Snapshot South Africa - Explore with Tours

DAY 1

Arrive at O.R. Thambo International in Johannesburg and head to our hotel in a safe and vibrant part of the City of Gold. Meet up with the group for our pre-departure meeting before heading out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: African Pride Hotel Melrose Arch
Included meals: Dinner

*Interested in exploring Johannesburg before we head off?
We can assist with a pre-departure stay the night before as well as local tours with trusted suppliers such as a Soweto Tour, Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill Tour, a City Street Art Tour and more.

DAY 2

Settle into a comfortable vehicle for a day on the road as we head east towards the Kruger National Park. We take in beautiful scenery as we travel across the Highveld before winding our way down the majestic mountain escarpment and stopping for lunch at a local restaurant along the Panorama route. In the late afternoon we arrive at our accommodation on the edge of the Kruger National Park to get a good night's rest before starting the safari portion of our adventure.

Accommodation: Kruger Gate Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 3

Today we get up early for a full day game drive in Kruger. We spend approximately ten hours exploring the park in search of the famous Big 5 along with a multitude of fascinating wildlife such as giraffe, zebra and various antelope species. The plant and bird life is equally spectacular to many visitors to South Africa’s largest protected conservation area. Open safari vehilces, driven by expert safari guides ensures the best possibility of memorable sightings and insights into the natural world of the Kruger National Park.

Accommodation: Kruger Gate Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4

We have a free morning to enjoy the facilities at the hotel, spend some time at the pool, have a treatment at the spa or head out on an optional morning game drive. In the afternoon we will be going out into the park again for an afternoon game drive hoping to tick off anything that we may have missed the day before.

Accommodation: Kruger Gate Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5

Enjoy a relaxed morning soaking up the last of our bushveld experience before catching a transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for our flight to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town we will be transferred to our hotel near the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. We will have some time this afternoon to settle into our new surroundings before exploring the Waterfront and enjoying our first dinner in the Mother City.

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, light lunch on the flight and dinner

DAY 6

We get straight down to business with a visit to the iconic Table Mountain (weather permitting.) A five minute ride in the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway takes us to the top where one can enjoy exceptional views in every direction. The City Bowl, Atlantic Ocean, Cape Peninsula, West Coast, Robben Island and the distant Cape Winelands can all be viewed on a clear day. We also enjoy a walk to take in the diverse plant life of the Table Mountain National Park. After our visit to the mountain we head to a legendary local restaurant/pub to enjoy a traditional South African meal and some local beverages. After lunch we head on to a local craft distillery to sample some more of the local flavours. This evening is a free evening to enjoy at your own speed.

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 7

An early start is called for today as we make our way to catch a steam train out to the mountains.

“The journey departs from Harbour Bridge Platform (close to the Cape Town International Convention Centre), and meanders through Cape Town and its surrounds until reaching the majestic Sir Lowry's Pass. Arriving at the foot of the pass, the train embarks on an epic climb up one of the steepest railway lines in South Africa. Cresting the peak, the train snakes its way into the lush Elgin Valley before arriving at the Elgin Railway Market.”
We have a couple of hours to enjoy the market before boarding the train for our return journey to Cape Town. Take the chance to get some rest as tonight we have a perfect opportunity to enjoy Cape Town’s nightlife. On our arrival back at the hotel we have some time to freshen up before heading out to a vibrant local restaurant for dinner.

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 

After a few busy days in a row we have an opportunity to get some rest and recuperation. You have the option to simply take it easy or enjoy an optional activity. Robben Island tours can be booked in advance for this day or you can simply explore the city, check out the beaches or go for a hike on Lion’s Head (local hiking guide can be arranged.) The possibilities are almost endless. Paragliding, surfing lessons, Cape Malay cooking lessons ang many more. The famous Oranjezicht Farmers Market or the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill and various other experiences are also on offer.

Accommodation: Commodore Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast

*If the weather stops us from getting up Table Mountain on Day 6 this will be our backup day.

DAY 9

Today we will be exploring the spectacular Cape Peninsula as we head south from the City Centre and through various sections of the Table Mountain National Park. We wind our way along the famous Chapman’s Peak Pass (weather permitting) before heading down to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point to enjoy exceptional views in every direction. From there we head to Boulders Beach to observe the African Penguin after a lunch stop in historic and scenic Simonstown. Our last night in Cape Town is a free evening before continuing on to our next stop.

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast

DAY 10

This morning we say goodbye to Cape Town and make our way to the Cape Winelands. We will have a lovely introduction to the area in the town of Stellenbosch with a Foodies on Foot Tour sampling some local bites and beverages while exploring the town and being filled in on the local history. Before heading to our hotel we will stop off at two of Stellenbosch's famous wineries for a tasting of their favourite wines. We end up at our beautiful accommodation on a stunning winery just outside of town to settle in for the evening.

Accommodation: Asara Wine Estate & Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 11

On our final full day we head out to experience the renowned Franschoek Wine Tram. A short drive through the beautiful scenery of the Winelands takes us to the starting point where the Wine Tram embarks on a trip to three local estates where we enjoy two tastings and a delectable lunch. We head back to the hotel to catch our breath and freshen up before heading into Stellenbosch for our farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Asara Wine Estate & Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner