South Africa: Kruger, Cape Town & Stellenbosch Vineyards

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Johannesburg: Welcome to South Africa

  Africa's most populous city, Johannesburg is an exciting launch pad for adventures of all kinds. A thriving art and food scene tell the story of a city embracing its unique identity while honouring its complex history. Welcome to Johannesburg, and to South Africa, and we invite you to learn the past and the present South Africa. Join your CEO and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing. Head out for a delicious meal in Nelson Mandela Square-known for the iconic six metre statue of Mandela himself.

• Day 2 • Pridelands Conservancy: Wildlife Tracking

  What does it take to be a guide in South Africa? How do you learn the way each animal leaves its mark on its surroundings? What is it like being on foot in the African bush at dusk and dawn? Ecotraining is the leading guide training company in Africa and your African journey starts with an exclusive two day experience learning what it takes to be a guide in these iconic national parks and conservancies. This is not just a safari-this is an opportunity to step into another life for a brief two days. Ecotraining promises to leave their guides "passionate guardians of nature" and we guarantee you will gain the same passion during your time in the Pridelands. A 4500-acre former buffalo hunting farm, Pridelands Conservancy is now your playground for the next two days. The conservancy lies just outside of the town of Hoedspruit, adjacent to Kruger National Park. After a short flight to Hoedspruit, embark on a search for wildlife with your guides, learning how to recognize animal patterns and behaviours.

• Day 3 • Pridelands Conservancy: Nocturnal Wildlife

  Begin the day at dawn, heading out on foot with your guides in search of elephant, buffalo and zebra. Breakfast is served out in the bush with wildlife free to move about while you dine. Safari drives in the afternoon focus on animal identification and behaviour with an extra focus on situational awareness when near large wildlife. After a full day exploring with your hosts, dinner is served al fresco at the Ndlovu Dam. Eating most of your meals in the bush maximizes the time you spend completely immersed in this special environment. Work on perfecting your bird calls over dinner with your fellow travellers.

• Day 4 • Kruger National Park: Safari Sundowners

  Kruger National Park is so vast and so full of wildlife, history and culture that travellers often return again and again, uncovering new discoveries each time. If this is your first or twenty-first time, safari drives and sundowners never get old. Your day begins with a drive to the lodge. Another afternoon safari drive makes for an incredible first day in the park. It's hard to improve upon morning and afternoon safari drives in Kruger park. But we think downtime for the pool and sundowners in the bush just might hit the spot.

• Day 5 • Kruger National Park: Walking Safari

  Kruger at dawn is unlike anything else on earth. Animals are waking and so must you, if you want to have the best chance to witness their behaviour first thing in the morning. Accompany your local guides on a walking safari through the national park. Set off on a morning walking safari through the Bush. Return to the lodge for breakfast followed by free time. Then, enjoy another safari drive in the afternoon to get out into the bush and spot wildlife. Time flies when you're having the adventure of a lifetime. Celebrate this evening with your fellow travellers during dinner at the lodge.

• Day 6 • Stellenbosch: Wine and Dine

  Known for good food and wine, Stellenbosch offers a welcome contrast to the safari adventures thus far. Set amongst the verdant green vineyards and with the towering Drakenstein mountains in distance, its easy to imagine just sitting and just "being" in this peaceful of a place. But first things first-dig into a three course dinner at Mertia restaurant, known for their colourful plates inspired by what grows locally. Your hardest choice today is whether its wine or coffee after dinner. Walk to Granite Rock for an outdoor picnic breakfast. Then, a flight from Kruger brings you southbound to Cape Town. Before your Cape Town discoveries start, spend two days discovering the bustling town and quiet vineyards of Stellenbosch. Delicious food and wine await.

• Day 7 • Stellenbosch: Your OMG Day

  Stellenbosch is known for its beautiful vineyards. With an e-bike or your own to feet, you will be able to pedal as much-or as little-as you wish while exploring the farmlands and vineyards between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Sample wine and gourmet snacks but don't worry about filling up, because there will be a picnic lunch on a green lawn overlooking the scenery. Choose to e-bike or hike through the countryside of Stellenbosch. It will be easy to see why it has become an iconic destination for food and wine. The vineyards themselves are sprawled out as far as the eye can see, mountains rising as a backdrop against the rows of vines. While using your e-bike or own two feet to get around, visit a number two vineyards and choose to sample the wine, the delicious coffee, or the gourmet food. Enjoy a picnic lunch before spending the afternoon at leisure.

• Day 8 • Cape Town: Peninsula Exploration

  Spend the day exploring the beauty and wildlife of the Cape Peninsula. Travel through the heart of the region, crossing the dramatic route of Ou Kaapse Weg with sweeping views across False Bay and the Cape Flats. The road winds back to the Atlantic coast at Hout Bay, a working harbour framed by rugged mountains. Enjoy a true taste of the natural beauty found here. Begin the day with a short drive from Stellenbosch. Once in Cape Town, set off on a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. After a thrilling day join your fellow travellers for dinner on the iconic Cape waterfront.

• Day 9 • Cape Town: Table Mountain

  Without doubt the most recognizable symbol of Cape Town, Table Mountain rises behind the city touching the clouds with its flat top. Reach new heights as you kick back and relax in a cable car ride to the top. Take the Aerial Cableway all the way up to the top of Cape Town's flat-topped landmark and gaze upon the city from one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. This afternoon there will be a walking tour that hits many of the key sites and discusses the history and resilience of the region. Then, there will be a cooking class with Cape Malay staples like samosas and curry, followed by a Farewell Dinner at Lekka Kombuis.

• Day 10 • Cape Town

  Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today.