Compare Best of South Africa by Mercury Holidays vs Kruger & Cape Town Short Break by Plane by Intrepid Travel
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Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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Duration | 13 days | 11 days |
Price From | $ 2,291 | $ 5,040 |
Price Per Day | $ 176 | $ 458 |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included |
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Description |
This tour offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Big Five on safari at the famous Kruger National Park, soak up the unforgettable scenery along Chapman's Peak Drive, explore cosmopolitan Cape Town and discover the beautiful Winelands region. |
Enjoy an incredible African adventure on this journey from Kruger National Park to Cape Town. Feel the thrill of spotting one (or more) of Africa’s Big Five for the first time on a game drive safari, hear the trumpet of elephants across the plains and learn about the park’s unique ecosystem on a guided walk. Travel to bustling Joburg – a juxtaposing city of mansions and shantytowns – before travelling to the chic streets of Cape Town to learn about the city’s dramatic past. Immerse yourself in the culture, beauty and history of this astonishing region and sample a few glasses on regional wine along the way. |
Day 1: UK to Cape Town
Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight via Johannesburg to Cape Town.
Day 2: Cape Town
On arrival the following day, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 3: Cape Town
Embark on a fantastic full day tour around the Cape Peninsula. Joining one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world - Chapman's Peak Drive - travel to the World Heritage Site of The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and then on to Cape Point where the mighty Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. You will also visit the beautiful marine protected area of Boulders Beach where the sandy shores are home to a breeding colony of over 2,000 endangered penguins.
Breakfast
Day 4: Cape Town
Enjoy day four in Cape Town at leisure, in which you can unwind upon its surrounding beaches or experience this city's lively cultural scene.
Breakfast
Day 5: Cape Town to The Cape Winelands
Today, tour the breathtakingly beautiful Cape Winelands, first stopping at the town of Franschoek, then onto Stellenbosch. Take some time to explore these delightful towns before enjoying a cellar tour and wine tasting at the award-winning Boschendal Estate.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6: The Cape Winelands to Knysna
Take a scenic drive into the heart of the gorgeous Garden Route and into the picturesque coastal town of Knysna. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7: Knysna
This morning, take a ferry across Knysna lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Stopping at some magnificent viewpoints, your guide will describe the area's fauna, flora, history and shipwrecks followed by a leisurely guided walk.
Breakfast & Lunch
Day 8: Knysna to Port Elizabeth
Depart for Tsitsikamma, a section of the Garden Route famed for luscious forests and dramatic coastlines. In the afternoon head to Port Elizabeth, a city known for its laid-back coastal ambiance and bold colonial architecture.
Breakfast
Day 9: Port Elizabeth to Kruger
Fly from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg, where you will be transferred to the town of Mpumalanga. Your retreat within this idyllic space will serve as the perfect base from which to explore Kruger National Park.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10: Kruger National Park
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tour; a guided safari drive in Kruger National Park. One of the biggest, oldest and quite simply one of the best wildlife parks in the world, Kruger boasts the greatest variety of animals including the famed Big Five.
Breakfast
Day 11: Kruger
Today is at leisure alternatively, optional excursions are available, including a unique safari on elephant-back (at a fee).
Breakfast
Day 12: Kruger to Johannesburg
Today, travel along the magnificent Panorama Route, one of South Africa's most stunning scenic drives. With awe-inspiring vistas, the route follows the impressive Blyde River Canyon, before arriving in the city of Johannesburg.
Breakfast
Day 13: Johannesburg to UK
Enjoy a short sightseeing tour of the city, with a stop at the Apartheid Museum for a fascinating insight into South Africa's cultural struggles. Later in the afternoon, head to the airport for your scheduled flight back to the UK.
Day 1 Johannesburg / Greater Kruger National Park
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure starts very early this morning to get you to Kruger for a late lunch. You'll arrive in the Greater Kruger National Park in the afternoon and after some time to settle in, you'll head off on a 3-hour game drive in open 4WDs through a private game reserve. Enjoy the thrill of spotting impalas, zebras, giraffes and lions among the brush. Half way through the safari, stop for drinks at one of the waterholes before continuing the game drive into the early evening. Tonight, why not get to know your fellow travellers a little better in the intimate lodge setting?
Day 2 Greater Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa and is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. This morning you'll rise early, heading into prime game viewing areas to catch a glimpse of some of the Big Five. Have breakfast at one of the picnic spots then continue through the park – game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes. Leave the park in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation.
