Cape Town Kruger Garden Route Journey

On arrival at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, meet our tour guide and transfer to Kapama Private Game Reserve. On reaching the lodge, check in and freshen up before we head out on an afternoon game drive.We explore Kapama’s 13,000-hectare reserve in open safari vehicles – a landscape of savannah, grassland and riverine bush lying west of Kruger National Park. Expert ranger–tracker teams help us look for wildlife, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino – while sharing insights into the bush. After the drive, we return to the lodge for dinner. Overnight in Kapama.

At first light, a gentle knock at the door wakes us for an early start. We meet our ranger to chat through expectations, then head out in an open 4x4 for a game drive of around three hours. Along the way we enjoy close wildlife encounters while our ranger explains the reserve’s flora, fauna and how different species adapt to life in the bush. We pause at a scenic spot for coffee before returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. You can then unwind by the pool and make use of the lodge facilities until it’s time for our afternoon game drive in the reserve. Overnight in Kapama.

After an early morning game drive and breakfast, we depart for Hazyview via the Panorama Route – a journey showcasing deep canyons, rugged mountains, misty waterfalls and tranquil lakes. We pass Ohrigstad and enter the Blyde River Canyon, a valley stretching for 26 kilometres and regarded as one of South Africa’s key natural wonders. Along the northern section, we take in the Three Rondavels – striking rock formations that resemble traditional round huts. We also visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where smooth, cylindrical cavities and sculpted rock reveal the effects of water erosion over millions of years. Weather permitting, we stop at God’s Window for panoramic views. On arrival in Hazyview, we check in at the hotel. Overnight in Hazyview.

After breakfast, we travel to Pretoria – one of the country’s capital cities – affectionately known as Jacaranda City for its purple blossoms that typically appear from September to November. With around one million residents, Pretoria serves as the centre of government and showcases a rich cultural heritage across its museums, historic buildings and arts centres. We explore the city on a guided tour, visiting the Union Buildings and the Voortrekker Monument, then continue to Johannesburg for the night. Overnight in Johannesburg.

After breakfast, we check out and travel to O.R. Tambo International Airport for your flight to George – flights are not included. On arrival at George, we meet our guide and transfer to Knysna to check in to our accommodation. Knysna is a small seaside town on a protected lagoon; its name comes from the Khoi language and is thought to mean straight down, a nod to the Knysna Heads. The town is known for its oysters, nature reserves and varied activities. You have the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Knysna.

After a leisurely breakfast, we head to the Knysna Lagoon for the Featherbed Nature Reserve eco experience. Only accessible by ferry across the lagoon, this 150 hectare private reserve sits on Knysna’s Western Head. From the jetty, we board 4x4 vehicles and drive up to a viewpoint where our guide introduces the reserve and the Heads. A two kilometre guided trail leads through coastal forest and fynbos down to the shoreline and back to the restaurant, where we finish with a buffet lunch under Milkwood trees. Afterwards we return by ferry to Knysna – the eco experience lasts around four hours. You can spend the rest of the day at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront. Overnight in Knysna.

After breakfast we travel from Knysna to George via Sedgefield and Wilderness – a small seaside village with an almost endless white beach and striking views of the Outeniqua Mountains. We continue inland to George – capital of the eastern part of the Western Cape – an important industrial centre and a favourite golfing base with the George and Fancourt courses. From here the road climbs the 12 kilometre Outeniqua Pass, built by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War, before we descend through hop fields into the Little Karoo’s dry, open landscape.Arriving in Oudtshoorn – the Little Karoo’s capital and South Africa’s famed ostrich centre – you can still see grand feather palaces that reflect the wealth of the early 20th century ostrich feather boom. We visit Safari Ostrich Farm and round off the day with a tasty dinner. Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

Rise before dawn for a sunrise meerkat encounter – weather permitting – led by a knowledgeable guide on the open plains. The outing lasts around two to three hours. We then return to the farm for breakfast, collect our luggage and continue to the Cango Caves in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, about 30 kilometres from Oudtshoorn. We explore the 1.2 kilometres open to visitors in this extensive system first known to the San people almost 10,000 years ago, including the Great Hall – 107 metres across and 16 metres high – with its impressive stalagmites and stalactites. After the tour we take the inland route along the Langeberg range via Calitzdorp – the local capital of South African port wine – over the Huisrivier Pass to Ladismith, beneath the split peak of Towerkop, and past Barrydale to Montagu, a quaint town with many national monuments. If time allows, you can take a short stroll and pick up refreshments. Montagu is also a centre for apricot and peach farming and is known for its sweet muscatel wines. Overnight in Montagu.

After breakfast, we depart Montagu for Stellenbosch – South Africa’s second oldest town and a lively university hub. Your culinary walking tour begins at 2 pm – meet the guide at the Information Office across the road from Oude Werf Hotel. We explore the historic heart of Stellenbosch, with its oak‑lined streets, varied architecture and outdoor art, and visit the oldest townhouse in South Africa at the Village Museum. Along the way we sample indigenous teas with home style rusks, traditional snacks such as biltong and droewors from a family butchery, then enjoy a heritage lunch platter at the oldest hotel in South Africa. We round off with nostalgic sweets at the legendary Oom Samie se Winkel – the town’s oldest shop – and a trilogy of Cape desserts. The tour lasts around 3.5 hours.We then continue to Cape Town – the Mother City – framed by the Atlantic Ocean and the natural amphitheatre of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Table Bay. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out along the Atlantic Seaboard through a changing landscape of mountains, ocean, rugged cliffs and fynbos to the fishing harbour of Hout Bay. Here, you may choose to take a boat trip to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seal colony. We continue over scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, passing the rural villages of Noordhoek, Oceanview, Kommetjie and Scarborough before entering the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. We visit the Cape of Good Hope – the most south‑western tip of the African continent – and then Cape Point, where the Old Lighthouse offers a viewing platform over False Bay. It is about a 30 minute walk from the car park to the lighthouse summit, or a few minutes on the funicular. Next, we stop at Boulders Beach to view the African Penguins from elevated boardwalks – access to the colony is managed by the National Parks Board. We then travel through Simonstown, home to the South African Naval Headquarters, and along the False Bay coast past Fishhoek and Muizenberg, popular for swimming in summer and for spotting Southern Right Whales in winter. We return to Cape Town in the afternoon, where you can spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast, we set off on a half day sightseeing tour of Cape Town, including Table Mountain – weather permitting. Founded in 1652 by the Dutch East India Company as a refreshment station, the city’s past comes into focus as we visit the Castle of Good Hope and the Company Gardens, and explore the historic city centre with its varied architecture. When conditions allow, we take the rotating cable car to the summit of Table Mountain in a matter of minutes, then follow the circular path on the plateau for far reaching views across the city, neighbouring peaks, the ocean and inland. Table Mountain forms part of Table Mountain National Park and a World Heritage Site – recognised as one of the New 7 Wonders. Overnight in Cape Town.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to Cape Town International Airport for your return flight – time to bid farewell to this beautiful city.