Day 1: Cape Town

Welcome to Cape Town! On arrival and after clearing Customs and immigration, you will meet with your driver for a Private Transfer with an English-speaking driver and guide from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to The Portswood Hotel.

Voted as the best place in the world to visit by the prestigious New York Times, Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa. This vibrant multicultural city is a healthy mix of city and suburban living, vibey day and night spots, outdoor recreational activities, and relaxation. Two oceans with their beautiful white sand beaches embrace this nature-saturated city. Ride the revolving cable car to the sky on Table Mountain; shop at the V&A Waterfront, one of Africa’s premier shopping destinations; stand on the edge of the world at Cape Point or delve into South Africa’s past at Robben Island, the prison that once held one of the worlds greatest heroes, Nelson Mandela. The Mother City, the “Green City”, the “Tavern of the Seas”...whatever name you give it, this is a bucket list destination to be experienced and enjoyed.

The Portswood Hotel is in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. It has the highlights of the city at its fingertips. The hotel has particular historical significance as the lobby was built around the well and cells for prisoners that were en - route to Robben Island. Today, it retains and honours the memory of its past while offering comfortable accommodations and exclusive amenities. The hotel features a restaurant, a swimming pool, a bar, and a business centre. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, the Quarterdeck specializes in Cape Mala, Malaysian, and Indonesian infused cuisine and excellent South African cuisine can be enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the pool.

Overnight: The Portswood Hotel

Please note: Most flights arrive in the evening

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Day 2: Cape Town

This morning after breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide at the hotel for the Table Mountain & Cape Town City Tour including lunch in the V&A Waterfront.

Full-Day Table Mountain & Cape Town City Tour

Guests will take a trip to the top of the world, high above the clouds on the famous Table Mountain. Table Mountain is an icon in Cape Town and is most likely the most photographed landmark in the country. Table Mountain has been named one of the seven wonders of nature and attracts millions of visitors f rom all across the globe, in fact, since the opening of the aerial cableway in 1929, more than 22 million people have taken the trip to the top. At the upper cable station, guests will find a restaurant and a curio shop as well as some footpaths for exploration. Tickets are valid between 8:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Half Day City Tour

Travel by cable car to the top of Table Mountain (excludes cable way ticket fee & weather permitting) then descend and pass through Malay Quarter, city center, and Company Gardens. Visit the Castle of Good Hope (time permitting) and Diamond Works. Enjoy lunch at the Belthazar Restaurant and Wine Bar. Lunch is a set menu. Drinks are not included.

Overnight: The Portswood Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 3: Cape Town

This morning after breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide and driver at the hotel for your full-day Cape Peninsula Tour

Chapmans Peak Drive

Chapmans Peak Drive on the Atlantic Coast between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in the Cape Peninsula is one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. Chapmans Peak Drive is affectionately known as Chappies and is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic scenery of Cape Town. Initially constructed during the First World War, this 9km route with its 114 curves, skirts Chapmans Peak, the 593m high southerly extension of Constantia Berg, and follows the rocky coastline to unfold breathtaking views in both directions. The route starts at the picturesque fishing harbour of Hout Bay and the climb winds steeply up to Chapmans Point, revealing breathtaking views of the sandy bays down below, until the road reaches lower levels again at Noordhoek.

SA National Parks - Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point)

So named by Portugal’s King John II this area has captured the imagination of European sailors such as Dias who first named it the Cape of Storms in 1488 and later in 1580 Sir Francis Drake who called it the “The Fairest Cape in all the World”. Rich in cultural and natural heritage this is one of the top tourist destinations in South Africa. Due to the variety of wildlife that occurs here, it is the only section that is fenced and visitors should look out for Eland, Red Hartebeest. Be sure to visit the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre which showcases all the plants and animals to look out for in a particular season and is full of informative signage. At the point, visitors are treated to excellent viewing opportunities from both lighthouses that adorn the most southwestern point in Africa, one still fully functional. The lighthouse is accessible by foot or one can catch the Flying Dutchman funicular to the top. Bontebok and Zebra.

Cape Point - Funicular (Return)

Apart from offering visitors an exciting and novel method of travel, taking the Flying Dutchman funicular saves visitors an uphill walk f rom the car park to see the old lighthouse and enjoy the panoramic views. The Flying Dutchman Funicular, also known as the Cape Point Funicular, is a funicular railway located at Cape Point. It’s the only commercial funicular of its type in Africa and takes its name from the local legend of the Flying Dutchman ghost ship. The line runs from a lower station at the Cape Point car park, up an incline through dense fynbos to the upper lighthouse. The funicular leaves from the lower station every three minutes, comfortably accommodates 40 passengers per car, and can transport 450 persons to the upper lighthouse per hour, making it the ideal way to whisk closer to the lighthouse even during peak times. Enjoy lunch at Black Marlin Restaurant. Drinks are not included.

