Discover the pulse of south Africa

Day 1: Durban. Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm.

Day 2: Drakensberg. Leave Durban and travel inland towards the majestic Drakensberg mountain range. After you've settled in, enjoy a drink with your travel group.

Day 3: Drakensberg. Today you'll enjoy a refreshing hike through an amazing array of flora and fauna.

Day 4: Lesotho Highlands. Leave Drakensberg behind and head to the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

Day 5: Lesotho Highlands. Today you'll have a variety of hikes to choose from.

Day 6: Wild Coast/Cintsa. Head to the stunning Wild Coast of South Africa and the charming little coastal town of Cintsa.

Day 7: Wild coast/Cintsa. Today you can enjoy some free time to explore the town, relax on the stunning beaches or book one of the many optional activities on offer.

Day 8: Addo Elephant National Park. Today you will travel to Addo Elephant National Park, on arrival you'll take an afternoon game drive.

Day 9: Garden Route/Tsitsikamma National Park. Wake early and enjoy another game drive in Addo Elephant National Park. afterwards begin your journey along the Garden Route. Your group leader will take you to a local activity centre where a range of activities will be on offer.

Day 10: Tsitsikamma National Park. With another day in Tsitsikamma, you'll have more time to explore this magnificent national park.

Day 11: Garden Route/Oudtshoorn. Head out across the arid Karoo region bound for Oudtshoorn. You'll stop at Knysna and then travel on to the Cango Caves where you'll have time to explore the weird and wonderful rock formations. Continue on to Oudtshoorn known as the ostrich capital of the world.

Day 12: Cape Town. Rise and shine very early this morning to spend some time with wild meerkats. Then it's on to Cape Town, your accommodation is located in cool Kloof street, an area famous for beautiful views of Table Mountain, hip restaurants and bars and historical buildings.

Day 13: Cape Town. Today you'll visit Boulder's Beach to watch the resident penguins waddle across this beautiful beach framed by ancient granite boulders. The rest of the day is yours to explore Cape Town however you wish.

Day 14: Cape Town. Your South African adventure comes to an end after breakfast today.

Inclusions:

Meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 12 dinners

Transport: Overland vehicle

Accommodation: camping with facilities (6 nights), backpackers (4 nights), basic huts (2 nights), hotel (1 night)

Activities: Howick - Nelson mandela capture site, Drakensberg day hike, Addo Elephant National Park - Overland vehicle game drive, Oudtshoorn - Cango Cave guided tour, Oudtshoorn - meerkat experience, Cape Town - Boulders beach penguins.

28 add on activities: Ranging from R50 to R2100. Speak to your Moreish Holidays expert for details.

Day 1: Arrival in Umhlanga Rocks. Arrive at King Shaka International Airport in Durban and transfer around 25 minutes to the coastal town of Umhlanga Rocks to your hotel by the sea, Beverly Hills hotel. Drop your bags and melt into a sun lounger or hop across the road to the trendy Oyster Box hotel for a taste of the local cuisine.

Day 2: Umhlanga Rocks and KwaZulu Natal Game Reserves. Transfer to wilder landscapes in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival you'll be rewarded with sensational elevated views of big skies and undulating hills. Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a game drive, top this off with cocktail hour around the campfire. Overnight at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge. 

Day 3: KwaZulu-Natal Game Reserves. Two game drives a day are included so that you may explore the diverse topography of this historical park that stages the Big Five and all of its unscripted spectacles. These are far from average safaris with reviving coffee stops and sundowners concocted from a makeshift bar in the bush. A major highlight are the bushwalks, an optional activity which you should try at least once.

Day 4: KwaZulu-Natal Game Reserves. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge has forged deep connections with the local communities creating some unique experiences. Included in your stay if you wish is a vist to the Mpembeni community where you can learn about many of the projects funded by the Isibindi Foundation aiming to empower residents with skills such as IT and provide resoiurce to educational centres. To further your understanding of the culture you could try a homestay with a Zulu family as an extra activity.

