Welcome to The Mother City! 

Meet your guide (and fellow adventure travellers) in the hotel lobby at 6PM for a short welcome meeting. 

Afterwards, your guide will accompany you to the magic tastes of The Nines Restaurant. The Nines offers a rare perspective of upper Sea Point, magnified by floor-to-ceiling glass with vistas of the blue Atlantic, Lion’s head and unrivalled sunsets. Their menu showcases a repertoire of standouts that speak to provenance and produce-forward cooking.

Included Activities: 

Welcome Dinner at The Nines Restaurant. 

Accommodation: Cape Grace 

Or The One and Only

Meals: D

It's Table Mountain Day! 

Start the day early and get in line to get on top of one of the world's most photographed mountain. The revolving floor of the cable car will take you up to 1061 metres above sea level from where you will have unspoilt views of the city below. 

After a visit to the beautiful company gardens, it is time to spoil your pallet with the Cape Malay tastes of The Bo-Kaap Kombuis. (Bo-Kaap meaning 'above Cape Town, and 'Kombuis' meaning kitchen). The restaurant is situated in the colourful suburb of the Bo-Kaap on a hill overlooking the city. 

Included Activities: 

Table Mountain Return Cable Car Tickets.  

Cape Malay Lunch Experience. 

Accommodation: Cape Grace

Or The One and Only

Meals: B/L

The most scenic day!

An action-packed day ahead of us as we embark on the Cape Peninsula full day tour! 

Sit back and enjoy the dramatic coastline via Chapmans’s Peak Drive en route to Cape Point! 

Your goal is to climb the stairs of the old lighthouse to be rewarded with 360 degree views over False Bay, the Cape Peninsula and the icy blue of the Atlantic Ocean. You are now at the most South-Western point of the African continent! This striking part of the coastline was first spotted in 1488, by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who named it "Cabo Tormentoso" or the "Cape of Storms." Later it was re-christened to “Kaap de Goede Hoop” or “Cape of Good Hope”

In the afternoon we pay a visit to the resident, tuxedo-wearing African Penguins at Simon’s Town. African Penguins (Jackass Penguins) Spheniscus demersus, inhabit a few sites along the South African coastline. With the Boulders Beach colony on the Cape Town peninsular, near Simons Town, being the most famous colony of them all.

The penguins first came to False Bay in 1983 from Dyer Island, which is near Gansbaai. Back then, there was plenty for them to eat and the colony grew rapidly. Sadly, commercial fishing, marine pollution, and habitat destruction have taken their toll on the colony.

So make some friends and take lots of pictures – these feathered friends are unique! 

Included Activities: 

Full day Cape Peninsula tour. 

Entrance fees to Cape Point and Penguins.

Accommodation: Cape Grace

Or The One and Only

Meals: B 

Time For Gardening! 

In the morning we pay a visit to the famous Kirstenbosch Gardens. South Africa’s flagship botanical garden and home to the national flower, King Protea. 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. 

Early afternoon make your way to the Waterfront harbour area where you will board a luxury catamaran for a sunset cruise around the dramatic coastline of this beautiful city. 

With Table Mountain as a backdrop and the African sun as your studio director, the Instagram picture will be perfect! 

In the evening you will be treated to a dinner at the very popular Nikkei restaurant. 

An exciting 'newcomer' on the Cape Town restaurant scene. Sporting a Japanese and Peruvian style menu, Nikkei restaurant is 'The Talk Of The Town!'! 

Included Activities: 

Kirstenbosch Gardens. 

Afternoon Catamaran Cruise.

Dinner at Nikkei Restaurant. 

Optional Activity: Own style picnic / lunch at Kirstenbosch Restaurant. 

Accommodation: Cape Grace

Or The One and Only

Meals: B/D

Wine Time!

Travel to the second oldest settlement in South Africa, Stellenbosch, and learn about the interesting history of this historic university town. Follow your guide through 'Dorp' street as he points out interesting boutique shops and coffee places. Marvel at the sight and the history of 'De Groote Kerk'. 

Your crash course in Stellenbosch history and its people will be followed by a wine tasting and outdoor lunch (weather permitting) experience at a unique restaurant. 

Late afternoon it is time to visit one of the oldest wine farms in the area. Muratie wine farm was founded in 1699 and has kept it's old world charm. Settle down in the cellar and enjoy a world class wine tasting. 

