Uncover The Essence of South Africa

Day 1  Cape Town    
Arrive in Cape Town and be greeted before transferring to your hotel. Check in to your hotel, a luxurious waterfront property offering panoramic views of Table Mountain. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and a Cape Malay and African set-menu dinner accompanied by an engaging African drumming experience at Gold Restaurant.  

Day 2  Cape Town    
Begin your first full day in Cape Town with a delicious Real Moment experience. This afternoon, skip the queues with Fast Track VIP access and take a cable car to the summit of Table Mountain for stunning city views. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. This evening, savour dinner at La Colombe restaurant in Constantia. Enjoy meals prepared using local ingredients and prepared with a distinct French flair at this flagship restaurant by Scot Kirton. During your meal, meet executive chef James Gaa, who will personally run through the menu and discuss the wine pairings.  

Day 3  Cape Town  
Begin your day with a Cape Peninsula tour, travelling along this magnificent stretch of coastline and stopping at iconic destinations including Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. During your time on the peninsula, you’ll stop to enjoy the ocean views over lunch. Later, return to Cape Town to enjoy an evening at leisure. You might like to check out the lively V&A Waterfront, the harbourfront neighbourhood featuring hundreds of restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

Day 4  Cape Town    
The day is yours to enjoy Cape Town your way. Indulge your senses on a half-day chocolate tour, opt to explore a local township with a guide, or visit Robben Island and learn about the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.
Day 5  Cape Town    
Today, head off to Cape Winelands for a day of exceptional food and wine. Board the Franschhoek Wine Tram and be led by your guide across the region, hopping off the tram to enjoy tastings and food pairings at both boutique and renowned wineries. This afternoon, take part in an exciting wine-blending experience where you’ll have the opportunity to create your own label before a cheese and wine tasting at Rickety Bridge Estate. Savour an immersive gourmet experience at a 'Dinner of Discovery’ at Nederburg Wines, before returning to Cape Town where you’ll enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.  

Day 6  Cape Town to Hermanus    
Farewell Cape Town this morning as you set off for the fishing village of Arniston via one of South Africa’s most scenic coastal drives, Clarence Drive. This route is bordered by Hottentots Hollands Mountains on one side and the crashing waves of False Bay on the other. During whale-watching season (June to November), stop in Hermanus and board a vessel for an awe-inspiring whale-watching experience where you’ll enjoy the rare opportunity to watch these magnificent giants in their natural habitat. Outside of whale season, enjoy time to explore Hermanus. Continue to Arniston, stopping at the charming fishing village of Elim Village, that’s made up of white-washed cottages and fig trees. This evening in Arniston, stroll through the picturesque village and pass thatched fishermen’s cottages before dining with the locals.  

Day 7  Hermanus to Knysna    
Enjoy a slow start to the day with a morning at leisure before setting off along the famous Garden Route. Your first stop is at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of South Africa where two mighty oceans converge – the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Continue ton Knysna, an idyllic town renowned for its stunning natural beauty. It’s home to lush forests, expansive lagoons, and dramatic coastal cliffs, as well as a vibrant arts scene, delicious seafood, and the towering sandstone cliffs of Knysna Heads.  

Day 8  Knysna    
Head across the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head where you’ll visit the pristine natural wonderland of Featherbed Nature Reserve. Join your specialist guide and learn about the flourishing fauna and flora of this beautiful ecosystem. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure.
Day 9  Knysna to Kariega Game Reserve
This morning, continue along the coast towards Kariega Game Reserve, located along the Eastern Cape. Upon arrival, check in to your luxury safari lodge. Your lodge has been designed to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscapes and features a stunning infinity pool overlooking panoramic vistas of the river plains, which are home to a remarkable range of wildlife. Each luxurious suite offers a private space with its own plunge pool and breathtaking views. Tonight, dinner is at your lodge.

Day 10  Kariega Game Reserve    
Kariega Game Reserve encompasses 11,500 hectares of breathtaking African wilderness. Residents of this rich ecosystem include the Big Five: lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and leopards. In addition, you’re also likely to spot an incredible range of diverse wildlife. Enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters on open-air game drives, tranquil river cruises, immersive bush walks or even when fishing.  

Day 11  Kariega Game Reserve    
Enjoy the final day relishing in the luxuries of your safari lodge. Spend a leisurely breakfast enjoying the stunning views, pamper yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment, or set off on another exhilarating game drive.  

Day 12  Kariega Game Reserve to Johannesburg    
Bid farewell to the serene landscapes of the Eastern Cape as you journey back to Port Elizabeth for your flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, settle in to your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner, where you can reminisce over cherished memories of your South African adventure with your fellow travellers.

Day 13  Johannesburg    
Following breakfast, be transferred to the airport for your next adventure. If you're tempted to prolong your journey, consider extending it with our Victoria Falls extension experience.

Please note: You can choose to join onto either of the following extensions after this tour:  
4 day Victoria Falls & Chobe National Park Extension    
4 day Mauritius Beach Extension