Best of South Africa

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★★★★★ 4.7/5

Descriptions

Experience South Africa’s diverse landscapes and rich heritage, from Kruger National Park to Cape Winelands, offering adventure, culture, and hospitality.

Included

Excluded

Flights to/from Cape Town to/from Johannesburg
Airport Taxes and Fuel Surcharge
Entrance fees
Porterage and Gratuities
All items of personal nature
All items, services, accommodation, and meals not mentioned above

Itinerary

This itinerary includes a scenic journey from Johannesburg to Graskop, exploring the Panorama Route and Lone Creek Falls. Then, visit Thornybush Private Reserve and Kruger National Park, where you can experience wildlife and landscapes. Cape Town offers iconic landmarks and a scenic Cape Peninsula. The itinerary also includes a wine-filled adventure through Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch, visiting historical sites like Groot Drakenstein Prison and the Huguenot Monument. The itinerary also includes a cruise along Knysna Lagoon, the world’s highest bridge bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge, and Tsitsikamma National Park.

Day 1 : Johannesburg – Mpumalanga – Graskop

From Johannesburg depart for Mpumalanga via Dullstroom, a quaint fishing village with unique shops. We suggest a short stopover to enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many coffee shops. Continue to Lydenburg and then along the Long Tom’s Pass, a very scenic road, to Sabie. Passing through the town of Sabie continue on to a magnificent waterfall called the Lone Creek Falls. Further along stop at the Mac Mac Falls, two falls with beautiful views. Continue to Graskop and if time and weather permitting visit God’s Window (weather permitting) and the scenic gorge with the Pinnacle Rock.
Overnight – Graskop Hotel – Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Day 2 : Graskop – Thornybush Private Reserve

After breakfast travel along the Panorama Route. Visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The Potholes were named after a gold digger, Tom Burke, who staked a claim nearby. This natural water feature marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. Through countless eons the swirling whirlpools which occur caused waterborne sand and rock to grind huge, cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river. Next stop at the Three Rondavels viewpoint for a spectacular view of the canyon. Continue to Thornybush Private Game Reserve. Adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park, within the famous Thornybush Nature Reserve is the Collection’s largest operation, Thornybush Game Lodge. Whilst the size of the Lodge attracts special gatherings, the configuration of the self-contained luxury suites provides for privacy and solitude for couples and smaller groups visiting this special Lodge. A state of the art newly constructed Spa facility tops the agenda for discerning guests visiting this well-known Lodge. Thornybush Game Reserve's exclusive private Thornybush Game Lodge provides accommodation consisting of stylish air-conditioned suites, with extensive living areas overlooking the seasonal Monwana River. Warm African evenings under the stars make Thornybush Game Lodge an ideal home away from the world. The sheer enjoyment of un-spoilt nature, the invigorating air, and the open vistas, will leave you relaxed and energized for your return to civilization. Thornybush Private Game Lodge offers unique exclusive Safari experiences in both open Land Rovers, and on foot. The private reserve is home to an abundance of species: 147 mammals including the "Big Five", 114 reptiles, 507 birds, 49 fish, 34 amphibians and 336 trees. The reserve is predominantly open savannah and with a near perfect year-round climate, it is the ideal African safari holiday destination. Lunch served around 3.00pm. Lunch is followed by the afternoon game drive and extends into the evening to view seldom seen nocturnal species by torchlight. You will break somewhere out in the bush, in a remote, scenic spot to watch the sunset, where Sundowners and snacks are offered to guests whilst you once again stretch your legs. Upon returning for a gourmet 3 course dinner, either in the boma, bush or lodge - guests can socialize with a cognac, single malt or cigar around the campfire or lounge before returning to bed for another day's adventure. Where possible, safaris will be tailored to suit individual preferences and interest.
Overnight – Thornybush Jackalberry Lodge – Full Board + 2 Game Drives in open Safari Vehicles
Day 3 : Thornybush Private Reserve – Kruger National Park

