Tour Routing
Highlights
- Small group with no more than 10 persons
- Enjoy three thrilling game drives through Kruger National Park in search of the “Big 5”
- Travel the famous Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth
- Visit the vibrant Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum in Johannesburg
- Travel the scenic Panorama Route with visits to God’s Window and Blyde River Canyon – the world’s largest “green” canyon
- Enjoy wine tasting along the Garden Route and an afternoon sunset cruise on Knysna Lagoon
- Visit two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® projects with proceeds of your tour funding wildlife foundations such as the rehabilitation of formally caged primates and the preservation of genetically pure bird species, both contributing to UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
- 13 nights in hand-picked 3 & 4-star accommodation including 3 nights in the Greater Kruger Area
- Daily breakfast, 1 lunch, 4 dinners plus wine & food tastings
- Fully escorted by English-speaking local guides
- Dedicated transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles
Itinerary
Home
In-flight
Board your flight today bound for South Africa.
Meals: In-flight
Please note: depending on the airline booked, you may depart Australia & arrive in Cape Town on Day 1 of this itinerary.
Arrive Cape Town, South Africa
Welcome to Cape Town! Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), you will be warmly greeted in the arrivals hall by a local representative who will transfer you to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Cape Town, often referred to as South Africa’s Mother City, is consistently ranked among the top destinations worldwide. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure, allowing you to immerse yourself in its vibrant culture, stunning scenery, and renowned cuisine. Spend the night in Cape Town
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: The President 4* or similar
Please note: When booking international flights, please ensure that your arrival date falls on Day 1 of the itinerary.
Cape Town
Today is at leisure to relax and take in the beautiful city at your own pace. Explore many of the incredible museums, art galleries or visit one of the many cafes, restaurants, and vibrant craft markets.
Alternately, you may wish to join one of the optional tours available today. You can pick up one of them.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The President 4* or similar
Optional tour: Table Mountain, Cape Peninsular & Costantia Winelands
Meet your local guide, who will show you where to snap the best photos of Cape Town’s most iconic sights. First stop is Table Mountain, named one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of Nature’, for a cable car ride to the top of the mountain (excluding cost of cable way ticket & weather permitting). Travel via the scenic Chapman’s Peak drive (if open) to Cape Point Nature Reserve, for a picture of the famous Cape Point lighthouse dating back to 1859. Visit Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account), home to a colony of African Penguins and then to Muizenberg Beach, one of the most popular Cape Town beaches, dotted with colourful beach huts along the sand and locally known as ‘surfers paradise’. Head to Groot Constantia Wine Estate, for a wine tasting (with souvenir crystal glass included) and wander through the vineyards
Optional tour: Babylonstoren Wine Farm Experience
Join us for an authentic, local experience on a day out in the picturesque Cape Winelands. Visit Fairview, a local cheesery that specializes in the production of handmade, full flavoured cheeses paired with a wine tasting, followed by a visit to Babylonstoren Wine Farm with its botanically diverse fruit and vegetable garden, incredible scenery, and warm hospitality for a second wine tasting.
Cape Town
Cape AgulhasOudtshoorn (Garden Route)
This morning, we start our journey along the picturesque Garden Route. Traverse Sir Lowry’s Pass, offering breathtaking vistas, to reach Grabouw and Elgin, an area of lush landscapes embraced by majestic mountains. Along the way, we’ll pause at a farm stall brimming with locally crafted products.
Our route continues to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge. This rugged coastline, largely untouched and unexplored, has claimed many ships over the years. The historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse stands proudly as an emblematic landmark marking the continent’s edge. Following this exhilarating experience, we proceed through historic Swellendam and the scenic Tradouw Pass to Barrydale and the renowned Route 62.
