A World In One Country

Touch down at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional Tour.

Overnight in Johannesburg.

South Africa’s largest city continues to be the financial and commercial heart of the nation. The country’s radical political and social transformation is most evident in this fast-paced metropolis — it is the “Rainbow Nation” at work. This tour will give you an exhilarating experience, as contrasts of different kinds can be found around every corner. Our tour will set off for Constitution Hill, home of South Africa’s architectural marvel, the Constitutional Court, and the site of Johannesburg’s Old Fort Prison (closed on Sundays). We will explore the inner city of Johannesburg and the influence the discovery of gold brought to this extraordinary city and South Africa as a whole. We will visit and explore the Maboneng Precinct, a wonderful example of urban regeneration of the east side of the Johannesburg CBD, which is now home to several independent retail, restaurant, and art and entertainment venues. Discover the unique and fresh lifestyle offerings of this exciting new development!

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.

Overnight in Hazyview

After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular ‘Panorama Route’, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26-kilometre long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic God’s Window, a breath-taking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. We arrive back in Hazyview in the late afternoon where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax.

Overnight in Hazyview

The day begins with early morning breakfast, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game safari (with English speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game species. The game safari includes a visit to the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Meet the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care in support of the vital work they do. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. An afternoon open vehicle game drive is available as an extension to the morning game drive (optional and for own account).

Overnight in Hazyview 

A safari in an open vehicle at Kruger National Park isn’t to be taken lightly. It’s a privilege beyond imagination, for this, one of the world’s most famous game reserves, is not only vast with a glorious diversity of wildlife and birdlife, but It’s also renowned for its ever-changing African landscapes. For photographers, it’s a dream destination, with no fewer than 147 mammals and over 500 species of bird waiting for the click of your camera. Our qualified, experienced field guides know the terrain and the protocol intimately, and their skills, combined with the superb visibility afforded by our specially modified safari vehicles, guarantee a wonderfully wild experience. Kruger is teaming with the game, big and small, and you’ll be as spellbound by the Big Five as the Small Five.

Enjoy an enchanting drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland, a former British Protection Territory, now ruled by King MsWati III. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Swaziland and their traditions. We continue through the capital city, Mbabane, and on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for a true African shopping experience at the vibrant Ezulwini Craft Market which is packed with woven baskets, beadwork, and carvings. Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.

Overnight in Swaziland

After breakfast, continue south through Swaziland, before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open vehicle safari (own account) in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino.

Overnight in Umfolozi

Enjoy an afternoon open vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest game reserve which is also known worldwide for its highly successful white rhino conservation program.

Start your day with an early breakfast before embarking on a journey from Durban, passing by traditional Zulu Kraals, scenic Eucalyptus plantations, and vast sugar cane fields. Arrive at Durban (Umhlanga) airport and board a short southward flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where our representative will be waiting. Once everyone has gathered, we'll commence our westward journey along the Garden Route. This iconic route stretches along the picturesque Indian Ocean coastline, flanked inland by towering mountain ranges and lush indigenous forests, offering breathtaking views and rich natural diversity along the way.

Overnight in Tsitsikamma

Enjoy the morning at leisure until your collection and transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). There you’ll be met by a new tour director Tour Guide and, once everyone has arrived, set off to explore the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. Here we are treated to magnificent coastal views and soak up the beauty of the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest. Late this afternoon we arrive in Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route.

Overnight in Knysna

Travel through the picturesque Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, the "ostrich capital" and the center of the world’s ostrich farming industry. On the way, visit 'Dolphin Point' in Wilderness for stunning views. In Oudtshoorn, take an interactive tour of an Ostrich Farm, followed by a light lunch featuring local specialties like Ostrich Steak. Next, explore the magnificent limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world's natural wonders. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon to check in and relax before dinner.

Overnight in Oudtshoorn

After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before travelling to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue to Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards, where French Huguenots settled more than 300 years ago, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture. 

Overnight in Hermanus

Witness the incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows just in time to soak up the warmth from the sun before they head out with their daily activities. The tour will depart early, returning you to the hotel in time for breakfast.

After a leisurely breakfast, leave Hermanus and travel to Somerset West via the breathtaking coastal road. Continue to Stellenbosch in the beautiful Cape Winelands, where you'll have free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, charming cafés, boutiques, and art galleries. Finally, head to Cape Town

Overnight in Cape Town.

