On arrival at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport, clear customs and immigration then walk to the arrival hall where you are welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Johannesburg is a vast city where opposites collide to create an interesting city of contradictions and extraordinary charm. Situated within the province of Gauteng, Johannesburg is home to the world’s largest urban forest of approximately 10 million trees. The city is the economic powerhouse of South Africa, and as a result has some of the most high-end shops and restaurants in the country. This urban sophistication stands in stark contrast with the many local street vendors and informal African spaza shops. The city has a surprisingly diverse range of activities on offer: popular stops include the sobering Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill, Nelson Mandela Square, and Sandton City. Townships tours are recommended, as is the fast growing creative hub of the city, the Maboneng Precinct (meaning 'place of light'), as an inspiring place for urban artists and boasts great restaurants and entertainment, art galleries and a neighbourhood celebrating art. Whether in the city for business or pleasure, there is plenty to see and do while there.

Overnight: Southern Sun Sandton or similar

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then depart on a scheduled half day SOWETO & Apartheid Museum Tour

Includes: Return transfers from Sandton hotels, entrance fees to Mandela House

Museum, Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum and Apartheid Museum

Note: Apartheid Museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday

Soweto is an urban area of the city of Johannesburg, bordering the city’s mining belt in the south. Its name, an English syllabic abbreviation for Southwestern Townships, refers to its origins as a Black township under South Africa’s Apartheid government.

The population has historically been overwhelmingly black and some of the watershed events in the struggle against Apartheid occurred in this township.

On this tour we will discover Soweto and the surrounding area, driving past a hostel in Diepkloof, the well-known Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Orlando Power Station, Mandela House Museum, Desmond Tutu’s House, the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum, a quick stop at a well-known restaurant, a shebeen, the Regina Mundi Church, Maponya Shopping Mall, Kliptown, Walter Sisulu Freedom Square and Aldorado Park. Afterwards we will head towards the Apartheid Museum. Once there you will have the opportunity to discover the history of the Apartheid era on your own.

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Southern Sun Sandton or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park. [Breakfast & Dinner]

Overnight: Hazyview Sun Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular ‘Panorama Route’, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26-kilometre long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes and historic God’s Window, a breath-taking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. We arrive back in Hazyview in the late afternoon where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax.

Overnight: Hazyview Sun Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle game safari (with English speaking game ranger) through the Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game species. The game safari includes a presentation of the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit (Project Watchdog), that was established because of the increase in rhino poaching worldwide. Learn about the dogs that are trained to track poachers in the field, detect firearms, ammunition and wildlife products that enter and exit through the Kruger National Park gates. A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care in support of the vital work they do. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. Enjoy another afternoon open vehicle game drive in the park.

A portion of the trip price of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience goes towards ensuring that these dogs receive the best possible care in support of the vital work they do. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.

Enjoy An afternoon open vehicle game drive.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Hazyview Sun Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

• Passports are necessary at the border post.

• The people of Eswatini don’t like photos taken of them. In their culture every photo taken takes away the spirits of their ancestors.

This morning we travel to eSwatini (Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience inclusive of lunch, introduces us to the charming people of eSwatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight in eSwatini (Swaziland) and a sumptuous dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: The Royal Villas or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Passports are necessary at the border post.

After breakfast we will continue south through eSwatini (Swaziland), before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas.

Enjoy an afternoon open vehicle game safari with an English-speaking game ranger in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino.

Overnight: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe or similar

Meals: Breakfast

The day begins with an early breakfast before departing for Durban, travelling past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive at Durban (Umhlanga) airport for the short southward flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where we will be met by our representative and once everyone has arrived, we head westwards along the Garden Route, which follows the Indian Ocean coastline, and is bordered inland by soaring mountain ranges and indigenous forests.

Overnight: Tsitsikamma Village Inn or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.

Afterwards we’ll continue our travels to Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon, in the heart of the Garden Route. Enjoy a sunset cruise to the Knysna Heads, before sitting down for dinner at Drydock Restaurant, renowned for dishes with glorious aromas and flavours, using the finest local ingredients and freshly picked herbs from the region.

Overnight: The Rex Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

• No laundry facilities available due to short stays at hotels.

• Shopping, banks, etc. at Knysna, Oudtshoorn

• Remember comfortable walking shoes for tomorrow

Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. Along the way, visit ‘Dolphin Point’, an extraordinary viewpoint in Wilderness. In Oudtshoorn, we’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a fun filled interactive tour and light lunch that includes local specialities such as Ostrich Steak, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account).

