Best of South Africa

After taking your VIP door-to-door travel service to the airport, fly overnight to Johannesburg.

Arrive and transfer to Dullstroom (159 miles, three hours) where you’ll have lunch and stay overnight at the 3-star Critchley Hackle Lodge (4Q).

The Lodge is set in attractive grounds with a private trout lake and an outdoor pool, just a five-minute walk from the centre of Dullstroom. There is a restaurant, a bar and a spa (treatments at extra cost). There are 24 rooms, all with a private patio, television, safe, tea and coffee-making facilities and a hairdryer. Dinner is at the hotel tonight. L, D

After breakfast, travel to Kruger National Park (122 miles, three hours), stopping en route to buy yourself lunch.

You’ll stay at the 4-star Kruger Gate Hotel (4Q) for three nights. The rustic-style lodge is set in a wooded area beside the Sabie River, 100 metres from the Paul Kruger Gate to the Park.

The communal areas – the two restaurants, bar, lounge and terrace – are reached by elevated walkways. There’s an open-air dining area or boma, an outdoor pool, a fitness room and a spa. There are 96 air-conditioned guest rooms, all with a television, tea and coffee-making facilities, an iron and ironing board, hairdryer and safe. B, D

Discover the beauty of this part of the world on a full-day Panorama Route tour, with lunch included.

Drakensberg is the eastern and highest part of the Great Escarpment that edges the central South African plateau. You’ll travel through the Mpumalanga highlands of the Drakensberg escarpment to the red sandstone mountains surrounding Blyde River Canyon. It’s one of the largest canyons in the world and its dense sub-tropical vegetation is a haven for wildlife.

You’ll make photo stops at various viewpoints, including God’s Window which offers spectacular views of the Lowveld half a mile below. At one end of the canyon you’ll see the Three Rondavels – three round, domed mountains that are the same shape as the traditional African huts known as rondavels. Another major attraction is the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. These are deep holes in the rock created by erosion at the meeting point of the Blyde and Treur Rivers. View them from the metal bridges that stretch across them. You’ll also visit the well-preserved historic gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest. B, L, D

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Kruger National Park on an included excursion.

It's one of the biggest game parks, almost the size of Switzerland, and one of the oldest, having been established in 1898. It's also where you may be lucky enough to see some of Africa’s magnificent wild animals in their native habitat such as the ‘big five’ of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino, as well as cheetah, giraffe and hippopotamus. You'll travel in an open-sided four-wheel-drive vehicle with an expert guide and, while you may have seen African animals in zoos, little can prepare you for the thrill of seeing wild animals up close in their natural environment. You’ll have time to buy yourself lunch at one of several Rest Camps during your day in the Park.

Dinner is at the hotel tonight. B, D

After an early start, transfer to Johannesburg by road (270 miles, five hours and 30 minutes) for your onward flight to Gqeberha (90 minutes), where you stay overnight at the 5-star The Boardwalk Hotel & Spa (4Q).

The hotel has a grand, Victorian-style appearance, and overlooks the Indian Ocean. There is a restaurant, lounge and bar, indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre and a spa (treatments at extra charge). There are 140 rooms, with air-conditioning, a balcony, satellite TV, telephone, high-speed Internet access, tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, iron and ironing board. There are many restaurants nearby where you might like to have dinner tonight. B

Depart Gqeberha for a scenic drive along the Garden Route to Knysna (183 miles, three hours and 30 minutes) where you’ll stay for two nights.

En route you’ll visit Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park, a conservation area of ancient forests, waterfalls and gorges. Walk out onto the suspension bridge to appreciate the outstanding views. While here you’ll have free time to buy yourself some lunch.

Continue your journey to Knysna and the 4-star The Rex Hotel Knysa (3Q). Set close to the Knysna Waterfront shopping area, the hotel is light and bright with contemporary furnishings. There is an outdoor pool and sun terrace, and a restaurant. All 56 standard rooms have air conditioning, a balcony, television, tea and coffee-making facilities and a hairdryer. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. Dinner is at the hotel tonight. B, D

Located on a beautiful lagoon in a natural amphitheatre of hills, Knysna is surrounded by lush indigenous forests, mountains, lakes and golden beaches. The town has become a popular resort, with numerous restaurants and craft shops.

