Safari and the City

Day 1

Arrival in Cape Town

Welcome to South Africa. Upon arrival in Cape Town, a local representative will be waiting for you at the airport. You’ll transfer to your hotel, located in the lively Green Point suburb. This will be your base for the next four nights. The afternoon is free to relax in the pool or take a stroll along the V&A Waterfront which is within easy reach or get to know your surroundings on an optional city walking tour or dramatic sunset cruise. Overnight at Garden Court Victoria Junction.

Day 2

Cape Town

Set dramatically beneath iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town effortlessly blends modern city life with spectacular scenery and outdoor living. Here you’ll experience a vibrant fusion of Dutch, French, English, Xhosa, Malay and Afrikaner cultures, and be greeted as a friend rather than a traveller. Let your exploration be steered by your own personal interests, from extraordinary art galleries to eye-opening museums, from coffee shops to local microbreweries. Choose from a wealth of local optional experiences, like the My Cape Town City Tour or don retro leather jackets, goggles, bandanas and helmets to whizz along the Cape Peninsula in a 1950’s sidecar. For the ultimate overview of the city, take to the skies on the Three Bays helicopter tour. Overnight at Garden Court Victoria Junction.

Day 3

Cape Town

Today, continue to soak up the lively local scene. Either in the city itself or take a short bus or taxi ride along the sensational coastline where you’ll find some of the best beaches in the world. Try Camps’ Bay for people watching, Clifton’s tiny 1st to 4th numbered beaches or Muizenberg for a surfing vibe. The optional My Cape Peninsula tour offers an unrivalled coastal overview, including Cape Point and Chapman’s Peak Drive. Or dig deeper into the regions culture and history on the optional Walk to Freedom tour, exploring the local township communities and visiting Nelson Mandela’s former prison cell on Robben Island. The historic Company Gardens or Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens are also a highlight for many guests. Overnight at Garden Court Victoria Junction.

Day 4

Cape Town

Make the most of your final full day in Cape Town on an optional hike to the vast summit plateau of Table Mountain with your own experienced nature guide. You’ll learn about the flora, fauna, and geology while enjoying spectacular views over the city. It’s incredible to experience such raw nature so close to a large urban area. If two wheels (or two glasses!) is more your thing, then head to nearby Constantia to explore South Africa’s oldest wine region on an optional scenic cycle ride. You’ll visit at least three boutique vineyards and taste award-winning wines en route. Back in the city itself, the Malay Quarter of Bo-Kaap is great for sampling local cuisine amongst brightly painted houses, while at the V&A Waterfront you’ll find the Two Ocean’s Aquarium, street performers, a vast choice of restaurants and unlimited retail therapy! Overnight at Garden Court Victoria Junction.

Day 5

Cape Town & Eastsern Cape Game Reserve

After breakfast, fly to Port Elizabeth for the start of your safari adventure. You’ll spend the next 3 nights at the Kariega Game Reserve, perfectly positioned overlooking the Bushman’s River. From here you can enjoy twice-daily game drives in search of the Big Five on an 11,500-hectare private reserve. Guided bush walks are also available, as well as fishing and canoeing trips and relaxing spa treatments back at the lodge. Overnight at Kariega Game Reserve Main Lodge.

Day 6

Eastern Cape Game Reserve

Today head into the reserve accompanied by skilled local rangers for early morning and late afternoon game drives. In addition to the Big Five, Kariega is also home to many other species including zebra, hippo, kudu, wildebeest and hyena. There are also plenty of birds to identify with - around 350 different species inhabiting the reserve. As well as the impressive wildlife, the landscape is both beautiful and fascinating in equal measures. You’ll explore 5 different eco-systems, namely valley bushveld, savannah grasslands, fynbos, riverine forests and acacia woodland. Between game drives there’s time to enjoy lunch and relax back at the lodge. Overnight at Kariega Game Reserve Main Lodge.

Day 7

Eastern Cape Game Reserve

Enjoy a morning boat cruise along the Bushman’s or Kariega Rivers. This tranquil experience is a great way to observe wildlife from an entirely different perspective. Local bird life is prolific with colourful kingfishers and cormorants often seen perched on the riverbanks, and fish eagles gliding over the water. If you enjoy exploring at your own pace, you’re also welcome to take a canoe for a leisurely paddle along the river. Later in the day, once the temperature cools, head into the bush on foot for a guided walking safari. As well as the opportunity for wildlife sightings, you’ll identify paw prints, bird calls and learn the intricate technique of animal tracking. You’ll return to camp in time for relaxing sundowners and dinners under the stars. Overnight at Kariega Game Reserve Main Lodge.

Day 8

Eastern Cape Game Reserve and Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Port Elizabeth then fly to either Cape Town or Johannesburg for your return flight to the UK or onward travel.

Another stop?

We recommend finishing your African adventure in relaxing fashion, with a beach stay in Mozambique or Mauritius.