South Africa Highlights

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to your luxury hotel with views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Spend the afternoon exploring the V&A Waterfront, visiting the Zeitz MOCAA, or relaxing at the hotel pool. A welcome dinner at a top-rated Cape Town restaurant sets the tone for your South African adventure.

A full day exploring Cape Town's iconic attractions. Ride the cable car to the summit of Table Mountain for panoramic views, then drive the stunning Cape Peninsula past Camps Bay, Hout Bay, and Chapman's Peak. Visit the African penguins at Boulders Beach and continue to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Return via the scenic False Bay coast for dinner in the city.

Drive through the rolling vineyards to Stellenbosch, South Africa's second-oldest town and the heart of the Winelands. Visit a historic Cape Dutch wine estate for a private tasting, then continue through the Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek — the gourmet capital of South Africa. Enjoy a three-course lunch paired with award-winning wines at a celebrated Franschhoek restaurant. The afternoon includes a visit to a second estate specialising in red blends. Check into your Winelands boutique hotel surrounded by mountains and vineyards.

Depart the Winelands and drive south to Hermanus on the Whale Coast. Walk the cliff path where southern right whales can be seen from shore (seasonal). Visit the Old Harbour Museum and explore the town's galleries and craft shops. A boat-based whale excursion (seasonal) brings you within regulated distance of these gentle giants. Dinner features the freshest local seafood.

A long but stunning driving day along the Garden Route. Stop at Swellendam for coffee and the historic Drostdy, then continue through indigenous forests and coastal scenery to Knysna. Arrive and check into your hotel overlooking the famous Knysna Lagoon. A sunset cruise on the lagoon, passing the dramatic sandstone Heads, is the perfect end to the day.

Explore Knysna's highlights: walk through the ancient Knysna Forest on the Garden of Eden trail, taste famous Knysna oysters at a local farm, and kayak across the tranquil lagoon. The afternoon is free for independent exploration — the Knysna waterfront offers excellent shopping and dining. An optional visit to Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary is highly recommended.

Drive to Tsitsikamma National Park and walk the coastal trail to the famous Storms River suspension bridge. The trail passes through pristine coastal forest before emerging at the dramatic gorge where the river meets the sea. After lunch, continue to Port Elizabeth, arriving in time for an evening walk along the Boardwalk. Tomorrow you fly north to safari country.

Transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (or Hoedspruit). On arrival, transfer to the exclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Check into your luxury lodge and enjoy a light lunch before your first afternoon game drive. The open Land Rover takes you deep into the concession, where elephants browse among marula trees and giraffe tower above the acacia scrub. Your tracker picks up fresh leopard spoor, setting the stage for the days ahead.

A full day of world-class game viewing in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The pre-dawn drive follows your tracker on foot as the Land Rover tracks fresh predator spoor. Sabi Sand delivers unrivalled Big Five sightings: relaxed leopards draped over branches, white rhino grazing near the vehicle, elephant herds at the waterhole, and lion prides resting in the riverbed. The afternoon drive extends into the golden hour, when the light is perfect for photography and predators begin to stir.

Enter Kruger National Park through a private gate for a full day exploring Africa's most famous wildlife reserve. Drive along the Sabie and Sand Rivers, stopping at waterholes and bridge crossings where wildlife concentrates. Look for rare species — wild dog, sable antelope, and martial eagle — in addition to the Big Five. A bush lunch at a scenic picnic site breaks up the day before the afternoon drive returns through different terrain. Back at the lodge, a bush dinner awaits.

Your last full day in the bush. The morning begins with a guided bush walk — tracking on foot with an armed ranger, getting close to the small wonders of the bush. After brunch, relax at the lodge spa or pool. The afternoon game drive is your final opportunity to tick off any remaining wish-list species. Your guide will make every effort to deliver memorable last encounters. A farewell dinner at a specially prepared boma site celebrates the end of your South African adventure.

Enjoy a final sunrise from the lodge deck and a leisurely breakfast. Transfer to the airstrip for a flight to Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, arriving in time for international departure flights. Alternatively, transfer by road (approximately 5 hours) with stops at Lowveld attractions. Depart South Africa with twelve days of extraordinary memories — from Table Mountain to Big Five encounters, from world-class wines to ancient forests.