-Big 5 Kruger Park Safari, Garden Route and Cape Town Tour Guided-

13 days ; 12 nights
“Spirit of Africa, Garden Route & Mother City”

Fall in love with Cosmopolitan Cape Town the “Mother City”, cradled in the amphitheatre of the Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak mountain ranges. Explore Cape Point and Peninsula and the Cape Winelands. Experience the exotic natural beauty and wonders of the famous Garden Route in effortless exploring along the picturesque Southern Cape Coastline. The Garden Route, perennially green, has a mild Mediterranean Maritime climate and lies on a narrow belt between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Southern Coast of Africa and includes a blend of charming towns, dramatic & scenic landscapes, tall trees, deep gorges, shimmering lakes, majestic mountain ranges, golden beaches and lush indigenous forests. In the authentic flagship Safari of the Kruger Park and the adjacent unfenced private game reserves where the big game, including the Big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino) roam across the African bush and savannah, experience the thrill of wildlife encounters, the echo of the fish eagle’s haunting cry, blazing African sunsets, and options of lantern-lit dinners, camp fires, bush walks, viewing from decks over watering holes, beautiful ethnic-decorated game lodges and safari tents. “Welcome to the real Africa”

Discover the Cape Town, the Garden Route & Kruger Safari the Right Way and Build unforgettable memories with 34º South Tours.

Itineraries, timeframes and excursions are flexible and crafted around your personal requirements and required pace. You won’t be rushed from one point to the other with itineraries cast in stone.

A knowledgeable, professional and friendly tour guide will guide you to discover our local jewels along the best routes in order to save you precious holiday time. Your guide will share a wealth of insights and will wrap the Cape Town, Garden Route & Big 5 Kruger Safari Tour experience in interesting stories and conversations.

Please contact us for a quotation that will provide excellent value for your holiday money.

Itineraries, timeframes, excursions and start and end destinations are flexible and crafted around your personal requirements, available days and required pace

Your knowledgeable, friendly and professional South African guide will share a wealth of interesting stories and conversations with you and choose the best routes and local jewels to match your interests:

Day 1 : JOHANNESBURG TO MPUMALANGA ESCARPMENT

• Travel along the Drakensberg escarpment
• Arrive in Mpumalanga (‘Place Where The Sun Rises’)
• Explore the nostalgic village of Pilgrim’s Rest, where gold was discovered in the 1870’s
• Optional guided night-time game drive to experience your first taste of an African Safari

Overnight Venue : Guest House / Hotel in Hazyview, outside Kruger or at a Private Game Reserve
(Classic Modest or Elegant Luxury 3 and 4-star Value for Money Options or
Exquisite Premium 4 and 5-star Ultimate-in-Luxury Options at a Private Game Reserve)

Day 2 : MPUMALANGA ESCARPMENT : PANORAMIC ROUTE

• Blyde River Canyon is one of South Africa’s scenic wonders and is the only true canyon in South Africa. The scenery is unsurpassed, its vegetation both varied and lush and the rich selection of birdlife includes a breeding colony of the rare bald ibis. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 33 km long gorge.
• The Three Rondavels, across the Blyde Canyon and at the end of the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga, are huge triplet rock spirals rising out of the far wall of the canyon. The three well known gigantic peaks of quartzite and shale with their sheer rock walls tower more than 700 m above the surrounding landscape.
• Wonder View is the highest viewpoint on the Panorama Route escarpment in Mpumalanga accessible to the motorist. At an altitude of 1,730 m this is the highest viewpoint in the area.
• God’s Window  – So called for the panoramic view of the Lowveld (and in the distance the Kruger National Park and Mozambique almost 100km away) more than 900m down into indigenous forest clad ravine.
• Bourke’s Luck Potholes was dubbed nature’s wishing well and is at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers. Over millions of years, waterborne sand and rock scoured huge cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river. The ravine in which these potholes lie reach a depth of 30m, though the actual potholes are generally about 6m deep.
• At 92m the Lisbon Falls are the highest waterfall in the area as the Lisbon river cascades over the sheer cliff in a double stream and over a semi-circular rock face.

