When to go
January-May and August-December
Price
From £3,995 pp (including flights) | Private: £6,550pp (including flights)
Flight time
10hrs 50mins
Introduction
Experience the wonder of South Africa with a guided tour through the region’s many distinctive locales. Take a 4×4 trip through a private safari, witnessing firsthand the majestic wildlife, such as elephants, lions, and giraffes. Enjoy the finest local cuisine by sharing a braai in Cape town. Or travel through the famous Knysna lagoon by boat. In South Africa, the opportunities for adventure and exploration are virtually limitless.
At a Glance
Duration
14 days & 11 nights
Guide price
Group: £3,995pp (including flights) | Private: £6,550pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg | Kariega Game Reserve (or similar) | Tsiksikamma and Knysna | Oudtshoorn | Cape Winelands | Cape Town
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
The Beach Hotel | Kariega River Lodge | Knysna Hollow | Swartberg Country Manor | The Cape Milner
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 10 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg | Cape Town
Extensions
Highlights
Wildlife Viewing at a Private Safari
South Africa is home to various wildlife, small and large, with over 200 species. One of the best ways to experience South Africa’s rich wildlife is with a guided tour via a private reserve, where many of today’s largest mammals are preserved.
Travel Through the Knysna Lagoon by Boat
The Knysna Lagoon sits between two sandstone cliffs. It is a popular destination for families, local fisherman, and water sport enthusiasts. During your trip to South Africa, you will travel through this exquisite location by boat. Here you will witness the many bird species in the area, including herons, sandpipers, and herons. You will also enjoy stunning panoramic views of the water surging through the narrow entrances.
Drive Across Route 62 for a Unique Perspective of the Little Karoo Region
Route 62 is a majestic road, one that lets you experience the gorgeous scenery of South Africa. As you cruise down the tarmac, you’ll whiz pass rugged mountain passes, the dry semidesert of Little Karoo, and various local wineries.
Recommended Hotels
Kariega River Lodge | Knysna Hollow | Swartberg Country Manor | Devon Valley Hotel | Devon Valley Hotel | The Cape Milner
Sample Itinerary
Experience the Beauty and Wonder of South Africa
South Africa has lush, vibrant water features, various large and small wildlife, long, sprawling desert plains, and delicious local cuisine and wineries. In this memorable 14-day sample itinerary, you will experience all that South Africa has to offer, from a 4×4 private late-afternoon safari to cruising along Route 62 to experiencing the famous Knysna lagoon by boat. You will be mesmerized by the sights and sounds of this beautiful region and hold dear the memories it will bring you.
Day 1: Fly to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg
Your journey to South Africa will begin with a direct overnight flight from London to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg. Regional connections are available by request.
(N)
Day 2: Port Elizabeth
Upon your arrival at Port Elizabeth, you will enjoy an overnight stay at The Beach Hotel (or similar). Your overnight stay will include quality customer service, comfortable and spacious accommodation, and your choice of cuisine at The Verandah Restaurant, The Crest Restaurant, and The Ginger Restaurant.
(D)
Day 3: Kariega Game Reserve (or similar)
At morning, you will head to the Kariega Game Reserve or a similar location. After lunch, you will take a late-afternoon safari drive through the reserve, which has up to 11,500 hectares of distinct African wilderness.
You will then stay overnight at the Kariega River Lodge or similar, which offers spacious and air-conditioned suites and stunning views of the Bushmans River.
(B, L, D)
Day 4: Kariega Game Reserve (or similar)
In the morning and late-afternoon, you will board specialist safari vehicles for a ‘Big Five’ wildlife reserve trip. The safari vehicles, equipped for safety and comfort, have extra-large windows and pop-up roofs for a panoramic view of your surroundings – ideal for memorable photo opportunities.
During the ‘Big Five’ trip, you will witness many large mammals, such as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and other small creatures like antelopes that roam the country. You will then stay overnight at the Kariega River Lodge or similar.
(B, L, D)
Day 5: Tsitsikamma & Knysna
At morning, you will take an early morning wildlife drive and then go to the Tsitsikamma National Park. The park is home to breathtaking forests, culturally significant sites, and the world-famous Storms River Mouth, which has a small beach suitable for swimming. Here, you can take an optional scenic walk, which will take you across a 77m long suspension bridge across the Storms River Mouth.
