Classic Two Week Itinerary

For an in-depth taste of what South Africa has to offer, but minimising ‘moving around’, we would recommend an itinerary along the following lines:

• Fly overnight to Cape Town and take a private transfer to your hotel for 5/6 nights. Delivery of your hire car on day two so that you can explore the stunning peninsula.
• Drive eastwards to the Garden Route (perhaps stopping on the way as this is 500 km plus) and check into your hotel for 4/5 nights. Explore the wild coastline and indigenous forest whilst visiting local animal sanctuaries.
• Continue your journey to Eastern Cape where you will check in to your safari lodge for 2/3 nights game viewing and adventure.
• Drive to Port Elizabeth Airport, return your hire car and take your overnight flight home, via Johannesburg.

Two-Three Week Adventure

If you are fortunate enough to have longer for your holiday, then we recommend lengthening the time you spend on safari or combining the classic itinerary with several extensions below.

• Fly direct overnight to Johannesburg and take a private transfer to your own exclusive bush home for safari activities such as horse riding and walking with the game for 3/4 nights.
• Transfer to your safari lodge in a big five game reserve such as Madikwe for 3 nights.
• Transfer back to Johannesburg for your flight to George, collect your hire car and spend 4 nights exploring the Garden Route.
• Drive to Cape Town for your final 5 nights before flying home direct overnight.

A Week In The Bush

Whether it is half-term or you would like to combine South Africa with the tropical shores of Mauritius, to minimise traveling we would recommend the following options:

• Visiting 2 safari lodges, for 3/4 nights each, that offer a different experience. For example, Ant’s Nest Exclusive Bush Home and a Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve where you will find the ‘Big Five’ in residence.

OR

• Combining a safari in North West Province for 3/4 nights with a trip to Cape Town or Sun City Resort for your final 3/4 nights.

Natural Wonders – 10 nights plus

An itinerary visiting the beautiful nations of Oman and the Islands of the Seychelles, incorporating dramatic scenery rich in unique flora and fauna.

• Today take your flight to Dubai and connect with your road transfer to the Musandam Peninsula.
• Here you will be welcomed at the Evanson Hideaway and Spa for 4 nights in a Villa with private pool from where you can join snorkelling, diving and dolphin watching trips.
• This morning take your flight to Mahe in the Seychelles arriving in the afternoon.
• From here you will be transferred to the boat jetty for Sainte Anne Resort & Spa where you will spend the next 3 nights.  Whilst the Resort itself is set in a protected Marine Park, you can also visit the stunning islands of Praislin and La Digue on day trips.
• Today you will take your flight from Mahe to Desroches for your 3 night ‘outer island’ experience, before flying back to the UK via Dubai.

Safari to Souks – 8 nights plus

A unique holiday to contrasting continents, incorporating African Bush and Arabian desert experiences.

• Fly overnight to Johannesburg via Dubai.
• Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Madikwe Game Reserve where you will be welcomed at your luxurious Safari Lodge for 3 nights ‘Big Game’ game viewing.
• After your final game drive you will be transferred back to Johannesburg, stopping at the Elephant Sanctuary for an afternoon tour en-route.
• Tonight take your overnight flight to Dubai arriving the next morning.
• Here you will stay for 3 nights at your hotel in Jumeirah.  Relax on the beach in between exploring the wonderful souks, offering wares from spices to gold, as well as the modern-day shopping malls.
• Today you will be transferred to Bab Al Shams for your desert safari for 2 nights, a fitting finale to your trip, before flying back to the UK.

The Responsible Traveller – 10 nights plus

We are proud to bring you an excellent South African itinerary incorporating some special hotels awarded the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa Trademark and a unique Lodge, wholly owned by the local community, creating a very special ambience.

