South Africa 15 days from US$ 3,445 pp
Day 1: Cape Town
Touch down in sizzling Cape Town where the sun almost always shines and summers are perfect. Eat, drink, play and explore this iconic city for 4 days, visiting Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch, Camps Bay, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, to mention just a few. Go to open air sunset concerts, have high tea at the Mount Nelson, club till you drop, lunch at the Grand Cafe Waterfront, or Tokara, Overture, Cuvee, The Barn, The Apprentice ... or just chill around the pool or on the beach.
Day 5: Paarl
Time for the lyrical winelands, valleys of luscious green vineyards framed by ancient, block-buster Cape fold mountains. Paarl is one of the gems of the area and boasts a main road of great shops, restaurants, galleries and colonial architecture. It is named after a massive granite outcrop ("pearl") in its centre. Eat at Terra Mare, Noop or Cafe Juno, and visit a couple of top wine estates, like Rhebokskloof or Seidelberg, which also features a glass-blowing studio and lovely goodies to buy.
Day 6: Swellendam
After breakfast, drive at utmost leisure through lovely Cape countryside to historic Swellendam and marvel at the old Dutch homesteads in this pleasant village. Overnight in one of these well-restored examples of our architectural heritage and enjoy a gourmet meal and wine to round off your south-western Cape sojourn.
Day 7: Knysna
You are now heading for the famed Garden Route section of the Cape. The drive is easy, mostly on highways, where lots of stops are possible en route for refreshments, shopping or just taking in the sights and letting your camera loose on nature. In Kynsna, the atmosphere is cheerful and laid-back. Visit a power station-turned-restaurant and hotel called The Turbine, enjoy an enchanted forest with elephant specialist Gareth Patterson, walk a lovely long beach called Brenton, see a massive miniature car collection at 34 South, paddle on the lagoon or try some of the many walks and hikes on offer.
Day 10: Port Elizabeth
It's an easy drive to Port Elizabeth, one of South Africa's major cities, and you overnight at a comfortable beach hotel not far from the airport.
Day 11: Kruger National Park
Safari time! Take an early scheduled flight to Johannesbug (1,5 hours) and then connect to your game reserve flight (45 min) to the famous Kruger National Park, to be there by midday. Your game lodge will arrange to have you collected and driven to your lodge for a late lunch. Shortly thereafter your first game drive begins. Stop for a sundowner and to watch the sun set. Continue on your game drive, looking for nocturnal animals like leopard and aardwolf. Dinner is served under the stars and your game ranger escorts you to your chalet or tent after dark. Morning game drives begin early when the day is still fresh and animals are on the move. A late, leisurely breakfast follows, after which an accompanied game walk is offered.
Day 15: Return to Johannesburg
After a morning game drive and full breakfast, depart your game reserve and return to Johannesburg International (45 min) and connect to your flight home.