South Africa Highlights

South Africa Tour Highlights:

• Gqeberha – Port Elizabeth is known as the Friendly City and the Windy City. Established to accommodate British settlers who were bought here to provide a buffer between the warring Cape Dutch and the Xhosa. The little port grew from there and today it is the gateway to the Garden Route, as well as the Eastern Cape’s game reserves and beaches.
• Sundays River Valley – an extraordinary area boasting several unique towns and attractions. Among numerous game reserves and nature parks, the famous Addo Elephant Park provides a wonderland of scenery and an abundance of wildlife including all members of the Big Five. There are a range of activities along the river, including fishing, canoeing, and boat trips. In neighbouring dunes there is also sandboarding.
• Tsitsikamma – Famous for its towering indigenous forests, rugged coastline, and spectacular natural beauty, this is one of the highlights of the Garden Route. Explore the iconic Storms River Suspension Bridge, wander scenic forest trails, or take in the breathtaking views where the Indian Ocean meets dramatic cliffs.
• Oudtshoorn – known as the Ostrich Capital of the World, these huge birds are almost as common as people in this charming town. The Oudtshoorn area also boasts the spectacular Cango Caves which is the largest show cave system in Africa, permeated with sparkling stalactites and stalagmites and captivating rock formations.
• Cape Town – between the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, between the slopes of Table Mountain and the sapphire waters of Table Bay, scenic Cape Town is in a class of its own. Cape Town, is lucky to have  rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, extraordinary architecture, a bustling harbour, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards and mountainous surroundings.

Sample Itinerary (Subject to change)

Day 1: Arrive Port Elizabeth, South Africa

On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is at your leisure.

Day 2: Cape Town to Addo National Park

Explore Route 67 on a walking tour, including a series of public art works celebrating the 67 years of public service of the freedom icon, Nelson Mandela (fondly known as Tata Madiba). In the early afternoon, transfer to Addo National Park to join the rest of the group. A benchmark conservation success, this unique wildlife habitat is known for the Addo elephants and the remaining population of the flightless dung beetle. Continue through the historical Zuurberg Mountain Pass. Traverse rugged terrain as the late afternoon sun illuminates ancient rocks. Listen to tales of explorers and settlers amidst sweeping vistas and vibrant wildflowers. In the late afternoon enjoy a guided walk across the Zuurberg mountain.

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 3-4: Addo to Storms River, Tsitsikamma Forest

Embark on a morning open vehicle game drive in Addo Elephant National Park in search of elephant, black rhino, lion, buffalo or leopard. Continue to a region of startling beauty along South Africa’s southern coastline, known as the Garden Route. Spend two nights in the Storms River Village, at the heart of the Tsitsikamma Forest. Take a leisurely hike along one of the short trails and experience a guided walk to the suspension bridge at Storms River mouth.  There is also an option to plunge off the world’s highest bungee jump at the Bloukrans River (optional, additional expense).

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Tsitsikamma to Oudtshoorn & Cango Caves

Continue your journey, travelling over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo arriving in the town of Oudtshoorn. Embark on an Ostrich farm tour followed to learn about these fascinating birds, before continuing to the famous Cango Caves, with their impressive ancient stalagmites and stalactites.

Meals included: Breakfast

Days 6-7: Oudtshoorn, Stellenbosch, Cape Town

Continue to Cape Town, visiting the town of Robertson along the way where you can visit a local winery and enjoy a cellar tour and wine tasting. Once in Cape Town, the afternoon is at leisure, enjoy sundowners at one of the fabulous beaches or indulge in some last-minute shopping at the V&A Waterfront.

The next day, explore the many attractions the ‘Mother City’ has to offer. Travelling along the Atlantic Seaboard via Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, stop at Maiden Cove look-out point before continuing to Hout Bay. Here you have the option to take a boat trip to Seal Island (seasonal and optional/additional expense). Carry on over Chapman’s Peak, one of the world’s most breath-taking coastal drives, to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. In the afternoon,  travel on to Simon’s Town, a village with charming Victorian architecture, a naval base and a large penguin colony at the beautiful Boulders Beach (the reserve entrance fee at Boulders Beach is an additional cost).

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Depart Cape Town, South Africa

Today you have free time.  You have the option to take the cable car up to scenic Table Mountain (additional expense) for one last outstanding panoramic scenic view of the Cape of Good Hope before your transfer to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast

Looking to explore other parts of Africa?

We have a selection suggested of Africa Vacation Adventures:

Africa Group Safari Tours:

Wild Botswana & Zimbabwe – 11 Days
Botswana & Zimbabwe Highlights – 15 Days
Ultimate Africa – 21 Days
The Spectacular South – 14 Days
Africa Overland Safari – 20 Days
Best of South Africa – 19 Days
Wild Tanzania – 7 Days
The Great Migration – 15 Days
Wild Uganda Gorilla Adventure – 11 Days

Africa Camping Safaris

Heart of Africa – 13 Days
Africa Explorer – 13 Days
Kilimanjaro Trek & Wildlife Safari – 14 Days

Africa Tailormade Vacations

Madagascar Beaches & Lemurs – 13 Days
Cape Town & Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve – 7 Days
Cape Town & Kruger – 7 Days
Zimbabwe Victoria Falls & Hwange – 6 Days

Africa Road Trips

South Africa Garden Route Road Trip – 6 Days