South African Delight

After breakfast and check-out, depart for Hazyview in the Mpumalanga province. En route, experience the spectacular Panorama Route (time permitting), renowned for its dramatic mountain scenery and winding roads. Highlights include God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the magnificent Blyde River Canyon. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, with time to freshen up before dinner.

Enjoy an early start as you embark on an open-vehicle safari in the iconic Kruger National Park, home to the famous Big Five and one of Africa’s finest wildlife experiences. Return to the lodge for lunch, followed by a guided bush walk and an afternoon game drive. This is an ideal time to observe wildlife gathering at waterholes. Dinner will be served at the camp.

Travel to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland (Eswatini), nestled between South Africa and Mozambique. En route, visit the Matsamo Cultural Village to gain insight into Swazi traditions, with an option to enjoy lunch and visit the renowned Ngwenya Glass Works. Continue to Mbabane, the capital city, and explore its vibrant markets filled with woven baskets, beadwork, and carvings. Overnight stay in the scenic Ezulwini Valley.

After breakfast, visit the Swazi Candle Factory, famous for its individually handmade and colorful candles. Continue into South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal region and travel to your hotel near Mkuze, at the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive into the Ubombo Mountains with breathtaking views over Lake Jozini, ending with sunset sundowners. Alternatively, you may opt to visit a traditional Zulu homestead. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Today, visit the Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon game drive. This beautifully scenic reserve features rolling hills, forests, grasslands, and open savannah, and is world-famous for its successful conservation of black and white rhino. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner.

Travel along KwaZulu-Natal’s Elephant Coast to St Lucia, located at the southern end of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary, where you may spot hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birdlife. Continue onward to Durban and check in at your hotel along the Golden Mile.

This morning, enjoy a city tour of Durban, discovering its cultural and historical contrasts. Later, transfer to King Shaka International Airport for your domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel overlooking Algoa Bay. Known as the “Water Sport Capital of Africa,” Port Elizabeth offers excellent opportunities for sailing, surfing, and other water activities.

After breakfast, travel along the scenic Garden Route towards Knysna, with the Indian Ocean on one side and rolling green hills on the other. Stop at Tsitsikamma National Park, meaning “place of much water,” known for its indigenous forests, fynbos vegetation, waterfalls, and deep gorges. Enjoy a leisurely walk and cross the suspension bridge over the Storms River Mouth before continuing to Knysna, famous for its lagoon and ancient forests.

Visit an Elephant Sanctuary, where you will have the opportunity to touch, feed, and photograph these gentle giants under expert supervision. Continue to Birds of Eden, the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world. Time and weather permitting, you may opt for an additional Whale and Dolphin Ocean Safari (at extra cost). Spend the evening at leisure and enjoy dinner at the lodge.

After breakfast and check-out, spend some leisure time exploring the Knysna Waterfront, home to charming shops and restaurants. Weather permitting, enjoy a cruise to the Knysna Heads. Thereafter, travel north to Oudtshoorn via the scenic Outeniqua Pass. Known as the world’s “Ostrich Capital,” Oudtshoorn is home to over 90% of the world’s ostrich population.

After breakfast, visit the picturesque Cango Valley and explore the world-famous Cango Caves, featuring impressive limestone formations. Continue towards Cape Town along Route 62, the world’s longest wine route, passing vineyards, orchards, winding rivers, and quaint towns. Arrive in Cape Town in the early evening and check in to your hotel near the V&A Waterfront.

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day Cape Peninsula Tour. Visit Hout Bay Harbour, with an optional boat trip to Duiker Island to see Cape Fur Seals. Travel along Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, with the option of a funicular ride to the lighthouse. Continue to Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach to see the African Penguin colony, and conclude the day at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

Experience a full-day Wine Tour in the Cape Winelands. Visit Stellenbosch, followed by wine and chocolate tastings. Continue to Franschhoek, the gourmet capital of South Africa, for further wine tastings and time to explore this charming town. A day dedicated to exceptional flavors set amidst stunning landscapes.

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day Cape Town City Tour covering highlights such as the Company Gardens, Castle of Good Hope, Greenmarket Square, and the colorful Bo-Kaap area. The tour concludes with a transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your onward journey.