Ultimate South Africa

Today you will fly to Cape Town.

On arrival in Cape Town, we'll transfer you to your hotel, and en route to your hotel, you'll see many of the city's highlights like Table Mountain - on some days the top of the mountain is shrouded by clouds, a natural phenomenon known as the tablecloth - a beautiful sight. If the weather permits we'll even make the trip up Table Mountain by cable car.

There’s a great day ahead as we set off to explore the Cape Peninsula to take in some absolutely breath-taking views including the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and a drive along one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world, Chapman’s Peak (weather permitting), we’ll explore Cape Point, stop at Boulders Beach, famous for its penguin colony, and travel into Simon’s Town before completing our travels with a visit to the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

The choice is yours today, you can explore independently, or perhaps come on an optional excursion to Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township. En route, you’ll visit Bo-Kaap Malay Quarter and drive through District Six.

Today we're going to discover the winelands of the Western Cape. Beginning with a tour of the charming, historic town of Stellenbosch. We'll wander along Dorp Street admiring fine examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture, and take in fantastic views of the mountains and surrounding countryside. A scenic drive then takes us through lush farmland and vineyards to the town of Franschhoek. Wandering down its main road, admiring the view of the Huguenot Monument here before heading off to enjoy a tasting at a wine estate in this region. Finally, we'll visit the Spice Route Destination in Paarl, where you will discover an array of artisans selling everything from chocolate and wine to cured meats and homeware. Another chance to savour a selection of wines paired with cured meats before indulging in a chocolate-tasting.

Your next base is Oudtshoorn, and during our drive here we'll stop at Swellendam, one of the oldest towns in South Africa. A tour will introduce its stunning architecture and you'll also have time to visit its fascinating museum. Back on the road, take in lovely views of ravines, gorges, cliffs and lush vegetation as we journey through the Huisrivier pass, set between two valleys.

Oudtshoorn is the 'ostrich capital of the world', and home to the world's largest population of these unique flightless birds. Before we make our way to Knysna, our base for two nights, we'll visit the Safari Ostrich Farm to see some of these fascinating creatures up close. You're also going to see the Cango Caves today. Located in a limestone ridge alongside the stunning Swartberg Mountains, this magnificent system of underground caverns is more than 20 million years old.

The quaint town of Knysna lies at the heart of the Garden Route and is surrounded by ancient forests. It's a delightful place with plenty of craft shops, boutiques and cafés. After a leisurely start today, we will visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve with a cruise across Knysna Lagoon, a walk through the forest past the ancient sea caves, and a buffet lunch.

Your journey to Port Elizabeth, or Gqeberha as it is now known, via Plettenberg Bay includes a stop at Birds of Eden. A unique two hectare dome, the world’s largest, over a gorge of indigenous forest and currently home to over 3,500 birds from over 220 species. Next is Storms River Mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. Here a 2km walk takes you over the 77-metre-long suspension bridge which hovers above the tumultuous water flowing into the Indian Ocean. Later, we will take in some highlights of Gqeberha en-route to our hotel for this evening.

On arrival in Johannesburg you'll discover a very different territory to that previously experienced, as we head into the heart of the Zulu kingdom, the KwaZulu-Natal battlefields. The area is our base for two nights.

On today's guided tour you'll retrace history as you stand at the very spot where the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana and subsequent conflict at Rorke's Drift took place. A Local Guide will bring to life the events of the day when 20,000 Zulu warriors, armed with traditional weapons, confronted the firepower of the British army.

Today’s journey is long but packed full of rewards as you travel through a variety of views and landscapes - such as Barberton, the area containing some of the rarest rocks on the planet, some only occurring in two places in the world. Your final stop is in the Mpumalanga Lowveld region of South Africa, approx. 40 mins from the Kruger National Park, South Africa's largest game reserve.

Kruger National Park is home to the Big Five - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. Today we'll take in the sights on a full-day game drive. You'll travel in an open safari vehicle with an expert guide who will talk to other drivers and track down the best wildlife sightings - it's a wonderful way to experience the African wilderness. We will return later this afternoon and the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

You could relax and enjoy the facilities at the lodge, or head out on an optional game drive and continue your search for wildlife.

Travelsphere is proud to work in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation to support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. The Good Work Foundation (GWF), a non-profit organization that trains local youth in technology, conservation as well as Tourism and Hospitality. Today’s visit we include an opportunity to hear all about this project over a coffee from their express coffee bar. A perfect way to start our day before exploring the breath taking Panorama Route, which winds its way through some of South Africa's most beautiful scenery. The rainforest at God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels, are some of the highlights. We're also going to take an unforgettable journey on the Graskop Gorge Lift, which travels 51 metres down the face of the gorge and into the forest below. Here, a trail of wooden walkways and suspension bridges carves its way through the forest and interactive exhibits tell us more about the flora and fauna.Tonight, if the weather is on our side, get to know one of South African's oldest traditions for dinner - the Boma. An amazing outdoor dinner around a fire place for ambiance and warmth to enjoy those famous African barbecue meals.

Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to the UK.

You'll arrive in the UK today.