23 Day All Inclusive Wine - Wild - Culinary Southern Africa Exclusive

Johannesburg is one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant cities. It is an economic powerhouse in Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. This bustling city offers a wide range of activities, attractions and plenty to do in and around the city including nearby Pretoria. Downtown is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra-modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. Soweto, a township steeped in history and a significant part of the Greater Johannesburg metropolitan area, is a popular tourist destination.

Bordering Botswana in South Africa’s North West Province, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth-largest reserve in the country and is home to a great number of animal species. It contains a wild dog reserve, and is inhabited by the world-renowned Big Five, as well as Brown Hyenas, Cheetahs, and Aardwolf. Visitors will also be surrounded by over 300 bird species, including vulture, ostrich, and the large kori bustard. The landscape is characterised by vast grasslands, woodlands, and the rugged Tshwene Tshwene hills - creating enthralling scenes that often attract photographers and artists. Visitors can look forward to sunset drinks overlooking the Madikwe Dam. Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the only reserves in South Africa that is malaria free.

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Set in the enchanting Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the Addo Elephant National Park is the country’s third largest national park and offers a truly unforgettable safari experience. This finely-tuned ecosystem provides a sanctuary to large numbers of elephant, lion, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, antelope, zebra and over 400 bird species. This unique park is the world’s only park with the ‘Big 7’ - the Big 5 plus the southern right whale and great white shark off the coast of the Algoa Bay. Spend your days marvelling at the free-roaming wildlife, enjoy exhilarating 4x4 safari adventures, exciting horse riding excursions, and wonderful night drives where you are likely to spot some fascinating nocturnal wildlife. Famed for its large herds of elephant, Addo provides an ideal, tranquil retreat for those looking to escape the stresses of big city living.

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At Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, open plains, sculpted ridges, and deep gorges stretch beneath the Warmwaterberg Mountains across the semi-arid Little Karoo. The reserve spreads across 62,000 hectares along scenic Route 62, just three hours from Cape Town. Once farmland, the area has been restored into a sanctuary where the Big 5 share space with species such as gemsbok, hartebeest, eland, kudu, zebra, springbok, jackals, and the rare riverine rabbit. Succulent Karoo, renosterveld, and mountain fynbos cover much of the terrain, supporting over 600 species of flora. Visitors explore the reserve on guided drives, bush walks, and tours of San rock art, some over 3,500 years old. Stargazing and nature photography are also recommended, while birders can look out for species such as jackal buzzards, Namaqua sandgrouse, and chestnut-vented tit-babblers, among many others, as the reserve is home to over 200 bird species.

The 150-year-old town of Robertson, “the heart of the Wine Route”, is a picturesque destination set two hours’ drive from Cape Town. The town’s culinary offerings are its primary drawcard for some visitors, as it boasts numerous award-winning estates and restaurants. However, it is also famous for its flowers - columns of red and yellow cannas, abundant rose bushes, and jacarandas line the streets, alongside photogenic Victorian houses. The town boasts several national monuments, including the Pink Church, the Edwardian No 12 Piet Retief Street; and the intriguing town museum. Culture enthusiasts will also appreciate the wonderful contemporary Robertson Art Gallery, and the variety of events that take place throughout the year. The gorgeous surrounding green farmlands, orchards and valleys are lined with excellent hiking and cycling trails.

Situated in the spectacularly scenic Western Cape Province, the Breede River Valley is home to some of South Africa's greatest wine producing areas. The partially navigable river offers the unique prospect of wine tasting while cruising along its calm waters. This picturesque valley is peppered with a handful of quaint farming towns including Robertson, Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor, Tulbagh and Montagu. It falls along the incredibly popular Route 62, which is said to be one of the longest wine routes in the world. Soak up the magnificent views of majestic mountains meeting fertile plains swathed in vineyards; sample a wide variety of delicious local wines and immerse yourself in the relaxed country atmosphere. Canoeing, fishing and hiking are on offer for adventurous types.

Set just over an hour from Cape Town, within the inspiring landscapes of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is a heritage town and a world-renowned food and wine destination. Travellers could choose to focus their visit on any one aspect alone - nature, cuisine or culture - and find plenty to keep them busy. The estates here attract wine experts from around the globe with their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cap Classique sparkling wine (among others). Five-star restaurants alongside the cellars are surrounded by the same jaw-dropping valley scenes that have brought artists and writers to the area for centuries. A superb literary festival takes place around May every year, and, combined with the town’s Cape Dutch manor houses, fascinating museums, and charming boutiques, makes Franschhoek a wonderful place to visit in winter. Summer provides endless hiking, cycling and other outdoor opportunities among the lush farmlands and mountains.

Set at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans and backed by the iconic Table Mountain, the bustling city of Cape Town presents an alluring combination of drawcards. Incredible powdery white beaches, highly acclaimed wine routes, and astonishingly beautiful mountain trails surround a cosmopolitan hub. This diverse metropolis is filled with superb shops and restaurants, extraordinary heritage monuments, a multitude of entertainment venues, and a spectacular, chic waterfront harbour. Highlights include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art; Table Mountain's jaw-dropping views; Boulders Beach, where penguins might swim right up to you in the warm Indian ocean waters; the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where you can walk along a treetop canopy among incredible native flora or watch an open-air concert at the base of the mountain; Robben Island, where visitors can see the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years; and many more.