Highlights of South Africa

Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg. 

Arrive in Port Elizabeth and stay overnight at The Beach Hotel (or similar). 

Transfer to the Kariega Game Reserve. After lunch, join a late-afternoon safari drive within the reserve, rounded off with sundowners. Overnight at Keriega River Lodge (or similar).

Board specialist safari vehicles for morning and late-afternoon safari drives in a ‘Big Five’ wildlife reserve. Cheetahs, giraffes, zebras,wildebeests and an assortment of antelope species also roam these lands. Overnight at Kariega River Lodge or similar. 

After an early morning wildlife drive, head to the Tsitsikamma National Park. Here you can take a scenic walk and cross the suspension bridge that spans the gorge at the Storms River mouth. Then continue west to the coastal town of Knysna. Overnight at Knysna Hollow.

Cruise across a stunning lagoon to the Knysna Heads aboard the John Benn, a classic boat named after a legendary harbour pilot. Then enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Spend the following day at leisure, relaxing or joining an optional excursion. Overnight at Knysna Hollow (or similar).

Drive to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘ostrich capital of the world’. Take a guided tour of the Cango Caves, one of Africa’s most spectacular natural rock formations. Its vast network of tunnels and chambers, which extends for over 4 km, is adorned with delicate stalagmites and stalactites. Then enjoy lunch and an informative excursion to a working ostrich farm, where you will come face to face with the world’s largest birds. Overnight at Swartberg Country Manor (or similar). 

Head out on an optional early morning meerkat adventure, meeting rescued meerkats accompanied by an expert guide. Then continue along the scenic Route 62. Stop at the quirky town of Barrydale for lunch (payable locally). Stay two nights in the Winelands at the Devon Valley Hotel (or similar).

Spend a full day touring the Cape Winelands. Drive through mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads between the golden triangle of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. Then join a 4×4 wine-tasting safari at Warwick Wine Estate, sampling ‘Big Five’ grape varieties. Overnight at Devon Valley Hotel (or similar).

Take a guided morning walk around Stellenbosch, including a visit to the village museum, which charts the history of the region. Transfer to Cape Town for an afternoon at leisure, followed by dinner at a local home in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, tasting authentic Cape Malay cuisine. Stay two nights at The Cape Milner (or similar).

Spend the day at leisure or join an optional full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. The excursion includes a drive along the Atlantic seaboard past fishing villages and the seaside suburbs of Camps Bay and Hout Bay. It continues to Cape Point, before returning via the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Enjoy a farewell dinner at Gold Restaurant this evening, accompanied by an interactive drumming experience.

Begin your final morning in spectacular fashion: ascending to the top of Table Mountain via cable car (weather permitting; excursion may take place on Day 11). Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home, or extend your journey – perhaps with a visit to Victoria Falls or a beach stay in Mauritius.