South Africa: From the Cape to Kruger

Welcome to South Africa! Check in to your hotel and prepare for a fascinating journey.ARRIVE CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Welcome to South Africa! Check in to your hotel and prepare for a fascinating journey.

This morning, visit Table Mountain for an aerial cable-car ride to the top for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape winelands. Then, take a scenic drive south via Chapman’s Peak Drive, which skirts the rocky coastline and is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the southwestern most point on the African continent. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. Return to Cape Town and enjoy the evening at your leisure.CAPE TOWN This morning, visit Table Mountain for an aerial cable-car ride to the top for stunning views of the city, Robben Island, and the Cape winelands. Then, take a scenic drive south via Chapman’s Peak Drive, which skirts the rocky coastline and is one of the most scenic drives in the world. Continue to Cape Point Nature Reserve for stops at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the southwestern most point on the African continent. Here, take a funicular ride to the steps of the old lighthouse for spectacular panoramic views. Return to Cape Town and enjoy the evening at your leisure. (B)

Enjoy a full day at leisure for free-time pursuits. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or go deeper with a whale-watching cruise in nearby Hermanus (Jun.-Oct.). Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day. May we recommend a glass-half-full kind of day in the stunning Cape Winelands for tastings and breathtaking scenery and cellars? Wine not!CAPE TOWN Enjoy a full day at leisure for free-time pursuits. Perhaps explore the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or go deeper with a whale-watching cruise in nearby Hermanus (Jun.-Oct.). Your Tour Director has suggestions to help you make the most of your day. May we recommend a glass-half-full kind of day in the stunning Cape Winelands for tastings and breathtaking scenery and cellars? Wine not! (B)

This morning, depart Cape Town and drive to Stony Point Nature Reserve to see a colony of endangered African Penguins. Known for the unique sound they make, these penguins grow to an average height of two feet and live in burrows and rock crevices along the beach. Stop in Hermanus for independent exploration before reaching Mossel Bay for the evening.CAPE TOWN–STONY POINT NATURE RESERVE–HERMANUS–MOSSEL BAY This morning, depart Cape Town and drive to Stony Point Nature Reserve to see a colony of endangered African Penguins. Known for the unique sound they make, these penguins grow to an average height of two feet and live in burrows and rock crevices along the beach. Stop in Hermanus for independent exploration before reaching Mossel Bay for the evening. (B,D)

Drive north to Oudtshoorn and stop for a guided tour of the Cango Caves with its stunning limestone rock formations. You will also visit a local ostrich farm for an interactive tour to learn about the world’s largest bird. Continue to Knysna.MOSSEL BAY–OUDTSHOORN–KNYSNA Drive north to Oudtshoorn and stop for a guided tour of the Cango Caves with its stunning limestone rock formations. You will also visit a local ostrich farm for an interactive tour to learn about the world’s largest bird. Continue to Knysna. (B,L)

Today, explore the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park for a walk through the indigenous coastal forest to the mouth of the Storms River. Cross the famous suspension bridge for views of the coastline and to see the Storms River Mouth Cave. Return to Knysna for time to explore the waterfront or make a splash with an optional whale-watching cruise off the coast of Knysna to spy the migration of whales passing through the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean (June - November; Jan – May departures include an exciting Eco Marine Cruise to spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and birdlife that call this stunning area home.).KNYSNA–TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK RESERVE EXCURSION Today, explore the spectacular Tsitsikamma National Park for a walk through the indigenous coastal forest to the mouth of the Storms River. Cross the famous suspension bridge for views of the coastline and to see the Storms River Mouth Cave. Return to Knysna for time to explore the waterfront or make a splash with an optional whale-watching cruise off the coast of Knysna to spy the migration of whales passing through the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean (June - November; Jan – May departures include an exciting Eco Marine Cruise to spot dolphins, seals, penguins, and birdlife that call this stunning area home.). (B)

