Unforgettable South Africa 4 Star (9 Days) UNF001

After you arrive in the Mother City at Cape Town International Airport you will whisked off to the heart of the city where you can enjoy a delightful lunch in The Company Gardens. The original, massive garden was planted by the Dutch East India Company to feed the new settlers and to supply their passing trading ships. An ancient pear tree, one of the original fruit trees planted in 1650, as well as the neoclassical South African Parliament building stand within today’s Garden. The oldest surviving building, and the best-preserved example of a 17th century architectural structure in the entire world, is the Castle of Good Hope. The well-known landmark is central to the history of Cape Town, having served as the seat of government and military operations for two centuries. Visiting the Castle’s two museums and expansive grounds offer fascinating insights into Cape Town’s military and cultural past. From the past to the present, bustling with life and energy. The buzz at the cobbled Green Market Square underscores one of the oldest and liveliest public spaces in Cape Town, where you can explore, haggle and enjoy this colourful market filled with curios, food, buskers, jewellery, and clothing. Check in to your hotel and then relax as you wander through the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, known to locals as the V&A. Celebrate your first day in Cape Town at one of the many V&A restaurants while watching one of Africa’s famous sunsets.
Overnight: Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore or similar

The V&A Waterfront is your fist stop after breakfast as this is where you board the famous Hop On Hop Off City-Sightseeing Bus for a drive to the lower reaches of Table Mountain. From here, a rotating cable car will carry you to the top of one of the oldest mountains in the world. Table Mountain is the only flat-topped mountain which stands within an urban area, is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, and forms the Cape Floral Kingdom. There are only 6 Floral Kingdoms and Table Mountain is the most diverse. The views from the 1086m high mountain are spectacular. Which is not surprising when you consider sea-going vessels can see the mountain from over 150kms away. Enjoy the views while having lunch. From one World Heritage Site to another, the next stop is the Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens. They were the first botanical gardens to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Few gardens compare to their beauty, not to mention their grand setting. There will be plenty of photo-opportunities today as after the Kirstenbosch Gardens there will be a scenic meander from the Cape Town Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, through some of the loveliest beaches Cape Town has to offer – Bantry Bay, Clifton, and Camps Bay Beach. At Sea Point, you can explore, shop, and stroll along the Sea Point Promenade before indulging in a delicious dinner at your restaurant of choice as another spectacular sunset reddens the sky and the sea.
Overnight: Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore or similar

Known as Cape Town's Riviera, the magical Atlantic Seaboard runs from the V&A Waterfront all the way down to Hout Bay. While only 3kms long, an early morning drive along the Atlantic Seaboard is the perfect way to start your day. The magic continues when you head out past the famous Maori Bay Wreck on a 40-minute cruise to Duiker Island Seal Colony. Here on this protected 77 by 95m island lives thousands of delightful, raucous, and wild Cape Fur Seals. A drive along the engineering marvel that is Chapman’s Peak Drive takes you to the spectacular Boulder’s Beach and its penguin inhabitants. The African Jackass Penguins shouldn’t be here, it’s not cold enough, but they liked it, so they stayed. And who can blame them. It’s a lovely stretch of protected beach just for them. And a light lunch in nearby historic Simon’s Town is perfect for humans! After exploring the colourful beach houses at Muizenburg, another suburb famous for colourful houses is the next stop. This is the Bo-Kaap. Once known as the Malay Quarter this predominantly Muslim suburb has played a large part in the history of Cape Town. Here, the cobble streets and bright homes positively encourage a walking tour, as well as a visit to the Bo-Kaap Museum. If you wish, also visit District 6 Museum which tells the story of the forced removals of over 60 000 people that Cape Town experienced in the mid to late 1900s. Visit the Auwal Masjid, the first and oldest mosque in South Africa. In the evening feast on local Cape Malay cooking within this vibrant community.
Overnight: Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Foreshore or similar

Beauty of a completely different kind awaits you today. A wild and rugged beauty that makes this stretch of coast famous. Route 62 is the longest Wine Route in the world. It meanders from cosmopolitan Cape Town through a series of fascinating small towns and breath-taking scenery to Port Elizabeth. Stopping for lunch in Barrydale is a must. It's history dates back to the early 18th century when farmers moved into the area looking for fertile arable land with water. Visitors are drawn by arts and crafts displays including textiles, jewellery and African souvenirs. Continue via the Garden Route to the town of Knysna, sandwiched between the towering Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. This ‘Garden of Eden’ is surrounded by world-renowned forests, lovely lagoons and pristine beaches. And its here that you book into your hotel. Knysna Heads awaits, a pair of sandstone cliffs that separate the Knysna Lagoon from the sea. On the other side of the Knysna Western Heads lies one of the most beautiful beaches on the Garden Route – Brenton on Sea. The evening is at your leisure to stroll through the Waterfront - ideal for some retail therapy and finding the perfect dinner spot.
Overnight: aha The Rex Hotel or similar