Stay at the Protea Hotel Franschhoek or similar. Discover a location overlooking the majestic mountains and famous vineyards of the historical village of Franschhoek, about 80 km east of Cape Town. The hotel prides itself on its charming ambience, gracious style and attentive service. This 4-star property has a rich history, with one section dating back to the 1880s. The town itself takes its name from the French Huguenots who settled in the area in the early 1680s after fleeing from their home country. Our convenient location is a superb base from which to explore Franschhoek's culinary establishments, art galleries, cheese factories and some 25 world-famous wine estates. The hotel boasts a renowned restaurant, conference facilities, luxury accommodations and a sparkling swimming pool. Outdoor activities such as horse-riding, golf, backpacking and trout-fishing can also be 

*For guests that stayed overnight in the village of Franschhoek:

After a leisurely breakfast, your story telling guide will take you through Franschhoek village, sharing with you the fascinating history of the French Huguenots and the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Enjoy a wine tasting before continuing to Cape Town, where you’ll be rejoining the rest of the group.

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour to Table Mountain (own account) or simply explore the city. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town’s many pristine beaches. Enjoy an evening of delicious Cape food, captivating theatre and entertaining tales and songs about the people of the Cape.

Overnight in Cape Town.

With your ticket, take a cable car up to the summit of the legendary Table Mountain from where you may see the end of the world, including the city and surrounding layout of this southernmost tip of Africa.

Great White Sharks… imposing in size, their graceful beauty has perfectly adapted to their environment. Their powerful predatory behavior and the mysteries surrounding this spectacular creature will beckon you to come closer and closer. Experience the White Shark in its natural environment above or underwater. And for the less courageous, this boat offers a large viewing platform on top and great space on the main deck for seating and viewing. After a full security briefing, you will make your way to the boat waiting to take you out to the world-famous Shark Alley, off the coast of Gansbaai. Upon anchoring at Shark Alley, you will get the chance to observe all of its inhabitants, from its seals and various birdlife to Southern Right Whales visiting the waters in season (July to November), and of course the Great White Shark. A wetsuit and a diving mask will be provided so you can share the waters with the awesome creatures from the safety of a cage, which is attached to the boat and floats right next to it. The time you spend in the cage will be between 10 to 30 minutes as it depends on the weather and the number of spotted sharks. No diving experience is required for this tour.

Head on an exciting 12-minute flight that will take you over the Mother City for a bird’s eye view of the Cape Town Stadium, Lions Head, the white beaches of Clifton, Camps Bay, and the magnificent twelve apostles.

Board your boat cruise at the Waterfront and head towards the famous Robben Island. A cruel home of our Nelson Mandela for so many years, this is a highly charged emotional visit as you visit this site of suffering and realize how far South Africa has come since those days. For nearly 400 years, Robben Island, about 12 kilometers from Cape Town, was a place of exile and imprisonment where rulers sent those who they considered being outcasts and troublemakers. Since 1997, Robben Island has been a museum acting as a focal point of South African heritage.

While South Africa's fertile valleys are world famous for their crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the area is also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant oak trees. Our drive today will include the country's principal wine routes of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, with a stop en route for lunch (for own account). Our day starts with a visit to Paarl where you will be struck by the beauty of the Valley, the pristine blue sky, the rolling vineyards, and the Pearl of Paarl set high above the valley. Paarl made headlines when President Mandela was released from the Groot Drakenstein prison (formerly known as Victor Verster prison), on the outskirts of the town, to freedom and the start of the new South Africa. We enjoy a wine tasting at one of the local estates. From Paarl, we'll continue north-west to the beautiful village of Franschhoek, near the Drakenstein Mountains founded in 1688 by French immigrants fleeing the Huguenot religious persecution in Europe. A memorial in the town commemorates the arrival of these early settlers who helped develop the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismarck, and royalty such as Edward VII, the Prince of Wales. Here we will stop for lunch (for own account) and another wine tasting at a local vineyard. Guests will then head to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the country's wine region. In 1679, Dutch East India Company governor Simon van der Stel, recognized the fertility of this long valley on the banks of the Eerste River, as perfect for vineyards. The rest is history, which has been carefully cultivated in this town. A gracious blend of 18th-century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident on Dorp Street, where massive oaks still shade original water furrows. Enjoy a final wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and for own account seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg.

Overnight in Cape Town.

Today you will check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.