SA National Parks - Boulders Penguin Colony - Entrance fees

Located on the Cape Peninsula, in Simon’s Town, a suburb of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is also commonly known as Boulders Bay. It is a popular tourist spot because of a colony of African penguins that settled there in 1982.

Overnight: The Portswood Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 4: Cape Town

This morning after breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide for a Half Day Robben Island Tour.

Robben Island Museum - Robben Island Ferry Ticket - weather permitting:

Departure time: 9:00 am, 11:00 am & 1:00 pm ferry.

Robben Island requires guests to produce a form of identification when they purchase a ticket and board a ferry when visiting the island. All visitors are required to provide either an identification document, passport, birth certificate, or driver’s license. Copies of these documents will be accepted. Boats depart f rom the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront and head to one of the most famous prisons in the world. This is where South Africa’s father of the nation spent 18 years, the legend of a man, Nelson Mandela. Guests will disembark at Murrays Harbour on the east coast of the island and take a short walk to buses that will transport them to all of the historically significant sites. The tour guides inside the prison today, are former political prisoners and their knowledge of this island is unparalleled and adds a unique cultural layer to this experience. This tour culminates with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell.

If Robben Island cancels the tour, they will not charge an administration fee

Robben Island Museum reserves the right to cancel voyages or to change departure times without notice. This ticket is not subject to refunds except if the respective voyage is canceled by Robben Island Museum or the passenger cannot attend due to hospitalization or mortality. Refunds will only be issued against the return of this ticket and proof of identification.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at GOLD Restaurant - Interactive Djembe Drumming and 14 Dish African Feast & Entertainment. Gold Restaurant is often referred to as a taste safari and that is exactly what it is. This vibrant restaurant promises an evening of wining and dining in scintillating African style. The dinner begins with the drumbeat of the djembe drum and an interactive drum circle, and you will then be led into a courtyard where you will ceremoniously wash your hands before the feast begins. This 14-course set menu is authentically Cape Malay and African cuisine, while you are entertained by live performances near your table. Gold restaurant inspires and immerses you into the spirit of Africa while you savour delicious cuisine.

Overnight: The Portswood Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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Day 5: Franschhoek

This morning after breakfast and checking out, meet your English-speaking Guide for a fullday Winelands Tour. What is the best feature of the Cape Winelands? It’s true that it is renowned for its crisp white and classic French-style red wines, fantastic cheeses, and olives but it also has a stunning wealth of natural rustic beauty with vast estates shaded from the African sunshine by giant oak trees and towering mountains overlooking lush valleys.

Encompassing a huge region across the Western Cape, stretching up the West Coast, up and east into the Klein Karoo, and right down into the Hermanus and Overberg regions, the Cape Winelands is a profoundly special place. Set in and amongst quaint and traditional Cape Dutch houses, magical trees and vineyards, and majestic mountain surroundings, you might think you are in Bordeaux when in fact you have found a truly South African piece of heaven. The country’s famed and best-known wine regions are Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek and although close to the city center, it feels like a different world. The numerous wine farms offer something for every taste and style and usually include a range of activities and accommodations, and always promise excellent wine to taste, delicious culinary experiences, and relaxing in nature-focused restaurants or luscious picnic-like settings.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Boschendal Wine Farm. Drinks are not included. After your picnic lunch and wine tasting, you’ll be transferred to Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa for your overnight stay.

Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa envelops you in Cape Winelands luxury in the most beautiful vineyard settings. The style of the hotel is classic Cape Dutch architecture with thatched roofs. Surrounded by mountains, the hotel is close to the town of Franschhoek, with its art galleries, coffee shops, and unsurpassed cuisine options. The hotel itself has a restaurant, the Orchard Restaurant, which is essentially an exquisitely crafted glass house that showcases the beauty of the surroundings while serving summer salmon or beef fillet amongst other delicious menu items. The spa of Le Franschhoek is set in the garden in the midst of ancient oak trees and is the perfect way to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.

Overnight: Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 6: Franschhoek

Enjoy a morning at leisure and breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a late morning wine tasting and cellar tour at a Wine Farm in Franschhoek. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight: Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa

Meals Included: Breakfast

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Day 7: Durban

After breakfast and checking out of our hotel, you will be picked up for your transfer f rom Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa to Cape Town Airport for your flight to Durban. Flight details TBA (not included – your own arrangements). On arrival at King Shaka International Airport, meet your English-speaking guide and transfer to Ghost Mountain Inn.