Included Activities: 

Wine tasting and lunch experience in Stellenbosch. 

Wine tasting at Muratie wine farm. 

Accommodation: Le Quartier Francais

Or Similar

Meals: B/L

The French legacy lives on!!

Enjoy a full-day wine tram experience. 

Visit wine farms, enjoy vineyard and cellar tours, chat to the wine makers and enjoy life! 

Complimented by a three-course lunch and ending with an 'aroma' wine tasting. 

Dinner at Monneaux restaurant. 

Included Activities: 

Curated wine tram experience. 

Dinner at Monneaux Restaurant. 

Accommodation: Le Quartier Francais

Or Similar

Meals: B/L/D

Road Trip! 

Drive through the Klein Karoo and enjoy the barren, beautiful landscape. Stop for a light lunch at Diesel & Cream (also known for its photographic value) before ascending the Swartberg Pass for great sunset pictures. 

Included Activities: 

Scenic drive on the Swartberg Pass with Bubbly. 

4 Course Dinner. 

Accommodation: Mooi Plaas Guest House

Or Similar

Meals: B/D

Cave Exploration.

One of the biggest cave systems in the world is on the menu today. 

Visit the Cango Caves in the morning and marvel at this famous attraction. 

Oudtshoorn is known as the Ostrich Capital of South Africa. (During the feather boom of the 1930's the feathers of these big birds was equal to gold) 

Visit a local farm for an olive tasting and lunch. 

Return late in the afternoon to the guest house for an included spa treatment. 

Included Activities: 

Cango Caves.

Olive tasting and lunch.

Accommodation: Mooi Plaas Guest House 

Or Similar

Meals: B/L/D

Time For The 'Kasi Experience'!

An early start to the day will reward you with stunning views as you drive towards the town of Knysna over the Outeniqua Pass. 

Marvel at the 'Knysna Heads'. Separated by around 300 metres of water, The Knysna Heads are the headlands of two peninsulas that enclose and form the Knysna River Estuary. 

At midday it is time for a 'Kasi Experience'. An educational visit to a Knysna township and complimented with a local style lunch offering. 

In the evening, join your hosts at Emily Moon for a magical time of wine, laughter and excellent food.

Included Activities: 

Township Tour Local Lunch. 

Dinner Experience At Emily Moon. 

Accommodation: The Plettenberg - Liz Mcgrath Collection

Or Similar

Meals: B/L/D

Set The Sails!

Early morning it's time to meet our feathered friends from Birds of Eden, the biggest aviary in the world. 

Then we make our way back to the Knysna estuary to get on-board the Springtide Yacht. She will sail us towards the mouth of the estuary to get a closer look at 'The Heads' and to offer great photographic opportunities. 

Lunch is served on the boat. 

Back on dry land we drive up to the northern head to view the estuary from above.

Included Activities: 

Birds of Eden. 

The Springtide Yacht Experience with lunch. 

Knysna Heads Viewpoint

Accommodation: The Plettenberg - Liz McGrath Collection

Or Similar

Meals: B/L

An active day awaits! 

Start with a memorable visit to the Tsitsikamma National Park, situated on the coastline where the Storms River meets the Indian Ocean. Hike the popular suspension bridges and be rewarded with Instagram worthy pictures. 

After an optional in lunch inTsitsikamma National Park, we settle in for a 4.5h drive towards Africa's BIG 5 animals. 

Arrive late in the afternoon at Addo National Park in time for a quick 'sunset sundowner' drive with your ranger. 

Included Activities: 

Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park & suspension bridge hike. 

Sundowners at Addo National Park. 

Accommodation: Gorah Elephant Camp - Hunter Hotels

Or Similar

Meals: B/D

Time to slow down. 

After lively days, it is time to slow down and start taking it easy. 

Experience the adventure and romantic mystique of the authentic African safari of centuries past. 

Gorah Elephant Camp is a luxurious tented camp, with a gracious manor house overlooking a waterhole teaming with game in the heart of the Addo National Park.

Enjoy AM & PM open vehicle game drives. 

Included Activities: 

Morning and Afternoon, open vehicle game drive.

Accommodation: Gorah Elephant Camp - Hunter Hotels

Meals: B/L/D

Africa's BIG 5.

Wake up early for a sunrise game drive before breakfast. The animals don't sleep late and neither should you. ;-) 

After breakfast it's time to say goodbye to the friendly hosts of Gorah before making your way towards Kariega. 

