Best of South Africa

Big Five, UNESCO Heritage Sites, and sunset cruises

13 days
Overview

Best of South Africa

Observe wildlife across five different nature reserves in search of the legendary Big Five. Discover rare species at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, take part in an exciting ocean safari, cruise the Knysna estuary with a sunset oyster tasting, and explore the lush trails of Tsitsikamma Forest. Conclude your journey by exploring Cape Town and the elegant Cape Peninsula, enjoying iconic coastal views and breathtaking panoramas.
Price:
starting from

Euro 3.299

BOOK
Days
13 days
Tour language
English, French, German
Countries
eSwatini, South Africa
Route
From Johannesburg to Cape Town
Tour type
Small group
Group size
Up to 8 participants
Accomodation
Hotels and Lodges
Meals
12 breakfasts, 4 dinners
Johannesburg Kruger National Park 2 Kruger National Park5 Umhlanga Oudtshoorn Cape Point Knysna Tourists himing in trek of Nepal

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival, Johannesburg
Arrival, Johannesburg Upon arrival, you will be welcomed at Johannesburg airport before heading to your hotel, where you can admire the city’s famous skyline. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the modern Sandton City complex. Discover Diamond Walk, full of luxury shops and trendy boutiques, South Africa’s most exclusive shopping hub. Return to the hotel for dinner (at your own expense) and get ready for the adventure ahead. Meals: not included.
Day 2 Makalali Game Reserve and Dullstroom
Board your vehicle and head towards Makalali Private Game Reserve. Along the way, stop at Dullstroom, a picturesque countryside town. From there, travel through the rolling plains and hills of Limpopo Province to the private reserve. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to explore the 25,000-hectare reserve. You are in Big Five territory and can search for lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards. The reserve is also home to many other wildlife species, including hyenas and cheetahs, and is an important conservation site for the rare Southern Ground Hornbill. End the day with a delicious dinner at the lodge under a starry sky. Meals: breakfast and dinner (lunch not included).
Day 3 Hazyview and Panorama Route
Early mornings on the savannah are extraordinary. Experience the thrill of the wild on a guided bush walk or choose a safari. After breakfast at the lodge, continue along the Panorama Route. The Blyde River Canyon, the world’s largest green canyon, filled with waterfalls and ancient rock formations, will take your breath away. Admire the Three Rondavels, three conical peaks resembling traditional African huts, and stop at the bridges above Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where water has carved massive hollows in the sandstone over millennia. Prepare for breathtaking views from God’s Window, the highest point you will reach today. Stop in an old mining town for lunch (at your own expense). The scenic drive to Hazyview passes through rolling hills and forests, allowing you to savor the natural beauty of Mpumalanga Province as you reach your hotel. Meals: breakfast and dinner (lunch not included).
Day 4 Eswatini and Kruger National Park
Enter Kruger National Park, the ultimate wildlife destination, through Phabeni Gate for a safari up to Malelane Gate, immersing yourself in Big Five territory. Covering over 20,000 square kilometers, Kruger is home to an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, including rare bird species. Observe 336 tree species, 49 fish species, 34 amphibians, 116 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals. Stop for lunch at a picnic area in the bush (at your own expense). After the morning excitement, head towards the misty mountains of Eswatini, entering via Jeppes Reef Border Post in the late afternoon, before enjoying dinner at the lodge. Meals: breakfast and dinner (lunch not included).
Day 5 From Eswatini to St Lucia
Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, a workshop using a unique type of wax to create colorful designs. Eswatini’s vibrant craft markets offer sculptures, beads, and colorful textiles. Continue to Yebo Art Gallery to admire works by talented local artists and sample local delicacies. Return to South Africa via the Lavumisa Border Post. Stop for lunch along the way to St Lucia. The landscape changes dramatically as you approach iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO site. Travel through lush wetlands and forests in this pristine paradise along the Indian Ocean before reaching your lodge for dinner (at your own expense). Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).
Day 6 From St Lucia to Umhlanga
Start the morning aboard an open safari vehicle, traveling through wildlife-rich areas. iSimangaliso Park is home to both white and black rhinos, a rare opportunity to see both in one day. Keep your camera ready for buffalo, elephants, and the elusive leopard. Numerous antelope species inhabit the park, from ubiquitous impalas to kudu with curved horns, waterbuck with distinctive markings, and reedbuck. After breakfast, board a boat on the St Lucia Estuary, one of Africa’s largest. This unique ecosystem hosts over 2,180 plant species, more than 1,000 Nile crocodiles, over 800 hippos, and numerous prehistoric-looking monitor lizards. With over 400 bird species, it is a true aquatic paradise. Cruising offers a completely different perspective than the morning safari. Enjoy lunch (at your own expense) on the lake shore before departing for Umhlanga, arriving late afternoon, where you will part ways with your guide. Dinner at the hotel restaurant or in town (at your own expense). Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).
Day 7 From Umhlanga to Port Elizabeth
