South Africa Highlights (Hermanus)

Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, and once home to both Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. A city of stark contrasts, Johannesburg is going through rapid change and urban regeneration.

For those arriving on time today our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 12pm for a tour of Soweto, originally an acronym for South Western Townships. We'll start with a traditional lunch, typically Potjiekos, a stew slow cooked in a cast iron pot over a fire served with salad. After lunch, head out on a Soweto tuk tuk tour accompanied by a local resident and guide around the neighbourhoods of Soweto. We will visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, a museum that honours the vital role that the youth of South Africa played during the struggle. He was one of the first students to be killed during the uprising when he was just 13. We'll also travel down the vibrant Vilakazi Street, former home to two Nobel Peace Prize Winners, namely Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu. The day ends with a visit to the apartheid museum opened in November 2001. The museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa.

If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).

Please note that if you wish to join the Soweto tour today, you must arrive at the hotel by 12pm. If you are booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least 60 minutes to clear the airport. From the airport to the hotel is around 45 minutes' drive, so therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 10.15am.

A majority of flights will land into Johannesburg in the early morning and it's often too early to be able to check straight in to your room. However, early arrivals will have access to tea and coffee, toilets and the hotel lounge. Stay: Holiday Inn Rosebank (Comfortable) (L)

After breakfast, we will depart for Kruger National Park. Today is a long travelling day but there will be rest stops as we drive through the uplands of Mpumalanga, an area that has been inhabited since the Stone Age. It's a beautiful region of rivers, waterfalls and craggy escarpments covered in lush vegetation, and we'll stop at several excellent viewpoints along the way. This includes the aptly named 'God's Window' to admire the breath-taking mountain views into the Blyde River Canyon and the Bourkes Luck Potholes within the canyon itself.

We expect to arrive in Hazyview, a short distance from Kruger national park in the late afternoon and the evening will be free to relax, take a dip in the swimming pool or grab a drink from the bar. The lodge sits outside of the main Kruger park gates. Stay: Hotel Numbi (Comfortable) (B/D)

Rising with the sun, we will depart our lodge around 5.30am this morning with a local guide in open-sided safari vehicles to begin a full day of game-driving inside Kruger National Park, one of the premier wildlife viewing spots in southern Africa. Established in 1898, Kruger National Park was started to protect big game that had been hunted to near extinction, it is now one of the most prolific animal habitats in South Africa, committed to animal conservation.

During today's safari we will stop at various watering holes where buffalo and antelope are often spotted refreshing themselves, and other visitors may include the legendary 'Big 5'; lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and cape buffalo. We will spend the morning looking for wildlife before stopping at one of the park's restaurant or café options, and after a lunch break we will continue with an afternoon safari experience returning to our lodge in the late afternoon. Stay: Hotel Numbi (Comfortable) (B/D)

Another early start this morning as we head back into Kruger for our second full day on safari. Depending on the animals we spotted yesterday we may choose to focus on searching for some of the park's more unusual and elusive wildlife such as the honey badger, black rhino and eland. After another busy day out on safari, tonight you can sit out under the stars and enjoy a glass of South Africa's best produce, wine. Stay: Hotel Numbi (Comfortable) (B/D)

Today we say goodbye to the savannahs of Kruger as we depart for Johannesburg airport where we will take a flight down to Port Elizabeth in preparation to begin our journey along South Africa's famed Garden Route. We will spend the majority of today travelling, so your leader will ensure plenty of breaks to stretch legs.

We will arrive in Port Elizabeth in the evening and our final leg of the journey is a short 20 minute drive to our hotel. The city, locally known as the Windy City, was first populated as a stopover point on the way to Goa in India, and it was later populated by the British during the colonial period. There is a selection of restaurants just a short walk from our hotel, or alternatively a bar at the hotel if you prefer a quiet evening. Stay: The Kelway Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

This morning we will set off on a two hour journey to the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park. This marine and forest park stretches for 80km, from a lagoon at Nature's Valley to the mouth of the Groot River. Dense forest and sheer cliffs provide an ideal setting for hiking. Storms River is an area of rugged coastline with crashing waves and forest-covered cliffs that are simply spellbinding.

Along the way we will make a stop to purchase a picnic lunch and on arrival your leader will lead an orientation walk of the area. The rest of the afternoon will be free to enjoy a bite to eat by the water's edge, walk along the suspension bridge that spans the mouth of Storm's River, or perhaps choose another route to hike or viewpoint to visit. There are many different paths marked out with differing levels of difficulty, details on each trail can be obtained at the information hut. We'll then wrap up a day of exploring with a drink together just in time to enjoy one of Tsitsikamma's legendary sunsets! This evening's meal options include eating some great seafood in the park's restaurant perched just above the sea or perhaps have a group braai at one of the communal barbeque areas, before taking a short drive to our accommodation. Stay: Storms River Mouth Restcamp (Comfortable) (B)

Tsitsikamma translates as 'place of abundant water' and this morning will be free to enjoy the area at your own pace. Perhaps choose to relax by the pool, take a walk around the village itself, or for the more adventurous explore the canopy walkways and zip wires suspended 30m up among indigenous rainforest where some trees are over 700 years old.