People have been coming to the Cango Caves in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains for a very long time, starting from the Stone Age. Their cave paintings tell us that. The first official tourists visited in 1891. The 4km series of Precambrian limestone caves have massive halls, dripstone caves including the African Drum Room, and towering, otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites in a variety of colours. Cango Caves are deservedly a provincial, national, and international treasure. From massive underground caves to massive birds who own the Karoo. The ostriches of Highgate Ostrich Show Farm are the world’s largest birds, with the largest eyes and eyelashes to die for. They also have the prettiest and most delightful chicks. Highgate is the original show farm in the ostrich capital of the world! Du’SwaRoo is the smallest wine cellar on the Klein Karoo wine route, but what they lack in size, they more than make up with their boutique wines, olives, and vegetables. The farm label has delicious products such as olives – fresh, dried and as oil, atchars, preserves, jellies and pickles. They provide an excellent lunch for you to enjoy. Next, dive into the natural healing waters of the Calitzdorp Hot Springs. The minerals, iron and manganese loaded hot water bubbles up from the earth, soothing away the stress of modern living, rejuvenating and relaxing each muscle. It may be the most relaxed you’ve felt in ages.
Overnight: aha The Rex Hotel or similar

With ‘Breakfast-On-the-Go’ in hand, it’s an early start for your flight from George Airport to Johannesburg. On arrival in the City of Gold, your tour representative will whisk you off to the Voortrekker Monument. South Africa was created through the courage of all of its people over the centuries. One of these groups of people were the Voortrekkers, which translates as Pioneers. They left the Cape Colony in their thousands between 1835 and 1854 travelling in covered ox-wagon across some of the roughest and most difficult landscapes in the country. The Voortrekker Monument was built in their honour, in gardens with many indigenous plants. After visiting the Monument, the tour takes you into Pretoria for lunch and then to Church Square, the historic centre of Pretoria, bordered on 3 sides by some of the city’s most beautiful and impressive architecture. During its early years, the square was used as a marketplace and a sports field. It was here that in 1855. Pretoria’s first church was built. Hence its name. Each building surrounding the Square has its own story to tell. The Palace of Justice is where the Rivonia Treason Trial took place and Nelson Mandela gave his famous 3-hour speech, concluding, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realised. But, my Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”. South Africa has three capital cities. Pretoria serves as the seat of the executive branch of government. You will have a chance to visit the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South African Government and the offices of the President of South Africa. Following the scenic route, you will be transferred to your hotel through the Jacaranda-lined streets, a special sight when in bloom. This evening you will enjoy a special dinner at the boma.
Overnight:  Seasons Sport Leisure & Spa or similar

After breakfast, your tour takes you to where man has lived since the Stone Age - beneath Thabayadiotso, ‘the Proud Mountain’, in the 50 000 hectares of the Pilanesberg National Park. Over 1300 million years ago, the Pilanesberg area was alive with volcanic eruptions and overflowing magma. As a result of an extraordinary explosion, it is now is one of the largest circular volcanic complexes of its type in the world, filled with hills, valleys, and broken, rocky country. Thanks to forward thinking by the then Bophuthatswana President Lucas Mangope in 1977, long-vanished wildlife was re-introduced and all non-native plant life was removed. It was known as Operation Genesis - the largest game resettlement in the world. The Pilansberg National Park is now the 4th largest Park in South Africa. As a result, your chances of encountering, among others, the Big 5, wild dog, Roan, Tsessebe, Sable antelope, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, zebra, and crocodile are high. Best of all, the Park is close to Pretoria and only 3 hours’ drive from Johannesburg. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a scrumptious lunch. Rise to the top of the Magaliesberg Mountains in the Harties Cableway and gaze over the spectacular and panoramic views of the Hartbeespoort Dam and the land in which it nestles. After a day filled with beauty and wildlife you will be transferred back to your hotel for dinner and the evening at your leisure. If you wish, enjoy Rasul and Hydro facilities at the spa.
Overnight:  Seasons Sport Leisure & Spa or similar

A country’s present is based on the stories of its past. Today, after breakfast, the tour will explore the history of South Africa. It’s not a history that is always kind, and yet, the way South Africa has worked through it, is what makes South Africa stand out among other nations of the world. The country’s most recent history can be explored at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. Exhibits including film clips, sound bites, and live accounts, document South Africa’s fascinating, horrifying, but ultimately inspiring journey from the days of ‘White’s Only’ privilege to Nelson Mandela’s historic release from prison. In a sense, Nelson Mandela’s story is the story of South Africa, and you will be able to explore this more as the tour takes you to Soweto – the Southwestern Townships - where over 4 million people live, many in shacks. It’s a stark contrast to Johannesburg, the City of Gold, which is home to Sandton, the richest square mile in Africa. The richest street in Soweto has nothing to do with money. But rather, it is about character. Vilakazi Street is modest and unassuming. It is also the only street in the world which has been home to 2 Nobel Laureates – President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Here you can visit the Mandela House and discover more about this great statesman. After exploring more of Vilakazi Street, and enjoying an authentic Sowetan lunch, you will be transferred to your Sandton hotel where you will be able to check in and have the rest of the day at leisure to shop and find the perfect spot for dinner.
Overnight:  Signature Lux Hotel Sandton or similar

After breakfast, and depending on your schedule, you may have some time at leisure to indulge in some last-minute shopping, before being transferred to OR Tambo International Airport for your flight home or the next leg of your adventure.