Day 1 - London

Flight: London to Johannesburg (Overnight flight)

Day 2 - Mpumalanga

On arrival at Johannesburg Airport you will be met and assisted to connect with your domestic flight to Mpumalanga (Kruger National Park). Overnight at your prefered Hotel.

Mpumalang Introduction

Mpumalanga is the safari capital of South Africa, home not only to part of the world famous Kruger National Park, but also to internationally renowned private reserves adjoining the National Park. The sheer density of game in this region is incredible, yet there is more to Mpumalanga than just a safari experience. It is also here that the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest Canyon in the world can be seen, as part of the spectacular "Panorama Route", which includes the Victorian gold mining town of Pilgrim's Rest and views that stretch to Mozambique visible from Gods Window. With elephant interaction and mobile tented safaris as well as walking safaris to complement the more traditional safari experience, this is paradise for animal and bush lovers. Other highlights of the area include the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary near Nelspruit, the Lowveld National Botanical Garden is on the banks of the Crocodile River, the waterfalls centred around the town of Sabie, spectacular Long Tom Pass and further afield in the province, the trout fishing town of Dullstroom. Mpumalanga

Day 3 - Panorama Route to Kruger National Park

Your day will include sights such as God's Window, with its spectacular views across the Lowveld, Bourke's Luck Potholes, with its extraordinary rock formations, the Blyde River Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the World, the famous Three Rondavels and historic Pilgrims Rest where "Wheelbarrow Patterson" discovered gold before you continue your journey to the Kruger National Park. 3 nights at your prefered lodge.

Days 3 - 6 Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is an area of unique biodiversity with a surface area of more than 20,000 square kilometres i.e. the size of Wales, along the border with neighbouring Mozambique. Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals including the so-called Big Five - buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino; and it's also possible to see how humans have lived in the Lowveld over the ages through the bushman rock paintings and archaeological sites.

Your accommodation at Kruger National Park includes full board and daily excursions and activities with your naturalist guide.

Days 6 - 8 Cape Town (City Centre location)

You will be met at your lodge and taken to Mpumalanga Airport for your flight to Cape Town arriving in the afternoon. On arrival at Cape Town Airport you will be met by our representative and take to your Hotel. Spend two nights at your prefered Hotel in Cape Town.

Day 7 Exploring Cape Town

Explore the city of Cape Town, known affectionately as the Mother City. Your tour will take in the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (built between 1666 and 1679, this is South Africa's oldest building), the lively Greenmarket Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain, which will give you spectacular views over the city and the Peninsula. (The cable car fee is not included as it is weather dependent). As you come back down from the mountain, make a stop at Bo-Kaap, home to the Cape Malay community, with its cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses. In the afternoon continue to Robben Island. This intriguing excursion begins at the Clock Tower, also known as the Nelson Mandela Gateway, in the V&A Waterfront, where you need to gather at least a half an hour before the ferry is scheduled to depart for Robben Island. The Island was a training and defense station in World War 2, and has also served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment, which became world famous as the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum which acts as a focal point of South African heritage. It runs educational programmes for schools and facilitates tourism development - a poignant reminder of the price paid for freedom. As your ferry arrives at the Island, you are joined by a local guide, someone who spent time there during the Apartheid years and is thus able to give a personal and often moving account of the experience. You will also see the cell where Nelson Mandela spent a large part of his life. After a most interesting time of gleaning "behind the scenes" history, the ferry takes you back to the V&A Waterfront.

Days 8 - 10   Self Drive Cape Town - Hermanus -  Franschhoek

You will be assisted and your car delivered at your Hotel for the start of your self drive. Your first stop is Hermanus home of the best land-based destination for whale watching. Stay 2 nights at one of the lovely sea facing boutique Hotels of Hermanus.

Hermanus Introduction

Archaeological evidence found at the nearby Klipgat Cave shows that the Khoi-San were the earliest inhabitants of the area, but the town of Hermanus was originally founded in the early 1800's, by a shepherd called Hermanus Pieters and the protected bay was named after a Royal Naval officer called Walker. Today the charming town has earned the status of being the best land-based whale watching destination in the world. Southern right whales visit Walker Bay from June through to December when the world's only Whale Crier blows his kelp horn to alert the town when the whales are spotted. The whales use the sheltered bay to calf and it is not uncommon to see pods of 50 or more in the peak months, with whales occasionally coming as close as 50 metres to the cliffs. Highly recommended is the "Hermanus Wine Wander" in the nearby beautiful Hemel and Aarde valley, which introduces guests to the most southerly estates in Africa, including Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson.

Day 9 Whale Watching

Depart in the morning (self Drive) to Gansbaai from where your whale watching boat trip starts. Naturalist guide on board will guide the excursion. Besides seeing whales here, you may be lucky and spot some great whites too!

Days 10 - 12 Franschhoek

Today self drive (approx. 2hrs) to the wine region and picture-perfect town of Franschhoek. Spend two nights at your prefered hotel and explore some of the internationally acclaimed wines from nearby states.

Franschhoek Introduction

The picture- perfect town of Franschhoek was founded by the French Huguenots in the late 1600's and still retains its French charm in its café lined streets and small boutique atmosphere. Surrounded by the dramatic Groot Drakenstein Mountains, it is home to internationally acclaimed wines from nearby estates such as La Motte, Moreson and Graham Beck and is also a culinary capital in South Africa, boasting numerous award winning restaurants which draw on menus with a sophisticated local twist. In keeping with its culinary reputation, Franschhoek hosts popular food and wine festivals, while a walk along its little streets will showcase wonderful examples of quaint South African country homes.

Days 12 - 14 Cape Town (Fresnaye location, southern suburbs of Cape Town)

Stay two nights in the leafy southern suburbs of Cape Town situated a short drive from the bustling city centre, at the base of the Table Mountain National Park and are characterised by wealthy neighborhoods on large manicured grounds, forests and paddocks. The oak-lined streets of Constantia, Bishopscourt and Newlands are in the heart of the Constantia wine route, the birthplace of South Africa's wine industry where the historic estates of Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia and Steenberg have wonderful examples of Cape Dutch architecture. This region is also known for renowned restaurants, golf courses, walking trails and the internationally acclaimed Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and has a sense of gentility away from the energy of the city.

Day 13 Is at leaisure or we can organise for a car & driver to take you arround Cape Town stopping for some shopping or maybe relaxing at one of the spectacual beaches nearby.

Day 14 Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK arriving in the UK the following day Day 15.