• Take your direct, overnight flight from the UK to Cape Town.
• Upon arrival you will be transferred to the V&A Waterfront where you will stay at the Cape Grace for 3 nights as your base to explore the stunning Peninsula.
• This morning drive to the Winelands (approx 1 hour) for 2 nights at Spier Village or Bartholomeus Klip where you can enjoy award winning food and wine in beautiful surroundings.
• Today head to the Overberg coast for 2 nights at Grootbos Nature Reserve.  Whilst during whale-watching season (June – November) the star attraction are the Southern Rights, year-round you can enjoy the stunning coastline.
• After breakfast set off for the Garden Route where you will be welcomed at Hog Hollow Country Lodge for 3 nights, your charming base whilst you explore the endless beaches with forested backdrop, take a boat trip or enjoy a steam train ride.
• Today drive to George Airport, return your car and depart on your early flight to Johannesburg, connecting with your shuttle flight to Madikwe Game Reserve.
• Here you will be welcomed for 2 nights at Thakadu River Camp from where you will search for Big Game, although the stunning river setting has been known to bring elephants and wild dog to guests!
• After your final Game Drive and brunch you will take your flight back to Johannesburg connecting with your direct overnight flight back to the UK.

Optional addition – Jan Harmsgat near Swellendam is a lovely stop for those wishing to break their journey between the Overberg and the Garden Route

Daddy Cool

Just because you're a parent, it doesn't mean you can't be Hip! For those of you looking for two weeks in chic hotels, we suggest the following:

• Fly to Mauritius for 7 nights at Le Prince Maurice, where you can choose a room set on stilts over a lagoon and dine in a floating restaurant.
• Fly to Johannesburg and catch a connecting transfer to Port Elizabeth from where you can travel to Ecca Lodge, Kwandwe, for 3 nights safari in this stylish lodge which has been described as 'funk-meets-futuristic-farmhouse'!
• Fly to Cape Town for 4 nights at the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, where you can hang out in the Leopard Lounge, where 'live entertainment' is interpreted as decks, not cabaret.
  

Exclusive 'Homes from Home'

We can advise about a number of safari lodges that also offer private houses and suites, complete with ranger, game vehicle and chef (also nanny if required!). For a 2 - 3 week trip that offers a combination of outstanding 'Homes from Home', we suggest the following:

• Fly to Mauritius for 5 nights in an exclusive Villa at the Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius
• Fly on to Johannesburg and transfer to Ant's Nest exclusive 'Bush Home' for 3 days exploring the African Bush.
• Transfer to the Family Suite at Little Madikwe, for the ultimate Big Five safari experience for 3 nights.
• After returning to Johannesburg, fly to the Garden Route for 4 nights at Mole's Hole, a stunning villa on the shores of a lagoon near Plettenberg Bay.
• Fly to Cape Town to complete your trip with 3 nights in an apartment at the Cape Grace Hotel, set on its own quay on the V&A Waterfront.

Recommended Extensions

Mauritius - 4hr flight from Johannesburg and direct back to the UK

Suggested duration: 5 nights plus
One of the most perfect family holidays has to be a combination of South Africa’s spectacular scenery and range of activities with the tropical shores of this beautiful island, offering an exceptionally warm welcome for families and excellent standard of hotels.

Winelands - 1hr drive from Cape Town

Suggested duration: 2/3 nights
A short drive from Cape Town, the Winelands provide the opportunity to sample award-winning cuisine and wine in stunning surroundings whilst also offering some great activities for children, from cheetah conservation projects to chocolate factories!

Walker Bay - 1-2hr drive from Cape Town

Suggested duration: 1/2 nights
A lovely region to visit at any time of year but a ‘must do’ during June - October, to witness some of the best land-based whale watching in the world, when the Southern Rights and Humpbacks frequent the coastline as part of their annual migration.

Cedarberg - 3hrs drive North from Cape Town

Suggested duration: 2 nights
This dramatic, mountainous region is a prime location for viewing ancient Bushman Rock Art and star gazing in to the clear night skies. Families can even opt to stay in a (luxurious) cave as part of their visit to the area!

Little Karoo - located inland between Cape Town and the Garden Route

Suggested duration: 1/2 nights
Drive the stunning ‘Route 62’ through this arid and rocky landscape, stopping for a few nights in Oudtshoorn, home to the densest population of Ostrich in the world and visiting the Cango Caves, a Wildlife Ranch and of course an Ostrich Farm!

Sun City - 2hrs Northwest from Johannesburg

Suggested duration: 2-4 nights
Conveniently located as a fun stop-over between a safari in North West Province and
Johannesburg, this family-friendly resort offers a wealth of activities including the famous ‘Valley of the Waves’ Water Park in the heart of the African Bush!