Days 1 – Arrive in Hoedspruit (via Johannesburg) and transfer to private safari lodge
Welcome to South Africa! On arrival in Hoedspruit, you will pick up your private transfer to the luxury safari lodge that will be your home for the next 3 nights. Your accommodation is a luxurious safari camp in the heart of the African bush and the perfect base to explore the Kruger region and the abundance of game that surrounds you. You won’t need to compromise on comfort though, as the rooms are all fully equipped with comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms. You’ll be welcomed with a delicious lunch on arrival, with full board to keep you fed throughout your stay here.
Day 2 & 3 – Safari in the Kruger region
After a good night’s sleep, you will wake up excited for the day ahead. You will set off early, even before breakfast, for your first game drive when the animals are most active. Your guide, who knows the local wildlife inside out, will take you along winding tracks and open plains, pointing out signs of the big five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo, as well as zebras, giraffes, and a variety of birds. Along the way, you will hear fascinating stories about the animals and their habitats, making every sighting even more memorable. After breakfast back at camp, you can head out for another safari in the afternoon, each drive offering new chances to spot wildlife and enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush. As the day comes to an end, the evenings are perfect for relaxing around a crackling fire under the stars, swapping stories, and soaking in the excitement of all you have seen.
Day 4 – Fly to Port Elizabeth (via Johannesburg)
This morning you will have your final game drive and breakfast in the bush before being picked up and taken to the airport where you will catch you domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. On arrival in Port Elizabeth, you will collect your rental car and head to your relaxing guesthouse for the night. Located in the tranquil garden suburb of Walmer, your accommodation is the perfect stopover for a restful sleep and a refreshing morning dip in the swimming pool.
Day 5 – Drive to Plettenberg Bay
Next, you will set off on a 2.5 hour scenic drive along the famous Garden Route, passing rolling hills and vast farmlands, followed by dramatic coastal cliffs and stunning views of the Indian Ocean as you get closer to Plettenberg Bay. This small holiday village is well-developed for tourists and is perfect for long walks along the wide sandy beaches. We’ve arranged a cosy guesthouse for you, conveniently located, that will be your home for the next two nights. The rooms are bright and modern, and the hosts are super friendly. Plus, from the terrace, you might even get the chance to spot dolphins or whales!
Day 6 – Boat trip to the seals in the Robberg Nature Reserve
Today, you’re going to see the seals! After breakfast, you’ll hop on a boat with a small group and head to Robberg Nature Reserve, which is home to about 6,000 fur seals. From the boat, keep your eyes peeled for seals lounging on the rocks along the coast. The experienced crew will inspire you with their wealth of knowledge and genuine passion for the ocean. This is one adventure you won’t want to miss during your time in South Africa! The entire excursion lasts about 1.5 hours. In the evening we recommend one of the many fish restaurants where you will be served freshly caught fish.
Day 7 – Along the Garden Route to Knysna Lagoon
The following morning, you will drive 45 minutes along the coast to ‘the heart of the Garden Route’ – Knysna. Your guesthouse is located on a hill, so you will wake up every morning with stunning views over the lagoon. But the absolute highlight of your stay? That is without a doubt the walk through the Featherbed Nature Reserve, across the water, where you will visit tomorrow.
Day 8 – Featherbed Nature Reserve
Today, you’ll hop on a boat that gently takes you across the Knysna lagoon. As you drift further from the shore, you’ll get a beautiful view of the town, peacefully spread out along the hills. But that’s just the beginning—the real highlights await during your hike through the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Here, at the stunning Knysna Heads where the cliffs separate the lagoon from the Indian Ocean, you’ll walk along the dramatic coastline for about an hour and a half. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of the bright blue water through the lush green vegetation, and once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breath-taking view over the entire lagoon. It’s the perfect way to lose yourself in nature and leave everything else behind.
The Waterfront is the lively heart of Knysna. You’ll find charming boutiques where you can browse around, and you can also rent bikes or kayaks to explore the surroundings. But it’s in the evening that the real atmosphere comes alive. This is the perfect spot to settle into one of the many cosy restaurants and enjoy local dishes and fresh seafood, all while live music plays in the background. The local specialty? Oysters, freshly harvested from the lagoon – a must-try.
