South Africa Grand Tour

Johannesburg - Hoedspruit. This morning meet your tour guide at the Radisson Hotel OR Tambo Airport at 07.30 for pre-tour formalities, ready to depart at 08.00.

We set off on a remarkable adventure from Johannesburg to the captivating Mpumalanga, known as the "Land of the Rising Sun." Travelling along the scenic Panorama Route, where we discover the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon. Marvel at the spectacular views from several lookout points, beginning with Bourke’s Luck Potholes and concluding at the renowned Three Rondavels. If time and weather allow, we’ll also stop at God’s Window to enjoy its stunning panoramic views. Arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon, settle in, and take a moment to unwind before dinner.

Please note:This tour departs from Radisson Hotel OR Tambo Airport at 08.00 on Day 1, so you will need to book a night's pre tour accommodation in Johannesburg. We can book pre tour accommodation at Radisson Hotel OR Tambo Airport if required. You will need to make their own way to this hotel for the departure, if you do not stay there the night before.

It's an early start this morning as we head to the famous Kruger National Park for a full day open vehicle game drive. Spanning nearly 2 million hectares, this extraordinary wildlife reserve provides one of Africa’s finest opportunities to witness its diverse flora and fauna. After the safari we return to our hotel where there's time to relax before dinner at the lodge.

Hoedspruit - Eswatini. After breakfast, we set off for the Royal Kingdom of Eswatini (also known as Swaziland), a mesmerising land rich in African traditions and breathtaking scenery. Here we enjoy a lively display of Swazi culture, followed by a delicious traditional lunch at Matsamo Cultural Village. Next, we visit the Ngwenya Glass Works, where skilled artisans create beautiful sculptures from molten glass. After exploring the vibrant local craft markets, we arrive at our hotel, nestled in the scenic Ezulwini Valley. Dinner this evening will be served at the hotel.

Eswatini - Mkhuze. After breakfast, we depart for a morning visit to the Swazi Candle Factory, where skilled artisans handcraft each unique candle using the traditional “millefiore” technique. Every candle is a masterpiece, featuring an enchanting variety of patterns and designs. We then continue our journey through Big Bend into KwaZulu Natal, arriving at our hotel in the afternoon. From there, we embark on a thrilling scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains, where we’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Lake Jozini. As the sun sets, we stop for sundowners and visit an authentic Zulu homestead to gain insight into contemporary Zulu life before heading to our hotel for dinner.

Today, we embark on an exciting open vehicle game drive in the uMkhuze Game Reserve, home to an incredible variety of habitats, from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains to rolling acacia savannah, swamps, woodlands, and riverine forests. The reserve is teeming with wildlife, including black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, and an abundance of plains game. Since the reintroduction of lions in 2013, uMkhuze has become a Big Five reserve. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the exceptional birdlife, with 420 recorded species. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon and round off the day with a delicious dinner.

Mkhuze - St Lucia - Umhlanga. After an early breakfast, we set off along the breathtaking Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal towards St Lucia, situated at the southern tip of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we embark on an estuarine boat trip, offering a rare opportunity to spot crocodiles, hippos, and an array of bird species, including the elusive African Fish Eagle. We then continue our journey to Umhlanga, a resort town north of Durban. Arriving at our hotel in the afternoon, dinner arrangements for the evening are left to your choice.

Umhlanga - Durban - Port Elizabeth. We begin the day with a morning city tour of Durban, a vibrant melting pot of cultural and historical contrasts. We’ll drive along the iconic Golden Mile, passing striking art-deco buildings and uShaka Marine World, before visiting Victoria Embankment, with its historical landmarks such as the Natal Museum and City Hall. Following the tour, we make our way to King Shaka International Airport to check in for our domestic flight to Port Elizabeth (flight not included). Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel, leaving the rest of the day free to relax.

Please note: The flight from Durban to Port Elizabeth is not included. Please book the afternoon Airlink flight departing at approx 16.20. If you require assistance contact us.

Port Elizabeth - Plettenberg Bay. We depart from Port Elizabeth and journey along the scenic coastline to the stunning Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, often called the "garden of the Garden Route." Here, we take a leisurely walk across the suspension bridge spanning the Storms River mouth gorge, offering breathtaking views and excellent photo opportunities. After our exploration, we continue to Plettenberg Bay for dinner and an overnight stay, where we can relax and reflect on the day’s memorable adventures.

This morning we experience the magic of nature at Birds of Eden, the world’s largest free-flight bird aviary, where you can observe a diverse collection of African birds in a serene setting. Next stop is Monkeyland - the world’s first free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. In the afternoon, we head to the picturesque Knysna Waterfront where there's time to explore before enjoying an early dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

Plettenberg Bay - Oudtshoorn. After breakfast we travel to Oudtshoorn, the "feather capital" of the world. Here, we visit a working ostrich farm for an insightful guided tour before checking into our accommodation in the late afternoon and spending the evening at leisure.

Oudtshoorn - Cape Town. After breakfast we visit the Cango Caves, for a morning tour of this remarkable natural wonder. Then we bid farewell to Oudtshoorn and set off along scenic Route 62 to Cape Town, stopping for a lunch break in Barrydale en route. Arriving into Cape Town around 5pm, the evening is free for you to head out and dine at one of the city's many excellent restaurants.

Today we enjoy a full-day Cape Point and Peninsula tour. We travel along the breathtaking Atlantic Seaboard, passing through Sea Point, Clifton, and Camps Bay, with a stop at a scenic lookout point in Llandudno. We then continue to Hout Bay, a picturesque fishing harbour, where we have the option to take a boat trip to Seal Island (additional cost). Next, we journey along Chapman’s Peak Drive to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve. After lunch at a nearby restaurant (not included), we visit the historic Simon’s Town, famous for its Victorian architecture and see the large penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon.

We start the day with breakfast before setting off on a delightful full-day Cape Winelands tour. This scenic drive takes us through breathtaking mountain ranges, vineyards, and Cape Dutch homesteads, heading towards Stellenbosch, the heart of South Africa's wine industry. Here, we enjoy our first wine tasting amidst the picturesque estates. We then travel over the Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek, the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, where we have the opportunity to enjoy another wine tasting and indulge in a culinary experience at one of the area’s renowned restaurants (lunch at our own expense). The day concludes with a visit to a wine estate in the Paarl region, rounding off a wonderful day before returning to Cape Town.

Our tour concludes with a morning city tour that showcases Cape Town's rich history and lively culture. Weather permitting, we begin with a trip up Table Mountain (cable car fee not included). We then explore the Company Gardens, the South African Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, and the vibrant Greenmarket Square. We also visit the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, home to the Cape Muslim community, and learn about their significant contributions to the city’s heritage. By 12:30pm, we will be dropped off at our hotel, marking the end of our grand tour of South Africa.