South African Essentials

Guests can spend the day at their leisure or opt for a guided afternoon tour showcasing the highlights of Johannesburg and Soweto (at their own expense). They will return to the hotel in the late afternoon, where the tour guide will meet them for a briefing at 6:30 PM. Dinner (at their own expense) can be enjoyed at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant in Sandton. 

Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton or a similar accommodation – Breakfast included. 

After breakfast, guests will set off for the Panorama Route on their way to Hazyview. A lunch stop (at their own expense) will be made in Graskop, with arrival in the late afternoon. Guests can unwind before enjoying a relaxed dinner (at their own expense) at the hotel. 

Overnight at ANEW Resort Hazyview or a similar accommodation – Breakfast included. 

Following an early breakfast, guests will head to the renowned Kruger National Park. They will partake in a guided game drive in a closed vehicle and have lunch (at their own expense) at one of the park’s rest camps. An optional full-day safari in an open vehicle is also available (at their own expense and excluding lunch). After exiting the park, guests will return to the hotel to freshen up and enjoy pre-dinner drinks (at their own expense) before dinner (at their own expense). 

Overnight at ANEW Resort Hazyview or a similar accommodation – Breakfast included. 

Guests will have an early breakfast before embarking on a second day of guided game driving in Kruger National Park. An optional full-day safari in an open vehicle is available (at their own expense and excluding lunch). Lunch (at their own expense) will be enjoyed at one of the park’s rest camps. They will exit the park at Malelane Gate. 

In the late afternoon, guests will arrive at the lodge located on the park’s border. They can enjoy pre-dinner drinks (at their own expense) before dinner at the hotel. 

Overnight at Pestana Kruger Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast.

After an early breakfast, guests will check out of the hotel and embark on their journey to Hluhluwe, passing through the Kingdom of Eswatini. Lunch will be at guests’ own expense along the way. As they re-enter South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal, they will arrive at the hotel in the early evening, just in time for a Zulu cultural show and dinner (own account). 

Overnight at ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe & Safaris or a similar establishment – Breakfast included. 

NOTE: Guests must carry a valid passport when entering the Kingdom of Eswatini, and multi-entry visa regulations apply for nationals of certain countries. 

Following breakfast, the group will head to St Lucia, where they can opt for a boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary (own account). The journey continues to Port Edward, with lunch along the way (own account). Guests can enjoy dinner at one of the resort’s many restaurants (own account). 

Overnight at Wild Coast Sun or a similar venue – Breakfast included. 

NOTE: The vehicle may need to drop off and/or pick up guests at a hotel in uMhlanga and Durban. 

Guests will have a leisurely morning before departing for Mthatha, with a lunch stop en route (own account). The scenic Mandela Route along the N2 highway leads to Mthatha, where guests can explore the legacy of Nelson Mandela. After freshening up, they will enjoy dinner at the hotel (own account). 

Overnight at Garden Court Mthatha or a similar hotel – Breakfast included. 

After an early breakfast, guests will leave Mthatha for the coastal town of Port Alfred, passing through Qunu, the final resting place of Nelson Mandela and his family home. They will continue south, stopping for lunch along the way (own account), and arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon. Guests can unwind with refreshing drinks (own account) before indulging in the delicious local cuisine. 

Overnight at The Royal St Andrews Lodge or a similar property

Following an early breakfast, guests will embark on a boat cruise along the picturesque Kowie River, weather permitting, before heading inland along the Garden Route. 

Lunch will be enjoyed in Tsitsikamma (at guests’ own expense), followed by a brief walk to the Storms River Mouth suspension bridge. After arriving in Knysna, guests will have some free time before dinner (at their own expense). 

Overnight accommodations will be at Premier Hotel The Moorings Knysna or a similar venue – Breakfast included. 

NOTE: The vehicle may need to pick up guests from a hotel in Port Elizabeth. 

After breakfast, guests will set off for Oudtshoorn, with opportunities to capture stunning photos of the Knysna Lagoon and the Knysna Heads. The journey continues inland over the Outeniqua Pass, arriving in Oudtshoorn for lunch (at guests’ own expense) at an ostrich farm, where they can take a tractor tour (at their own expense) to learn about the ostrich industry. In the Cango Valley, guests will explore the Cango Caves (at their own expense). The afternoon is free for guests to relax before dinner (at their own expense). 

Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Riempie Estate or a similar establishment – Breakfast included. 

After breakfast, the tour will proceed along Route 62 and through the Cape Winelands. Lunch will be taken en route (at guests’ own expense). Guests will visit a wine estate for a delightful cheese and wine pairing, followed by a guided cellar tour in the Robertson Wine Valley (at their own expense). 

Upon arrival at their hotel in Cape Town, guests can enjoy dinner at the hotel (at their own expense) or at nearby restaurants. 

Overnight at StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or a similar hotel – Breakfast included. 

After enjoying breakfast, guests have the morning free to explore the vibrant Mother City at their own pace or can opt for a guided full-day tour to Cape Point, which includes a visit to Boulders Beach (entrance fee not included). Guests can choose to dine out or enjoy a meal at the hotel (at their own expense). 

Overnight stay at StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl or a similar accommodation – Breakfast included. 

Guests will have breakfast at the hotel before spending their final day of the tour at leisure. An optional Table Mountain and City Tour is available (at an additional cost). 

If the weather allows, guests can take a scenic cable car ride to the top of the mountain (tickets should be purchased online in advance and are at their own expense). Other highlights may include the Malay Quarter, city center, Company Gardens, the Castle of Good Hope (if time permits), and Diamond Works at the V&A Waterfront.

• Full day game drive in an open safari vehicle in the Kruger

National Park on day 3

• Ostrich farm tractor tour
• Cango Caves heritage tour
• Full day tour of Cape Point

Other Optional Excursions:

• Afternoon tour of Johannesburg and Soweto
• Full day game drive in an open safari vehicle in the Kruger

National Park on day 4

• St Lucia Estuary boat cruise
• Cheese and wine pairing
• Cellar tour
• Morning tour of Cape Town City and Table Mountain