We'll have lunch in the Tsitsikamma area, then drive to Knysna for an evening sunset lagoon cruise around Knysna Heads, the headlands of two peninsulas that enclose and form the Knysna River Estuary. Sit back on board and enjoy views of the rugged coastline, the cruise includes oyster tasting, wine and soft drinks are also included on the cruise. Stay: Knysna Hallow (Comfortable) (B)

Today is a free day to explore Knysna. The region is well-loved for its unspoilt sweeping beaches and boasts an extensive 9km of Indian Ocean coastline, so take some time to relax on the sand or take a stroll along the shoreline.

The lagoon is popular with tourists and local residents alike and is home to fishermen, water sports enthusiasts and many birds, including herons, kingfishers, African fish eagles and Knysna warblers. The waterfront hosts a wide choice of excellent restaurants and cafes and there are good shopping opportunities in town. Your tour leader will be able to make recommendations of activities to do today should you wish. Stay: Knysna Hallow (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast, we leave Knysna behind and get back on the Garden Route to continue along the spectacular coastal road westwards for around 450km towards Hermanus, the whale watching capital of South Africa. Today is a long travel day so your leader will stop regularly for a chance to stretch legs.

Home to the whale crier, Hermanus is a highlight of the Garden Route but retains its small fishing town charm and from June to November it is common to see southern right whales migrating right past the town from the shore! Stay: Windsor Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Today, we have a full day in Hermanus. Depending on your chosen departure date, the day will either be spent with your leader whale watching from the coastal paths, or exploring the nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve.

Whale watching season is typically between June and December with sightings most frequent in September, October and November. We will take a walk along the 12km cliff path in the hope of spotting southern right whales in the surrounding waters after their long migration from the Antarctic. There will be free time to either continue whale watching along the coastal paths or if you prefer spend some time in the town.

For departures operating out of whale watching season, we will visit the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a protected area situated above Hermanus with stunning views out over the town and bay. The reserve has recorded over 1400 species of flora, over 90 species of birds, as well as resident baboons and dassies along the hiking trails. Your leader will guide us along the reserve's red trail through evergreen forest which takes around 90 minutes to complete with a gentle ascent and descent. Upon returning to Hermanus there will be free time to explore the town. Stay: Windsor Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

This morning we will depart early to make our way to the Winelands of the Cape and drive to Stellenbosch, a beautiful town surrounded by vineyards and mountains.

After an hour's drive, we will make our first stop in the Betty's Bay area where we will have an included visit to Stony Point Nature Reserve, home to one of the world's largest African Penguin colonies. The reserve sits on the site of a historic whaling station and thanks to its distance from Cape Town offers excellent penguin viewing without the crowds. We'll be able to follow the path over the craggy outcrops, allowing us to see these flightless birds up close without disturbing their habitat. Although humans are not allowed to wander beyond the path, it does not always stop the penguins joining the trail and setting a slow walking pace!

Later this morning we'll continue and make a stop at the Somerset Village Community Garden for a short orientation tour. This inspiring project has been set-up by a resident of the area to start an 'employment scheme' among the homeless community allowing them to develop skills while earning food vouchers, as well as promoting community gardening and running a weekly farmers market.

Around lunchtime we will arrive in Stellenbosch, where we'll check-in to our guesthouse before enjoying a free afternoon. You may choose to relax in the town, take a walk around the university grounds or maybe visit the museum to learn more about the history of the town. You may like to join a walking food tour to learn about the spices, teas and flavours of South Africa. Alternatively, if you have a taste for South Africa's produce, there will be the option to go wine tasting to two local wineries. Stellenbosch has a reputation for excellent Chenin Blanc, perfectly matched with seafood, caught fresh from the Indian Ocean that morning. If you are more of a red fan, then expect big earthy reds, a great companion for a sumptuous steak or meat on a braai. There is also the local phenomenon of Pinotage, created in South Africa as a blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, the wine has now achieved global recognition and the best place to try it is here in South Africa. Stay: Stellenbosch Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

After a relaxing start, we will drive through rolling green slopes, filled with vineyards as we make our way to Cape Town, our final destination and one of the most iconic cities on earth. We can see the towering Table Mountain from miles away, though if the day isn't clear we will see the cloud rolling over the top of the precipice, either vision is equally impressive.

This afternoon, we will ascend the iconic Table Mountain by cable car. After a heady ride up to the top, there will be time to explore the network of trails which criss-cross the plateau and provide a variety of vantage points over the city, the coastline and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. In the distance you can see Robben Island, the former home of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's favourite son and most famous hero. Apart from its obvious geographical attractions, Cape Town is also famous for its food and drink culture, with an abundance of restaurants choices, from the trendy downtown to the more touristy but beautiful V&A Waterfront.

For our 2024 and 2025 departures we will be using two different hotels in Cape Town, the AHA Harbour Bridge Hotel and the equally beautiful Cresta Grande. Both hotels are located centrally in Cape Town close to both the Waterfront as well as the Greenmarket Square.

Please note: The Table Mountain cable car closes for 2 weeks of maintenance each year usually around the end of July. Stay: Harbour Bridge Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Today is left free for you to choose one of the many optional activities available in the area. If you wish to visit Robben Island, we recommend booking this in advance (please see under optionals for more details). For those wanting to get out of town and see the surrounding areas, another option is to visit Cape Point, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. This trip will also visit Boulders Bay and its resident penguin colony. Or you may prefer to just take a stroll around the city, take in one of the many museums and wander past the colourful houses in the Bo-Kaap (Malay quarter). You could explore District Six and learn about its troubled past or just relax and enjoy the coffee culture of Cape Town. Stay: Harbour Bridge Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Cape Town.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Cape Town at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is around a 30 minute drive from the hotel. (B)