You will then proceed west to the coastal town of Knysna, a popular holiday destination with many outdoor experiences, such as kayaking and microflights. Your day will then conclude with an overnight stay at Knysna Hollow.
(B, D)
Day 6 and 7: Knysna
On this special day you will take a cruise across the world-famous Knysna Lagoon, located at the Knysna Heads. You’ll be aboard the John Benn, a double-decker floating restaurant, named after a legendary pilot who risked his life on 9 June 1882 to save four men at risk of drowning while trying to cross the Knysna Bar.
After this, you will take a pleasant walk across the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a lush coastal forest that sits adjacent to the beach. From there, you can enjoy the day at your own leisure, with the choice to partake in an optional excursion. You will then spend another night at the Knysna Hollow or similar.
(B, D)
Day 8: Oudtshoorn
In the morning, you’ll drive to the town of Oudtshoorn. It is famously known as the ostrich capital of the world, as it contains both the Cango Ostrich Farm and the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm. These farms are privately owned and managed and dedicated to preserving the ostrich.
First, you will take a guided tour of the Cango Caves. It is the largest show cave system in Africa and over 20 million years old, consisting of an intricate network of hidden chambers and formations unique to this landmark. Then you will enjoy lunch, and an informative excursion to one of the many ostrich farms, letting you get face-to-face with the largest, flightless birds in the world.
Your day will conclude with an overnight stay at Swartberg Coutnry Manor or similar.
(B, L, D)
Day 9: Cape Winelands
For early birds, there is an optional early morning meerkat adventure. There, you will be guided by an expert tour guide, and you will get to meet these cute, friendly, and small desert-dwelling mammals – many of which have been rescued – in person.
You will then go for a scenic drive across Route 62 and stop by the town of Barrydale for lunch (must pay locally). Barrydale has incredible farm stalls, local brandy, and long stretches of gorgeous fields and plans, a visual treat for the eyes. You will then stay 2-nights in the Winelands at the Devon Valley Hotel or similar.
(B, D)
Day 10: Cape Winelands
You will get to enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Winelands. This memorable journey will take you through sprawling mountain ranges, local vineyards and wineries, and the Cape Dutch homesteads, which have a distinct and recognizable design from the early 17th century Dutch Cape Colony.
From there, you’ll enjoy a 4×4 wine-testing safari at the Warwick Wine Estate. The estate, located in the foothalls of Stellenbosch’s iconic Simonsberg Mountain, produces an assortment of premium wine such as Cabernet Franch, Trilogy, and The Blue Lady, to name a few.
Your day will conclude with an overnight stay at Devon Valley Hotel or similar.
(B, L, D)
Day 11: Cape Winelands and Cape Town
In the morning, you’ll take a guided tour around Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest town. You will then visit the village museum. Here you will witness an assortment of war memorabilia, Toy and Miniature artifacts and lovingly restored historic homes.
You will then head to Cape Town, with free leisure for the afternoon, followed by dinner at a local home in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood. You will experience authentic Cape Malay cuisine, known for its fruity, mild spices and full-bodied flavours. Then enjoy 2 nights at The Cape Milner or similar.
(B, D)
Day 12: Cape Town
Enjoy a full day of leisure or join an optional excursion, such as a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. The excursion gives you a unique perspective of the region, with a drive along the Atlantic seaboard and the seaside suburbs of Camps Bay (which has the largest white sand beach in the area) and Hout Bay, a harbour town in the Western Cape province. You will then proceed to Cape Point and return to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach.
On your final evening, you will enjoy a memorable and heartwarming farewell dinner at the Gold Restaurant. The meal will include live entertainment with an interactive drumming experience.
(B, D)
Day 13 and 14: Cape Town • Fly to the UK
On the final morning of your South Africa journey, you’ll make the great ascend to the top of Table Mountain via cable car (if weather permits). The mountain is home to some of the richest floral kingdom on earth, with over 1470 floral species.
You will then transfer to the airport for an overnight flight back to London. Alternatively, you can extend your stay, with a visit to Victoria Falls or stay on the beach in Mauritius.
(B, N)
