12 Days South Africa Tour

This tour of South Africa starts in Johannesburg. On arrival in Johannesburg, you will be met by The Earth Safari representatives and assisted to the Peermont’s complimentary shuttle, for transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the hotel in leisure in a resort environment.

Overnight at Peermont Metcourt Hotel or Similar

Meals: None

After breakfast you will be transferred by road to Kruger National Park. On arrival you will be driven to the Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge (6 hours drive from Johannesburg).

Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge is located within the Imbali concession area of the Kruger National Park. This private 10 000 hectare wilderness area is situated 35 km from Orpen Gate in the central Kruger region, bordering the Manyeleti and Sabi Sands reserves. Kruger National Park boasts one of the most diverse game viewing experiences in South Africa and is home to an estimated 1, 500 lions, 12, 000 elephants, 2, 500 buffalo, 1, 000 leopards and 5, 000 rhino (black and white).

Depending on time of arrival at the lodge you may be in time to join the afternoon game drive, otherwise settle into your room and freshen up for dinner.

Overnight at Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3:Kruger National Park

The day starts early at Hoyo Hoyo with a morning game drive, followed by breakfast. You will then spend the rest of the day at leisure at the lodge, relax by the swimming pool which has a great view over the busy waterhole. Lunch is followed by more relaxation, then high tea and an afternoon game drive, returning to the lodge in time for dinner.

Game drives are conducted in open safari/game viewing vehicles with experienced and informative Rangers. Alternatively take a guided walk, or relax on the deck and view the animals that come to enjoy the adjacent waterhole.

Lions are scattered throughout the Park, most commonly found in the grasslands, where their favourite prey of Zebra and Wildebeest are found. The “Mluwati Pride” are frequent visitors to the Ngwenyeni Dam and the immediate area around the lodge.

Leopards are shy animals that hunt at night. Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge is fortunately in a high leopard density area and sightings are frequent. Spotting the tawny-yellow body with black rosette spots, as it blends in perfectly into its surrounds is a definite highlight of any nocturnal safari.

The guides will be more than happy to share their unrivalled knowledge of the areas’ feathered friends with guests.  There is so much to learn about birds on the Concession.  From the fierce Marshall Eagle to the smallest and most delicate Blue Waxbill. 

 Overnight at Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4:Kruger National Park – Johannesburg

After an early breakfast you will be transferred back by road to Johannesburg, you will overnight at Peermont Metcourt Hotel.

You will spend the afternoon and evening at the Emperors Palace Complex, which has a variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment options. Alternatively take the Gautrain to Sandton and enjoy the shopping and dining options on offer here.

Overnight at Peermont Metcourt Hotel or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

Today after breakfast you will be collected at your hotel and transferred to Johannesburg Airport for your flight to George.You will be meet by your guide for a private road transfer to your Knysna accommodation (1 hour drive).

Upon arrival in Knysna, one of South Africa’s favourite towns you will be at leisure. This town lies nestled on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route and is known for its oysters.

In the evening you will enjoy a cruise on the Knysna Lagoon to the awe-inspiring Knysna Heads and then can spend the rest of the evening exploring the Knysna waterfront with its array of interesting shops and dining options.

Overnight at Knysna Log Inn or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

Today we travel to Oudtshoorn (1 hour 40 minutes one way) in the Klein Karoo, meandering through the majestic mountains and river valleys, over scenic passes and passes picturesque vineyards and orchards.

On arrival in Oudtshoorn, the ‘Ostrich capital’ we will visit an Ostrich Farm for a tour to learn more about these flightless birds and the history of their farming in the area. You will even have to the opportunity to sit on or ride an ostrich if you are brave enough!

Then onto the Cango Caves to explore this fascinating network of caves and limestone rock formations. Experienced cave guides will take you through the caves on an easy hour long tour where you will get to know more about how these caves were formed, discovered and explored.

Afterwards we will visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch, a sanctuary to some of the world’s most endangered species, including white Bangal Tigers, cheetah, Modagascan lemurs and Nile Crocodiles. You will have an opportunity to interact with several species on one of the unique Animals Encounters experiences (for your own account).

Return to Knysna in the early evening.

Overnight at Knysna Log Inn or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

Today after breakfast and check out we make our way to the beautiful coastal town of Hermanus (4 hours 15 minutes).

