Kruger & Cape Town by Plane

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 staying at the Holiday Inn Rosebank you will be picked up at 6am. If you are staying at alternate hotel (and advised us prior to departure) you will be picked up from 5:30am onwards. The exact time of pick-up for alternate hotels will be communicated to your hotel reception in the afternoon prior to day 1 of your itinerary. Please verify this time with reception the evening prior to your start day. We depart Johannesburg, the 'City of Gold' and head off on an adventure of a lifetime. A truly unique African experience unfolds as we enter the Greater Kruger National Park ecosystem arriving at our lodge in time for lunch (570 km, approx 8-9 hours travel time including stops along the way). Located in the greater Kruger, our accommodation is wonderfully intimate, with just 14 twin-share rooms. Rooms are constructed from local materials and are tastefully decorated and comfortably appointed. The lodge also offers a cosy bar, perfect for chatting with the other guests over a drink or two. There is also a crystal-clear swimming pool for a refreshing post-safari swim. However we think the quality which makes our lodge stand out from the rest is the friendliness and helpfulness of our team. They are committed to making your stay memorable! After some time to settle in, head off on a late afternoon/evening Big Five game drive in open 4x4 vehicles in a private game reserve. Sundowner drinks are enjoyed at one of the waterholes before continuing our game drive into the night. After an exciting evening, return to the lodge to enjoy a traditional South African meal around a log fire.

Day 2 Greater Kruger National Park

One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, 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 the Kruger. 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, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes en route. We depart the park in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation.

Day 3 Greater Kruger National Park / Panorama Route

We depart the lodge and make our way up the Drakensberg Escarpment. Our journey takes us along the Panoramic Route, some of the most stunning scenery South Africa has to offer. The sights en route include: God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the magnificent Blyde River Canyon. After a full day of exploring we return to the lodge and relax around the fire listening to the night sounds of Africa.

Day 4 Greater Kruger National Park

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

Day 5 Johannesburg

Rise early and head out on a morning bush walk. Guided by a qualified nature guide, we learn about nature's finer details like bird, tree and spoor identification. Transfer back to Johannesburg (600 km, approx 9-10 hrs). There's plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. Take in amazing views at the viewpoint over the awesome Blyde River Canyon and view the Three Rondavels.

Day 6 Cape Town

You will need to check-out of the hotel after breakfast today and be ready for your transfer to the airport. Your transfer and flight time will be confirmed 30 days before departure or once full payment is made. We will use either Mango or Kalula for this flight and their luggage limit is one checked-in bag weighing no more than 20 kilos, and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 7kg. It's just a short 2hr 10 minute flight to Cape Town and on arrival you will be met by our local transfer company and transferred to your hotel. With its stunning coastline, dominating mountain and modern cityscape, Cape Town is one of Africa's most appealing cities. With vineyards on its doorstep, adventure activities around every other corner and plenty of restaurants and cafes to while away the time, Cape Town is a very easy city to spend some extra time in.

Day 7 Cape Town - Walking Tour & Cape Point Peninsula

Today retrace 350 years of Cape Town’s dramatic history on a three-hour walking tour. The route will take in historical sights such as the Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade, and significant historic slavery sites such as the Slave Lodge and Slave Tree. At the Parliament Building and District Six Museum, learn about apartheid and gain valuable insight into the effects of racism and discrimination on the lives of ordinary South Africans. Follow the Footsteps to Freedom tour guides in Government Avenue and hear about Cape Town’s three Nobel Peace Prize-winners: Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem De Klerk. Then visit the building where the apartheid laws were passed, and where they were later repealed after De Klerk’s dramatic speech at the opening of Parliament in February 1990. After the tour, perhaps soak up the modern-day energy of the city in Greenmarket Square or St George's Mall. In the afternoon, travel down the spectacular coast to rugged Cape Peninsula. Some of the highlights including Clifton Beach, Camps Bay, Cape Point Nature Reserve, the Cape of Good Hope and the Boulders Beach Penguins. Don't forget to bring a camera!

Day 8 Cape Town - Winelands

Spend a full day travelling the beautiful Cape Winelands, visiting both colonial and more recent estates for a taste of the region’s best wines. The Winelands region features almost 100 different estates, of which the group will visit three today. Start off with a cellar tour and a wine tasting at Hidden Valley Estate in the Stellenbosch area. There is also the option of adding a chocolate and wine pairing experience for an additional fee. After learning more about the region’s wine, visit the college town of Stellenbosch. Take an hour to wander the boulevards and town center, then head to the hills and visit Franschhoek. The view of the valley from here, which is lined with manicured rows of vineyards, is spectacular. Soak up the scenery and enjoy a fine wine from La Cabriere Estate. While here, perhaps take the opportunity to lunch at the estate’s gourmet restaurant, or choose to dine at one of the village’s many cafés instead. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing drive to Paarl, driving past the Groot Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990. Arrive at Fairview Estate for more wine and cheese tastings before returning Cape Town.

Day 9 Cape Town

Today is a free day and Cape Town, with its internationally recognised beaches, is a great place to kick back and relax. If you'd rather get active, hop inside the revolving cable car and set off on one of hundreds of hiking trails that criss cross Table Mountain to its summit, stopping off the admire the views of Camps Bay below. If you've got energy left perhaps strap on a harness and abseil down. Other attractions worth a visit include the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Robben Island, and the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

Day 10 Cape Town

Today is another free day to enjoy this great city. Perhaps take the Hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour around Cape Town.

Day 11 Cape Town

Our adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. You’ll be collected from your hotel by our local operator and transferred to Cape Town Airport for your onward flight. Additional accommodation can be booked if you’d like to extend your time in Cape Town.