Day 9 – De Hoop Nature Reserve
The journey to De Hoop Nature Reserve is an adventure in itself. This remote area in the Western Cape can only be accessed via a bumpy gravel road, so prepare for quite a shuffle. But once you arrive, you will soon forget the efforts, as the views are breath-taking. You are surrounded by vast landscapes with high sand dunes, unusual rock formations and rich flora and fauna along the coast. You will sleep in a cosily furnished cottage in the middle of the park. Here you will find everything you need: a swimming pool, spa, tennis court and restaurant, perfect for a relaxing stay away from the hustle and bustle.
Day 10 – Free time in De Hoop
Today you can explore the park on your own with beautiful walks or challenging cycling tours. But for a really good understanding of this unique nature and green fynbos landscape, it is highly recommended to join one of the local rangers’ guided walks. These usually start early in the morning, perfect for spotting the many birds that flutter around here along the way.
Prefer walking along the coast? Then the Interpretive Marine Walk is perfect; it runs along the beach and, with any luck, you’ll even see whales in the bay between June and December! In the afternoon, you can also join a guided mountain bike or quad tour, so you’ll have plenty to do! After a day filled with adventure, you will return to your cottage for another night’s stay.
Day 11 – South Africa’s wine region by bike
Welcome to the wine region of the Western Cape! Around the charming towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, you will find some 200 wineries, including well-known names such as Spier and Blaauwklippen. The landscape here is filled with gentle rolling hills, making it perfect for a nice mountain bike ride. You will spend the next few nights in a guesthouse near Stellenbosch, with a delicious breakfast included to start your day off right.
Day 12 – Bikes’n’Wines Adventure Tour
In the morning, you will be picked up and taken to the starting point of your tour. The nice thing about this is that you don’t have to worry about driving back yourself – quite handy after a few wine tastings! During the cycling tour, you will stop at three wineries to enjoy the delicious South African wines. The route leads you along quiet paths, away from busy roads, with occasional climbs. Along the way, you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and False Bay, so be sure to bring your camera.
After the bike tour, spend the rest of your time strolling through the charming streets of Franschhoek or Stellenbosch, among the whitewashed Cape Dutch and French buildings. In Stellenbosch, don’t miss a visit to Uncle Samie Se Winkel – a shop where it seems as if time stood still a hundred years ago. Want to go even further back in time? Then the city museum, spread across several historic buildings, is highly recommended. There are numerous cosy cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat with, of course, a local wine or two.
Day 13 – Arrival in Cape Town
Today you arrive in colourful Cape Town. After checking in at your guesthouse, you can immediately cool off in the pool or explore the city’s highlights. Of course, a visit to Table Mountain is not to be missed. You can climb it in two hours on foot – or you can take the cable car in about four minutes. Whichever route you choose: If the weather is clear in the morning, don’t hesitate to tackle it. The clouds can quickly gather on the mountain again, denying you the beautiful view of the city. Or venture out for a dance with one of the city’s street performers. Either way, you won’t be bored here.
Day 14 – Half day city tour
Today you will meet your guide for a half day city tour, the perfect introduction to this exciting and vibrant city. Explore the various neighbourhoods and highlights such as St. George’s Cathedral (the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu), Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter [also known as the Bo-Kaap]. Discover the history of the Diamond and Gold Trade in South Africa and continue on to Table Mountain, where you can ascend to the top by the revolving cable car and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches. On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other.
Day 15 – Colourful Cape Town
Today, you’ve got all the time to explore the city at your own pace. The WA Waterfront is a great spot in the evening, with its many restaurants and bars. You can grab a bite at one of the many places or go on a sunset cruise with views of the water and Table Mountain. Besides the shops, you’ll also find the impressive Two Oceans Aquarium and the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, offering a fresh perspective on African art.
You can also take a tour to Robben Island from the waterfront, where Nelson Mandela and his fellow freedom fighters were imprisoned. The tours are led by former prisoners, giving you a unique and personal insight into Cape Town’s and South Africa’s history.
Don’t forget to explore the Cape Peninsula during your stay in Cape Town. The best route goes past Hout Bay, where you can see the fishing boats, and then drive along the impressive Chapman’s Peak Drive, with its 114 curves and fantastic ocean views. After this comes Cape of Good Hope, where you can take a breather. On the way back, via Simon’s Town and Muizenberg, it is definitely worth stopping at the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
Day 16 – Departure from Cape Town
It’s time to say goodbye to Cape Town and head to the airport where you will drop off your trusty rental car and catch your international flight back to the UK.
Accommodation