Overnight Venue : Guest House / Hotel in Hazyview, outside Kruger or at a Private Game Reserve
(Classic Modest or Elegant Luxury 3 and 4-star Value for Money Options or
Exquisite Premium 4 and 5-star Ultimate-in-Luxury Options at a Private Game Reserve)

Day 3,4 & 5: SAFARI IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK OR ADJACENT PRIVATE GAME RESERVES

• A grand 3-day Safari experience. Various options are available for your authentic African Safari experience. Kruger National Park and the adjacent private Game Reserves have no fences between them to allow wildlife to roam freely enabling exceptional game viewing. Together, these unique combination of public and private lands are called “The Greater Kruger Park” and form part of a conservation gene pool that covers 5.5 million acres of land in the heart of the South African Lowveld.
• The 3 days are spent in a combination of leisure, day and evening game activities under African skies.

Day 6 : KRUGER TO GARDEN ROUTE

• Various Travel options to the Garden Route :
  • Fly Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) or Mpumalanga Airport (MQP) to George via Johannesburg
  • Fly Nelspruit to George via Johannesburg
  • Fly Johannesburg to George

• Arrive in beautiful Knysna, Jewel of the Garden Route, situated on the Knysna estuary, surrounded by lush ever-green forests.
• The Knysna Heads is one of the most striking geological features along the entire southern African coastline.

Overnight Venue : Guest House / Hotel in Knysna
(Classic Modest Luxury 3 and 4-star Value for Money Options or
Exquisite Premium 4 and 5-star Ultimate-in-Luxury Options)

Day 7 : KNYSNA, PLETTENBERG BAY AND TSITSIKAMMA

• Plettenberg Bay with its wonderful ambience and weather and its beautiful golden beaches
• When open again : Groot River and Bloukrans Passes through the indigenous forests descending deep into the gorges following the old wagon trails
• Tsitsikamma Coastal Park with its startling beauty is located at the foot of the Tsitsikamma Range and is cut by rivers that have carved deep ravines into the ancient forests with its centuries-old trees such as Yellowwood, Stinkwood, Hard Pear, Ironwood and Kamassi.
• Optional excursions for the day include:
  • Leisurely stroll in the Tsitsikamma Coastal Park to the Suspension Bridge at the mouth of the Storms River
  • Tree-top Canopy Tours in the Tsitsikamma Forest
  • Boat-based Whale Watching (mostly seasonal July to November) and Dolphin Watching in Plettenberg Bay
  • Tsitsikamma Coastal Park: Boat trip to view the otherwise inaccessible Storms River Gorge.
  • Woodcutters Trail at Storms River in the Tsitsikamma Forest: Journey down the old Storms River Pass, and experience the indigenous forest from the comfort of a specially-designed vehicle.
  • Guided River Ferries and Boat cruises
  • Forest and Beach hikes in the Tsitsikamma Forest
  • Enjoy the Golden beaches
  • Bungi Jumping at Bloukrans Bridge
  • Oyster Tasting at Knysna, oyster Capital of South Africa.
  • Snorkelling and Scuba diving at Storms River in Tsitsikamma Coastal Park
  • Knysna Elephant Sanctuary – opportunity to interact with the six tame African Elephants : touch and feed ; elephant-back riding and “walking with Elephants”
  • Monkeyland, the world’s first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary
  • Birds of Eden, the Garden Route’s very own world class free flight bird sanctuary

Overnight Venue : Guest House / Hotel in Knysna
(Classic Modest or Elegant Luxury 3 and 4-star Value for Money Options or
Exquisite Premium 4 and 5-star Ultimate-in-Luxury Options)

