Itinerary
- Day 1
Cape Town to Oudtshoorn
Start your South African adventure with a scenic drive from Cape Town through Route 62, taking in mountain passes, vineyards, and desert landscapes. You'll explore Cango Caves, Africa's largest show cave system, to see cavernous halls, limestone formations, and ancient artifacts. By evening you'll reach Oudtshoorn in Klein Karoo. If you're interested, there's a scenic bike ride option over the UNESCO Swartberg Mountain Pass, followed by a traditional braai dinner on a local farm.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Riempie Estate (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cango Caves - Africa's largest show cave system including cavernous halls, limestone formations, cave paintings and artefacts
Optional Activities
- Scenic bike ride over UNESCO Swartberg Mountain Pass
- Karoo braai dinner on a local farm
Landmarks Cango Caves Swartberg Mountain Pass Route 62 - Day 2
Oudtshoorn to Addo
Head east toward Addo Elephant National Park. After lunch, board a coach for a game drive where you'll search for the park's over 600 elephants along with lions, buffalo, and antelope. You'll stay overnight in the park area with optional karaoke bar entertainment available if you want to unwind after your drive.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Town Lodge Port Elizabeth (or similar))
Included Activities
- Game drive at Addo Elephant National Park in coach to see elephants, lions, buffalo, and antelope
Optional Activities
- Karaoke bar visit
Landmarks Addo Elephant National Park 
- Day 3
Addo
Take a leisurely morning before heading out for two game drives in the Eastern Cape. You'll explore valleys, plains, and rivers with good chances of spotting the Big 5. Return to the city in the evening with free time, and karaoke remains an optional activity if you're interested.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Town Lodge Port Elizabeth (or similar))
Included Activities
- Two game drives in Eastern Cape game reserves
Optional Activities
- Karaoke bar visit
Landmarks Eastern Cape Game Reserves - Day 4
Addo to Knysna
Travel along the Garden Route toward Knysna with several notable stops. Start with relaxed beach time at J-Bay, one of the world's best surf spots. You'll hike to Storms River Bridge for scenic views, then explore the coastal town of Knysna where you'll stay for two nights.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Knysna Quays (or similar))
Included Activities
- Hike to Storms River Bridge
Optional Activities
- Surfing lesson at J-Bay
- Kayaking up the mouth of Storms River
Landmarks J-Bay (Jeffreys Bay) Storms River Bridge Knysna 
- Day 5
Knysna
Start with breakfast overlooking the Knysna lagoon. An optional marine safari lets you spot whales, dolphins, and seals, followed by time on Plettenberg Beach. Evening options include a township visit to meet locals, a sunset lagoon cruise, or a group dinner by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast overlooking the Knysna lagoon)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Knysna Quays (or similar))
Included Activities
- Breakfast overlooking Knysna lagoon
Optional Activities
- Marine safari in search of whales, dolphins, seals and sea life
- Beach time at Plettenberg's main beach
- Township visit in Knysna
- Knysna lagoon cruise and sunset viewing
- Group dinner by the water
- Night on the town
Landmarks Knysna Lagoon Plettenberg Beach - Day 6
Knysna to Cape Town
Drive back to Cape Town along the scenic Garden Route, passing coastal towns, forests, gorges, and ocean views. Stop in Hermanus for lunch and free time where you might see whales (July through November season). Visit Stony Point Nature Reserve to see African Penguins, then return to Cape Town for a free evening at V&A Waterfront with an optional walkabout dinner.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit to Stony Point Nature Reserve - protected home of African Penguins with boardwalks
Optional Activities
- Whale watching in Hermanus (seasonal July-November)
- Walkabout dinner
Landmarks Hermanus Stony Point Nature Reserve V&A Waterfront - Day 7
Cape Town
Begin with an optional helicopter ride over the seas and peaks. Then visit the wine region of Stellenbosch with free time to explore. Optional wine farm tours include tastings and visits to local food markets. Back in Cape Town, there's an optional MasterChef style cooking class with music and drinks in the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Waterfront Breakwater Lodge (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Helicopter ride over the seas and peaks
- Wine farm tours in Stellenbosch with wine tastings and food pairings
- Free time to explore and shop in Stellenbosch
- MasterChef-style cooking class in Cape Town with music, drinks and food sampling
Landmarks Stellenbosch - Day 8
Cape Town to Durban
Your final Cape Town day includes a cable car ride to Table Mountain's top and a guided city tour. Spend free time at V&A Waterfront for shopping and dining. Later, fly to Durban on the East Coast, check into your hotel, freshen up, and enjoy dinner in the city with an optional night out.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (City Lodge Umhlanga (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cable car to top of Table Mountain