Day 5: KwaZulu-Natal Game Reserves and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This morning, a transfer will take you approximately 4 hours north-east to the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park recognised by UNESCO for its pristine nature. Your lodge sits right on the long, white beach only steps away from the sand. Due to its remote location, civilization feels worlds away and time soon dissolves. Overnight at Thonga Beach Safari Lodge.

Day 6: iSimangaliso Wetland Park. After early wake up calls and days in the bush, you might want to book a massage pronto and slowly decompress. There's everything and nothing to do at Thonga Beach Lodge whether its strolling down the beach, sundowners by Lake Sibaya or visits to the local Mabibi community all of which are included in your stay. Enjoy picnics among the dunes or go snorkelling in the rock pool known for its vast size and array of colourful fish. Depending on the season you could enjoy turtle game drives which steal you out into the inky evenings in search of nesting leatherbacks and loggerheads.

Day 7: iSimangaliso Wetland Park. If your still feeling energetic, at an extra cost, the lodges marine centre makes it easy to embark on ocean adventures. An in-house scuba diving instructor offers intimate excursions for both novices and advanced divers and using the beach as your launchpad, there's every reason to explore the nearby dazzling coral kingdoms that are virtually untouched. Offshore, you may spot migrating humpback whales breaching the deep blue water. One of the most thrilling excursions on the books is swimming with wild dolphins - simply unmissable. 

Day 8: iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Umhlanga Rocks. Bid farewell to the Indian Ocean and transfer back to Umhlanga Rocks, a journey of approximately 5 hours. Recover by the outdoor swimming pool overlooking the sea or stroll down the promenade, a local past time. Now's the time for one last celebratory cocktail as you mark the end of your adventure. Overnight at Beverly Hills.

Day 9: Umhlanga Rocks and departure. Today a transfer will take you to Durban's King Shaka International Airport in good time for your onward journey.

Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town. Welcome to South Africa. on arrival in Cape Town you'll transfer to your comfortable hotel, located in the charming Sea Point suburb. This will be your base for the next 4 nights. The afternoon is free to relax in the pool or take a stroll along the beach promenade. Overnight at the Winchester.

Day 2: Cape Town. Set dramatically beneath Table Mountain, Cape Town effortlessly blends modern city life with spectacular scenery. For ultimate panoramas, board a 12 minute helicopter flight to soak up Cape towns ravishing coastline taking in the sights of the iconic Table Mountain and the unforgettable peaks of the Twelve Apostles. Once you've seen the city from the sky, perhaps enjoy a leisurely lunch and then round off a wonderful day with an optional sunset cruise on a vintage sailboat, soaking up Cape Towns dramatic coastal landscapes.

Day 3: Cape Town. After breakfast, set off for a full day exploring Cape Town with a local. This bespoke tour will take you around the landmarks in a way thats tailored to your interests. Take a cable car up Table Mountain where, from the top, the views of the Mother City are next to none. Visit the pastel painted houses of Bo-Kaap and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world. Next, choose to visit the Groot Constantia wine farm for lunch and wine tastings or head to Kalk Bay and boulders Beach for some penguin spotting.

Day 4: Cape Town. Explore at leisure today or choose from several optional excursions. No visit to Cape Town is complete without an optional ferry trip to Robben Island. A visit to Nelson Mandela's former prison cell serves as a poignant reminder of the countries complex political past. Alternatively, you may enjoy a curated day trip exploring the Cape Peninsula. Or perhaps don leather retro jackets, goggles, bandanas and helmets to whizz along the Cape Peninsula in a 1950's sidecar.

Day 5: Cape Town and Franschhoek. Depart Cape Town and head to Franschhoek in South Africa's famed winelands. This historic town is the gourmet capital of South Africa and offers centuries old vineyards and fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture. Many of the wine farms are named after French towns as a reminder of the 17th century french Huguenots who began laying the first vineyards here. Your base for the next three nights, Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa, is surrounded by magnificent mountain vistas. You may wish to go for dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants nearby.

Day 6: Franschhoek. Today experience wine tasting in a unique way, on a vintage style tram through Franschhoeks wine valley. on this curated tour, accompanied by a wine ambassador, you will visit three wine estates. By the end of the tour, you will know alot more about winemaking and wine. Walk through vineyards learning how to identify the different grape varieties, visit cellars to learn more about the winemaking process and enjoy tastings and pairings, as well as a three course lunch (paired with wine ofcourse).

