Kruger National Park to Cape Town: A Tour of South Africa
From safari’s, whale watching and wine to history and iconic national parks; this small-group, ten-day tour will take you face to face with the magnificent Big 5 while revealing the true beauty of South Africa. Enjoy nine nights of hand-picked accommodation, daily breakfasts, select meals, return airport transfers, as well as an included flight from Kruger to Cape Town, a full-day safari in a 4x4, winery tour & tastings, local expert guides, private transport throughout and much more.
DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG
Welcome to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. After arriving at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative before being transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
At 6pm you will have a welcome meeting with your leader in the reception area of the hotel.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Rosebank
DAY 2: KRUGER
Today you’ll head to Kruger National Park where you’ll stop at the Blyde River Canyon on the way. You’ll enjoy a stop at the picturesque God’s Window; an amazing viewpoint at the southern end of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve with vistas of lush greenery and verdant cliffs plunging hundreds of metres down into the valley. This is the third largest canyon in the world with many claiming it to be reminiscent of the Garden of Eden.
Then you’ll continue to Muluwa Lodge, your accommodation for the next three nights. On arrival at the lodge, freshen up before settling down to dinner.
Our total drive time today is appx. 7 hours.
Accommodation: Muluwa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 3: KRUGER
Today is an early start as you head into Kruger National Park for a full day 4x4 Safari.
Upon entry you’ll find yourself in prime game viewing territory, perched to catch a glimpse of the ‘Big Five’. Stop and enjoy a continental breakfast at one of the gorgeous picnic spots within in the park, fueling you for the full day of game viewing ahead.
You’ll continue through the park, stopping off at various points and waterholes to observe the incredible animals going about their daily life. One of Africa’s largest game reserves, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including significant populations of all the members of the ‘Big Five’ – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhino. The endangered African wild dog, herbivores like hippo, zebra, giraffe and numerous different types of antelope also enjoy the park’s rich mosaic of habitats – which includes savanna, mixed acacia woodland, rocky hills and mopane woodland.
Return to the lodge in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening of relaxation at your leisure.
Accommodation: Muluwa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 4: KRUGER
Today is a free day. Spend the day relaxing at the lodge or take part in the various optional activities on offer, including another full day game drive in Kruger National Park.
Accommodation: Muluwa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 5: CAPE TOWN
Today you’ll be transferred to Kruger International Airport for your flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town you will be transferred to your hotel.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your own leisure, consider venturing to the V&A waterfront area for a variety of restaurants, craft beer or even to take a walk and enjoy Cape Town’s working harbour.
If Robben Island was on your list, today is the day to see it. The UNESCO World Heritage Site that has the Dutch name for “seal island” and houses the prison that once held Nelson Mandela can be reached by ferry and is the perfect way to spend your afternoon. There are multiple ferry’s that depart daily with pre-booking being essential. Your tour leader can help you arrange this. (Weather dependent)
Accommodation: Cape Milner or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: CAPE TOWN
This morning your local guide will take you on a city orientation tour which includes a visit to the museum, the Castle of Good Hope and the Malay / Muslim quarters. You will drive through the city centre, see the houses of parliament and visit the company gardens created by the first European settlers of the region.
Begin with a walking tour of the historic, heritage-protected area and see the cobbled streets, colourful Georgian homes, community corner stores and several mosques dating from 1795 to 1958. Then, visit a Community Empowerment Project, the popular local Spice (Masala) shop and the Bo-Kaap Museum.
Then, visit one of the country’s oldest established communities, known as the ‘Cape Malays’, who were a group of talented and productive people deployed to build the Cape Colony. You’ll learn about a community who was confined to an area on the slopes of Signal Hill called the Bo-Kaap, or Cape Malay area.
End the tour by joining a local resident for an exciting, hands-on cooking class in her home. Participate in preparing and cooking samosas, Rooti (flat bread) and chicken or veg curry-in the kitchen and enjoy it all for lunch afterwards.
In the afternoon, you will visit the iconic, flat-top Table Mountain that overlooks the city of Cape Town. You will travel by aerial cableway which boasts amazing views over the city as you summit. There will be time to explore once you reach the top. (Weather dependent)
Tonight, your evening is at leisure.
Accommodation: Cape Milner or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 7: CAPE TOWN
After breakfast we head down the Cape Peninsula. We stop at the former Royal Navy base at Simonstown and take time to visit the famous resident penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
The highlight of the day is our visit to the famed Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, which covers an area of 7680 hectares. The reserve is home to eland, bontebok, grysbok, springbok, wildebeest, baboon and ostrich. See rugged cliffs, unspoilt beaches, shipwrecks and beautiful flora as you’ll explore the reserve on a two-hour walk. First, you’ll head to the old lighthouse for the panoramic views, before following the pathway to the new lighthouse which offers even more spectacular views of the surrounding cliffs. Then, you’ll visit the Cape of Good Hope and the iconic board showing the most Southern Western point of the African continent where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. You’ll follow the Atlantic Seaboard back to Cape Town via Chapman’s Peak drive (weather dependant) and past the areas of Hout Bay, Llandudno and Camps Bay before returning to Cape Town.
Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Accommodation: Cape Milner or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8: HERMANUS
Today you’ll venture out and explore the Cape Winelands. Stop at Vergenoegd, a unique wine estate in Stellenbosch. Here, you’ll get to meet the waddling workforce of runner ducks used to assist in the control of the snail and pest population in the vineyards. This is a practice the estate has been refining since 1984.
The area boasts a remarkable terroir and climate, with a high quality of soil that is optimal for producing distinct classic wines that have earned consistently good ratings. Enjoy some tastings after your winery tour as you take in the beautiful surroundings.
The rest of the evening is at leisure.
Accommodation: Whale Rock Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9: HERMANUS
Today you’ll have an early start and head out on the Dyer Island Cruise. Dyer Island is where you will experience an amazing ‘Marine Safari’ where you’ll have the chance to spot beautiful marine wildlife such as; Southern Right and Bryde whales, Great White sharks, Cape Fur seals, dolphins, endangered African penguins and a large range of seabirds. Coffee, tea and muffins will be served before embarking on your boat adventure. Enjoy a warm bowl of soup upon your return.
Following the cruise, you can head back to Hermanus for some lunch and free time in the town.
Tonight, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner with your tour group.
Accommodation: **Whale Rock Lodge** or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 10: DEPARTURE DAY
Your tour ends today with a transfer to Cape Town International airport for your onward journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
EXTENSION
DAY 10: AQUILA PRIVATE RESERVE SAFARI
After breakfast this morning you’ll be transferred to Aquila Private Reserve (approximately 2.5-hour drive). On arrival, you’ll enjoy lunch and some leisure time before your Afternoon game drive with your local expert guide who will help you to spot the Big 5, springbok, Cape porcupine, chacma Baboon and much more. Then, you’ll be taken back to the lodge to freshen up before dinner.
Accommodation: Aquila Private Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 11: AQUILA PRIVATE RESERVE SAFARI
Today, you’ll wake up with a morning game drive, where you’ll be able to witness the animals waking up in their natural habitat. You’ll be guided by an experienced local who will share stories and help you spot the animals.
Then, you’ll return to the reserve for breakfast and some free time. After lunch, you’ll head out on yet another exciting afternoon game drive followed by a delicious dinner back at the reserve to celebrate your last night.
Accommodation: Aquila Private Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 12
After breakfast, you’ll receive a transfer back to Cape Town airport for your onward journey home.
Meals: Breakfast