Highlights of South Africa

This escorted tour blends a selection of South Africa’s quintessential experiences into a well-paced itinerary for lovers of wildlife, walks, and wine. Go on safari in a private Big-Five reserve, ascend Table Mountain by cable car, tour and taste your way around Cape Wineland vineyards, and admire the renowned scenery along Route 62.

What's Included:

• 4-star accommodation
• Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
• Small group size - average 10 people (max 16)
• International flights
• Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced local tour manager
• 11 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 8 dinners
• Welcome sundowner & farewell dinner
• Guided sightseeing & entrance fees for national parks, conservancies & safari reserves included
• 2 full days on safari in a ‘Big Five’ wildlife reserve
• 6 included safaris
• Included tours - Cape Peninsula & Private wine tasting safari
• Hotel porterage included
• 3 nights in a private safari reserve handpicked by Cox & Kings
• Tour world-class vineyards on a private wine-tasting ‘safari’
• Full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula
• Take an early morning adventure to spot meerkats at sunrise

Operator: Cox & Kings

Day 1: Fly to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg

Fly overnight from London (regional connections available) to Port Elizabeth via Johannesburg.

Accommodation: Kariega Private Game Reserve

Day 2: Port Elizabeth - Kariega Game Reserve

Arrive in Port Elizabeth and transfer to the Kariega Game Reserve. After lunch, join a late-afternoon safari drive within the reserve, rounded off with sundowners. Spend 3 nights at the Kariega River Lodge.

Accommodation: Kariega River Lodge Meals included: lunch, dinner

Day 3: Kariega Game Reserve

Board specialist safari vehicles for morning and late-afternoon safari drives in a ‘Big Five’ wildlife reserve. Cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and an assortment of antelope species also roam these lands.

Accommodation: Kariega River Lodge Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Kariega Game Reserve

Morning and Afternoon safari drives.

Accommodation: Kariega River Lodge Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Tsitsikamma & Knysna

After an early morning wildlife drive, head to the Tsitsikamma National Park. Here you can take a scenic walk and cross the suspension bridge that spans the gorge at the Storms River mouth. Then continue west to the coastal town of Knysna. Stay 3 nights at Knysna Hollow.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Day 6: Knysna

This morning, cruise across the stunning lagoon to the Knysna Heads, followed by a leisurely stroll through the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Knysna

Today is a day at leisure to relax or join an optional excursion.

Accommodation: Knysna Hollow Country Estate Meals included: breakfast

Day 8: Oudtshoorn

Drive to Oudtshoorn, known as the 'ostrich capital of the world’. Take a guided tour of the Cango Caves, one of Africa’s most spectacular natural rock formations. Its vast network of tunnels and chambers, which extends for over 4km, is adorned with delicate stalagmites and stalactites. Then enjoy lunch and an informative excursion to a working ostrich farm, where you will come face to face with the world’s largest birds. Overnight at De Zeekoe.

Accommodation: De Zeekoe Guest Farm Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Cape Winelands

Head out on an early morning meerkat adventure, meeting habituated wild meerkats accompanied by an expert guide. Then continue along the scenic Route 62. Stop at the quirky town of Barrydale for lunch (payable locally). Stay 2 nights in the Winelands at the Franschhoek Boutique Hotel.

Accommodation: The Franschhoek Boutique Hotel Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Cape Winelands

Spend a full day touring the Cape Winelands. Drive through mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads between the golden triangle of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. Then join a 4x4 wine-tasting safari at Warwick Wine Estate, sampling ‘Big Five’ grape varieties.

Accommodation: The Franschhoek Boutique Hotel Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 11: Cape Winelands & Cape Town

Take a guided morning walk around Stellenbosch, including a visit to the village museum charting the history of the region. Transfer to Cape Town for an afternoon to explore the bustling V&A waterfront, followed by dinner at a local home in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, tasting authentic Cape Malay cuisine. Stay 2 nights at The Commodore Hotel.

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Day 12: Cape Town

Full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, including an Atlantic seaboard drive past fishing villages and the seaside suburbs of Camps Bay and Hout Bay, finishing at Cape Point. Return via the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a stylish restaurant.

Accommodation: The Commodore Hotel Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Day 13: Cape Town - Fly home

Begin your final morning in spectacular fashion: ascending Table Mountain via cable car (weather permitting; excursion may take place on Day 11). Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home, or extend your journey: spend a few extra days in Cape Town or visit Hermanus for whale-watching. Alternatively, fly to Victoria Falls or take a beach stay in Mauritius.

Meals included: breakfast

Day 14: Arrive UK

*Pre-bookable options at additional expense.