South African Escape

Wamkelekile e iKapa! Welcome to Cape Town! Home to the iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world! The “Mother City” is South Africa's oldest city and one of the country’s three official capitals. Meet your tour leader at the hotel and jump right into the action on a city tour! Explore the city highlights in the heart of Cape Town on a driving and walking tour, see Signal Hill, District Six, Bo Kaap and more. After the city tour, freshen up at the hotel before enjoying a welcome dinner with the group tonight. Get to know your new travel companions and celebrate the first night of the tour!

Take a driving and walking tour of Cape Town: This Cape Town city tour showcases the historic heart of the city. It’s a place with many influences that include Cape Malay and Xhosa communities, as well as a Dutch colonial heritage. The afternoon drive shows off some of Cape Town's most scenic landmarks. The Atlantic coast and Table Mountain National Park are very beautiful at this time of day. 

Welcome dinner: Enjoy an included welcome dinner this evening - the perfect opportunity to get to know your Expat Explore tour leader and fellow travellers from all over the world!

Today is a free day to explore this wonderful city and its surroundings! There are several incredible travel attractions including Robben Island, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the Two Oceans Aquarium and much more! Travellers also have the option to join the Cape Peninsula Day Trip. Experience a scenic drive to Cape Point, see the penguins at Boulders Beach and enjoy a lunchtime stop in Kalk Bay. After the tour, the rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. Upon return, the peninsula tour will include a drop off at the V&A Waterfront - a fantastic shopping, eating and entertainment destination!

It’s time to explore the Cape Winelands! Following breakfast, take a scenic drive through the Cape wine region. The first stop is Stellenbosch, a university town in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Explore the Cape Dutch architecture and laid-back coffee shops, boutiques and art galleries. Lunch is a delicious meal served among the vineyards at a local winery. This is your chance to taste South Africa's signature wine, Pinotage. Learn all about Cape district wines and the wine-making process from a local wine expert. After one more wine tasting tour this afternoon, admire the views on a coastal drive to Hermanus. This evening, enjoy free time to explore this delightful seaside town before heading to tonight’s accommodation.

Visit Stellenbosch: Take some free time to explore the historical university town, admire the mix of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture, the tree-lined streets and relaxing coffee shops.

Wine tasting in the Cape Winelands: Enjoy two wine tastings including lunch at a wine farm in the famous wineland region of the Western Cape.

Explore Hermanus: Savour the stunning coastal views as the tour makes its way to Hermanus. Enjoy free time to explore this delightful town on the Cape Whale Coast Route - if you’re lucky and it’s the right time of year, you might be able to spot whales from the beach!

Today, the Garden Route adventure begins! This morning, why not embark on one of today’s optional excursions? Go Shark Cage Diving and grab the chance to see great white sharks in their natural habitat. Or, enjoy a Whale and Eco tour. This afternoon, enjoy a lunch stop in Riviersonderend before embarking on an orientation walking tour of Swellendam. Then, visit a Cape Aloe Vera factory -  a great place to purchase some locally made aloe products. Today’s last stop is Mossel Bay. This coastal village is a popular holiday destination. Upon arrival, visit Pinnacle Point Caves; this archaeological site is home to fossils dating back 170,000 years! Finally, enjoy dinner at the hotel tonight.

Discover Swellendam: Enjoy free time for lunch in the third oldest town in the Republic of South Africa. Check out the incredible architecture of the Dutch Reformed Church - a striking mix of Italian Baroque and French Gothic influences, with an Eastern dome and Cape Dutch facades.

Visit an Aloe Vera farm: Stop at one of the original aloe factories in the Hessequa region. Sample various Aloe Vera products, walk around in the indigenous garden (with 17 species of aloe) and drink some Aloe tea!

Explore Pinnacle Point Caves in Mossel Bay: Visit Pinnacle Point Caves, a Provincial Heritage Site where human bones from between 40,000 and 170,000 years ago have been discovered!

