On arrival at Johannesburg Airport you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. The remainder of the day is at leisure and unescorted.

In the afternoon you will be collected from your hotel for a tour of Soweto and then returned to your hotel. At 19h00 you will meet up at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travellers.

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as “Paradise Country”. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, you travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, you travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park. (B)

After an early morning breakfast, you will drive along the spectacular Panorama Route, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26 kilometre long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes’ and historic God’s Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park. (B)

You will arrive back in Hazyview in the late afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or join an afternoon game experience (optional and at own expense).

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle safari through Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game. This afternoon an open vehicle game drive is available. (B)

This morning you travel to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Eswatini (Swaziland) and their traditions. You travel via the capital city, Mbabane, and on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for overnight. (BLD)

After breakfast you will continue south through Eswatini (Swaziland), before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. This afternoon you will join an open vehicle safari in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino. (B)

This morning you will join a cruise on Lake St Lucia (depending on favourable weather conditions) before departing for Durban. Your journey takes you past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. You will arrive in the afternoon and the remainder of your day is at leisure to enjoy the golden beaches of the Indian Ocean. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Durban Airport for your flight to Port Elizabeth (Flight cost not included in tour cost), where you will be met by a representative and once everyone has arrived, you set off to explore the magnificent beauty of the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest. Visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). You will arrive at your hotel in Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. (BD)

After a leisurely breakfast you will enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve (weather permitting), where you can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon. (BL)

Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the “ostrich capital” and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. You will visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour and light lunch, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. You will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check-in and relax before dinner (at own expense). (BL)

This morning you will have the option to enjoy an early morning meerkat safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before travelling to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town (the school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue straight through to Cape Town, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain. (B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour to Table Mountain (at own expense) or simply explore the city. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town’s many pristine beaches. Enjoy an evening of delicious Cape food, captivating theatre and entertaining tales and songs about the people of the Cape. (BD)

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and at own expense seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. You will return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town, where you visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee at own expense), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg. (B)

Enjoy some last minute shopping (unescorted) or sightseeing (at own expense). The Robben Island Tour (at own expense and time permitting), which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion or perhaps just wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets. Later you will be transferred to your departure point for your onward arrangements. (B)