Duration: 14 Days
The Garden Route and its varied beauty. Hippo-spotting on one of Africa’s largest lakes. Camping under the stars at Kruger National Park as hyenas call in the distance. There’s South Africa… and then there’s SOUTH AFRICA. On this jaw-droppingly awesome adventure, you’ll meet the locals, discover the history and sample the Cape’s finest wines in 14 days – with beach life, city life and safari life all high on the agenda. Day 1
Cape Town to Oudtshoorn via Cango Caves
Hello Africa… and hello Cape Town. Ready to get going? It’s off to the Karoo desert via the famous ‘Route 62’.
An included guided tour of Africa's LARGEST show cave system. The Cango Caves are replete with cavernous halls, limestone formations, cave paintings and artefacts (which indicate they were in use throughout the Middle Ages)! How's that for a pitstop?
Welcome to the ‘Ostrich Capital of the World’. After passing vineyards and mountain passes along the way, we’ll check into Oudtshoorn, say hey to the ostriches and then enjoy a delicious bush dinner (overlooking a watering hole - IRL).
Day 2
Oudtshoorn to Gqeberha via Addo Elephant National Park
Marvelous meerkats… today we’ll get up close and personal with some of Africa’s most famous wildlife, both large and small. Starting out with a Meerkat Safari at sunrise, we’ll watch these precious creatures wake up, stretch and embark on their day’s activity. And if that’s not special enough, just wait till you get to today’s stop-off…
That’s right, it’s elephant time. After lunch, we’ll set out in search of Africa's largest land mammal here at the Addo National Park, home to over 600 of these tusk-tastic creatures. (Keep your eyes peeled for lions, buffalo, and antelope too though!)
We'll retreat here for the night but fear not, more safari adventures await in the morning. Stuck for something to do this evening? Let us introduce you to the karaoke bar just around the corner. (Cue your fave Lion King jams.)
Day 3
Gqeberha and Private Game Reserves
Ready for the second chance at wildlife spotting? We thought so. Today is all about wildlife, both on land and in the ocean. We’ll start with a morning tour of the SANCCOB Penguin Rehabilitation Center, who give sick and injured penguins the care they deserve and help them to return to the wild.
Later this morning, we’ll set out on the first of today’s two private game drives. (IKR?) The Eastern Cape’s game reserves are some of South Africa’s best spots for seeing the Big 5, home to valleys, plains, rivers and much more. We’ll head in for an included lunch, then back out again for the day’s second game drive. Yes, yes that is four game drives in 36 hours. Lucky you, right?
Tonight we’ll head back to the city where a free evening awaits. Karaoke round two? We won’t stop ya.
Day 4
Gqeberha to Knysna via Jeffreys Bay and Tsitsikamma National Park
Beach time. Desert? Tick. Caves? Tick. Safari? Tick. Now it’s time to make our way along the famous Garden Route to our next destination, Knysna – with a few sensational stop-offs on the way.
Known as one of the best surf spots in the world, it’d be wrong not to start our day with some chill time on J-Bay… which is exactly what we’ll do.
Welcome to our next pitstop, known for the infinitely Instagramable Storms River Bridge – which we’ll take a picturesque hike to so you can get all the legendary snaps you need. After that, you’ll have the chance to up the adrenaline, with a spot of kayaking up the mouth of Storms River.
And then we pull into the beautiful coastal town of Knysna, ready to explore all the sights and activities the Garden Route is known for. (We've got two nights here too!)
Day 5
Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
Rise and shine, team. Today starts with an included breakfast, overlooking the Knysna lagoon, and then we’re off again once more.
It’s ocean time… Join our optional marine safari and set out in search of whales, dolphins, seals and more spectacular sea life. Afterwards, we’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing on Plettenberg's main beach, catching those rays and helping ourselves to some splendid seafood.
This evening, we’ll embark on a Township visit here in Knysna, where you’ll meet the locals and have the chance to make a positive impact for the children who live here. Afterwards, we'll tuck into a group dinner on the Knysna lagoon, followed by a night on the town.
Day 6
Knysna to Cape Town via Hermanus
Make sure you call dibs on a window seat. As we drive back to Cape Town, you’ll watch the magnificence of the Garden Route unfold as we pass coastal towns, forests, gorges and some jaw-dropping ocean views.
Marine mania… We’ll have lunch and some free time here in the coastal town of Hermanus, which is one of the world’s best areas for spotting whales – between July and November at least – so have your binoculars at the ready. Before hitting the road once more, we’ll spend some time learning all about shark conservation too.
