Cape Town, Garden Route & Safari - Superior

Day notes

Buckle up, African adventurers! You're in for an epic adventure as your plane soars into the dazzling Cape Town International Airport. Breeze through customs with a friendly hello! to the staff before meeting your English-speaking tour guide, ready to unleash this vibrant city's marvels upon you.

First up, hold onto your hat as you whizz up Table Mountain for jaw-dropping 360 views of the sparkling city, lush landscapes, and sapphire waters below...that is if the cheeky mountain clouds permit!

Once you've snapped a ton of Instagram-worthy pics, wind through colourful streets as you learn tantalizing titbits during a whirlwind city tour before a light, delicious lunch.

Next, it's check-in time at your trendy hotel for a brief respite before your adventure continues. Lace up your boots; you'll need 'em to keep up with your intrepid guide leading you to the hopping Victoria & Alfred Waterfront just as the golden sun kisses the horizon. Sip sundowners aboard a cruise as the city lights up and Table Mountain fades into silhouette.

Finally, end your extraordinary day revelling in traditional African dishes and joyful dancing at the famous Gold Restaurant. Channel your inner drum master with djembe drums, or just soak up the vibrant culture before retiring, exhausted and elated with a day well lived!

The thrill continues tomorrow, so rest up, brave explorer! The heart of Africa awaits!

Day notes

Hold onto your hats thrillseekers - after fueling up on a hearty breakfast, we'll burn rubber as we careen around the staggering Cape Peninsula coastline. Wind through posh Camps Bay with its beach babes and billionaires, then hold your breath as you gaze down the cliffside drop from the soaring Twelve Apostles. Stop to snap some pics before this adventure gets even more extreme!

Put the pedal to the metal as we motor through the winding roads to the wildly beautiful Hout Bay valley, riding the rolling hills through the marine layer on legendary Chapman's Peak Drive. Tiny harbour towns dot the oceanside panorama as we conquer one relentless hairpin turn after another.

Then - cue the drumroll - we've made it to the continent's thrilling southwestern edge! Feel your heart race as you step out to inhale the crisp ocean air. Meander to the pastel-painted lighthouse remains for Kodak moments and scenic vistas for the 'gram before our engines roar yet again onto Boulders Beach.

This is the stuff bucket lists are made of folks! Waddle alongside the waddling penguins on the powder-soft sands at this world-famous bird sanctuary. No rush, lap up the epic sights - you'll wanna imprint this mind-blowing experience in your memory bank forever!

Once you’ve had your fill of Penguin selfies, we’ll stop for a scrumptious seafood lunch at a trendy café in charming Simon's Town to refuel for our last big thrill. Beach bums will dig the laid-back coastal vibes before we hit the road back to the bright lights and big city. Go seek and find Just Nuisance, the only Naval Sea Dog to serve in the South African Navy. 

As the blood-orange sun melts into the Indian Ocean at dusk, toast to the end of an epic day of living life on the edge! From hip hotels to local dives, Cape Town tempts with a tapestry of restaurants to choosing your evening adventure. Wherever you wind up, breathe deep and soak up the sights on this day you won’t soon forget!

Day notes

Get ready to to tantalize those taste buds, my fellow winos! This leisurely adventure takes us into the world famous Cape Winelands, where adventure flows as freely as the delicious regional wines we'll be sampling.

Say farewell to the city streets and luscious coastlines while we meander into South Africa's countryside, known for fertile valleys overflowing with fragrant vineyards and postcard-worthy mountain vistas.

Our engines idle as we roll into Franschhoek Valley, the undisputed culinary capital here. Vineyards drape across gently rolling hills like perfect patchwork quilts of emerald, citrine and ruby. Velvety wines that evoke this rugged, romantic landscape await our discerning palates.

At boutique wineries like Haute Cabrière, savour unhurried tastings of award-winning bubbly and Pinot Noir as friendly winemakers share behind-the-scenes insights. Their passion is contagious! Move slowly from one vintage to the next, noting subtle complexities that bloom across your tongue.

Pair your wine flights with cheese and chocolate at Fairview Estate. Their speciality goat cheeses achieve perfect harmony with vibrant Viognier and ripe Chenin Blanc. The spacious patio dotted with palms has views for days too.

Dine at leisure at Boschendal Winery’s legendary restaurant, swooning over farm-to-table cuisine that complements their legendary Shiraz. Linger over every blissful bite, with no agenda other than soaking up the chilled-out winery vibes.

Bellies full of world-class wine and food, mosey through blooming rose gardens and lush orchards, to walk off the indulgence before heading home. This relaxing wine country wander makes for an utterly divine getaway. Cheers!