Our journey takes us to Oudtshoorn, famed as the ‘ostrich feather capital’ and hub of the global ostrich farming industry. Delight in dinner at an ostrich farm, savoring local delicacies such as ostrich steak. Tonight’s accommodation in Oudtshoorn in a beautiful boutique hotel filled with stunning antiques and warm hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: La Plume Boutique Hotel & Spa 4* or similar
Oudtshoorn (Garden Route)
Following a relaxed breakfast, embark on a tour of the magnificent limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, celebrated as one of the planet’s remarkable natural formations, shaped over millennia by natural forces. Later, experience an engaging guided tractor tour at an operational ostrich farm, offering interactive insights into these fascinating birds. Conclude the day with a wine tasting session, where you can savor the finest wines from the area. Spend the night in Oudtshoorn.
Meals: Breakfast & Wine Tasting
Accommodation: La Plume Boutique Hotel & Spa 4* or similar
OudtshoornKnysna (Garden Route)
Following breakfast, journey across the Outeniqua Pass to George, renowned as the sixth oldest town in South Africa, boasting numerous historical landmarks such as the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library building – a prime example of Edwardian architecture in the region. We continue the tour through Wilderness, a beautiful seaside town home to wide beaches and trails.
Our destination today is Knysna, nestled along the shores of a picturesque lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route and famously referred to as the oyster box of South Africa. Indulge in a delightful lunch featuring local specialties, then enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure wandering through charming stores and cafes. A highlight today is an afternoon sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: The Rex Hotel 4* or similar
Knysna (Garden Route)
Today presents an opportunity to delve deeper into the natural allure of the Garden Route. Begin your day at Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary, where various primate species roam freely in their forest habitat. This acclaimed sanctuary is renowned for its efforts in rehabilitating formerly caged primates, contributing to their conservation and potential reintroduction into the wild—a portion of your tour cost supports this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, directly advancing UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
Next, continue to the iconic Eastern Head for breathtaking views of the Knysna Heads (weather permitting). Later, journey to Brenton on Sea, an awe-inspiring holiday destination cherished by nature enthusiasts for its pristine beaches and tranquil ambience. Return back tot Knysna and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Rex Hotel 4* or similar
KnysnaPlettenberg BayTsitsikamma (Garden Route)
Today we head to Plettenberg Bay, often hailed as the crown jewel of the Garden Route, to explore the Birds of Eden sanctuary, recognized as the largest single free-flight aviary globally. This sanctuary was established to provide a safe habitat for the release of a diverse collection of African birds into a free-flight environment. A portion of the tour’s proceeds from this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports the preservation of genetically pure species across various taxa in a semi-wild setting and ensures the conservation of their seeds for future reintroduction into natural habitats, directly contributing to UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
Our journey continues to Bloukrans Bridge, home to the highest commercially operated bungy jump in the world. Explore Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The park spans 80 km of rugged coastline adorned with striking sea views, remote mountainous landscapes adorned with valleys cloaked in mountain fynbos, and temperate forests with deep river gorges leading to the ocean. Spend the night in the Tsitsikamma region.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn 3* or similar
TsitsikammaPort ElizabethJohannesburg
Continue eastward through the picturesque Tsitsikamma Forest to Port Elizabeth, fondly called the “friendly city”. From there, proceed to Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport for your included flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Sun Sandton 4* or similar
Johannesburg
Today is a full day dedicated to exploring the incredible history and sites of Johannesburg uncovering the some of the watershed events in the struggle against apartheid occurred. The tour starts with a drive past the FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City and the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. It was the site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison in 1990. The drive continues through Diepkloof, and then to Kliptown, where the Freedom Charter was officially adopted in 1955. Drive past the Regina Mundi Church that played a pivotal role in the township’s history of resistance against apartheid. Then onto Vilakazi Street, the most famous street in Soweto, where two Nobel Prize winners once lived, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. The afternoon will conclude with visits to the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum that commemorate the role of the country’s students in the struggle against apartheid and the prestigious Apartheid Museum, that covers the full history of the Apartheid era in South Africa. Return to your hotel for overnight in Johannesburg.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Sun Sandton 4* or similar
Johannesburg
Today is at leisure to explore on your own. Explore the nearby Nelson Mandela Square, renowned for its variety of shops and boutiques catering to diverse tastes and budgets.