Day 7: Franschhoek. Today get a bit more active and stretch your legs on a guided cycle ride through private estates stopping for tastings and cellar tours. E-bike options are also available for those who fancy a more leisurely day.

Day 8: Franschhoek and departure. Suitable relaxed, head back to Cape Town for your international flight back home or onward travel.

Day 1: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger National Park. Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. your Kruger short break starts very early this morning to get you to Kruger for a late lunch. If your hotel is not in Rosebank area, then please find your way to Holiday Inn Rosebank in time for the 6 am pick up and kindly advise us in advance. We depart Johannesburg, "the City of gold" and head off on an adventure of a lifetime. Enter the Greater Kruger National Park ecosystem, arriving at our lodge in time for lunch (570km, approx 8-9 hours travelling time). After some time to settle in, head off on a 3 hour afternoon game drive in an open 4X4 vehicles in a private game reserve. Here your likely to see any of the species one may encounter in the Kruger, since there are no boundry fences between the reserve and the Kruger itself. Mid way through the safari, stop for drinks at one of the waterholes before continuing the game drive into the early evening. Located in the greater Kruger, your accommodation is wonderfully intimate. The lodge also offers a comfortable lounge, perfect for chatting with the other guests over a drink or two. There is also a swimming pool, shaded deck area, dining tent and WIFI.

Day 2: Greater Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African Wild Dog. An early rise as we make our way to Kruger National Park. Our wildlife experience begins as soon as we enter the park, heading into prime game viewing areas where we hope to catch a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found inside the park, including the Big Five. Enjoy breakfast at one of the picnic spots before continuing through the park. Our entire day will be spent game viewing, birdwatching and stopping off at various waterholes en route. Late afternoon, return to lodge for an evening of relaxation.

Day 3: Greater Kruger National Park. Spend the day at your lodge at your leisure or take part in the various optional activities on offer including another full day game drive in the Kruger National Park.

Day 4: Greater Kruger National Park/Johannesburg. Rise early and head out on a morning bushwalk within the surrounds of the property. Guided by a qualified nature guide, we learn about nature's finer details like bird, tree and spoor identification. Transfer back to Johannesburg (600km approx 9-10 hours). Along the way take in the amaxing views at the viewpoint over the awesome Blyde River Canyon and view the three Rondavels. On arrival in Jo'burg you can be dropped at the airport or any nominated Johannesburg hotel. Please don't book any international flights until after 10 pm this evening.

Included:

Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners.

Transport: 4x4 safari vehicle, minibus

Accommodation: Lodge (3 nights)

Activities: Private Game Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive, Kruger National Park - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive, Kruger Lodge reserve - morning nature walk.

Add on activities: Kruger Lodge - massage treatment from R480, Panorama Route - day trip R1550, Kruger National Park - day trip R1950, Private Game Reserve - Big Five game drive R1200.

Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg. Land in Johannesburg where you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city featuring ample sized rooms with twin double beds as well as interconnecting rooms. You have the rest of the day to unwind or head out at your whim discoverying the city's rich history, exciting food scene and creative buzz that gives Cape Town a run for its money. Overnight at Voco Johannesburg Rosebank.

Day 2: Johannesburg. We've kept today free so you can explore the city with optional activities at your fingertips to keep it flexible. Teens will no doubt love cruising the cool suburbs of Newtown and Maboneng, home to musicians and notable actors, such as Black Panther's John Kani. Your guide is part of Johannesburg's creative DNA and the best person to take you around its graffiti walls, art studios and local markets. or why not try a spirited bike ride around Soweto - Nelson Mandela's hometown - for a cultural injection plus a lot of fun. For an adventurous morning out, the Cradle of Humankind is worth the hour drive out of Johannesburg to explore limestone caves below where you can see stalactites, stalagmites and million year old fossils. 