Day 3 Greater Kruger National Park
Today is another full day of exploring Kruger National Park. Head out on game drives, look out for your favourite animals, soak in the atmosphere and excitement of a safari and take as many photos as your heart desires! Tonight, you'll spend another evening at your lodge. Why not relax around the fire, listening to the night sounds of Africa after dinner.
Day 4 Greater Kruger National Park
Spend the day at the lodge at your leisure today or take part in the optional drive along the Panoramic Route, viewing the Drakensberg Escarpment – some of the most stunning scenery South Africa has to offer awaits. The sights on this drive can include God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and some of the magnificent waterfalls within the Blyde River Canyon.
Day 5 Johannesburg
Rise early this morning and head out on a morning bush walk. Guided by a qualified nature guide, you'll learn about nature's finer details like bird, tree and spoor identification. Transfer back to Johannesburg in the early afternoon. There's plenty of time to stop and explore along the way and take in the amazing views at the viewpoint over the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels. When you arrive, you'll be dropped at the Holiday Inn Rosebank where you'll spend the night. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and is also located next to the Mall of Rosebank.
Day 6 Cape Town
Check-out of the hotel after breakfast today and transfer to the airport. Fly to Cape Town and when you arrive, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Cape Town's stunning coastline, dominating mountain and modern cityscape makes it one of Africa's most appealing cities for visitors. With vineyards on its doorstep, adventure activities around every corner and plenty of restaurants and cafes to while away the time, this is a very easy city to spend time in. You have a free afternoon here, so maybe take a stroll around the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, laze on one of the city’s popular beaches or sample your first taste of authentic South African cuisine while watching the sun set over the bay.
Day 7 Cape Town - Walking Tour & Cape Point Peninsula
Today, you'll drive along the peninsula and see the many natural highlights of the area before retracing 350 years of Cape Town’s history on a two-hour walking tour of the city. Starting on the Atlantic Seaboard, take in natural sights like Maiden's Cove, Sentinel Lookout and the Cape of Good Hope in Table Mountain Nature Reserve. Look out for local wildlife, walk up to the old lighthouse at Cape Point and see the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Carry on to Simonstown, the home of the South African Navy, and to Boulders Beach to see the African penguins. See the prison where Nelson Mandela spent six years of his life then learn about the history of apartheid as you arrive into Cape Town's centre. Gain valuable insight into the effects of racism and discrimination on the lives of modern-day South Africans. See historical sites like the Castle of Good Hope (the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa), significant slavery sites such as the Iziko Slave Lodge Museum, the District Six Museum and the parliament buildings where apartheid laws were made and later repealed. End the day with a photo stop in Bo-Kaap.
Day 8 Cape Town - Winelands
Spend a full day travelling through Cape Winelands, visiting both old and new estates for a taste of the region’s best wines. You'll start off in the Fairview Estate for a wine and cheese tasting. On the slopes of the Paarl Mountain, this working farm is world-renowned for its wines, artisanal cheeses and the iconic goat tower. After, visit the Groot Drakenstein prison where Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990. Then, it's into the hills to Franschhoek. The view of the valley from here is lined with rows of manicured vineyards. Soak up the scenery and enjoy a glass of the region's finest from Rickety Bridge in the La Cabriere Estate. You can take the chance to lunch at the estate’s gourmet restaurant or visit one of the village’s many cafés instead. This afternoon you'll visit the college town of Stellenbosch to wander the boulevards and town center before heading to your final activity – a cellar tour at Hidden Valley Estate, which sits on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. You'll also indulge in a chocolate and wine pairing experience to elevate your time here. Later, return to the city for a free evening.
Day 9 Cape Town
Today is a free day in Cape Town to explore at your own pace. Maybe hit the beach for a full day of relaxation in the sun or hop on the revolving cable car and set off on one of the hundreds of hiking trails that criss cross Table Mountain to its summit. You could even strap on a harness and abseil down! Alternatively, you could head to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were detained or take in the atmosphere of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Tonight, unwind in the evening with an optional group dinner and another few glasses of the region’s best vino.
Day 10 Cape Town
Today is another free day to enjoy this great city. Perhaps take the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour around Cape Town or take a kayaking tour in the morning of the city's gorgeous oceans.
Day 11 Cape Town
Your adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you can depart the accommodation at any time after check out. Additional accommodation can be booked if you’d like to extend your time in Cape Town, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.