Day 8: KNYSNA & OUDTSHOORN

• Featherbed Eco-excursion in Knysna : A boat trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve followed by a buffet lunch ; then a drive in a Unimog up to the top of the Western Head and an easy hike down the head with spectacular views over the Knysna Lagoon and the Indian Ocean
• Breathtaking Outeniqua Mountains – lush green carpet of indigenous Fynbos (Fine Leaf Bush), the smallest of the six plant kingdoms in the world
• Cango Caves with its chambers with magnificent limestone formations
• Optional : Guided tour on the Cango Ostrich Ranch with the opportunity for close interaction with the ostriches

Overnight Venue : Guest House / Hotel in Oudtshoorn
(Classic Modest Luxury 3 and 4-star Value for Money Options or
Exquisite Premium 4 and 5-star Ultimate-in-Luxury Options)

Day 9 : CAPE AGULHAS AND ARNISTON

• Via Tradouw Pass (the Pass of the Women), Barrydale and Calitzdorp (the port Capital of South Africa)

• Through Swellendam, an 18th century frontier town
• We have now entered the Overberg Region with its rolling farmlands, wheat fields and stretching along the African South Coast
• We then head for Cape Agulhas, southernmost tip of Africa, the official meeting place of the two oceans (Atlantic and Indian)
• Agulhas National Park, which has more than 8500 species of flowering plants with breeding sites of rare birds such as the African black oystercatcher.
• Visit the Cape Agulhas lighthouse, the second oldest working lighthouse in South Africa – erected in 1848. The lighthouse provides a panoramic view of where the two oceans meet, ships pass and Southern Right whales play in spring and early summer.

• Arrive in the sleepy little coastal town of Arniston with its azure sea, cobalt sky and peace and quiet; where the practices of generations of fishermen quietly continue without interruption.

• Leisure time on Arniston Beach or exploring the magnificent limestone cave which can be accessed at low tide.

Overnight Venue : Elegant Luxury Guest House in Cape Agulhas or Hotel in Arniston

Day 10 : ARNISTON, HERMANUS & CLARENCE DRIVE

• Travel along the Whale Coast (Seasonal : Spot whales along the journey – from July to November)
• Hermanus, one of the top holiday villages in South Africa during summertime with options :
  • Seasonal (July to November) : Whale Watching  – Hermanus is considered to be the “Whale Capital of the world”. Hermanus provides the best land-based whale watching spot in the world and the intelligent graceful Southern Right Whales, as large as 10 elephants, can be seen up to 20 metres from the rocky shores and cliff paths.
  • Wine Tasting in Walker Bay

• Return to Cape Town via scenic Clarence Drive, considered one of the top 10 scenic drives in the world. It hugs the coastline and its magnificent sea cliffs on the one side and is snug against the majestic mountain slopes on the other. This road travels via the coastal villages of Gordon’s Bay, Rooi Els, Kleinmond and Betty’s Bay.
• Optional : At Betty’s Bay we visit Stoney Point with it’s Jackass penguins (Jackass penguins, these days known as the African Penguin, the most Northern of all penguin species in the world)
• Arrive back in the “Mother City” (Cape Town)

Day 11 : CAPE TOWN CITY, TABLE MOUNTAIN AND OPTIONAL ROBBEN ISLAND

Experience interesting conversations and stories, iconic Cape Town landmarks and discover how Cape Town developed from the original “tavern of the seas”, half-way refreshment post en route to the Spice Islands, to the sophisticated city of today including:

• Table Mountain, the iconic mountain of the Southern Hemisphere.
• Cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain for a perfect 360º view of “the fairest Cape in the world”
• Famous streets and their stories e.g. bustling Long Street with its shops, african markets, restaurants and street-walk cafés
• The colorful Malay Quarter (“Bo-Kaap”) with its interesting homes, occupied by descendants of slaves originally from faraway places
• The imposing Castle of Good Hope, fortress built to protect the early Dutch Settlers
•  “Picture postcard” view of Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand (beach)
• The tranquil Dutch East India Company Gardens
• Trendy Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town’s lively and colorful link with the sea
• Green Market Square, a vibrant African Market
• City Hall, where Nelson Mandela made his first speech as a free man

