Magnificent South Africa

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, our representative will welcome you to South Africa and assist you through passport and customs formalities, before providing a transfer to the V&A Waterfront Hotel for a 3-night stay. The balance of the day is free to relax and enjoy the hotel's location on the city's waterfront promenade.

After breakfast set off on an escorted, half-day tour of this fabled city. Start at Table Mountain (weather permitting - cable car fee extra) to enjoy panoramic city views before walking through the stunning Company Gardens. Next visit the South African Museum then the Castle of Good Hope and other historic sites. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, which is free to do more exploring on your own. The evening is at your hotel.

Our full day, guided excursion starts with a beautiful coastal drive to the Cape of Good Hope, passing the trendy beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. At the Cape's Nature Reserve, there is an optional funicular ride for views of the tip of Africa, before driving up the coast past Simon's Town naval base to see the African Penguin colony at Boulders. Our last stop is the world-famous Kirstenbosch Gardens before returning to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Today is completely open to choose from a number of exciting optional excursions such as a tour of Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for many years. Or, take a walking tour through vibrant Bo Kaap with its colourful house that express the melting-pot culture of the Cape Malay, Indian and Malaysian population. For the adventurous there is zip lining on Table Mountain or shark-cage diving. Plus just enjoy Cape Town's cosmopolitan atmosphere and beauty. Overnight is at your hotel.

Depart this morning for a lovely drive into the scenic wine country known for its award-wining vineyards. Stopping en route at Boschendal Wine Estate to sample some fine vintages, we then arrive in Franschhoek for a 2-night stay at Le Quartier Francais. The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy the charming ambiance of the town's French-Hugenot heritage with the stunning backdrop of the Helderberg Mountains. Famous for its creative cuisine, dine (on own account) at one of Franschhoek's exceptional restaurants.

Today we travel through the vineyard-filled valley to historic Stellenbosch. Known for its early Cape Dutch architecture, walk through its charming streets then tour the Village Museum. Made up of 4 notable 18th Century houses, the museum showcases the Dutch period and its gardens. After lunch (on own account), we return to Franschhoek where the balance of the day and evening is at leisure at your hotel. You will also have time to enjoy the hotel's complimentary Mullineau & Leeu Family Estate wine-tasting.

Today you are transferred from Franschhoek to the Cape Town airport to fly to north-eastern South Africa. On landing at the Skukuza Airport, you are met and driven into the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, keeping an eye out for your first sighting of the local wildlife. Check in for a 3-night stay at Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp, a luxury safari lodge. Later, head off for your first sunset game drive, looking for leopard for which Sabi Sands is famous.

Over the next 2 days, experience the African bush and its wildlife at its best either on foot on guided walks and on twice-daily game drives in open safari vehicles with your knowledgeable ranger. Encounter not only the Big 5 - Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Cape Buffalo, but enjoy the over 300 bird species on display. Surrounded by the world-famous Kruger Park where animals move freely between the two reserves, every game drive in the Sabi Sands is a thrilling experience.

A transfer will be provided to take you back to the Skukuza airport for a flight to connect with your homebound flight out of Johannesburg.