Interesting culture, a dynamic history, diverse wildlife, and jaw dropping scenery have been drawing tourists to South Africa for generations. Travel along the Southern coast of Africa exploring port cities, wineries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and game rich national parks on this 14 day tour of Africa's 'Rainbow Nation'. From the Winelands to cosmopolitan Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Panorama Route to Kruger National Park, this main South Africa tour offers travelers a glimpse into the past and present while staying in hotels such as Cape Town's President Hotel and Kruger's Perry's Bridge Hollow.
Highlights
Take in the sights and sounds as your tour Cape Town
Visit Stellenbosch for wine tasting & chocolate pairings
Sail up the Keurbooms River on an informative river cruise
Take a game drive & search for the Big 5 in Greater Kruger National Park
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met and assisted with your transfer to the President Hotel. Check in and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure or start exploring on your own.
Start your South African adventure this afternoon by enjoying a city tour and take in the sights and sounds of Cape Town. Explore this vibrant city and learn about its apartheid past to its vibrant present. Visit the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (Cape Town’s Oldest Building), the lively Greenmarket Square, the Company Gardens, and of course, Table Mountain. At the conclusion of your tour, choose to be dropped off at the hotel, or at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to continue exploring and enjoy one of the many restaurants.
After breakfast depart the hotel on your full day adventure around Cape Point. Pass brilliant beaches and charming coastal villages before crossing over to Hout Bay. From here, enjoy the scenic drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve via Chapman's Peak. At the top of the peninsula, watch as the waters of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans converge and enjoy the spectacular views over False Bay.
After lunch continue to Simonstown Naval Base. Visit Boulders Beach, an African Penguin breeding colony. A quick stop at the Kirstenbosch Gardens rounds out the day before you return to the hotel in late afternoon. Explore the local area independently for dinner.
Depart Cape Town this morning and set off towards the Winelands. Enjoy the scenic drive through mountain ranges, vineyards, and homesteads before arriving to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa. Enjoy wine tastings, paired with chocolate and desserts before continuing on. Next, navigate the scenic Helshoogte Pass to South Africa’s culinary capital, Franschhoek. Franschhoek is a delightful town where the cafe lined streets will charm you, and another wine tasting is included at one of the prominent estates. Paarl is the final stop on the tour of the wine country. Located at the foot of a group of remarkable granite domes, Paarl offers a diverse assortment of wineries. Enjoy a final wine tasting before returning to Cape Town.
Today bid Cape Town adieu as you travel along Route 62 eastwards to Oudtshoorn, the feather capital of the world. Stop for lunch in Barrydale, a quaint village along Route 62, and enjoy the local hospitality before visiting a working ostrich farm. Arrive to the lodge in late afternoon, and enjoy the grounds before dinner.
Visit one of the natural wonders of the world, the Cango Caves, before arriving to Knysna, a small town on a lagoon where the Knysna River feeds into the Indian Ocean. Knysna is considered the Gem of the Garden Route and its limestone cliffs set it apart from other destinations! This afternoon sail up the Keurbooms River on an informative cruise before reaching the Hunters Country House, your home for the next two nights.
This morning you will visit the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world, the Birds of Eden. The Birds of Eden sanctuary spans over a gorge of indigenous forest and is home to over 3,500 birds of 220 different species. Following an exciting morning in the sanctuary join your guide for an afternoon of wine tasting at Bramon Wine Estate. Your tour includes a horse-drawn carriage ride through the estate's mesmerizing gardens and vineyards.
Add an optional whale and dolphin boat experience (Additional cost, weather and time permitting).
Journey along the final leg of the Garden Route to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Tsitsikamma is a Khoi word meaning "place of abundant or sparkling water." No other place exemplifies the name as much as when you stroll across a suspension bridge for the unbelievable views (and photo opportunities) of the Storms River mouth gorge. Arrive to Port Elizabeth in time for dinner before retiring to your hotel for the night.
This morning transfer to the Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Johannesburg, the City of Gold. Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, transfer to the Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton and settle in.
This afternoon head out on a Johannesburg City Tour. Explore the area close to City Hall, Newtown Cultural Precinct and Maboneng Precinct, which has completely transformed the Market Theatre and surrounds.
After breakfast visit to Soweto, to learn about the apartheid regime. It is here in Soweto where most of the struggle was fought against the injustices of this formerly oppressive regime and is home to sites of historical importance. Enjoy lunch followed by a visit to the Apartheid Museum.
Depart Johannesburg and travel to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun' – Mpumalanga – via the magnificent Panorama Route. This route is a breathtaking drive with amazing views of experience mountains, waterfalls, and the truly impressive Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest canyons, with time and weather permitting, stop at God’s Window. Late afternoon arrive at your hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.
After breakfast, transfer to the Greater Kruger National Park for a true African safari experience at the Moditlo River Lodge. Morning and evening game tracking drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles bring you into close contact with the Big Five. Highly experienced guides will take you on foot to bring into clear focus the magic of the bush with its myriad of busy insects and resplendent birdlife during your stay. Return each night to the comfortable Moditlo River Lodge.
Day 14: Depart South Africa
1 Breakfast
Your South African journey comes to an end today. If time allows embark on your final early morning game viewing activity before returning to camp for breakfast followed by check-out formalities. Transfer to Hoedspruit or Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport where the tour ends.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Notes
Select a Date
Rates based on current exchange rate ZAR/US dollars. Please contact us for exact quote in US dollars.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum) + internal flight cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
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Be sure to sign up for all the tours, otherwise you will be sitting on the boat since not all stops are moored at a dock. Some are anchored.
Gail Puryear
5 minutes ago
There were two best aspects to our trip:
1. The Adventure Life folks and the folks in Athens and Crete who supported our itinerary, guided us, and ran the cooking program were all superb.
2. Everything they all planned for us went without a hitch. When we needed a bit of help, they came through with really good answers.
We became aware of AL from a friend who had an excellent experience in a different location. So did we. We can recommend AL without reservation.
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3 hours ago
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Mary Lou Carlson
1 day ago
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