Overnight: Hlangana Lodge

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

• Luggage permitting, for the school visit you can bring the kids some colouring pencils, erasers, pens, pencils, chalk, etc

Enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). A portion of the monies paid by guests for this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience go towards the Buffelsdrift Foundation, that focusses on Wildlife conservation in the Klein Karoo region, habitat conservation and the local community. The experience directly advances UN Global Goal 15: Life on Land.

After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, to interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom, learning more about this rural community. A portion of the trip monies go towards our Barrydale Farm School Development Fund, that supports local education of underprivileged children in rural communities.  (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue via the Tradouw’s pass to Swellendam and then further to the seaside resort of Hermanus, known as the heart of the whale route, offering the best land-based whale watching (August-November) in the world.

Overnight: Auberge Burgundy Boutique Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, depart Hermanus and continue to Somerset West, travelling via the spectacularly scenic coastal road and then onwards to Stellenbosch, set in the beautiful Cape Winelands. You’ll have some free time to explore the town’s oak-shaded streets, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries before travelling to Cape Town for overnight.

Voted as the best place in the world to visit by the prestigious New York Times, Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations in South Africa. This vibrant multicultural city is a healthy mix of city and suburban living, vibey day and night spots, outdoor recreational activities and relaxation. Two oceans with their beautiful white sand beaches embrace this nature-saturated city. Ride the revolving cable car to the sky on Table Mountain; shop at the V&A Waterfront, one of Africas premier shopping destinations; stand on the edge of the world at Cape Point or delve into South Africas past at Robben Island, the prison that once held one of the worlds greatest heroes, Nelson Mandela. The Mother City, the "Green City", the "Tavern of the Seas"...whatever name you give it, this is a bucket list destination to be experienced and enjoyed.

Overnight: President Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Scheduled city tour and Table Mountain tour

This morning, after breakfast you are met by a guide for a city tour and Table Mountain tour. Depart the hotel city for the Lower Cableway Station to board the revolving cable car for a 5-minute ride to the top of Table Mountain. 1036 meters above sea level, it affords bird’s-eye views of both city and Peninsula as you walk its summit (weather permitting).

Drive to the Castle, the oldest building in South Africa with its collection of Old Cape paintings and take in the Grand Parade where Nelson Mandela addressed the nation on his release in 1990. Our drive to the city centre takes us past famous landmarks such as the Castle of Good Hope built in 1666 by the Dutch East India Company and City Hall, a baroque building, and the Grand Parade. As we follow the city’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street, we will see St. George’s Cathedral, the Anglican Diocese of Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We will pass the Company Gardens and the Malay Quarter [also known as the Bo-Kaap] which means "Above Cape" because of its location up against the slopes of Table Mountain.   In the early 18th century, thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town In the early 18th century; thousands of slaves from Java, Ceylon and other Far Eastern regions were brought to Cape Town. 

After slavery was abolished, their descendants, known as the Cape Malay’s, settled here. Our route then leads us to Kloof Nek and the magnificent Table Mountain. We'll ascend to the top [weather permitting] by the revolving cable car.  Here, we'll see wildflowers and the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches.  On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other, the tour terminates at your hotel.

Scheduled half day winelands tour

This afternoon you will be picked up and taken on a half day Stellenbosch Winelands Tour (Includes: Drive through historic Stellenbosch and 1 wine tasting).

This enchanting excursion begins with a tour through historic Stellenbosch, an architectural jewel that serves as the historic heart of the country’s wine region. A gracious blend of 18-century Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian buildings is evident as we drive down Dorp Street, where massive Oaks still shade original water furrows, then enjoy a wine tasting in the Stellenbosch area.

In the evening enjoy a fun filled evening with interactive entertainment and delectable food at Gold Restaurant.  

Overnight: President Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Please note: Tour departs at approximately 8.00am and returns at 05.00pm Your hotel pick-up is scheduled between 08:00am and 09:00am. You will be Contacted the day before the tour to confirm the estimated pick up time. Please be ready in the reception area during this time frame

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and for own account seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We'll return to Cape Town by way of Simon's Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account) and Fish Hoek fishing village. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: President Hotel or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out of the hotel.

You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to Cape Town International Airport where you will check in for your flight home.