Day notes

Adventure seekers, prepare your senses for supreme overload! Today we voyage along South Africa's spellbinding coastline to the world-renowned, multi-award-winning ecological sanctuary known as Grootbos Nature Reserve. This ultra-luxurious yet eco-conscious paradise magnificently merges rugged natural beauty with supreme comfort and masterful service. Get ready to soak up a sensory experience like no other!

Arriving onto the reserve feels like wandering into a magical storybook forest - dense green foliage in every direction dotted with vivid wildflowers in pink, orange and yellow that release an intoxicating perfume. The dirt road will grab our 4x4 as we ascend the rolling hills revealing showstopping vistas of the rugged shoreline and vibrant green landscapes kissed by endless blue horizon.

As we pull up to the stone and wood lodge, the warm smiles and cold welcome drinks clue you in that the next 48 hours will redefine pampering. After a refreshing cocktail on the open air deck, retire to your splendid suite decorated in charming maritime themes with dreamy ocean views. Heaven!

The real magic unfolds as we explore the sprawling landscapes and seascape on guided adventures curated just for your delight. Rise early to wander the empty beaches in search of breaching whales and playful dolphins. Hike the fynbos forests keeping watch for timid antelopes while a symphony of birds serenade overhead. After each adventure, return to the lodge for farm-fresh cocktails and cuisine bursting with bright local flavors.

As the golden hour paints the sky in dazzling color, toast the setting sun with new friends before retreating along lamplit paths. Sink into your plush bed, windows open to the soothing sound of waves rolling ashore as you dream of the next marvel that awaits you upon the break of dawn. Bliss manifest.

Day notes

After two days of revelling in the magnificent coastal landscapes, we bid the turquoise waters farewell and turned inland towards the rugged beauty of the Karoo. Our engines idle as we cruise through the golden, rolling hills spacetime dotted with the rarely-sighted Blue Crane, South Africa's National Bird while taking in the sweeping views.

We pull up to our first stop - an ostrich farm! These goofy, gigantic birds squawk a lively greeting as our small group gathers for a tasty farm-to-table lunch under the acacia trees. Over plates piled high with Karoo lamb, sweet potatoes, and savoury bobotie, the fourth-generation farmer regales us with the illustrious 300-year history of ostrich riding and racing! Who knew?

Bellies satisfied, we meander through the ostrich pens getting acquainted with these peculiar-looking feathered giants. We’ll learn all about their biology and behaviours and even have a chance to feed them by hand! Amateur jockeys can try mounting an ostrich steed for a few hilarious moments. Hope you’ve got a camera for all the antics!

After saying goodbye to our large-legged friends, our continue further inland through the dusty plains dotted with quiver trees and aloes until we reach...the Cango Caves! We gear up with helmets for an epic subterranean adventure through these legendary limestone labyrinths with our witty spelunking guide. He expertly navigates us through narrow rock crevices and massive caverns with towering ceilings glittering with stalactites and stalagmites. It’s equal parts beauty and adrenaline down here!

Emerging back into the late afternoon sunlight, we shake off the chill and hop back into our vehicle bound for our Lodge. Weary from a day rich with culture and natural wonders, we'll toast the bright orange African sunset with a refreshing sundowner cocktail before retiring for the evening. A deep, restorative sleep awaits under the brilliant starry skies. Where will tomorrow take us on this leisurely adventure? Sweet dreams until then!

Day notes

Rise and shine thrill-seekers! A close encounter with majestic giraffes awaits us after fueling up on coffee and a hearty breakfast. Lace up those walking shoes because we’re going on safari baby!

Just a short drive away, we'll enter the sweeping grassland plains and rugged mountains of Swartberg Game Reserve. Eagles circle overhead as we bounce along in our 4x4 searching for wildlife large and small. Cameras click wildly to capture each exotic creature in its natural habitat.

Then comes the main event - our exclusive giraffe walking tour. We’ll park and wander slowly into the bushveld on foot with our expert guide, senses heightened. Shhh - crouch down low and steady your breathing...there ahead - a tower of six giraffes peacefully grazing the thorny acacia trees! Their huge velvety eyes will melt you as we approach one-by-one. Towering nearly 20 feet high, you’ll never feel smaller than standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these gentle giants wearing the sky like a coat. It’s pure magic!

After an incredible morning communing with nature, we dine at the lodge on traditional cuisine like Karoo lamb bobotie or Cape Malay curries, washed down with a crisp Chenin Blanc before hitting the road again - westward ho!

The azure waters of the Indian Ocean welcome us back as we roll into the idyllic harbor town of Knysna. We’ll toast our triumphant safari with a glass of Méthode Cap Classique aboard a graceful two-masted schooner. Puffy clouds and swooping seagulls accompany us on the breeze as we glide through the lagoon filtering oysters and waving to passing kayakers.

