South Africa Escape

Wamkelekile e iKapa! Welcome to Cape Town! Home to the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world! The “Mother City” is South Africa's oldest city and one of the country’s three official capitals. Meet your tour leader at the hotel and jump right into the action on a city tour! Explore the city highlights in the heart of Cape Town on a driving and walking tour, see Signal Hill, District Six, Bo Kaap and more. After the city tour, freshen up at the hotel before enjoying a welcome dinner with the group tonight. Get to know your new travel companions and celebrate the first night of the tour!

Today is a free day to explore this wonderful city and its surroundings! There are several incredible travel attractions including Robben Island, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the Two Oceans Aquarium and much more! Travellers also have the option to join the Cape Peninsula Day Trip. Experience a scenic drive to Cape Point, see the penguins at Boulders Beach and enjoy a lunchtime stop in Kalk Bay. After the tour, the rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. Upon return, the peninsula tour will include a drop off at the V&A Waterfront - a fantastic shopping, eating and entertainment destination! 

It’s time to explore the Cape Winelands! Following breakfast, take a scenic drive through the Cape wine region. The first stop is Stellenbosch, a university town in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Explore the Cape Dutch architecture and laid-back coffee shops, boutiques and art galleries. Lunch is a delicious meal served among the vineyards at a winery. This is your chance to taste South Africa's signature wine, Pinotage. Learn all about Cape district wines and the wine-making process from a local wine expert. After one more wine tasting tour this afternoon, admire the views on a coastal drive to Hermanus. This evening you will have free time to explore this delightful seaside town before heading to tonight’s accommodation.

Today, the Garden Route adventure begins! This morning, why not embark on one of today’s optional excursions? Go Shark Cage Diving, which includes a short drive to Gansbaai and a chance to see great white sharks in their natural habitat, or enjoy a Whale and Eco tour. The tour continues to Swellendam with free time for lunch. Next up is a visit to a fascinating Cape Aloe Vera farm. Today’s last stop is Mossel Bay. This coastal village is the stop for tonight and is a popular holiday destination. Upon arrival, visit Pinnacle Point Caves; this archaeological site is home to fossils dating back 170,000 years! Finally, enjoy dinner at the hotel with the group tonight.

See more of the gorgeous Garden Route today. First thing this morning, travel to Botlierskop Private Game Reserve for a unique safari experience. Enjoy close encounters with impala, wildebeest, rhinos, lions, giraffes and more! Next up is a visit to Knysna. Enjoy free time to explore and find a great spot for lunch around the bustling waterfront - the fresh oysters are well worth a taste! Afterwards, it’s time for more animal adventures and optional excursions! Roam free with the monkeys at Monkeyland, a multi-species monkey sanctuary. Alternatively, visit Birds of Eden, a unique eco-tourism experience, and the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary. Dinner is included this evening after which you can kick off your shoes for some rest

The outdoors are calling today! The Tsitsikamma forest forms part of the greater Garden Route National Park. The area encompasses rivers, gorges, mountains and lush forests and plantations - the perfect place to get adventurous! The morning is yours to explore as you choose. Options to consider include tree-top canopy tours, bungy jumping at Bloukrans Bridge (the highest bridge bungee in the world!) or the Woodcutters Trail Drive. Then it’s onto the Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. Take a walk along the coast, cross the longest suspension river in South Africa and enjoy some free time to enjoy lunch overlooking the ocean.

Explore a different region of South Africa today. Leave the Garden Route behind and travel along Route 62.  Heading for the arid Karoo, the drive meanders through the Langkloof valley. Nestled between the Kouga and Tsitsikamma Mountains, this area offers spectacular views. Next, arrive in Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s famous ostrich capital! Enjoy a guided tour of a working ostrich farm, learn more about these big feathered animals and sit down for an included lunch. While here, take advantage of the opportunity to explore one of South Africa's hidden treasures on a heritage walking tour of the Cango Caves. This cave valley is a series of dripstone caverns that are more than 20 million years old! This evening, sit down for a traditional Karoo dinner.

The tour turns back towards Cape Town today. Travel along Route 62 and enjoy a comfort stop at one of the many quirky and charming restaurants and shops along the way. Next, head for Robertson, another fantastic wine-producing region, to enjoy an included lunch before the tour continues to Paarl in the Cape Winelands. Paarl is home to a number of award-winning wine estates. Here, enjoy a cheese and wine tasting and free time to explore the Spice Route which is home to wonderful artisanal shops and restaurants. Finally, arrive at the hotel in Cape Town. Make the most of a free evening in the city. Why not visit Camps Bay or book a table at one of Cape Town’s marvellous restaurants?

Tuck into breakfast in Cape Town before travelling to the airport. Catch an included flight to Johannesburg in the Gauteng province, known as the "City of Gold". Soon after, it’s time to travel east towards South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The day ends as you arrive at tonight’s accommodation located on the outskirts of the Kruger National Park. Settle down for an included meal under the African sky on arrival.

Time for a full-day game drive of the park! Sitting elevated in the tour bus you can easily spot animals in the bush, perhaps even the iconic Big 5! The Kruger National Park stretches over 20,000 square km and is just a bit smaller than the country of Belgium. In the park you can see all African game in their natural habitat. Spot wild animals like cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards, elephants and the white and black rhino. En route, stop at rest camps like Skukuza, Tshokwane and Satara. Around late afternoon, make your way to the safari lodge/hotel on the western edge of the park, for a multi-night stay. Time for a relaxing swim in the pool and a sun-downer or two before our included dinner this evening!

Time to further explore the Kruger National Park! Embark on a safari from the safari lodge/hotel in open safari trucks led by local wildlife specialists. A full-day safari drive gives you the chance to spend the day driving in prime game viewing areas, stopping at various waterholes and rest camps. Snacks and lunch are served picnic style along the way. Try to spot some of the resident antelope, birds and wildlife from your truck. Fingers crossed you’ll be able to tick off more animals on your list! Did you know that Kruger National Park is home to 114 different species of reptiles, 507 kinds of birds and 147 mammal species? You are sure to come across some of the most amazing creatures in Africa. Slip into the pool on return to cool down before enjoying an included dinner - in true African style.

Today you have the option to go on a full-day, half-day, sunrise safari. The sunrise safari offers you the chance to be outside in the African bush during an enchanting time of day. Listen to the chorus of animals as they awake and the sun rises over the savanna. As it gets cooler the animals move around to find food, and your guide will follow to see if there's anything interesting to see. This evening, enjoy our last dinner in the African bush. Spend time around the campfire exchanging safari stories and sipping Amarula (an African liqueur made with fruit of the Marula tree).

Leave the Kruger National Park behind, discover the Panorama Route through the Mpumalanga province. The first destination is the renowned Three Rondavels viewpoint with a stunning vista over the Blyde River Canyon. This canyon forms part of the Drakensberg ridge and known for storybook views. Next is Bourke’s Luck potholes, a natural water feature with hundreds of natural potholes and plunge pools. This area marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. On a clear day, you can see the Kruger and even Mozambique in the distance. Continue the final leg of the tour back to Johannesburg. Sit down for a farewell dinner with new friends!

The South Africa Escape tour concludes after breakfast. Have one last breakfast together to say bon voyage. Guests are welcome to stay on to explore Jozi, as the locals call Johannesburg. If you are flying home today, a complementary airport transfer is offered to take you to Johannesburg airport.