- Guided city tour of Cape Town
Optional Activities
- Free time at V&A Waterfront for shopping and dining
- Dinner in Durban city
- Night on the town
Landmarks Table Mountain V&A Waterfront 
- Day 9
Durban to St Lucia
After breakfast, head toward the Elephant Coast of Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal and St Lucia. You'll watch for wildlife during the day and hippos at night near the UNESCO World Heritage iSimanagaliso Wetlands Park. Have lunch, then an optional hippo boat cruise is available. Free time to freshen up before an optional Zulu village visit where you can meet locals and learn about their culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Forest Lodge (or similar))
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hippo boat cruise on St Lucia
- Zulu village visit - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience with local people to learn about their culture, customs and traditions
Landmarks iSimanagaliso Wetlands Park St Lucia - Day 10
St Lucia
Choose your adventure for the day. You can do an optional walking safari in iSimangaliso Wetland Park to spot elephants, buffalo, rhinos and antelopes, or take a marine safari for whales, sharks, dolphins and more. Spend the afternoon relaxing or using the pool at the lodge. An optional sunset game drive is available in the evening, followed by a traditional South African buffet dinner.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Forest Lodge (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Walking safari in iSimangaliso Wetland Park to see elephants, buffalo, rhinos and antelopes
- Marine safari for whales, sharks, dolphins and marine life
- Free time to relax or use pool
- Sunset game drive with traditional South African buffet dinner
Landmarks iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Day 11
St Lucia to Eswatini
Head inland early to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, aiming to arrive by sunrise. A half-day game drive at this reserve, famous for bringing the White Rhino back from extinction, is included with optional picnic lunch. Cross into Eswatini for a local experience meeting community members and learning about their culture and language. Stay overnight at Mlilwane's Main Lodge in unique beehive thatched huts with ensuite bathrooms.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mlilwane Beehive Huts (or similar))
Included Activities
- Half-day game drive at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Optional Activities
- Picnic lunch during game drive
- Eswatini village visit - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience to meet locals and learn about culture and language
Landmarks Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 12
Eswatini to Kruger
Wake in nature with a hearty breakfast, then join the trip manager for a morning safari walk. An optional guided mountain bike ride through the wilderness lets you spot antelopes and warthogs safely since there's no Big 5. Travel to Kruger National Park and stay at an exclusive safari campsite in glamping canvas tents with mattresses and linen around a roaring bonfire where you'll fall asleep to nocturnal sounds of hyenas, jackals, and lions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Contiki Safari Camp (or similar))
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Morning safari walk with Trip Manager
Optional Activities
- Guided mountain bike ride through the wilderness
Landmarks Kruger National Park - Day 13
Kruger
Rise early for an optional sunrise safari to catch predators finishing their nocturnal hunt. At midday, relax back at camp using the local shop, pool, or restaurant overlooking the Sabie River to watch animals. An optional afternoon sunset game drive lets you see the Big Five and more. Evening includes an optional traditional South African braai or BBQ at camp with local sides and desserts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Contiki Safari Camp (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Sunrise safari
- Local shop visit at camp
- Pool at camp
- Restaurant visit overlooking Sabie River
- Sunset game drive to see Big Five and wildlife
- Traditional South African braai or BBQ at camp with local sides and desserts
Landmarks Sabie River Kruger National Park - Day 14
Kruger to Johannesburg
Your final day starts with an optional sunrise game drive to spot nocturnal predators, or you can sleep in like the animals. Enjoy one last game drive as you exit Kruger National Park for your final chance to spot safari animals. Depart for either Kruger Mpumalanga Airport or Johannesburg International Airport. Optional onward trips to Victoria Falls or Cape Town are available if you want to continue exploring.
Included Activities
- Last game drive through Kruger as you exit the park
Optional Activities
- Sunrise game drive
- Sleep in at camp
Landmarks Kruger National Park