Alternately, join one of the optional tours available today.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Sun Sandton 4* or similar
Optional tour: Morning Maropeng, Cradle Of Humankind Tour
Experience the Cradle of Humankind, where human life began. Visit the Maropeng Museum and explore the Sterkfontein Caves, known as the discovery site of Mrs Ples, the first complete Australopithecus skull. Delve into the rich history of our origins in this UNESCO World Heritage site, offering insights into our evolutionary journey through interactive exhibits and ancient fossil discoveries. It’s a fascinating exploration of where we come from and how far we’ve come.
Optional tour: Afternoon Pretoria Tour
Explore the captivating highlights of Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. Begin at Paul Kruger House, a museum honoring the former president. Stroll through historic Church Square, adorned with the statue of Paul Kruger. Visit the imposing Voortrekker Monument, commemorating Afrikaner history. Marvel at the Union Buildings, an architectural masterpiece and seat of government. Complete your journey at City Hall, a symbol of Pretoria’s rich cultural heritage. Each landmark offers a glimpse into South Africa’s diverse history and cultural tapestry.
JohannesburgKruger National Park
This morning, we travel eastwards to the Mpumalanga region, home of the famous Kruger National Park.
Upon arriving at your lodge and refreshing up, prepare to be thrilled as we venture into the renowned Kruger National Park for an afternoon of game viewing from the comfort of your enclosed tour vehicle. Known for its exceptional wildlife encounters, the park provides unparalleled opportunities to spot the “Big 5” as well as a diverse array of general game in their natural habitat. You’ll quickly gain an appreciation for the conservation challenges faced in this unique reserve.
Following an exciting afternoon in Kruger Park, return to the lodge where dinner awaits.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hazyview Sun 3* or similar
Kruger National Park
The day starts with early morning coffee or tea, followed by an exhilarating open vehicle game drive led by a ranger in the Kruger National Park, complete with a pre-packed breakfast. Your guide will endeavor to treat you to sightings of the “Big Five”, along with abundant general game and a wealth of bird life.
Return to the lodge late in the morning with time to relax before we head out again this afternoon for another game drive through the vast expanses of the Kruger National Park. Enjoy an afternoon of game viewing from the comfort of your enclosed safari vehicle, seeking out the Big Five and other rare and endangered species. Following our safari, we head back to our hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hazyview Sun 3* or similar
Optional tour: Talk on the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit
After the early morning open vehicle game safari, a presentation of the Kruger Park Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care in support of the vital work they do. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.
Mpumalanga (Panorama Route)
After breakfast, embark on an exploration of the awe-inspiring Panorama Route, renowned for its breathtaking vistas, stunning landscapes, and picturesque waterfalls. Discover iconic landmarks such as God’s Window, the Three Rondavels, and the Blyde River Canyon – the third largest canyon in the world and the largest ‘green canyon’ due to its lush subtropical foliage, with the deepest precipitous cliffs of any canyon on the planet. Explore the geological marvels of Bourke’s Luck Potholes and visit the historic village of Graskop, one of South Africa’s earliest gold mining settlements. Later today, return to your lodge for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hazyview Sun 3* or similar
Greater Kruger National ParkJohannesburg
Enjoy breakfast before starting the return journey to Johannesburg. Arrive in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) at approximately 2.30pm where the tour ends on arrival.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Southern Sun Sandton 4* or similar
JohannesburgHome
Your African adventure comes to an end after breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time, take the hotel ‘s complimentary shuttle back to the airport in time for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast & In-flight
Please note: Please ensure you check into your flight at least 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
Arrive Home
Welcome home, we hope you have a had a great trip to South Africa with AGV Travels.