This morning, drive to George for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the bustling Umhlanga Rocks area for the evening.KNYSNA–GEORGE–DURBAN–UMHLANGA This morning, drive to George for your flight to Durban. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the bustling Umhlanga Rocks area for the evening. (B)

Today, drive to Mkuze in the heart of Zululand. After lunch, travel to the Lebombo mountains for a memorable walk to interact with local Zulu people and learn about their customs and life today in this rural community.UMHLANGA–MKUZE Today, drive to Mkuze in the heart of Zululand. After lunch, travel to the Lebombo mountains for a memorable walk to interact with local Zulu people and learn about their customs and life today in this rural community. (B,L,D)

This morning, take a game drive in Mkuze Game Reserve, the oldest proclaimed wildlife reserve in all of Africa. The park is home to the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. You also have the chance to see giraffe, zebra, black and white rhino, and much more! After time to rest, embark on an afternoon boat ride on Lake Jozini. During the cruise, you are likely to spot hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, and a variety of bird life.MKUZE This morning, take a game drive in Mkuze Game Reserve, the oldest proclaimed wildlife reserve in all of Africa. The park is home to the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. You also have the chance to see giraffe, zebra, black and white rhino, and much more! After time to rest, embark on an afternoon boat ride on Lake Jozini. During the cruise, you are likely to spot hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, and a variety of bird life. (B,L,D)

Today, drive to eSwatini. En route, stop at a local Swaziland market to view cultural arts and crafts. Continue through Swaziland, the last traditional kingdom of the proud and welcoming Swazi people.MKUZE–MHLAMBANYATSI, ESWATINI Today, drive to eSwatini. En route, stop at a local Swaziland market to view cultural arts and crafts. Continue through Swaziland, the last traditional kingdom of the proud and welcoming Swazi people. (B,D)

Depart eSwatini, visiting a unique glass factory where skilled glass blowers use recycled glass to create stemware, animal figures, and more. Then, head north for the Greater Kruger area to visit a traditional Swazi village. Wander through the village with its many huts, each allocated for special social functions. Interact with the villagers as they go about their daily activities, experience folk songs and dance performances – maybe even join in the festivities. South African hospitality reigns today with leisure time at the lodge. Gaze from your balcony at the wildlife-rich gardens, relax at the pool and day spa, and select from delightful dining choices.ESWATINI–GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA Depart eSwatini, visiting a unique glass factory where skilled glass blowers use recycled glass to create stemware, animal figures, and more. Then, head north for the Greater Kruger area to visit a traditional Swazi village. Wander through the village with its many huts, each allocated for special social functions. Interact with the villagers as they go about their daily activities, experience folk songs and dance performances – maybe even join in the festivities. South African hospitality reigns today with leisure time at the lodge. Gaze from your balcony at the wildlife-rich gardens, relax at the pool and day spa, and select from delightful dining choices. (B,L,D)

Rise early for coffee and tea before your early morning game drive with an experienced guide. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend time at leisure in the middle of the day watching wildlife from your balcony or on a guided nature or birding walk. Perhaps book a spa treatment or simply relax at the pool. Watch for kudu, impala, giraffe, cheetah, spotted hyena, the elusive wild dog, and more on your afternoon game drive. Return to your lodge for dinner.GREATER KRUGER AREA Rise early for coffee and tea before your early morning game drive with an experienced guide. If the timing is right, you might spot some of the big cats after a night of hunting. Spend time at leisure in the middle of the day watching wildlife from your balcony or on a guided nature or birding walk. Perhaps book a spa treatment or simply relax at the pool. Watch for kudu, impala, giraffe, cheetah, spotted hyena, the elusive wild dog, and more on your afternoon game drive. Return to your lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)

A leisurely morning before a flight to Johannesburg. Your vacation ends at the airport. Schedule departing flights after 6 pm.GREATER KRUGER AREA–JOHANNESBURG A leisurely morning before a flight to Johannesburg. Your vacation ends at the airport. Schedule departing flights after 6 pm. (B)