Overnight Venue : Guest House / Hotel in Cape Town
(Classic Modest Luxury 3 and 4-star Value for Money Options or
Exquisite Premium 4 and 5-star Ultimate-in-Luxury Options)

Day 12 : CAPE POINT AND PENINSULA

Experience interesting conversations and stories, abundant scenic beauty and sea faring history including:

• Magical Cape Point –meeting place of the cold and warm ocean currents
• Impressive views over the vast South Atlantic Ocean from the lighthouse on the edge of the most South Western tip of the African Continent
• Historical Cape of Good Hope, dangerous passage for the early sea explorers
• Shipwrecks along the Peninsula coastline
• The Atlantic Seaboard, the curvy stretch of coastline also known as Millionaire’s Mile
• Imposing 12 Apostles Mountain range – up close and personal
• Beautiful white beaches of Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno, Noordhoek
• Trendy Sidewalk Café’s and Promenades along the beach
• The charming Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach
• Picturesque Hout Bay and Mariner’s Wharf (the original Cape Town waterfront)
• Optional from Hout Bay harbour : Boat Trip to Duiker Island (home to a large Cape Fur Seal colony)
• Dramatic Chapmans Peak with its steep cliffs into the ocean and views beyond compare
• Illustrious naval heritage of Simonstown
• The quaint holiday and residential villages of Kommetjie and Scarborough
• Magnificent views from Boyes drive over Muizenberg and False Bay, largest bay in South Africa
• Exquisite Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, oldest indigenous botanical garden in the world

Overnight Venue : Guest House / Hotel in Cape Town or in the Winelands
(Classic Modest or Elegant Luxury 3 and 4-star Value for Money Options or
Exquisite Premium 4 and 5-star Ultimate-in-Luxury Options)

Day 13 : STELLENBOSCH, FRANSCHHOEK AND PAARL WINELANDS

Some of the alternative or additional Options to personalize your tour and enhance your Garden Route experience :

• We travel along the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Wine Routes which have become legendary for both the excellent wine they produce as well as the scenic feast of valleys and vineyards surrounded by majestic mountains
• The Winelands offer a vast selection of diverse wine estates ; whether you are interested in red wine, white wine, cheese tasting, chocolate & wine tasting, magnificent homesteads, contemporary wineries, exquisite gardens – our guides will recommend the best wine estates to visit that matches your personal interests
• Wine Tasting at a minimum of three leading wine estates
• We have carefully selected a wide range of possible lunch venues to tempt and tantalise your tastebuds. Leading chefs create everything from world-class cuisine to light meals to gourmet picnics to mouth-watering lamb on the spit in restaurants chosen for their exceptional food and scenic delight.
• Stellenbosch, known world-wide for its quality wines and the spectacular beauty of the surroundings, is home to one of the most prestigious Wine Regions in the world. Founded in 1679, Stellenbosh is the oldest town in South Africa next to Cape Town and boasts beautiful historical buildings, Cape Dutch Architecture and a magnificent university campus
• Savour the hospitality and ambience of picturesque Franschhoek, Gourmet Capital of South Africa, which lies nestled in a valley surrounded by spectacular mountains. Franschhoek is a quaint little village rich in history and influenced by the Huguenots who brought with them their age-old wine and food culture.

Some of the alternative or additional Options to personalize your tour and enhance your Garden Route experience :

• Extend your Garden Route Tour with an additional night in Knysna or Tsitsikamma if you would like to do several of the optional excursions and activities on Day 7
• Extend your Garden  Route Tour  with an additional night in Oudtshoorn and add a day of spectacular mountain passes
• Shark Cage Diving at Mossel Bay