And here we are, back in the city where it all began. Tonight’s agenda? A group dinner at the V&A Waterfront – followed by a night out, of course!
Day 7
Cape Town to Johannesburg via Stellenbosch
Fine wine, all in good time. Today we’ll add a touch of class to proceedings with a trip to Stellenbosch – the Cape’s famous wine region.
After some free time to explore (and shop till you drop) we’ll set out to discover Stellenbosh’s awesome wine farms, sampling the very finest of the Cape’s fine wines. With spectacular views, and a traditional South African braai for lunch, this really is one tasty excursion indeed.
Touching down, we’ll head straight to our hotel for the evening. The second half of our South African adventure awaits us in the morning...
Day 8
Johannesburg to Durban
A day of history. Here in the City of Gold, we’ll take a drive through the heart of South Africa to the coastal city of Durban. Along the way, we’ll stop off for a sobering exploration of the nation’s troubled history, with a visit to the site of Nelson Mandela’s capture during the apartheid era. We’ll then take a trip to the museum – yes, you’ll confront the history, but you’ll leave feeling hopeful as you learn how apartheid was finally brought to an end.
Tonight’s accom is conveniently located next to plenty of shops and restaurants… So you can go right ahead and treat yourself.
Day 9
Durban to St Lucia
You have a free morning here at one of the finest coastal spots in South Africa. You can check out the uShaka Marine World, rent a bike and cruise down the ‘Golden Mile’ (AKA the 6km promenade) or you can simply sit back and soak up those rays like the sun junkie you are. Afterwards, we’ll make our way to St Lucia.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife by day and hippos by night here in St Lucia (we’re right by the UNESCO World Heritage listed iSimanagaliso Wetlands Park after all). On a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience this afternoon, we’ll visit a local Zulu village, learning all about the Zulu people and their traditions with a chance to meet some of the locals.
Day 10
St Lucia
Beach or bush? Why decide when you can do both? This morning we’ll head out to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, so watch out for elephants, buffalo, rhinos, antelope… plus whales (coz we’re right on the coast, baby). We’ll stop off at Cape Vidal for some snorkelling and all-round beach vibes (weather permitting, obvs). You’ll then have some free time to explore St Lucia or kick back at the hotel. This evening, we’ll embark on a Sunset Hippo Boat cruise on Lake St Lucia (Africa’s largest estuary – home to over 800 hippos and 1200 crocodiles). Afterwards, we’ll round things off with a traditional South African braai dinner. Yup, this day’s as action-packed as it is awesome.
Day 11
St Lucia to Mbabane via Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
It's an early start today – we’re heading inland to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and we aim to be there by sunrise.
The Big Five. A half-day game drive at the reserve instrumental for bringing the White Rhino back from the brink of extinction. Even a picnic lunch. Today’s excursion is a biggie indeed.
With our wildlife bucket lists sufficiently checked, it’s time to set off for a brand new country. Passports at the ready folks – here in Eswatini, we’ll meet some of the locals and learn about their culture and language on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
Day 12
Mbabane to Kruger National Park via Miliwane Wildlife Sanctuary
After a hearty breakfast, and checking out that blazing view one last time, we're off in search of (you guessed it) even more wildlife.
Here in Mlilwane, we’ll set out on a different type of safari – we’re talking walking, and even a mountain bike safari too.
Next up, it’s the big one. The world famous one. Here in Kruger, we’ll stay at an exclusive safari campsite – located right in the middle of the park. (Struggling to picture it? Think glamping canvas tents with mattresses, linen and stretchers, a roaring bonfire burning all the while.) This is a true Once in a Lifetime experience, where you’ll fall asleep to the nocturnal calls of hyenas, jackals and lions.
Day 13
Kruger National Park
Wakey wakey! We’ve got a morning and an evening game drive waiting for us today, where we’ll stop off for some spectacular view points, and try our luck at catching a glimpse of the elusive cheetahs, leopards and African wild dogs. We’ll escape the heat in the middle of the day, and you’ll have time to hit the pool or check out the camp’s riverfront restaurant (where you’ll have a great view of crocs and hippos in the river). Tonight after our evening game drive, we’ll tuck into a final bush dinner… and let the reminiscing begin.
Day 14
Kruger National Park to Johannesburg
Our final day. But is there time for one last morning game drive? You bet there is. We’ll head out bright and early before making our way back to Johannesburg.
And now, with heavy hearts (and even heavier camera rolls) we’ll make our way back to either the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport (Vic Falls anyone?) or Johannesburg International Airport. It’s been a thrill… we’ve seen wildlife, we’ve made friends for life. The only question is: where next?
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