Uncover The Essence of South Africa

Day 1  Cape Town      
Arrive in Cape Town and be transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink before 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 hands-on Insider 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. Perhaps choose to enjoy fine dining at a local chef's table experience.
     
Day 3  Cape Town  
Begin your day with a Cape Peninsula tour. Travel along this magnificent stretch of coastline, pausing at must-see destinations including Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach for the resident penguin colony, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. During your tour of the peninsula, stop to admire the ocean views over a delicious lunch. Later, return to Cape Town and spend the remainder of the evening at leisure. You might like to explore the lively V&A Waterfront, a harbourfront neighbourhood featuring hundreds of restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

Day 4  Cape Town  
Spend a free day in Cape Town and uncover the city your way. You may like to partake in an optional experience, or simply enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace.
       
Day 5  Cape Town      
Today, journey to Cape Winelands district for a day of exceptional food and wine. Board the Franschhoek Wine Tram for a guided voyage across the region, hopping on and off the tram to enjoy tastings and food pairings at various boutique and renowned wineries. Savour a special Insider Experience before returning to Cape Town where you’ll enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.  

Day 6  Cape Town to Hermanus    
This morning, farewell Cape Town and 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 the Hottentots Holland Mountains on one side and the crashing waves of False Bay on the other. During whale-watching season (June to November), stop in the seaside town of Hermanus and board a vessel for an awe-inspiring whale-watching experience, where you’ll enjoy the rare opportunity to glimpse these giant mammals in their natural habitat. If you are visiting outside of whale season, enjoy time to explore Hermanus. Continue to Elim Village, a charming community made up of white-washed cottages and bountiful fig trees. This evening in Arniston, stroll through the picturesque village, passing fishermen’s thatched cottages before dining with the locals.      

Day 7  Hermanus to Knysna    
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day with a free morning to spend how you wish, 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 to 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            
Journey 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. The remainder of the day is yours to spend 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 stunning safari lodge. Tonight, dinner is served within your lodge.

Day 10  Kariega Game Reserve  
Kariega Game Reserve encompasses 11,500 hectares of breathtaking South African wilderness. Residents of this rich ecosystem include lions, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and leopards. In addition, you’re also likely to spot an incredible range of diverse wildlife from giraffes to zebras and more. Enjoy memorable wildlife encounters on open-air game drives, tranquil river cruises, immersive bush walks or even when fishing. Return to your lodge for dinner this evening.    

Day 11  Kariega Game Reserve  
Enjoy the final day relishing in the amenities of your safari lodge. Spend a leisurely breakfast admiring the surrounding views, opt to enjoy a spot of pampering at the spa (additional expense), 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 onward flight.