The Very Best of South Africa

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
Meet in the executive lounge before your overnight flight to Johannesburg.

Day 2 Johannesburg
Arrive in Johannesburg this morning, and head to Pretoria to see the Union Buildings and the Voortrekker monument. Head a little out of the city to relax at your resort hotel before meeting for an evening welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Day 3 Johannesburg
This morning visit the friendly and colourful neighbourhood of Soweto, visit the former house of Nelson Mandela, the Hector Petersen Memorial and the fascinating Apartheid Museum.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Johannesburg to Madikwe Game Reserve
Journey close to the border of Botswana to the spectacular setting of the Madikwe Game Reserve. Madikwe offers a malaria free African safari, with populations of classic African game, from elephant and rhino, to herds of gazelle, zebra , giraffe and buffalo and of course big cats lion, leopard and cheetah. Arrive this afternoon and settle into the peaceful surrounding of your lodge, overlooking a natural waterhole. Time permitting you will be offered an evening introductory game drive.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5 & 6 Madikwe Game Reserve
With two full days on safari, morning and afternoon game drives are included in open top jeeps, departing at optimum times to see Africa’s big game when the wildlife is at its most active in the mornings and evenings. During the day relax in the peaceful surroundings of the lodge, meet daily for lunch and dinner and spot some of the 250 species of birds which inhabit the area.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 To Knysna
This morning drive to Johannesburg and take a flight to George. Transfer to Knysna, for a relaxing stay in the beautiful natural surroundings of the Garden Route, your base is on the Knysna lagoon as it leads onto the Indian Ocean waters.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Knysna
Enjoy a morning tour of Knysna followed by a short boat trip to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a protected area of indigenous flora and fauna including the rare blue duiker. After a picnic lunch return to Knysna for time to explore the resort town.

Meals: Breakfast , lunch

Day 9 Garden Route
Travel inland into the Little Karoo valley to Oudtshoorn, where you’ll visit one of the working ostrich farms where we’ll take lunch. Continue into the Swartberg mountains and visit the Cango Caves before heading back to the coast.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 10 Knysna
Today is a free day, yours to unwind in the lovely surroundings, go for a coastal walk, shop in Knysna or even take a canoe out on the lagoon.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 To Cape Winelands
Journey along the Garden Route and then inlands to the rolling hills and valleys of the Cape Winelands. Visit one of the Cape’s historic vineyards for a tasting. Arrive at our hotel for time to relax in the beautiful surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 To Cape Town
After a leisurely morning, a short drive takes us around Table mountain to arrive in the city of Cape Town. Take a tour of the city and the cable car up Table Mountain, for extraordinary views across to the peaks of the Twelve Apostles and the ocean waters. Arrive at the Mount Nelson Hotel in time for a traditional afternoon tea with some South African twists.

Meals: Breakfast, afternoon tea

Day 13 Cape Town
See the beaches, bays and surrounding fishing towns of the Cape Peninsula, on a tour to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. You will also stop at Boulders Beach to see the colony of African penguins and on the way back to the city stop at the excellent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 14 Cape Town
You have a day at leisure today in Cape Town. Unwind at the end of your journey or take a fascinating optional excursion to Robben Island, to see where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were incarcerated. Meet this evening for a farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 15 To London
After a day at leisure in Cape Town transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to London. You might like to spend a few more days in Cape Town and explore the Cape or head to Victoria Falls.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 16 London
Your flight lands this morning but like David Livingstone, your heart may still be in Africa.

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”