Tour Overview
This 12-day tour is designed to showcase the remarkable diversity of South Africa—a country where untamed wilderness, vibrant city life, and breathtaking coastal scenery exist side by side. From the thrill of a Big Five safari in the Greater Kruger region to the cosmopolitan energy of Cape Town, this journey offers an unforgettable exploration of the "Rainbow Nation"
Tour Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1: Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg
Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg, known as the "City of Gold," is South Africa's economic and cultural heart. The rest of the day is at leisure to recover from your flight.
Accommodation: Sandton Sun & Towers or similar, Johannesburg
Meals: None
Day 2: Day 2: Day 2: Johannesburg – Soweto Township Tour
After breakfast, depart for a half-day tour of Soweto, the most famous township in South Africa and the birthplace of the country's liberation movement . As the only township to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize laureates—Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu—Soweto offers a powerful blend of heritage and creativity.
Explore the vibrant streets, visit the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, and see the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, a key site during the anti-apartheid movement. You will also visit the Hector Pieterson Museum, which commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising . Enjoy lunch at a local shebeen (tavern) for an authentic experience.
Accommodation: The Peech Boutique Hotel or similar, Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Day 3: Day 3: Johannesburg – Panorama Route – Hazyview
After breakfast, check out and begin your scenic drive to Hazyview, the gateway to the Kruger region. En route, explore the famous Panorama Route, one of South Africa's most beautiful drives . Stop at breathtaking viewpoints including:
Blyde River Canyon – the third-largest canyon in the world
God's Window – sweeping views over the Lowveld
Bourke's Luck Potholes – unique rock formations carved by water
The Three Rondavels – iconic peaks resembling traditional huts
Arrive in Hazyview in the evening, check into your lodge, and enjoy a dinner surrounded by the tranquil Lowveld landscape.
Accommodation: ANEW Resort Hazyview or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Day 4: Day 4: Full-Day Kruger National Park Safari
After an early breakfast, set off for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park, one of Africa's premier wildlife sanctuaries . Accompanied by expert guides, experience the thrill of spotting the Big Five—lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalos—along with giraffes, zebras, hippos, and countless bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch within the park as you traverse diverse landscapes, from savannah grasslands to dense bushveld. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Unyati Safari Lodge or similar, Hazyview
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Day 5: Day 5: Second Safari or Optional Full-Day Game Drive
Today, embark on another unforgettable safari adventure in Kruger National Park, exploring different areas of the reserve . Each game drive offers new wildlife encounters and photo opportunities as you learn about the park's ecosystems and conservation efforts.
Alternatively, if you are staying in a private game reserve bordering Kruger, you may choose a morning and afternoon game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle with expert rangers and trackers . These private reserves offer a more exclusive experience and often allow off-road driving for closer wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Unyati Safari Lodge or similar, Hazyview
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Day 6: Day 6: Hazyview – Johannesburg – Fly to Cape Town
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Nelspruit Airport for your flight to Cape Town (flight not included). Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel .
Cape Town, often described as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, welcomes you with its mix of natural beauty, history, and vibrant culture. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the nearby V&A Waterfront or relaxing at your hotel.
Accommodation: Cresta Grande Cape Town Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Day 7: Day 7: Cape Town City Tour & Table Mountain
After breakfast, depart on a Cape Town City Orientation Tour, discovering the highlights of this cosmopolitan city . Visit landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope, Company's Garden, Greenmarket Square, and the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, famous for its colourful houses and Cape Malay heritage .
Continue to the iconic Table Mountain, where a scenic cable car ride (weather permitting) offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, Table Bay, and the surrounding mountains .
Accommodation: Cresta Grande Cape Town Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Day 8: Day 8: Robben Island & Cape Town Waterfront
Today, take the ferry to Robben Island for a guided tour of the former prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years . The tour is led by former political prisoners who share powerful firsthand stories of the struggle against apartheid.
In the afternoon, explore the V&A Waterfront, one of Africa's most visited destinations. Enjoy shopping, dining, or simply watching the boats in the harbour. The waterfront also offers excellent views of Table Mountain.
Accommodation: Cresta Grande Cape Town Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Day 9: Day 9: Cape Peninsula Tour – Chapman's Peak – Boulders Beach
Embark on a full-day Cape Peninsula Tour, one of the most scenic drives in the world . Journey along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay, where you can take a boat cruise to Seal Island to see the Cape fur seal colony. Continue along the dramatic Chapman's Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet .
Visit Boulders Beach in Simon's Town to see the famous colony of African penguins . Return to Cape Town in the evening.
Accommodation: Cresta Grande Cape Town Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Day 10: Day 10: Cape Winelands – Franschhoek Wine Tram
Escape to the beautiful Cape Winelands for a day of indulgence . Travel to Franschhoek, the food and wine capital of South Africa, and board the Franschhoek Wine Tram. This hop-on-hop-off tram takes you through picturesque vineyards, stopping at several world-class wine estates for tastings of award-winning wines.
Explore the charming village of Franschhoek, known for its French Huguenot heritage, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the estates.
Accommodation: The Winchester Boutique Hotel or similar, Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Day 11: Day 11: Cape Town – Kirstenbosch Gardens – Free Time
Visit the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain . This UNESCO World Heritage site showcases the incredible diversity of South Africa's indigenous flora.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore Cape Town at your own pace. Optional activities include visiting the District Six Museum to learn about the forced removals during apartheid, shopping at the V&A Waterfront, or relaxing on Camps Bay beach .
Accommodation: The Winchester Boutique Hotel or similar, Cape Town
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Day 12: Day 12: Cape Town – Departure
After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included & Excluded
What's Included
- All national park entry fees & tracking permits
- Gourmet meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Private 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking Tour Guide
- Luxury eco-lodge / resort accommodation
- Complimentary bottled mineral water in safari vehicle
- Airport transfers
What's Excluded
- International airfare
- Visa fees
- Personal travel & medical insurance
- Tips & gratuities for driver/guides
- Premium imported beverages
- Personal laundry & telephone expenses
Accommodation & Destination Info
Lodging Standard
Handpicked luxury eco-lodges featuring private en-suite cottages, fine dining, and tranquil riverfront or forest views.
Route & Transport
Travel in customized 4x4 Safari Land Cruisers with charging ports, fridge, wide windows, and pop-up roof for optimal 360-degree game viewing.
