This once-in-a-lifetime holiday offers the perfect introduction to South Africa, one of the world's most strikingly beautiful countries, and its a jaw-dropping array of wildlife.
Your adventure begins with a journey to Hermanus, one of the best whale-watching destinations in Africa. You'll take a whale-watching tour where you'll likely spot mighty Brydes, Humpback and Southern Right Whales in the wild.
A highlight of the tour will be two nights spent at the Garden Route Game Lodge. This luxury, family-run lodge is set against the backdrop of the Langeberg mountain Range and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five.
You'll set out on four included game drives while at the lodge, giving you plenty of opportunities to spot lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and African buffalo roaming free.
Other highlights of this South African adventure include a trip to the Ostrich Capital of the World on the Little Karoo Plain, a cruise on the beautiful Knysna Lagoon along the Featherbed Nature Reserve, wine tastings in the Franschhoek Wine Valley, and a tour of the famous Kirstenbosch botanical gardens.
Your tour begins and ends in Cape Town, South Africa's coastal capital. On a guided tour of the peninsula, you'll see historical landmarks like the Castle of Good Hope, the House of Parliament and the leafy Company's Garden, and ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the summit of Cape Point for spectacular views.
Your final afternoon in Cape Town will be free to spend as you wish, perhaps with a thought-provoking visit to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, or a stroll along the elegant Victoria and Alfred waterfront.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability and based on 13 June 2025 departure date, from London Heathrow. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Price includes discounts, capacity controlled. Single supplement applies. Deposit £600pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.
Today your adventure begins as you board your flight from the UK to Cape Town.
Upon arrival at Cape Town, you'll meet your tour guide and travel east to Hermanus, a famous whale-watching location, where you'll take a cruise to see incredible Brydes, Humpback and Southern Right Whales in the wild. En route to Hermanus, you'll pause at Stony Point, home to a colony of African penguins.
Later on, you'll arrive at your hotel in Hermanus, perched on top of the cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, where you'll have some time to settle in and refresh after a long journey.
In the evening, you'll head to the nearby restaurant La Pentola, where dinner is included.
This morning you'll travel to the Garden Route Game Lodge, in the heart of a privately operated reserve where you'll be staying for the next two nights, in the shadow of the Langeberg mountains.
This afternoon, enjoy your first game drive, then perhaps relax with a sun-downer beside the traditional Boma campfire before dinner.
During your time here you'll enjoy several safari game drives to see the Big Five - lions, rhino, elephants, leopards and buffalo - while staying in comfortable lodges and enjoying traditional South African dinners while looking out over the reserve.
Your second day at the lodge begins with a pre-breakfast game drive.
On your return to the lodge, enjoy some free time for a siesta in your room or by the pool before setting off on a second evening game drive.
At the end of a full day, you'll enjoy another memorable dinner under the stars.
Enjoy a final early morning game drive before travelling on to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World, in the heart of the Little Karoo plain.
The world's strangest, largest and often most-valuable bird has been farmed here for 130 years - first for its plumage, and more recently for its high-protein, low-cholesterol meat. Enjoy a taste at your barbecue lunch, before visiting the world-renowned Cango Caves, with their caverns of stalactites and stalagmites.
Later on, you'll transfer to Mossel Bay where you'll be staying for the next two nights.
You'll travel to the coastal town of Knysna this morning for a cruise on the beautiful lagoon, bordered by the fascinating Featherbed Nature Reserve.
After the cruise, you'll travel by 4x4 up to the headland for some spectacular views, listening as your expert guide tells you about the local history, flora and fauna. You'll then enjoy a buffet lunch at an outdoor restaurant under a picturesque canopy of milkwood trees.
In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore Knysna's charming waterfront. Why not cross the water to the aptly named Leisure Island, where you can soak up the sunshine on Bollards Bay Beach or go wildlife spotting in the Steenbok Nature Reserve?
A delicious dinner will be included at the hotel's restaurant this evening, rounding off a wonderful day.
Today you'll head west into the verdant Cape Winelands region and to vineyard-laden Franschhoek. While here, look forward to a delicious lunch and a wine tasting in the renowned Franschhoek Wine Valley, before continuing to Stellenbosch, deep in the heart of these scenic landscapes.
With its oak trees and picturesque, European-style Cape Dutch houses, Stellenbosch is a delightful place to spend the night.
Your first stop today is Stellenbosch, where you'll take a guided tour of this historic town, followed by a glass of bubbly and some local nougat.
This afternoon, you'll take a scenic journey to Cape Town, where you'll spend the next three nights, after enjoying an included lunch in a local wine estate.
In Cape Town, you'll enjoy an orientation tour of the city, taking in historical landmarks like the Castle of Good Hope, the House of Parliament, and the leafy Company's Gardens.
You'll also enjoy a stroll past the colourful Bo Kaap colonial district and, weather permitting, ascend Table Mountain in a rotating cable car that offers a 360-degree panorama as it climbs to the 1000-metre-high summit.
It'll be an early start this morning ahead of a day on the road as you take to one of the world's most scenic routes along Hout Bay and the Cape Peninsula.
You'll arrive at Cape Point, a verdant headland home to rolling hills and rugged bays, this area falls in the Cape Floral Region - which boasts around 20% of Africa's total flora.
This afternoon, board the cable-drawn Flying Dutchman Funicular for a gentle ride up to the summit. Here, you'll have the chance to relax in the company of the Cape's breathtaking vistas or pay a visit to the lighthouse that watches over the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
In the evening, you'll have time at leisure to spend as you please. Perhaps explore the Mother City, with its renowned Waterfront and cultural landmarks such as the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa or vibrant Bo Kaap.
You'll travel to Kirstenbosch this morning, famous for its flourishing Botanical Gardens. Nestled against the eastern face of Table Mountain, the gardens here are some of the most biodiverse on the planet.
This afternoon, you're free to explore at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll along the redeveloped Victoria and Alfred waterfront or visit the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, with a short trip across the bay.
After a final breakfast at your hotel, you'll have some free time to spend as you wish before transferring to the airport for your overnight flight home.
You'll arrive back home the following morning, bringing your unforgettable South African adventure to an end.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability and based on 13 June 2025 departure date, from London Heathrow. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Price includes discounts, capacity controlled. Single supplement applies. Deposit £600pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.