KwaZulu Natal is a coastal province in South Africa. This small province has some of the most popular attractions in South Africa f rom the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains in the midlands to the perfect swimming and surfing conditions in the city of Durban. The coast is populated with quaint towns that are popular holiday destinations and the province has many nature reserves where guests can experience an assortment of wildlife and birdlife, including the “big five” (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard). Some of the best diving destinations are found in KwaZulu Natal, where coral reefs, caves, moray eels, and many types of fish can be seen. The city of Durban, renowned for its “Golden Mile”, has some of the best beaches South Africa has on offer. Durban also offers wonderful entertainment, hotels, shops and restaurants. Not to be missed is a trip to uShaka Marine World or catching a football match at the impressive Moses Mabhiba Stadium.

At the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain in Mkuze, Northern KwaZulu Natal lies the privately owned 4-Star Ghost Mountain Inn. This intimate and beautiful hotel is the ideal location from which to explore the array of wildlife and coastal reserves in Maputaland and the Elephant Coast. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of wildlife and the scenic splendours of this rich and diverse region during game drives, guided walks, cultural excursions,

and boat cruises in the company of knowledgeable rangers. Back at the hotel, the spa offers a range of skin and body treatments and healthy lunches in a tranquil environment. Those who prefer the relaxing sound of birdsong and the warmth of the African sun will find their respite at the poolside within the glorious gardens of Ghost Mountain Inn.

Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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Day 8: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up for your morning safari.

Morning Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Open Vehicle Safari (excludes conservation fee)

Embark on a game drive through South Africa’s oldest wildlife park: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. Famous for being the best place to view the endangered black and white rhino, a 4x4 game drive in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi will uncover the park’s rich diversity of wildlife and display its extraordinary natural splendour.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi game drives are enjoyed in specially modified open safari vehicles to enhance your game viewing opportunities and give you the best photographic vantage points. Guests will only tour with qualified, experienced guides, so they will learn more than they could have imagined possible about everything from trees to animal spoor, to the abundant bird life.

After your safari, enjoy lunch in St Lucia before embarking on a boat cruise.

St Lucia Boat Cruise

St Lucia is tucked in between the Indian Ocean and the St Lucia Estuary and could almost be described as being on an island, it is completely surrounded by a Natural World Heritage Site. Board the Santa Lucia for a 2 hr. interpretative cruise on a spacious double-decker boat getting up close to the sights and sounds of hippos, crocodiles, and other game and bird species. The boat has a coffee/tea/soft drinks and toilet on board. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Ghost Mountain Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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Day 9: Swaziland

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, meet your Guide for transfer to Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane, Swaziland

Visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory where a group of Swazi craftsmen breathe life into enchanting interpretations of animals and birds of Africa crafted from recycled glass. You will also have the opportunity to watch the entire process of candle-making.

Eswatini (Swaziland) is one of the smallest countries on the African continent and is a mountainous wonderland as well as home to one of Africa’s remaining monarchies. Eswatini showcases its deeply entrenched culture and heritage and provides an unforgettable cultural experience. The people of Eswatini are well known for their vibrancy and welcoming natures and the immaculate land is soul replenishing. The famous Reed Dance is a traditional ceremony that attracts visitors f rom all over the globe but the beauty of Eswatini is that traditional garments and ceremonies are year-round. The country may be small but it is a phenomenal holiday destination and features traditional markets and wildlife reserves that are guaranteed to leave visitors awestruck. Eswatini boasts the famed “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), the most sought-after sightings on an African game drive.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Experience Eswatini’s capital city f rom our Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane hotel. Occupying the country’s most iconic building, referred to by locals as “Ship out of the Ocean” We are located in Mbabane Central Business District within walking distance of government offices, Mbabane Government Hospital, all major banks, and two shopping malls, The Swazi Plaza and The Mall.

Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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Day 10: Kruger National Park

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, meet your Guide for transfer to Kruger National Park (approx. 5-hour drive).

The Limpopo province has some of the best attractions for visitors to South Africa. Home to many top-tier nature reserves, visitors have their choice of safari and game sighting in this northern province. Phaloborwa is the only town in South Africa to border the famous Kruger National Park and boasts an impressive golf course where one can be teeing off or putting on the greens, while giraffes or warthogs wander past. This is the land of exquisite sights, sounds, and tastes, from glorious sunsets over the Kruger National Park to delicious wine and dining in one of the many popular restaurants.

This is a place where African culture, cuisine, and landscape merge to give one an excellent taste of what Africa has to offer. The Limpopo province also borders Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, making it an ideal destination for easy access to these other parts of southern Africa.