Tonight, with happy safari hearts we feast at a trendy seafood restaurant along Knysna’s bustling Waterfront. Belly full of fresh crayfish or line-caught fish, we’ll rest up dreaming of more adventures yet to come!

Day notes

Buckle up buttercups, the fun continues as we dive into the lush green wonderland of Tsitsikamma National Park! This jewel of the Garden Route is packed with picture-perfect pitstops perfect for nature lovers and thrill seekers alike.

First up is the epic Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump - at 709 feet, it's the highest bridge jump on the planet! Not feeling that brave? No worries, the suspension bridges traversing steep forested river gorges deliver similar soaring views and wobbly-kneed thrills accessible for all ages. We'll take the easy 2km wooden walkways to snap selfies swaying over the tree canopy with the mountains as our backdrop. Don't look down!

Refuel after the heart-pumping bridge walks at the cliffside restaurant, soaking up unreal coastal panoramas. Then we'll hop aboard our trusty 4x4 and rumble down the old bumpy Woodcutters Route. Shhh - listen for chirping birds and rustling trees as we trace the footsteps of pioneering tradesmen who harvested these mist-covered yellowwood forests centuries ago. It's like stepping into an enchanted fairy world here!

We'll stop and stretch our legs again at the magnificent Stone Age hunting lodge, feeling tiny standing next to colossal 500 year old trees. Their wise faces have seen generations pass through this pristine wilderness. Learning about indigenous cultures and local flora from our guides gives us a deeper reverence for this precious natural sanctuary.

Before hometime, we'll break out the sammies for a delightful picnic in a rocky river clearing dotted with giant ferns. The sound of rushing watercoupled with bird song creates a symphony of natural peace. Leaving the park, we'll be glowing from a day spent immersed in some of Mother Nature's finest work. Just another magical day in paradise!

Day notes

Break out those binoculars and khaki hats - we're going on safari! After all these thrills exploring the Garden Route, you'd be right to wonder what happened to seeking the "Big 5" and classic African wildlife. Well, friends, that adventure begins...NOW!

As the glittering coastline fades from view, your trusty guide bids a fond farewell before dropping you at George Airport. The familiar roar of an aeroplane soon carries you northeast over dusty bush plains dotted with thorny acacia as far as the eye can see until - touch down!

Mpumalanga International Airport welcomes your arrival to this legendary safari destination. Your driver meets the plane whisking you straight to a cozy private game lodge nestled under sprawling jackalberry trees near mighty Kruger National Park.

The magic unfolds instantly as you embark on the first of many open-air Land Rover safaris into the wild reserve with an eagle-eyed ranger and tracker team. Every bumpy mile reveals another iconic creature - there's a crash of rhinos! A tower of giraffes! A coalition of cheetahs! Not to mention exotic birds, bugs and plants found nowhere else on Earth. You'll be snapping so many pics your phone might explode!

Safely back at the lodge as the glowing African sun dips below the horizon, trade stories of epic sightings with fellow adventurers over mouthwatering meals and regional wines under the stars. Later, sink into sublime slumber to the gentle roar of distant lions lulling you to sleep as you dream of tomorrow's exploits.

The next few days pass in a delightful haze of morning safari sunrise drives followed by lazy afternoons lounging poolside with a good book and scanning for animals at the watering hole. Refueled by chef-prepared farm-to-table feasts, you'll embark on unforgettable night safaris where predator eyes glint in the darkness and the bush comes alive with nocturnal creatures.

This luxurious South African sojourn reconnects you with nature while ticking off every box: The Big 5? Check! Ultimate adventure? Done! Wildlife galore? You know it - and so much more!

Day notes

Is it that time already, my kindred spirits? As sunrise illuminates our final magical morning on safari, my heart feels as heavy as the bulging memory cards in our cameras. We've forged unforgettable connections these two weeks - with the land, locals, and certainly with our merry band of adventure comrades. From crossing swaying suspension bridges, to face-to-face giraffe greetings, sundowners with new BFFs, and ticking off every last Big 5 sighting...we confidently conquered this epic South African sojourn together!

As the jeep rumbles back from our final fruitful game drive, we console ourselves with lingering glances at grazing impalas and one last leopard stretch in the golden morning light. The aroma of freshly baked muffins and sizzling bacon provide comfort as our travel tribe gathers under the sprawling acacia tree to rehash favorite moments. Laughter soon drowns melancholy until it's time for reluctant farewell hugs promising digital friendship.

The candyfloss clouds seem to wave goodbye overhead as our capable pilot guides us safely over the bushveld back to city life. However, I believe a piece of our hearts nestled between those thorn trees and saltwater taffies skies will beckon eager returns to this magnetic country. But for now, may your suitcase overflow with dusty treasures and souls overflowing with supreme satisfaction at a safari done unforgettably right! Kea leboha, my friends! Until we meet again!