After breakfast at the hotel, take a walk along the 3-kilometer promenade. Stop at Whalebone Pier and watch local fishermen casting from the rocks. Pass the iconic Umhlanga Lighthouse with its distinctive red stripe. Transfer to King Shaka International Airport for a flight (not included) to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). Upon arrival, reach a beachfront hotel and stroll along King’s Beach, swim, or relax on the white sand enjoying ocean views. Watch surfers tackle the area’s perfect waves. Return to the hotel for dinner (at your own expense) and unwind before beginning your Garden Route exploration. Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).
Day 8 Knysna and Tsitsikamma Forest
After breakfast, meet your local guide to begin your journey along the Garden Route towards Cape Town. Travel to Knysna, passing through one of South Africa’s most beautiful regions, renowned for its natural scenery. Enter the Storms River section of the Garden Route National Park for a walk along the Storms River Suspension Bridge, suspended above a rocky gorge with spectacular canyon and ocean views. After lunch in the forest (at your own expense), continue to Knysna, famous for its waterways and the Knysna Heads, two majestic sandstone cliffs at the entrance to a large lagoon. End the day with a sunset cruise on the lagoon, including a tasting of the area’s famous fresh oysters. After the cruise, dinner (at your own expense) at one of the waterfront restaurants in Knysna, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).
Day 9 Plettenberg Bay
After breakfast at the hotel, take a short drive to Plettenberg Bay. This town, with its Blue Flag beaches and stunning bay, is one of the best places in the world to spot whales. Begin at Central Beach, where boats depart for the ocean. Observe humpback or southern right whales, as well as pods of dolphins and great white sharks. Protected beaches in Robberg Nature Reserve host large seal colonies. On return, visit Qolweni Township, a vibrant Xhosa community offering an authentic glimpse into African life and culture. Explore a spaza shop or try a traditional drink in a shebeen. Return to Knysna for dinner (at your own expense) at the Waterfront, enjoying the relaxing local atmosphere. Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).
Day 10 Oudtshoorn and Wilderness
After breakfast, continue along the Garden Route through lakes and mountains to Wilderness, where the Map of Africa viewpoint offers spectacular views: the Kaaimans River naturally outlines the shape of the African continent. Then head inland via the Outeniqua Pass to the semi-desert Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn, the world capital of ostriches. Visit the Cango Caves, an incredible 20-million-year-old underground wonder. Stop for lunch (at your own expense) before arriving at the lodge in Oudtshoorn late afternoon. The region’s dry climate is ideal for olive cultivation, and local mills produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy an olive tasting paired with delicate Protea Rosé or fruit juice while admiring the Swartberg Mountains. Evening at leisure followed by dinner at the lodge. Meals: breakfast and dinner (lunch not included).
Day 11 To Cape Town via Route 62
Begin the day with a visit to a famous regional ostrich farm. A fun tractor tour takes you through the enclosures, where you can learn about three ostrich species. Continue along the iconic Route 62, the world’s longest wine route, passing vineyards and orchards. Stop for lunch and local wine tasting (at your own expense). Travel to Cape Town through picturesque valleys and Cape Dutch-style farms in Stellenbosch. Arrival in Cape Town offers spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and the city, one of South Africa’s most beautiful. Free time to explore the V&A Waterfront, where you can choose a restaurant for a memorable dinner. Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).
Day 12 Cape Point
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before preparing for the final day of adventure to Cape Point. Cape Town sits on a mountainous peninsula, and the drive along the Atlantic coast offers a unique landscape, with white sand beaches and towering mountains, reaching the picturesque Hout Bay. Weather permitting, take an optional 30-minute boat trip to Duiker Island to see a colony of Cape Fur Seals (optional, at your own expense). Continue along Chapman’s Peak Drive (if open), one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads. Explore Cape Point Nature Reserve and the tip of the Cape Peninsula, renowned for its wild beauty and legends. Return to Cape Town along False Bay, with the option to visit the rare African penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee at your own expense). Pass through Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, and Muizenberg, each with unique charm. Stop at Rhodes Memorial for breathtaking views and a chance to learn about the site’s history. Return to the hotel; dinner at a city restaurant or at the cosmopolitan V&A Waterfront (at your own expense). Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).
Day 13 Departure, Cape Town
The tour ends after breakfast. Transfer to Cape Town airport for your onward flight. Meals: breakfast (lunch and dinner not included).

Includes

Guided tour with an English, French, and German-speaking guide, accommodation in hotels and lodges, meal plan as indicated, activities and transfers as per the itinerary, transfers to/from the airport.

Does Not Include

Flights to/from South Africa, airport taxes, optional excursions, medical, cancellation and baggage insurance (mandatory), tips, personal extras, and anything not expressly mentioned under “Includes.”

Important

Participation prices are updated at the time of publication. Please contact our Travel Designers to check for any changes and to find out whether special offers or promotions are currently available.

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