The day starts as dawn breaks over the African bushveld. Expect an early wakeup call and gather for tea or coffee and rusks before heading out on your morning game drive in your open landrover with your experienced Rangers and Trackers who will share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you. These drives are undertaken at times best suited for game viewing which vary depending on the season but typically start early morning. Where applicable you may be invited out of the vehicle to see tracks, examine certain plants and follow spoor. After an exhilarating hunt for tracks to see what the animals have been up to during the night, and tracking down whatever you find, you will stop somewhere out in the bush for a break of coffee & tea and time to stretch your legs. Approximately 3 hours later return to the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast. After breakfast travel to the Kruger Park through Orpen Gate. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies. After entering the park continue as per notes from Avi. Exist the Park at Kruger Gate (Gate closes at 18h00)
Overnight –Kruger Gate Hotel – Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Day 4 : Kruger National Park – Johannesburg – Cape Town

Early morning open vehicle game drive can be booked by Kruger Gate Hotel. Thereafter return to Johannesburg to O R Tambo Johannesburg Airport for your flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town proceed to your hotel via a scenic city tour.
Overnight – Cresta Grand Hotel – Bed and Breakfast
Day 5 : Cape Town

Begin with a visit to Table Mountain. Often described as magical and mystical, Table Mountain is Cape Town's most prominent feature and a world-famous landmark. This majestic mountain is visible from almost everywhere in Cape Town and is often used as a beacon by which to find direction. The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and provides breath-taking views over the city and its beaches. Continue on a panoramic city tour of Cape Town, passing the houses of Parliament, City Hall and the Castle of Good Hope. Visit the South African Museum, the "Bo Kaap", also known as the Malay quarter & Green Market Square. Spend the rest of the day exploring the V & A Waterfront. The wide variety of leisure activities and attractions on offer at the V&A Waterfront makes this unique destination the first choice for both local and foreign visitors. The V&A Waterfront is a treasure trove of fun and exciting experiences, to be discovered...new journeys await around every corner. With over 80 restaurants to choose from the choice is yours.
Overnight – Cresta Grand Hotel – Bed and Breakfast
Day 6 : Cape Peninsula

Travel through Clifton and Camps Bay to Hout Bay – take a short boat trip to Seal Island to view the Seals in their natural environment (weather permitting). Continue via Chapman’s Peak to the nature reserve of Cape of Good Hope. This is where the famous Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope can be viewed as well as the legendary meeting of the cold Atlantic and warm Indian currents. Return to Cape Town driving along the coastline through small towns such Simonstown, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay and Muizenburg. En-route visit Boulders – the Penguin Colony.
Overnight – Cresta Grand Hotel – Bed and Breakfast
Day 7 : Cape Winelands

Continue to the famous cape wine lands. It is not only wine but also magnificent scenery and historical places. You will visit the towns of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. En-route you will stop at the many places of interest as well as enjoy some wine tasting at one of the many wine cellars. Franschhoek, which lies in one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world, stop at the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990. Originally known as the Valley of the Huguenots, a community of French Huguenots were granted land in this valley by the Dutch government of the Cape, after fleeing their homeland when Protestantism was outlawed in France in 1685. Franschhoek’s village has a wonderful collection of art and antique shops and galleries, and the main streets are lined with restaurants and coffee shops. Visit the Huguenot Monument, dedicated to the cultural influences that French Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony after their immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Memorial Museum neighboring the monument elaborates on the history of the French Huguenots who settled in the Cape. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa, a place of great beauty and culture that's steeped in South African tradition. The heart of the town lies somewhere near the oak lined Dorp Street, with its venerable old buildings, this is the University's main thoroughfare, where modern student life sits comfortably side by side with our history and architectural heritage. On you return to Cape Town and if time allows, proceed to Blaauwberg beach which is the perfect spot to photograph the beautiful 7th natural wonder of the world which is Table Mountain which lays across the Bay.
Overnight -Cresta Grand Hotel – Bed and Breakfast
Day 8 : Cape Town – Oudtshoorn

Travel along Route 62 that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, offering the shorter, scenic alternative to the N2 highway. It's an area of magnificent landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and an abundance of trees and indigenous flora - all contribute to make Paarl, Wellington, the Breede River Valley, Klein Karoo and Langkloof some of South Africa's most diverse regions. The ever-changing colours of the majestic mountains, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards and orchards, as well as the multitude of attractions, will offer you an unforgettable adventure - whether this is in the physical sense or simply a kaleidoscope of scenic tranquillity. Continue to Oudtshoorn, a town renowned for the Ostrich feather industry. Visit the Safari Ostrich Farm for a tour. During the course of the tour, the tour guide will explain every aspect of ostrich farming, from breeding to rearing. Visitors will get the opportunity to test the strength of the eggs by standing on them - a great photo opportunity.
Overnight – Hlangana Lodge, Oudtshoorn – Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 : Oudtshoorn

