Hello, and welcome to captivating Cape Town! Surrounded by striking natural beauty, including the instantly recognisable Table Mountain, this harbour haven sits at the dramatic meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for the rest of the day spent at leisure.
Meet your tour guide in the lobby and start your first morning with a whirlwind city tour. Learn about the legislative capital’s rich history, culture and architecture as you visit the 17th-century Castle of Good Hope and admire the Edwardian grandeur of Cape Town City Hall. Witness the Grand Parade, where Nelson Mandela addressed the nation following his 27 years in prison, then head to the impressive Saint George’s Cathedral, from which Archbishop Desmond Tutu led crucial anti-apartheid marches.
Stroll the tranquil Company’s Garden and marvel at the colourful houses and cobbled streets of Bo-Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, where a tumultuous history unfolded against the slopes of Table Mountain. From here, watch expert craftspeople as they cut diamonds and produce delicate jewellery, a practice linked to the country’s centuries-old diamond and gold trade.
For those seeking higher ground, you’ll have the option to take a panoramic cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain for stunning views of the city (weather-dependent). With its 360-degree rotating floor, the ride itself is a surefire showstopper. Upon your return to town, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own.
Head for the southwest tip of the Cape Peninsula as you travel to Cape Point this morning. With its jaw-dropping, rugged coastline, the journey is a spectacular look at the steep mountains, secluded coves and sandy beaches that connect the numerous fishing villages along the way.
Driving along the alluring Atlantic coast, you’ll pass through the sophisticated suburbs of Sea Point and Camps Bay, at the foot of the looming Twelve Apostles mountain range. Continue to the fishing community of Hout Bay, where an optional boat trip to Seal Island gives you the chance to see the charismatic Cape fur seal.
Reach Cape Point Nature Reserve, where a vast world of indigenous flora and fauna comes vividly to life. Watch for baboons, springing grey rhebok, Cape Mountain zebra and the elusive eland. From avid birdwatchers to fans of trundling tortoises, this reserve has a true abundance of wildlife to see.
Following the rough ridge to its end, you’ll stand where two oceans meet. At the intersection of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean currents, the brisk ‘Cape Doctor’ wind waves its perpetual welcome.
Travel back along False Bay and through Simon’s Town, with the option to visit the penguin colony of Boulders Beach, then pass the maritime village of Fish Hoek. Take an optional walk around the serene Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, named the best botanical garden in Africa at the 2024 World Luxury Travel Awards.
Optional activities:
- Seal Island boat trip (from ZAR140 per adult).
- Boulders Beach penguin colony (from ZAR190 per adult).
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden (from ZAR220 per adult).
Set out to discover South Africa's fertile reaches today as you embark on a full-day Cape Winelands tour. Renowned for crisp white wines and French-style reds, the settlements of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are sure to captivate wine lovers and gourmands alike with award-winning restaurants, vineyard vistas and expert food and wine pairings.
Start your day in the beautiful valley of Paarl, the historic backdrop to President Mandela’s release from Groot Drakenstein Prison. Here, you’ll be transported to one of the local estates for a special wine tasting and tour of the cellar facilities.
From Paarl, travel northwest to the village of Franschhoek near the Drakenstein Mountains, founded almost 350 years ago by the Huguenots, a group of French Protestants who fled their homeland to escape religious persecution. These settlers helped establish the town’s reputable wine production – a history you can taste for yourself with another exclusive session at a local vineyard.
Finally, make your way to Stellenbosch, South Africa’s oldest colonial town after Cape Town. It was founded by Simon van der Stel, governor of the Dutch East India Company, after noting the fertilised soils were ideal for vine-growing. From 18th-century architecture to impressive old oak trees, your Stellenbosch wine tasting is an idyllic experience to end the day.
Later, return to Cape Town for an evening at leisure.
Today, you’ll transfer to picturesque Knysna, affectionately called the ‘Jewel of the Garden Route’, a stunning coastal stretch along which you’ll travel. Stop for lunch along the way and breathe in the crisp ocean air, then continue down the winding coastline. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and settle into scenic beauty, perhaps choosing to sample Knysna’s famous oysters for dinner.
Rise and shine for a day filled with nature’s curiosities. Set out for Oudtshoorn, regarded as the ‘ostrich capital of the world’. This Western Cape town is renowned for farming the world’s biggest bird, so get to know the feathered locals with a visit to a working ostrich farm. But first, delve into the famed Cango Caves, a network of ancient limestone chambers filled with dazzling dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites, before taking a trip to Cango Wildlife Ranch. Later, return to Knysna for a relaxing evening.
Rise to an energising breakfast before transferring to George Airport (GRJ) for your onward flight to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) by way of O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Once you’ve landed in Hoedspruit, you’ll be delivered to your river lodge at Kapama Private Game Reserve, situated in the Greater Kruger area, where a hearty dinner awaits.
Please note: Depending on arrival time, an afternoon game drive and lunch may be available in Kapama Private Game Reserve.
Today is dedicated to the ample wild wonders of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Join morning and afternoon game drives through this spectacular park, spread over 53,000 hectares of the Greater Kruger area. Thanks to its open borders with Kruger National Park, it provides an opportunity to spot the elusive ‘Big Five’. Keep your eyes open for rhinos, leopards, elephants and buffalos, as well as the reserve’s famous population of wild white lions. Travelling across beautifully preserved landscapes and witnessing these majestic creatures in the wild will give new meaning to the phrase ‘animal kingdom’.
Return to your elegant river lodge for a well-earned dinner and restful evening in your suite.
After a delicious breakfast, transfer back to Hoedspruit Airport (HDS) for your flight to O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Johannesburg is a bustling metropolis with a vast and complex cultural heritage stretching back beyond its founding in 1886. Once you’ve landed, transfer to your hotel to check-in for a restful evening.
Please note: Depending on departure time, a morning game drive may be available in Kapama Private Game Reserve.
Uncover Johannesburg’s fascinating history today as you’re shown Soweto, an area that has evolved from one of forced habitation into an address of pride and social prestige. Visit Constitution Hill, a prison-turned-museum and the seat of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
Experience a welcoming township with tremendous historical significance as you travel to the heart of Kliptown and arrive at Walter Sisulu Square, named for the prominent anti-apartheid activist. Here, the Kliptown Open Air Museum offers a glimpse at the path to freedom, from the Congress of the People in 1955 to the end of the apartheid system in the early 1990s.
Take a moment to reflect at the Hector Pieterson Memorial, a landmark commemorating the South African student's role in the struggle against apartheid. Look up at the colourful murals that wrap around the Soweto Towers, then visit Vilakazi Street, once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu, where a bustling street market welcomes you.
At the end of your sweeping South African adventure, you’ll enjoy one final breakfast before transferring to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).