One of the largest and most popular game reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park is a bucket- list destination for those who love experiencing wildlife and adventure. Approximately the same size as Wales or Israel, the park is particularly special because of the easy access and opportunities it provides visitors. Its wide road network makes self-drive tours as well as guided tours equally appealing. Accommodation is varied and caters to both beer and champagne budgets. The headline act is, of course, the animals, with the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo) taking center stage. There is however a huge supporting cast of more than 135 mammals and 500 varieties of birds. The sheer size of the Kruger National Park ensures an ever-changing landscape. Each new habitat brings with it its own resident animals, making game-viewing a fun challenge and a quickly acquired skill. Arrive in time for lunch and an evening game drive.

The rest of your day is at leisure. Enjoy dinner at your accommodation.

Combining an upmarket safari experience with luxury accommodation, the Kapama River Lodge is set on a bend of the Kapama River within the largest reserve in the Kruger National Park. A game-rich area, you can expect to see the Big 5 and more on daily game drives and guided bush walks. Even from the decks of this luxury lodge, game can be spotted at the nearby watering hole and along the dry riverbed. You can cool off in the beautiful swimming pool, relax in the spacious lounges, and look forward to decadent bush dining in a variety of venues from the riverbed itself to the Pan-African cuisine of the Rhino Boma and the fresh seasonal dishes of the Siyatla Lounge. An excellent wine cellar provides fine wines to accompany meals.

Overnight: Kapama River Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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Days 11 & 12: Kruger National Park

Enjoy these days at leisure with 2 safari activities each day and all meals at your accommodation.

Overnight: Kapama River Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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Day 13: Johannesburg

After breakfast at your hotel check out. You will then be picked up for your transfer to Hoedspruit Airport where you will board your flight to Johannesburg. Flight details TBA (not included – your own arrangements).

On arrival at OR Tambo Airport, you will be met by your English-speaking guide for transfer to hotel. Johannesburg is a vast city where opposites collide to create an interesting city of contradictions and extraordinary charm. Situated within the province of Gauteng, Johannesburg is home to the world’s largest urban forest of approximately 10 million trees. The city is the economic powerhouse of South Africa, and as a result, has some of the most high-end shops and restaurants in the country. This urban sophistication stands in stark contrast with the many local street vendors and informal African spaza shops. The city has a surprisingly diverse range of activities on offer: popular stops include the sobering Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Nelson Mandela Square, and Sandton City. Township tours are recommended, as is the fast-growing creative hub of the city, the Maboneng Precinct (meaning ‘place of light’), is an inspiring place for urban artists and boasts great restaurants and entertainment, art galleries, and a neighbourhood celebrating art. Whether in the city for business or pleasure, there is plenty to see and do while there.

Set in lush, landscaped gardens that provide an oasis f rom the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg city life, the classy Protea Hotel Balalaika has been in operation since 1949. Offering a country retreat in the midst of the shopping and financial mecca that is the upmarket Sandton suburb, the charmingly decorated hotel offers accommodation in 330 rooms ranging from Twin and King Rooms to Deluxe Rooms and Family and Executive Suites. The rooms are spread out over two sections, the Crown Court and the Balalaika. Only a five-minute walk away f rom a Gautrain terminal, the location ensures easy access to the attractions in the city. On the doorstep are the famous Sandton Shopping Centre and Sandton Convention Centre as well as the prestigious Nelson Mandela Square. Facilities at the hotel include in-house dining at the upmarket Colonial Restaurant, drinking at the Lords Bar, or relaxing around the sparkling pool. The hotel can cater for conferences for up to 350 delegates.

Overnight: Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton

Meals Included: Breakfast

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Day 14: Johannesburg

After breakfast, meet your Guide at 8:00 AM for a Soweto & Apartheid Museum Tour including lunch.

Soweto is an urban area of the city of Johannesburg, bordering the city’s mining belt in the south. Its name, an English syllabic abbreviation for Southwestern Townships, refers to its origins as a Black township under South Africa’s Apartheid government. The population has historically been overwhelmingly black and some of the watershed events in the struggle against Apartheid occurred in this township. On this tour guests will discover Soweto and the surrounding area, driving past a hostel in Diepkloof, the well-known Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Orlando Power Station, Mandela House Museum, Desmond Tutus House, the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum, a quick stop at a well-known restaurant, a shebeen, the Regina Mundi Church, Maponya Shopping Mall, Kliptown, Walter Sisulu Freedom Square and Aldorado Park. Afterwards, guests will head towards the Apartheid Museum. Once there guests will have the opportunity to discover the history of the Apartheid era on their own. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy an afternoon free at leisure before your Farewell dinner at Pigalle Sandton. Drinks are not included.

Overnight: Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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Day 15: Depart

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, meet your guide for your transfer to OR Tambo International Airport for your onward flight home. Flight details TBA (not included – your own arrangements).

Meals Included: Breakfast