After breakfast depart from the hotel to the Cango Caves. Take a standard guided tour which is takes about an hour. View the beautiful chambers of stalactite and stalagmite formations created many thousands of years ago. After your visit to Cango caves, take a journey to the top of the Swartberg Mountain Pass, declared a National Monument in 1988. Where we will stop for a photo opportunity and take in a wide variety of incredible scenery. Continue to Meiringspoort Pass view the soaring cliff walls with spectacular rock formations line the 25 km tarred road which winds along the floor of the gorge. Hardy plants cling to the precarious rock faces while birds, baboons and smaller fauna abound in the protected kloofs and crevices. Among the most scenic spots is the waterfall tumbling into a dark pool which, legend has it, is bottomless. Take a short walk to the waterfall to enjoy and appreciate these formations before return to Oudtshoorn.
Overnight – Hlangana Lodge, Oudtshoorn – Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 : Oudtshoorn - Knysna

Visit the Wildlife Cango Ranch, an endangered species breeding facility. The oldest and biggest cheetah contact centre worldwide offers visitors the rare opportunity of interacting with our hand reared cheetahs and getting actively involved in saving this species and others from extinction. Continue over the spectacular Outeniqua Mountain Pass to Knysna passing through George, Wilderness and Sedgefield. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the lagoon.
Overnight – Premier Resort the Moorings - Bed & Breakfast.
Day 11 : Knysna – Tsitsikamma

Travel to Bloukrans Bridge Viewpoint – the highest single span arch bridge in the world and the highest commercially operated Bungee Jump in the world. Walk along a specially designed catwalk to the top of the arch from where you look out over the Gorge to the mountains and the sea in the distance. Informative guides will introduce you to the enchantment of this special place. The perfect way to watch the live bungee show up close and personal and is an ideal alternative to jumping off! Travel to the Tsitsikamma National Park, situated at the heart of the picturesque tourist region known as the Garden Route, found in the Southern Cape of South Africa. Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan word meaning, “place of clear water". The Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea. The main access to the park takes one to the mouth of the Storms River, where the dark peat-stained river waters which have flowed through deep gorges finally meet the ultramarine blue ocean. The forest nature trail to the river mouth and across the suspension bridge is a must. Spectacular! Take a cruise allowing one to view the otherwise inaccessible Storms River gorge first hand and marvel at one of nature’s many wonders. The trip departs from the old jetty below the suspension bridge and runs every forty minutes. Huge caverns are interspersed on either side of the river, some which extend upwards of 20 meters providing a habitat for rare bat species. Cascades of mini waterfalls add to the experience and feed the lush fern vegetation. Spectacular rock overhangs encapsulate the river making the gorge unique in every respect. The suspension bridge is silhouetted against the seascape denoting where river meets sea as one silently cruises back. On a calm day our skipper may venture beyond the turnaround point below the suspension bridge taking you on a quick excursion into the bay. His watchful eye will always be on alert for that rogue wave which suddenly can appear staking its claim on the name "Storms River". You are returned to the old jetty for disembarkation - "an experience you will never forget".
Overnight – Tsitsikamma Village Inn – Bed & Breakfast
Day 12 : Tsitsikamma – Port Elizabeth – Johannesburg

Visit the “Big Tree”. This tree is between 600 and 800 years old, 36,6m tall and has a trunk circumference of 9m. From the parking lot a boardwalk path carries visitors through the dappled light of the lush, cool forest. The forest boardwalk is well maintained and visitors can walk the 1km round trip to the Tsitsikamma Big Tree without fear of fatigue. Travel to the Storms River Bridge, the entrance to the Garden Route. Here one can stroll alongside the bridge for spectacular views. Continue to Port Elizabeth for you flight to Johannesburg.
Overnight – Holiday Inn Sandton – Bed & Breakfast
Day 13: Depart

Depart for a panoramic tour of Johannesburg’s affluent suburbs and business district. Continue to Soweto, Soweto is the very symbol of the African's struggle for freedom in South Africa. During the last troubled decades of the twentieth century Soweto represented the struggle against apartheid. This tour also offers insight into the daily lives of the people of Soweto, the origins of “Matchbox City” and its complex relationship with greater Johannesburg. End of services.