Essence of South Africa

Day 1
Welcome to Cape Town
South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ and her iconic Table Mountain extend a warm welcome as you embark on a small group journey that will reveal the highlights of South Africa. Spend the day delving into Cape Town’s cosmopolitan surrounds before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a dinner.

Day 2
Table Mountain and Tour Cape Town
This morning, we encounter Table Mountain first-hand, ascending via aerial cableway to its vast flat top – a rocky wonderland of rich Cape fynbos and curious dassies (hyraxes). Peer over the bustling City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard keeping a keen eye out for the landmarks your Travel Director will show you during this morning's city tour, including Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap and the Castle of Good Hope. The rest of the day is yours to explore Cape Town at leisure. Ramble up Bree Street to sample the city’s vibrant coffee culture or take a stroll along the Sea Point promenade with the fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Consider joining our Optional Experience to explore infamous Robben Island, with your guide revealing its turbulent past and the cell where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his prison term.

Day 3
Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula
Circumnavigate the Cape Peninsula, from trendy Camps Bay to Cape Point and back. The crashing waves of the Atlantic to your right, the rocky 12 Apostles to your left, wind your way along one of the world’s most magnificent coastal roads towards the outcrop that is Africa’s most extreme south-western tip. Say a quiet hello to the shy penguins of Boulders Beach, see the Cape of Good Hope and travel through charming coastal towns along the way.

Day 4
Cape Winelands and Hermanus Excursion Connect with Locals
Venture to the town of Franschhoek and see during your orientation why it is proclaimed as one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world. Take the scenic Franschhoek Pass to the coastal town of Hermanus for your Be My Guest experience. Connect With Locals when you meet local business owner Stefan, who will treat you to a delicious traditional braai (barbecue) featuring deliciacies such as boerewors, pap and melktert. Over a glass of his homemade wine he’ll share stories of his life in South Africa’s whale watching capital. Return to Cape Town via a scenic driving route, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy your evening at leisure.

Day 5
From City to Safari
This morning, you’ll bid farewell to your Cape Town Travel Director and the Mother City before you fly to Hoedspruit. Here, a private game reserve near Kruger National Park and your Safari Local Specialist for this next adventure awaits. Begin your time in the South African bushveld with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a Shangaan village, learning about their traditions, customs and way of life. Later, settle into Shiduli Private Game Lodge, a Stays with Stories accommodation and your home in the bush for the next three nights.

Day 6
Safari in Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Your adventure begins with an early morning game drive through Karongwe Private Reserve with a Local Specialist game ranger and Shangaan tracker-guide. As the sun rises, you’ll see the bush come alive with the sights and sounds of awakening birds and insects, creating the perfect backdrop for your search for the Big 5.  After lunch, join a local ranger for a hands-on bush walk, where you’ll learn how to track animals and uncover the hidden stories of the African bush, before heading out on an afternoon game drive.

Day 7
Seek out the 'Big 5' Safari Animals in Karongwe
Today enjoy another full day of game drives through Karongwe Private Reserve. Continue to scour the dense brush with your Local Specialist for incredible encounters with Africa’s iconic wildlife. End the day with a traditional sundowner drink overlooking the Game Reserve, keeping your eyes peeled for signs of wildlife that emerge from their cover of darkness.

Day 8
Journey to Johannesburg
This morning, have your camera ready for the last of your game drives and wave farewell to your Safari Local Specialist before your flight to Johannesburg. Meet your Johannesburg Travel Director and check into your hotel in the heart of Sandton that's well located for exploring the nearby restaurants and shopping during your free evening.

Day 9
Discover Historical Soweto Dive Into Culture
Unlock the secrets of the 'city of gold' on a full-day tour. Dive Into Culture during a visit to the Constitutional Hill, Mandela House Museum and the Regina Mundi Church, which chronicles South Africa's tumultuous Apartheid years.

Day 10
Farewell Johannesburg
Our epic encounter with South Africa’s iconic sites comes to an end today. Transfer to Johannesburg International Airport for your onward flight.

Dining Summary
5 Dinner (D)
9 Breakfast (B)
1 Be My Guest (BMG)
3 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
Hermanus: Join a local Hermanus business owner for a traditional braai (barbecue) and some of his homemade wine against a clifftop backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Dive into Culture
: Learn to track animals on an African bush walk with a Local Specialist. You’ll uncover the secrets of medicinal plants, identify animals from just their tracks and spot birds, insects and small animals in their natural habitat. This is your chance to connect with nature like never before and leave with stories –and skills–that will stay with you forever.  
Johannesburg: Learn about South Africa's turbulent past on an interactive Johannesburg and Soweto Freedom tour.
Iconic Experience
Cape Town: Spend the day discovering the wonderful views of Table Mountain.
Cape Town: Take in the landmarks of Cape Town during a city tour with your Travel Director. See the Company Gardens, Bo-Kaap and the Castle of Good Hope.
Cape Peninsula: Discover the incredible views of the Twelve Apostles.
Cape Town: Spend the day surrounded by penguins on Boulders Beach. 
Franschhoek: Take in the spectacular wine valleys of Franschhoek.
Hoedspruit: Have your camera ready to capture the beautiful scenery and fascinating wildlife on your Reserve Tour with a Shangaan tracker-guide. 
Karongwe Portfolio: Spend the day marvelling at Africa's iconic wildlife on your Karongwe Private Reserve Visit. 
Johannesburg: Spend the day seeing the iconic sight of Mandela's house on your Johannesburg City Tour.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Hoedspruit: Meet the Shangaan people and learn about their way of life through music, dance and daily traditions. Watch a performance celebrating the heritage of the San, Shona, Venda, Tswana, Zulu and Shangaan communities. Try your hand at grinding maize or building huts, and learn how architecture, agriculture and family customs shape daily life, before sharing a traditional meal with the community. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 
Must-see Highlights
Explore Cape Town and Johannesburg
Visit Table Mountain by cable car (weather permitting) and Bo-Kaap in Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Franschhoek, Hermanus, the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, the Constitutional Hill, Mandela House Museum and the Regina Mundi Church in Johannesburg
View Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and Soweto's Mandela House
Trafalgar Difference
Hoedspruit: Your stay in Karongwe Private Game Reserve contributes to the area's environmental sustainability and community development.