Day 3: Johannesburg and Madikwe Game Reserve. Stock up on snacks for your four and a half hour road transfer this morning to the Madikwe Game Reserve or if car journeys aren't your thing, it's a 1 hour flight (additional cost). perfect for families, Madikwe sits in a malaria free zone with a handful of family friendly lodges making it joyful to explore with your clan. Lelapa is one such lodge where children can enjoy their very own game drives and a whole smorgasbord of other kid-centric activities. not to mention fab family suites featuring bedside hot chocolate mugs and bunk beds stashed with games and toys. Overnight at Lelapa by Madikwe Safari Lodge.

Day 4: Madikwe Game Reserve. Families can roam the savannha on twice daily game drives while young explorers (3-5 year olds) won't miss out on pancake fueled safaris spotting zebra, giraffe and elephant with highly attentive guides. Back at the ranch, it's easy to swap television for an eco house filled with animal skulls and other archaeological treasures followed by games around the swimming pool backed by a lively waterhole. Cue cookie baking, scavenger hunts and marshmellow toasting in the boma. There's even a dedicated childrens menu - and not a processed meal in sight. Adults can dip in as they please although this might be the opportune time to retreat for a massage. Reconvene for stargazing under a dazzling sky and stories by the campfire. 

Day 5: Madikwe Game Reserve. This morning for a different perspective, you might like to try a walking safari connecting you to the intricacies of the bush (minimum age is 16 years old). Don your comfy hiking shoes and head into the wild with a highly trained guide perhaps identifying tracks, studying plants and getting up close to plains game. After a thrilling morning of adventurous pursuits, there's every reason to wallow in the pool entertained by the wandering wildlife. 

Day 6: Madikwe Game Reserve. For an educational slant, conservationists in the making may want to take part in Madikwe's esteemed rhino conservation (an optional activity). This involves helping gather DNA samples from and notching a sedated rhino in the company of a specialist veterinarian - a once in a lifetime opportunity. If your after extra insight without the heavy price tag, Lelapa's field guides often conduct wildlife lectures and are all too happy to discuss the week's findings regaling you with fun facts of the local area. After an exhilirating few days you might then want to hang out by the swimming pool as the kids run riot on the lawn, take a dip in your suite's private plunge pool or read, ensconced on the deck with views over the patchwork of acacia. 

Day 7: Madikwe Game Reserve and departure. Transfer back to Johannesburg via road or flight (additional cost) in good time for your onward journey.

What's included:

27 meals: 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 8 dinners

Accommodation: 14 nights in hotels and 2 in flight

Transport: travel in destination by coach

Transport from the UK: Prices are based on return flights with British Airways from london Heathrow or Gatwick

Day 1 - UK - In flight. VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Cape Town.

Day 2 - Cape Town. Our South Africa holidays start on a high - the hotel we've chosen has magnificent views of Table Mountain and distant Robben Island. On our first afternoon there's time to explore the buzzing Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. This attractive bustling harbour has something for everyone and is filled with speciality shops, craft markets, theatres, pubs and restaurants.

The Commodore Hotel, Cape Town (4-star)

Today includes… Dinner

Day 3 - Cape Town. Enjoy a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, considered Africa’s most beautiful garden. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, it’s filled with over 7,000 species of plants from southern Africa, ready to be discovered on a relaxing stroll. We then head into the city for an orientation coach tour, passing the Castle of Good Hope, and the Bo-Kaap area. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe catch the hop-on-hop-off bus to Table Mountain. Or you may have pre-booked a trip to explore Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.

The Commodore Hotel, Cape Town (4-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Excursion to Kirstenbosch and Cape Town orientation tour (morning), Breakfast, Free time

Day 4 - Cape Town. Today is free. Maybe choose an optional excursion to visit the Cape’s fabulous winelands to taste the local wines, or to the Cape Peninsula. The Cape of Good Hope is rich in cultural and natural heritage - baboons, seals, zebra and hundreds of bird species inhabit this spectacular area. See the lighthouse at Cape Point, historical Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach, a sheltered beach home to a colony of rare African penguins.