There are so many options of things to do in Hermanus… take in some fresh air and do an easy cliff side walk, visit the daily craft market or browse the town’s speciality shops and pamper boutiques. Hermanus also boasts a wine route and an art route. For the more adventurous there is the option of shark cage diving in the nearby town of Gansbaai.

During the whale season (June to November with the peak season being August and September) you might opt for a boat based whale-watching excursion (for your own account), however some of the best sightings of the whales are from the cliff tops on the edge of the town. The world’s only Whale-Crier alerts tourists to whale sightings in the bay using a horn made from kelp.

Overnight at Harbour House Hotel or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast and check out we make our way to Cape Town (2 hours 15 minutes).The hotel is situated on the vibrant historic Green Market Square, which has many stalls offering a wide variety of clothing and art and crafts from all over Africa. The cobbled stoned square is surrounded by al fresco eateries and is always bustling with people. Spend some time soaking up the lively atmosphere of this colourful market.Cape Town’s famous Long Street, centre of the city’s nightlife, is just around the corner and offers an endless stretch of bars, restaurants and night life hot spots.Alternatively the V&A Waterfront is just a short drive away from the hotel and offers an abundant variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment to suit all tastes and age groups. The setting is spectacular, with Table Mountain forming the backdrop to this lively, cosmopolitan attraction.

Overnight at Inn on the Square or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

Today you will be taken on a half day City Orientation Tour to learn all about Cape Town’s rich history and vibrant cultures. Some of the highlight stops will be the beautiful Company Gardens and the Castle of Good Hope, a historical fort which is the oldest building in the country. You will also visit the colourful Bo Kaap area, previously known as the Malay Quarter, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill this is the spiritual home of Cape Town’s Muslim community.We then take a trip up Cape Town’s landmark and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Table Mountain.

A 5-minute cableway ride takes you to the top of the mountain from where you will enjoy uninterrupted views over the city bowl and across the peninsula.

* Please note, this activity is weather permitting & for your own account.The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure at the vibrant V&A Waterfront, where you can do some shopping, have a meal and soak up the exciting atmosphere, take a trip on the observation wheel, visit the aquarium or perhaps do the Robben Island excursion… your choices are endless!

Overnight at Inn on the Square or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we head out for a full day tour of the scenic Cape Peninsula. Travel along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay, passing magnificent beaches and the coastal suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandadno. From Hout Bay Harbour you have the option of a boat trip to Duiker Island (for your own account), to see the thousands of Cape Fur Seals living on this rocky outcrop. Hout Bay Harbour is a busy fishing harbour sure to keep you entertained and your cameras snapping. Browse for souvenirs at the Hout Bay Craft Market or take a walk on the beach and paddle your feet in the sea.

The tour continues over Chapman’s Peak, known as one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world, all the way along the Peninsula to the most southern tip at Cape Point. An invigorating walk takes you to the two lighthouses at the top and bottom of the headland, from where you will enjoy extraordinary views of the cliffs and the ocean below. Alternatively you could take a short funicular ride to the top (for your own account). Take a photo down at the most south western point of the African continent at the Cape of Good Hope beach.

Lunch will be enjoyed at a seaside restaurant (for your own account) before we make our way along the False Bay coastline to the Naval village of Simon’s Town. We will visit the delightful African Penguins of Boulders Beach and then the drive takes us back via Cape Town’s coastal and southern suburbs for a final stop at the beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

Overnight at Inn on the Square or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

This delightful drive winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads.Spend some time at leisure in the heart of Stellenbosch before a wine & chocolate tasting at the Waterford Estate.
Travel over the Helshoogte Pass to the town of Franschhoek for a wine tasting, and possibly Shnapps as well, at Cape Chamonix in their “Blacksmith’s Cottage”.

Franschhoek’s main street is a treasure trove of fascinating little shops offering antiques, collectable books, jewellery, designer clothing, artworks and chocolate. Franschhoek is also home to several of the country’s top restaurants and award winning chefs, so you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding on your dinner venue.

Final tasting at a Paarl estate.

Note: Alternative estates may be visited over weekends and public holidays.

Overnight at Inn on the Square or Similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your outward flight.

Meals: Breakfast