Grand South African Highlights and the Blue Train

DAY 1 – CAPE TOWN TO STELLENBOSCH

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you make you way to the Bidvest Car Rental Kiosk to get your Rental Car. Drive to Stellenbosch, a blend of historical architecture, epicurean delights and oak-lined avenues, Stellenbosch is a picturesque university town surrounded by mountains and vineyards. Tour the town centre to take in its beautifully preserved Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, as well as the many enticing art galleries, craft shops, clothing boutiques and gift stores, while foodies may prefer indulging in mouth-watering cuisine and fine wines at one of the chic restaurants or buzzing bistros. Stellenbosch is also the ideal base from which to explore the renowned local wine route, boasting a high proportion of the country’s leading wine estates. (Overnight Stellenbosch)

DAY 2 - STELLENBOSCH

Today enjoy your included Stellenbosch Winelands Hike: Stroll through the private vineyards of two of Stellenbosch’s most esteemed Wine Estates. Mingle with the farm workers, and if you’re lucky, lend them a helping hand. This guided hike gets you up close and personal with the inner workings of a wine estate and takes you on a journey from farm to table, whilst allowing you to touch, smell, feel and see the produce of the farms labour. Then Franschhoek Winelands Hike: Embark on a journey through the manicured vineyards of the Franschhoek Valley. Allow yourself to be led through Fynbos, alongside a riverine trail and through vineyards, immersing yourself in working farm life before rewarding yourself with tastings at two of Franschhoek’s top estates. (Overnight Stellenbosch) B

DAY 3 – OUDTSHOORN

After breakfast, you make your way to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of the World. Located along the well-known Route 62 in South Africa’s beautiful Klein Karoo, this charming town is surrounded by numerous ostrich farms and the golden arid landscape of the Karoo. Visitors can enjoy the locally produced wine and port; sample ostrich meat and biltong; learn about the ostrich feather boom at the C.P. Nel Museum; and visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, the largest cave system in Africa featuring ancient rock formations and sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. Perhaps take a trip to the quaint town of Prince Albert over the scenic Swartberg Pass. (Overnight Klein Karoo) B

DAY 4 – KNYSNA

Safari Ostrich show farm, which is an operating farm where you will see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development in the surrounding fields, is your morning tour. You are greeted by a guide who will explain every aspect of ostrich farming, from breeding to rearing. Visitors will get the opportunity to test the strength of the eggs by standing on them - a great photo opportunity. Then take the Swartberg experience at Kobus se gat restaurant famous for traditional South African Karoo dishes mainly prepared on the open fire. Traditional choices like the famous Braai Experience, Bobotie, Potjiekos and Ostrich Fillet Steak. Traditional bread (Roosterkoek) forms part of every meal and is served warm with a variety of marmalade. Later afternoon arrival in Knysna. (Overnight Knynsa) B L

DAY 5 – ST FRANCIS BAY

We start the day with the John Benn Featherbed Nature Experience, a double-decker floating restaurant offering daily lagoon cruises to the Knysna Heads. The John Benn is a fully enclosed luxury ferry, beautifully appointed with her upper and lower decks constructed from Yellowwood sourced from the Knysna Forest. After lunch make you way towards Cape St Francis: why not stop off and see the Big Tree and Storms River Bridge. Upon arrival in Cape St Francis, check in at your hotel, where you will be for the next 2 nights. (Overnight St Francis Bay) B L

DAY 6 – ST FRANCIS BAY

Time to enjoy the beach on a day of leisure (Overnight St Francis Bay) B

DAY 7 – GAUTENG

Make your way to Port Elizabeth for your early flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, make your way to the Bidvest Car Rental Kiosk to collect your rental car and make your way to your next hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, join the Ndebele Cultural Village tour, which includes lunch. (Overnight Gauteng) B L

DAY 8 – LOWVELD

Head towards your first real Safari Experience, via the Panorama Route (all entrance fees payable locally). Sandwiched between Mozambique and the Mpumalanga area of the Drakensberg, the Lowveld is renowned for its subtropical climate, abundant wildlife, and ancient history. This area encompasses several spectacular game reserves including the world-famous Kruger National Park, vast farmlands, and the popular Panorama Route. This area serves as an excellent base from which to explore the Kruger. (Overnight Lowveld) B D

DAY 9 – LOWVELD

Today you join a Full Day Guided Kruger National Park Game Drive in an open safari vehicle. Stretching over more than two million hectares, the Kruger National Park is one of the world’s largest game reserves and a truly remarkable destination. Owing to its exceptional size, visitors can experience fantastic diversity – from changing scenery and ecosystems to an impressive array of animals, plant life and birdlife. The park is home to over 130 mammals and over 500 bird species. Visitors can look forward to learning about the area’s prehistoric past and viewing abundant wildlife including the famed Big Five. The diversity and sheer density of wildlife makes Kruger National Park an unforgettable and potentially life-changing experience. (Overnight Lowveld) B D

DAY 10 – JOHANNESBURG

You start the day with an early morning Game Drive before departing for Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will return your rental car and make use of the complimentary airport transfer to your next hotel. (Overnight Johannesburg) B

DAY 11 - THE BLUE TRAIN

After breakfast join the half day Soweto Tour, with a drop off at Capitol Park Station for your next adventure - The Blue Train. Once onboard afternoon tea is served. Then you have time to change for dinner which is followed by post dinner drinks cognacs and Cuban cigars (Overnight Blue Train) AT D

DAY 12 – THE BLUE TRAIN

Breakfast is served between 6am and 9am. After breakfast there is an off-train excursion to Kimberley Open Mine Museum before returning to the train for aperitifs and lunch. Then you have time to admire the great views before afternoon tea and dinner (Overnight Blue Train) B L AT D

DAY 13 – CAPE TOWN

Upon arrival back in Cape Town, you will be transferred to your hotel for the last two nights of your holiday. Then start the half day city tour on Table Mountain. On a clear day from the summit of Table Mountain you get spectacular views of the City, its Waterfront, Camps Bay, the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountains to the East and the mountains of the Cape Peninsula all the way down to Cape Point to the south. The Table Mountain cableway, a must for all visitors to the Cape, boasts revolving floors, giving passengers a 360-degree view. After descending the mountain, you will depart on a tour of the “Mother City” taking in Signal Hill – where the Noon Day Gun is fired at midday, every day except Sunday – through the colourful Bo-Kaap or Cape Malay Quarter, past the Grand Parade, City Hall and the Castle of Good Hope and South African Cultural History Museum. (Overnight Cape Town) B

DAY 14 – CAPE TOWN

A full day Cape Point tour highlights of a trip down to Cape Point include; one of the world’s most spectacular drives, Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek Beach, the Cape Point Nature Reserve, two lighthouses on the tip of Africa, Boulders Penguin Colony, Simonstown, Kalk Bay and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. (Overnight Cape Town) B

DAY 15 – CAPE TOWN

Although you have come to the end of you journey, why not spend the day at leisure or alternatively join a Half Day Township Tour, including Robben Island, before your transfer to the airport to head home. B