The Commodore Hotel, Cape Town (4-star)

Today includes…Breakfast, Free time

Day 5 - Hermanus – Arniston. We head off for a scenic journey to Arniston, so have your camera at the ready. We stop in Hermanus en route for some free time and, as one of the world’s best land-based whale watching destinations, a stroll along the coast could be well rewarded. We arrive in Arniston with time for an interesting walk to explore the Dutch colonial fishing village. The quaint, thatched and whitewashed cottages, and the rugged coastline and golden sand dunes attract many artists and photographers. It’s also another great place to try to spot whales.

The Arniston Hotel (4-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Visit to Hermanus (morning), Walking tour of Arniston (afternoon), Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 – Knysna. We depart for Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route, arriving mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is free; get back to nature again on a scenic walk along the nearby banks of the Knysna River.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)

Today includes…Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 - Keurbooms River Nature Reserve. We drive to Keurbooms River Nature Reserve and board a lunch cruise on this spectacular river. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of mountain valleys, forests and quiet river beaches, the river is a sanctuary for indigenous trees and plant life. It’s also home to the Cape clawless otter and many bird species.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Cruise on the Keurbooms River (morning), Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 – Knysna. Today is a free day to explore the lovely town of Knysna. Once a major town in the timber industry, you’ll find several shops offering beautiful woodwork. Maybe stroll through one of the many markets for souvenirs, or stop and watch the world go by, with a refreshing drink at one of the trendy cafés. If you’d like some relaxation time, why not spend some time paddling in the cool waters on the famous lagoon. Over lunch or dinner, be sure to try some fresh seafood, perhaps some of the town’s famous oysters.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate (4-star)

Today includes…Breakfast, Free time

Day 9 - Storms River - Kariega Game Reserve. Today’s journey takes us to the mouth of Storms River, where the water crashes dramatically against the rocks. Choose to relax and enjoy the powerful river and sea, or take a walk to the suspension bridge. Then we continue to Kariega Game Reserve, where our safari experience begins - a highlight of our South Africa tours. We take a game drive as the animals become more active in the cool of late afternoon. Feel the excitement of what’s to come as we set off in our open game drive vehicle - you never know what’s around the corner!

Kariega Main Lodge (4-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Visit Storms River Mouth (morning), Game drive at Kariega Game Reserve (afternoon), Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10 - Kariega Game Reserve. Enjoy a full day at Kariega, a family-owned malaria-free reserve home to all of the Big Five. We’ll head out on a morning game drive, to search for lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and more. Sit back and relax on a river cruise, with time afterwards to explore the lodge area. Top the day off with another game drive this evening.

Kariega Main Lodge (4-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: 2 game drives and activities at Kariega Game Reserve (all day), Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11 - Kariega Game Reserve - Graaff-Reinet. After your fourth game drive early morning, we leave for a scenic drive into the Great Karoo (Place of Thirst). Be on the lookout for wildlife in this large, semi-desert region. This afternoon we arrive at our hotel, in the heart of the historical town of Graaff-Reinet. We stay overnight in the renovated old slave quarters. You’ll have some free time to relax or you might decide to begin your explorations.

Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet (5-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Game drive at Kariega Game Reserve (morning), Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12 - Graaff-Reinet - Valley of Desolation. Graaff-Reinet has retained the character of a typical 19th-century town, and this morning you’re free to explore all that it has to offer. Learn about life 200 years ago in one of the many dwellings there, and take a stroll through the town to browse the museum and shops. When you’ve finished exploring, perhaps stop for a relaxing coffee, or take a look at Obesa, the world’s largest cacti collection. This afternoon we visit a geological phenomenon - the Valley of Desolation - where, over 100 million years, volcanic rock has eroded into vertical cliffs and 120m tall columns. We take a tour and hopefully spot some of the many birds and mammals that live here.

Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet (5-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Guided tour to the Valley of Desolation (afternoon), Breakfast, Free time

Day 13 - Willowmore – Oudtshoorn. Our route today takes us though old characterful towns. We break for lunch in Willowmore, a town filled with historical architecture and then head to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, where we'll stay overnight.