Arrive in time for lunch, enjoy the short siesta and grab your camera for the afternoon game drive. (Shoot the BIG 5 with your camera: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo). 

Included Activities:

Morning open vehicle game drive at Gorah Elephant Camp. 

Afternoon open vehicle game drive at Kariega Private Reserve. 

Accommodation: Kariega Private Reserve - Settlers Drift

Or Shamwari Private Game Reserve - Bayete Camp

Meals: B/L/D

Can you handle this daily program?

• Sunrise game drive
• Breakfast
• Siesta
• Lunch
• Siesta
• Sunset boat cruise / game drive
• Dinner 
• Social / dance 

If you struggle, let us know. ;-)

Included Activities: 

Morning open vehicle game drive. 

Afternoon sunset boat cruise on Kariega River. 

Accommodation: Kariega Private Reserve - Settlers Drift

Or Shamwari Private Game Reserve - Bayete Camp

Meals: B/L/D

Time To Say Goodbye! 

Rush out the door and enjoy your last early morning sunrise game drive. 

Wave goodbye to the African animals that you have learned to love in a short space of time. Share pictures and email addresses at the breakfast table before hugging your guides goodbye. 

The adventure is about to end, but the journey will always carry on... 

En route to the airport it is time to start planning your next African holiday. 

Included Activities: Morning open vehicle game drive. Airport Transfer.

PS: The tour ends on the morning of day 15 at the Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport. Gqebera (Port Elizabeth Airport. FAPE.)

Meals: B

BANKING AND CURRENCY

Currency

The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, and 10c.

Banking

Banks are found in most towns and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank & credit cards as well as travellers cheques. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed. 

TRAVEL, TRANSPORT AND GETTING AROUND

Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail.

Several‌ ‌airlines‌ ‌operate‌ ‌domestic‌ ‌routes‌ ‌with‌ ‌regular‌ ‌links‌ ‌between‌ ‌Johannesburg,‌ ‌Cape‌ ‌Town,‌ ‌Durban,‌ ‌George,‌ ‌Nelspruit‌ ‌and‌ ‌Port‌ ‌Elizabeth‌ ‌and‌ ‌relatively‌ ‌frequent‌ ‌flights‌ ‌to‌ ‌several‌ ‌smaller‌ ‌towns‌ ‌and‌ ‌cities‌ ‌too.‌ ‌

An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy. You will find gravel roads in rural areas though. Please note that a valid international driver's licence is required. We drive on the left-hand side of the road. Most global car hire firms have branches in South Africa.

Another means of getting around South Africa are inter-city bus services. Metrobus buses are available for in-city transport. Metered taxis can be ordered and e-hailing services are available. There is the popular MyCityBus system in Cape Town and a hop-on-hop-off tourist bus in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The rail system includes the long-haul, inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains with  more luxurious options are available. There is also the Gautrain rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province.

FOOD, DRINK AND CUISINE ADVICE

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in South Africa, are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.

It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads and put ice in your drinks. South Africa's fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.

Restaurants are subject to South Africa's food safety control legislation, which is implemented by local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to maintain hygienic standards.

Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

South African temperatures, which are measured in centigrade, average at highs of 28°C to average lows of 8°C in the summer months, while winter temperatures range from 1°C at night to around 18°C during the day. Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry. Much of the rain falls in the Western Cape in the winter, differing from the rest of the country, which experiences summer rainfall. On the plus side, the South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day.

CLOTHING AND DRESS RECOMMENDATIONS

Summer

Bring cool, light and comfortable clothes because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 - 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also, bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don't forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).

Winter

The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers. But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it's advisable to bring rain gear along.

General

Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months.

Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter.

If you are doing business in the country, business attire is generally called for in the corporate sector, but media, for example generally dress more casually.

For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there's no need to go overboard. A good pair of walking shoes is also advisable.

For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

INTERNET AVAILABILITY

Most accommodation offer Wifi in their business centres, rooms or restaurants. Internet cafes are found in most business areas and shopping malls. In addition, some South African restaurants offer WiFi access.

There are also outlets such as PostNet that offer internet, fax and postage facilities.  

ELECTRICITY AND PLUG STANDARDS

Electrical sockets in the Republic of South Africa are Type M (SABS-1661). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug it in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in South Africa usually supply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. A voltage converter will be necessary if your appliance isn't compatible with 230 volts.