See more of the gorgeous Garden Route today. First thing this morning, travel to Botlierskop Private Game Reserve for a unique safari experience. Enjoy close encounters with impala, wildebeest, rhinos, lions, giraffes and more! Next up is a visit to Knysna. Enjoy free time to explore and find a great spot for lunch around the bustling waterfront - the fresh oysters are well worth a taste! Afterwards, it’s time for more animal adventures and optional excursions! Roam free with the monkeys at Monkeyland, a multi-species monkey sanctuary. Alternatively, visit Birds of Eden, a unique eco-tourism experience, and the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary. Dinner is included this evening after which you can kick off your shoes for some rest.

Botlierskop Game Drive: Get to know the Garden Route wildlife on an open vehicle safari truck in Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Sightings include buffalo, zebra, giraffe, golden wildebeest, hippos, rhinoceros, lions and more than 200 bird species!

Visit Knysna: Experience the laid-back yet stylish vibe of Knysna, a quaint town known as "the beating heart" of the Garden Route. Get off at the Knysna waterfront - an ideal location with unique and trendy stores, water activities and the most divine dining options.

The outdoors are calling today! The Tsitsikamma forest forms part of the greater Garden Route National Park. The area encompasses rivers, gorges, mountains and lush forests and plantations - the perfect place to get adventurous! The morning is yours to explore as you choose. Options to consider include tree-top canopy tours, bungy jumping at Bloukrans Bridge (the highest bridge bungee in the world!) or the Woodcutters Trail Drive. Then it’s onto the Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park. Take a walk along the coast, cross the impressive 77-metre long Storms River suspension bridge (if you dare!) and enjoy some free time to enjoy lunch overlooking the ocean.

Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth: Walk across a suspension bridge and lookout trail that meanders along the most spectacular ocean and forest landscapes. The highlight of the walk is a famous 77m long suspension bridge over the Storms River Mouth. As you walk keep an eye out for the Knysna Loerie, Cape Clawless Otter and dolphins.

Explore a different region of South Africa today. Leave the Garden Route behind and travel along Route 62.  Heading for the arid Karoo, the drive meanders through the Langkloof valley. Nestled between the Kouga and Tsitsikamma Mountains, this area offers spectacular views. Next, arrive in Oudtshoorn, South Africa’s famous ostrich capital! Enjoy a guided tour of a working ostrich farm, learn more about these big feathered animals and sit down for an included lunch. Next, explore the Cango Caves on a heritage walking tour. This cave valley is a series of dripstone caverns that are more than 20 million years old! This evening, sit down for a traditional Karoo dinner.

Visit a Klein Karoo ostrich farm: Take a guided tractor tour which covers the history of ostrich farming, farming practices and the breeding cycle of these special Karoo ostriches. See ostriches and adorable chicks up-close! A delicious traditional lunch is also included in this experience.

Visit the Cango Caves: Enjoy a visit to the historic Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn. The caves are one of South Africa's hidden treasures and are millions of years old. See the large chambers and learn more about the caves’ cultural and historical heritage.

Karoo Dinner: Eating and drinking in the Karoo is an experience in itself! On the menu tonight are a variety of dishes prepared the traditional way: Braaivleis (BBQ), boerewors (South African sausage), potato salad, fresh seasonal veg and an iconic South African dessert. You might also get to taste true Karoo lamb. It has a distinctly herby flavour due to the fragrant shrubs and grasses sheep naturally feed on in this region. Either way, this is sure to be a sensational culinary experience!

The tour turns back towards Cape Town today. Travel along Route 62 and enjoy a comfort stop at one of the many quirky and charming restaurants and shops along the way. Next, head for Robertson, another fantastic wine-producing region, to enjoy an included lunch before the tour continues to Paarl in the Cape Winelands. Paarl is home to a number of award-winning wine estates. Here, enjoy a cheese and wine tasting. Finally, arrive at the hotel in Cape Town. Make the most of a free evening in the city. Why not visit Camps Bay or book a table at one of Cape Town’s marvellous restaurants?

Explore Robertson: Experience this stunning wine-producing region. It’s known as the valley of wine and roses and sits at the heart of the Route 62 wine route. 

Enjoy a cheese and wine tasting in Paarl: Sample some of South Africa’s most delicious cheese and wine during a stop in Paarl in the Cape Winelands!