Today join an included cruise on Knysna Lagoon. Step aboard the paddle steamer MV John Benn for a leisurely cruise to the two dramatic sandstone formations, known as the ‘The Heads’, which sit at the entrance of the lagoon protecting it from the waters of the Indian Ocean. During the cruise you will pass islands and saltwater marshes and enjoy lunch on board whilst taking in views of the distant Outeniqua Mountains. B, L, D

Depart Knysna this morning for Hermanus, travelling along the scenic Garden Route (255 miles, four hours and 30 minutes).

Stay two nights at the 4-Star Misty Waves Boutique Hotel (4Q+). The hotel has a restaurant overlooking the outdoor pool and gardens, a small cinema and free Wi-Fi throughout. All 30 air-conditioned rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.

Once a small fishing village, Hermanus is now a popular seaside resort, often referred to as the 'Riviera of the South'. It offers the best shore-based whale watching in the world when, around July, Southern Right Whales arrive in Walker Bay for breeding and mating, within view of the cliff paths. The scenic coast road offers spectacular views and is a good place from which to spot many whale species between July and November.

Dinner is at the hotel tonight. B, D

Today is at leisure to explore the shops and craft markets of the village, stroll on the promenade or take a walk along the cliff top path for fabulous views over Walker Bay.

Alternatively, head to the peaceful Voelklip Beach for a dip.

Dinner is not included tonight but there are plenty of eating places close to the hotel. B

Depart Hermanus this morning and head inland on a scenic drive into the Cape Winelands and Franschhoek (66 miles, 90 minutes).

En route, you’ll stop for lunch (at your own expense) at the Country Pumpkin in Barrydale, a popular farm shop and restaurant. Continue to the pretty town of Franschhoek, set in a valley between the Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains. Founded by French Huguenots in 1688 – Franschhoek is the old Dutch spelling of 'French corner' – the town still retains a distinctly Gallic charm. It's known as the gourmet capital of South Africa and in the main street restaurants, cafes and food shops mingle with art galleries and antique emporiums.

You'll stay at the 5-star Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa (4Q+) for two nights. This stylish hotel, surrounded by vineyards, has a restaurant, a terrace bar and lounge and a spa (treatments at extra cost). All 79 air-conditioned rooms have a television, telephone, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers and complimentary Wi-Fi. Dinner is not included, but complimentary transport will be provided at selected times tonight for customers wishing to dine in town. B

Enjoy a free day to explore the winelands of South Africa independently.

You’ll receive a day ticket for the Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour. Board the double-decker railway tram or open-air tram-bus as they travel through some of the longest established and most prestigious wine estates. Enjoy the commentary as you go and hop off as and when you please. Activities on offer include cellar tours, wine tastings and lunch (all at extra charge), or you can just wander in the vineyards and take in the views. Details will be provided in resort.

You’re free to dine out tonight, at your own expense. B

Depart Franschhoek this morning and travel to Cape Town (50 miles, one hour).

On arrival take an included trip up Table Mountain. Keep your fingers crossed for fine weather so you can take the revolving cable car up Table Mountain to enjoy phenomenal 360-degree views over the city.

Otherwise, you’ll travel by coach up Signal Hill for an alternative view of the city.

Check in to the 5-star Southern Sun, The Cullinan (4Q+), for a two-night stay. The hotel is within walking distance of the famous Victoria & Albert Waterfront. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, fitness centre and spa (extra charge). Each of the 394 air-conditioned bedrooms has a television, tea and coffee-making facilities, safe, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.

Enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant. B, D

Join a full-day tour of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, including Cape Point, the most south westerly corner of the African continent. While only a narrow finger of land, it's an area of beautiful bays, beaches, hills and valleys and fynbos. Within the Nature Reserve you may catch sight of zebra, antelope and baboons. You'll stop en route at Boulders Beach where you'll see the colony of African penguins which has grown from a nesting pair in 1983 to around 2,500 birds!

You'll also visit historic Simons Town named after Simon Van der Stel who developed the Stellenbosch winelands in the 17th century. Built around a natural harbour in beautiful False Bay on the Cape Peninsula, it's still the home of the South African Navy, and the town is steeped in naval history. Visit the naval museum, and don't miss the canine statue of ‘Just Nuisance’, a Great Dane who was officially enlisted as an able seaman in the Royal Navy during World War II and buried with full military honours. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening. B, L, D

You have free time for exploring Cape Town further today. Perhaps indulge in a spot of shopping on the Waterfront, have lunch in one of the many restaurants, or look out for Cape fur seals lazing along the quaysides!

Later, transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK. B

Arrive in the UK for your included VIP door-to-door travel service home.