinner included.

Day 4: Kruger National Park Safari

• Full-day game drive in Kruger National Park in specially adapted 4×4 safari vehicles.
• Spot the Big Five – elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo – along with zebras, giraffes, and antelopes.
• Experienced rangers provide fascinating insights into the park’s wildlife.

Day 5: Free Day in Kruger

• Relax at the lodge or take part in optional activities such as:
  • Sunset or night safaris
  • Elephant encounters
  • River rafting or microlight flights

Day 6: Swaziland & KwaZulu Natal

• Drive south through the small but scenic Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland).
• Cross back into South Africa and arrive in KwaZulu Natal, staying at Battlefields Lodge for two nights.

Day 7: Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift

• Visit the historic battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, where the British and Zulu warriors clashed in 1879.
• Expert Zulu guides bring the history to life with fascinating storytelling.
• Lunch included.

Day 8: Mossel Bay & the Garden Route

• Fly from Johannesburg to George, gateway to the Garden Route.
• Short drive to Mossel Bay and check in at Diaz Hotel & Resort, overlooking the ocean.
• Dinner included at a local restaurant.

Day 9: Cango Caves & Oudtshoorn

• Visit the spectacular Cango Caves, a system of limestone caverns.
• Tour a working ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn.
• Lunch included before returning to Mossel Bay.

Day 10: Hermanus & the Cape Winelands

• Drive through the picturesque Cape Winelands, stopping in Hermanus (best time for whale watching: July–November).
• Arrive in Stellenbosch and check in at Devon Valley Hotel, a charming boutique hotel.

Day 11: Winelands Tour & Wine Tasting

• Explore the stunning vineyards of the Cape Winelands.
• Visit the historic town of Stellenbosch, known for its Cape Dutch architecture.
• Enjoy a cellar tour and wine tasting at Neethlingshof Wine Estate.
• Visit Franschhoek, a picturesque town with a strong French influence.
• Dinner included at the hotel with a traditional South African BBQ or Cape Malay buffet.

Day 12: Cape Town & Kirstenbosch Gardens

• Visit the spectacular Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, set against the slopes of Table Mountain.
• Arrive in Cape Town and check in at Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, located near the V&A Waterfront.
• Free afternoon to explore.

Day 13: Cape of Good Hope & Penguins

• Scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world.
• Visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and see the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
• Stop at Boulders Beach to see the famous African penguin colony.
• Return to Cape Town in the afternoon.

Day 14: Free Day in Cape Town

• Explore Cape Town at your leisure:
  • Take the cable car up Table Mountain for breathtaking views.
  • Visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned (subject to availability).
  • Relax at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with its shops, restaurants, and street performers.

Day 15: Return Flight

• Free morning before transferring to the airport for the return flight to the UK via Johannesburg.

Day 16: Arrive Home

• Arrive back in the UK after an unforgettable South African adventure.

Accommodation Highlights

Indaba Hotel (4-star), Johannesburg

• Located in a tranquil suburb, perfect for a relaxing stay.

Hippo Hollow Country Estate (3-star superior), Kruger National Park

• Set in lush gardens on the banks of the Sabie River, ideal for wildlife spotting.

Battlefields Lodge (3-star), KwaZulu Natal

• A simple but comfortable base for exploring the Zulu battlefields.

Diaz Hotel & Resort (3-star superior), Mossel Bay

• Beachfront location with stunning sea views.

Devon Valley Hotel (4-star), Stellenbosch

• Charming boutique hotel in the heart of the Cape Winelands.

Southern Sun Waterfront (4-star), Cape Town

• Excellent location near the vibrant V&A Waterfront.