Queens Hotel, Oudtshoorn (4-star)

Today includes…Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14 - Oudtshoorn – Franschhoek. We depart for the Cango Ostrich Farm. On our short tour you’ll learn from the enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides and have fun hand feeding these peculiar birds. We then join the spectacular Cape Route 62, the longest wine route in the world. Sit back and enjoy towering cliffs, crystal clear streams and quaint country towns. We’ll stop for lunch in Barrydale, a small town with magnificent views of the stark Klein Karoo and the fertile Tradouw Valley. Our journey then continues to Franschhoek, set amidst the serene Franschhoek Mountains.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek (4-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Visit Cango Ostrich Farm (morning), Drive spectacular Route 62 Oudsthoorn-Franschhoek (all day), Breakfast and Lunch

Day 15 – Franschhoek. Today, why not take advantage of your ticket for the local hop-on-hop-off tram? It allows you to taste wines and cheese at local wine farms or just enjoy their beautiful gardens. Tonight, we enjoy a very special wine pairing and fine-dining experience at Le Coin Français (the French Corner), prepared by chef Darren Badenhorst.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek (4-star)

Today includes…Excursions & visits: Franschhoek wine tram pass (all day), Fine-dining dinner in Franschhoek (evening), Breakfast and Dinner

Day 16 - Cape Town - In flight. Head into the village or relax at the hotel before we transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Cape Town - In flight

Today includes…Breakfast

Day 17 – UK. Upon arrival, your representative vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town and transfer to your hotel on the fashionable V&A Waterfront, your base for the next three nights. The rest of the day is for you to do as you please. Recuperate from the journey in the hotel spa or get your bearings with a sunset cruise that leaves conveniently from the wharf. For ultimate panoramas, consider boarding an optional helicopter flight to soak up Cape Town’s ravishing coastline taking in sights like iconic Table Mountain and the unforgettable peaks of the Twelve Apostles mountain range jutting into the sky. Overnight at Victoria & Alfred Hotel.

Day 2: Cape Town. Your prime location makes it easy for you to dip in and out of the V&A Waterfront’s lively scene. There’s always somewhere to eat from elegant fine dining restaurants to the next-level V&A Food Market selling everything from fynbos-infused gin to handmade sushi. This is made all the more appealing with the favourable exchange rate between the pound and the rand. For something more tailored, take an optional culinary trip though the City Bowl sampling the city’s gourmet culture on a sweep of diverse eateries. Work it all off on an optional hike up Table Mountain, a cool three-to-four hour trek and undoubtedly one of the most picturesque.

Day 3: Cape Town. Your last day in the Mother City can be spent on an independent sojourn around its wild white-sand beaches and thrumming creative enclaves. Turn a corner and you may find a cluster of artists’ workshops brushing up against old fishermen’s buildings. Delve into another district and you’ll encounter word-class museums paving the way in global modern art. The optional My Cape Peninsula tour explores the visually striking Cape Point from different angles. Take a funicular ride through the fynbos or cruise in a car along Chapman’s Peak Drive, celebrated for its hypnotic coastal views at every bend. No visit to Cape Town is complete without an optional ferry trip to Robben Island, which leaves suitably from the V&A waterfront. A visit to Nelson Mandela’s prison cell serves as a poignant reminder of the country’s complex political past.

Day 4: Cape Town & The Panorama Route. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kruger Mpumalanga. On arrival, a driver will take you approximately 1-hour to your hotel on the banks of the tranquil Sabie River. Retreat to the spa to unwind ahead of your day exploring the nearby Blyde River Canyon or limber up on the 18-hole golf course, known for sightings of resident hippos. Overnight at Sabi River Sun Resort.

Day 5: The Panorama Route. Your hotel is the launch pad from which to explore some of South Africa’s finest scenery starting at the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons on earth. The geographical drama unfolds from its thick subtropical forests, their encroaching verdant canopies home to a diversity of wildlife including every primate species known in South Africa. On this spectacular drive, there are almost too many breathtaking moments to take in, like gazing up at heaving waterfalls cascading from nearly 100 metres, and investigating beautiful dolomite rock sculptured from years of elemental erosion. Your expert guide will help you select the highlights while offering the best spots for a panoramic picture.