Wake up bright and early as a new adventure awaits! Travel to the Cape Town airport first thing in the morning. Catch an included flight to Johannesburg in the Gauteng province, known as the "City of Gold". Soon after, it’s time to travel east towards South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The day ends as the tour arrives at tonight’s accommodation located on the outskirts of the Kruger National Park. Settle down for an included meal under the African sky on arrival.

Time for a full-day game drive of the park! Sitting elevated in the tour bus you can easily spot animals in the bush, perhaps even the iconic Big 5! The Kruger National Park stretches over 20,000 square km and is just a bit smaller than the country of Belgium. In the park, see all African game in their natural habitat. Spot wild animals like cheetahs, wild dogs, leopards, elephants and the white and black rhino. En route, stop at rest camps like Skukuza, Tshokwane and Satara. Around late afternoon, make your way to the safari lodge/hotel on the western edge of the park, for a multi-night stay. Time for a relaxing swim in the pool and a sun-downer or two before our included dinner this evening!

Kruger National Park game drive: Enjoy a full-day game drive through the southern part of Kruger in our air-conditioned tour bus. Keep your eyes peeled for the iconic 'Big 5' - the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard and rhinoceros. Today's Kruger conservation fee is included in the tour price.

Time to further explore the Kruger National Park! Embark on a safari in open safari trucks led by local wildlife specialists. A full-day safari drive offers the opportunity to spend the day driving in prime game viewing areas, stopping at various waterholes and rest camps. Snacks and lunch are served picnic style along the way. Try to spot some of the resident antelope, birds and wildlife from the truck. Fingers crossed you’ll be able to tick off more animals on your list! Did you know that Kruger National Park is home to 114 different species of reptiles, 507 kinds of birds and 147 mammal species? Come across some of the most amazing creatures in Africa. Slip into the pool on return to cool down before enjoying an included dinner - in true African style.

Today, enjoy the option to go on a full-day, half-day or sunrise safari. The sunrise safari offers the chance to be outside in the African bush during an enchanting time of day. Listen to the chorus of animals as they awake and the sun rises over the savanna. As it gets cooler the animals move around to find food, and your guide will follow to see if there's anything interesting to see. This evening, enjoy the last dinner in the African bush. Spend time around the campfire exchanging safari stories and sipping Amarula (an African liqueur made with fruit of the Marula tree).

Leave the Kruger National Park behind, discover the Panorama Route through the Mpumalanga province. The first destination is the renowned Three Rondavels viewpoint with a stunning vista over the Blyde River Canyon. This canyon forms part of the Drakensberg ridge and is known for storybook views. Next is Bourke’s Luck potholes, a natural water feature with hundreds of natural potholes and plunge pools. This area marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. On a clear day, you can see the Kruger and even Mozambique in the distance. Continue the final leg of the tour back to Johannesburg. Sit down for a farewell dinner with new friends!

Three Rondavels viewpoint: Take in views of three famous mountain tops that tower over the Blyde River Canyon. Named after a traditional round-shaped African homestead, The Three Rondavels is one of the major attractions in the area. Various look-out points are sure to offer fantastic photo opportunities. 

Bourke’s Luck Potholes: Take a short walk and wander around what has been dubbed "nature's wishing well". See numerous waterholes, plunge pools and impressive rock formations. Visit the information centre to learn more about the natural history as well as the San people, the earliest inhabitants of this region.  

Blyde River Canyon Viewpoint: Get one last look at the majestic Blyde River canyon. This must be one of the most cherished and most photographed views in South Africa. See the Lowveld of South Africa with the Kruger National Park and Mozambique in the far distance. 

Farewell dinner: Sit down for one last special dinner together with the group in Johannesburg. You are now in the bustling city of Johannesburg, the second largest city in Africa. Exchange stories, highlights and memories as you look back at your two-week South African experience.

The South Africa Escape tour concludes after breakfast. Have one last breakfast together to say bon voyage. Guests are welcome to stay on to explore Jozi, as the locals call Johannesburg, and enjoy one of the optional city tours available.