10 Day First Trip To South Africa

Welcome to Cape Town! We will arrange a driver to meet & greet you at Cape Town International Airport, and take you to get settled into your accommodation. You have the rest of the day at leisure to shake of the jet lag, relax at your accommodation or to explore Cape Town and surrounding area on your own.

Day 1 highlights

This is a great way to get an introduction to “the Mother City,” Cape Town.  Go for a tour in the city and surrounding area, including the city centre, Company’s Gardens, Cape Town Castle, the Bo Kaap, Signal Hill, and the V&A Waterfront.  A big part of this tour is walking around the city with your guide getting to know the city, its different cultures, history, and geography.  A highlight of the day is riding to the top of the famous Table Mountain in a cable car, for magnificent views over Table Bay, Robben Island, The Cape Peninsula and Lions Head.

Day 2 highlights

Join us on a spectacular journey to the Cape of Good Hope, including a visit to the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We’ll explore Cape Point National Park on foot by taking a walk up to the lighthouse (or opt to take the “Flying Dutchman” funicular). We will then head to the Cape of Good Hope, the furthest southwestern point in Africa. Our day will include driving along the beautiful Atlantic seaside suburbs of Clifton and Camps Bay, with views of the Twelve Apostles Mountains. We will also enjoy a spectacular coastal drive along Chapman’s Peak, to take in one of the best views in the region.

Day 3 highlights

The Western Cape of South Africa is home to more than 500 wineries, and today we will visit a few of our favourites in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, or Paarl.  We typically visit three wineries, and we like to consult with our clients on the day to tailor the stops to their tastes. Some of our favourites are:

• Babylonstoren, at the foot of Simonsberg Mountain in the Franschhoek wine valley, with a fruit and vegetable garden of amazing beauty and diversity
• Boschendal, with its garden-to-table restaurant, historic manor buildings, garden picnics, and exceptional food & wine
• Waterford Estate, a classic in the beautiful Blaauwklippen Valley, offering a chocolate and wine pairing
• Muratie Wine Estate, a Stellenbosch farm dating back to 1685, one of the oldest estates in South Africa (with the cobwebs to prove it)

Day 4 highlights

We depart Stellenbosch early, and make our way to the Garden Route.  We enter the Garden Route at Mossel Bay, known as the landing site of the first European mariners to round the southern tip of Africa. There we can spend some time on the spectacular beaches, or hike the Cape St. Blaize trail along the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. Alternatively, we can go straight through to Wilderness, to check into our seaside accommodation for the evening.

Day 5 highlights

Today we explore the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna. This stretch of coast is known for its lovely scenery, including indigenous forest, a large warm-water estuary, and the Outeniqua Mountains.

Day 6 highlights

After many days on the road exploring, enjoy a morning at leisure. Your guide and tour vehicle are available for outings in the area. We suggest exploring the beautiful coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. You can relax on one of the beautiful beaches, enjoy lunch at one of the great restaurants, taste one of the local wines at an area winery, or get active with a hike on the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve.

Day 7 highlights

This morning, we will leave the Garden Route, and make our way to the Eastern Cape for a malaria-free Big 5 safari.  Check into your lodge in time for lunch, before heading out on a two to three hour afternoon game drive.

Day 8 highlights

Today is a full day to enjoy on safari. Go on morning and afternoon game drives on the private game reserve, hoping to spot the wildlife that Africa is famous for: lion, zebra, giraffe, hippo, and more. This area of the Eastern Cape is renowned for game viewing, and this is a great opportunity to see wildlife in its natural environment.

Day 9 highlights

After one final morning game drive, guests will be transferred to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where tour services will end.  We recommend booking late afternoon or evening flights from Port Elizabeth, in order to allow enough time to enjoy the full morning game drive.

Day 10 highlights