Day 6: The Panorama Route & Kruger National Park. It’s approximately a 2-hour drive to your next lodge located in the south of the iconic Kruger National Park, and your safari outpost for the next three nights. Enveloped in bushland, your first glimpses of the Kruger will feel like entirely new terrain. An afternoon game drive will give you the lay of the land - a private concession sprawling 6,000 hectares known not only for its superb wildlife sightings but lack of vehicles. The afternoon may offer first glimpses of the Big 5 for which the area is famed and maybe hyena and giraffe, also likely sightings. As dusk falls, remedy the excitement with sundowners back at the lodge where herds of buffalo are often seen wandering through the grounds. Overnight at Jock Safari Lodge.

Day 7: Kruger National Park. There’s nowhere more synonymous with safari than the Kruger, containing more large mammal species than any other park in South Africa. The quest for the Big 5 continues in the rugged bushveld exclusively traversed by guests of your lodge. This means you’ll hardly see another person in sight as you trail the continent’s greatest icons. See the sought-after wildlife in the throes of the wild, like baboons shrieking from jackalberry trees older than written history, or packs of predatory lion that scatter other animals for miles around – there are 1,700 estimated in the Kruger. Look out for endangered rhino herds, blue wildebeest and perhaps even catch a rare glimpse of the elusive wild dog.

Day 8: Kruger National Park. You have another full day to explore the Kruger, binoculars at hand. This time around you may choose to slow the pace down and tune into the smells and sounds of the bush on a walking safari with excellent guides trained to identify animal tracks. Ticking off the wish list of game is all the more exciting when on foot. Perhaps you’ll spot the threatened martial eagle identified by its Dalmatian-like flecked belly, or walk closely by towering giraffe, the tallest creatures in the animal kingdom. On the way back to the lodge, dusk could unveil sightings of nocturnal animals such as owls and bush babies. Somewhere in the distance you can hear the cackle of hyenas rolling in from the savannah.

Day 9: Kruger National Park & Johannesburg. Transfer 2-hours back to the airport for a short flight to Johannesburg. Your hotel is a 5-minute transfer from the airport with all the facilities to help you rejuvenate before your flight tomorrow. If you’re experiencing itchy feet, book the optional Cradle of Humankind tour which takes you around the UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore the origin of our species. Or for a shot of local culture, choose an optional cycling tour through the vibrant Soweto district once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Overnight at Peermont D'oreale Grande.

Day 10: Johannesburg & Victoria Falls. Transfer back to the airport to catch a flight to Victoria Falls. It’s a 20-minute transfer to your next hotel. Once you get there, you’re a mere stroll to the falls themselves. Revive in the pool or take tea in the wraparound veranda, the best place to watch the levitating plumes of mist and the rumble of cascading water that give this iconic landmark its name, the ‘Smoke that Thunders’. Overnight at Ilala Lodge.

Day 11: Victoria Falls. Don your waterproofs for a full day exploring Victoria Falls. A walking tour is almost a rite of passage, bringing you face-to-face with the world’s largest sheet of falling water stretching over 1,700 metres and plunging 100 metres into the earth’s crust. It’s a sight that inspired both 19th-century explorer David Livingstone and the locals, 80,000 years ago, who believed in the waterfalls’ godly power. For an adrenaline-inducing perspective, board an optional helicopter for a 12-minute circuit over the falls and up the Zambezi River, or choose the 25-minute ride to take in the sheer magnitude of its rapids and deep set gorges. If you’re looking to explore at a gentler pace, the optional Ra-Ikane river cruise drifts you serenely around Zambezi’s islets to watch wallowing hippos and the prolific birdlife.

Day 12: Victoria Falls. The day is open for you to explore at your own pace. Adrenaline junkies need look no further than the array of optional heart-pounding adventures like jumping into mid-air over a gorge attached by a harness and careering through the sky on a 415-metre zip line from one edge of the gorge to another. The whirling rapids make for thrilling white-water rafting adventures not to mention the picturesque scenery. While there is plenty to keep you occupied during the day, night-time brings you a chance to see a moonbow, a rare phenomenon should you be lucky enough to visit during a full moon on a clear night.

Day 13: Victoria Falls & Departure. After breakfast transfer to Victoria Falls airport for your flight to Johannesburg airport. From here you’ll catch your international flight home or continue travelling.