Wander To South Africa

Aug 27

Arrival day

Included: Dinner

Upon arrival at the Cape Town Airport you’ll be picked up and transferred to our hotel in the city center. After getting settled and having a good rest, we’ll start off with an evening orientation and group dinner at one of the city’s great restaurants where we'll enjoy our first South African meal together.

Aug 28

Highlights: Full tour of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a scenic journey to explore Cape Town’s renowned attractions, starting with a drive along the Atlantic Seaboard to admire the magnificent beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. Our excursion includes a stop at Maiden's Cove for views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Camps Bay Beach, and Lion's Head. Continuing along Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most picturesque routes in the world, we’ll head to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. There, we’ll take the funicular to reach the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, soaking in the spectacular scenery. We’ll then visit Boulders Beach, known for its scattered granite boulders and as the home of a large breeding colony of African penguins, which we’ll have the chance to observe. After exploring the area and enjoying lunch in town, our journey will take us past the charming sights of Kalk Bay and Muizenberg, famous for their colorful beach huts. As we circle the impressive Chapman's Peak, we’ll return to Cape Town and head back to our hotel for some well-deserved rest.

Aug 29

Highlights: Bo Kaap, lunch at friend's home, Signal Hill

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We’ll head across the city for a unique tour of Cape Town's Bo Kaap district. Our local guide will share the rich history of this vibrant neighborhood as we wander through its brightly painted streets, each one telling a story rooted in deep cultural significance. During our visit, we’ll have the opportunity to interact with the local residents, gaining insight into their daily lives. We’ve also been invited to the home of a friend, where we’ll experience the warmth of South African hospitality as we help prepare and then enjoy a delicious, traditional lunch. After our time in Bo Kaap, we’ll drive up to Signal Hill for the chance to take in some of the most spectacular views of Cape Town, the surrounding mountain range, and the bay below.

Aug 30

Highlights: Hermanus, local markets, Whale watching tour

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

It’s time to head to the southern coast as we drive to the quiet town of Hermanus, in a region known for its staggering ocean views and the potential for whale sightings. Along the way we’ll stop at charming farm stalls to sample the freshest local produce and artisanal treats. Afterwards we’ll lean into the best of Hermanus during peak whale season, starting with a whale watching boat tour out on the bay. This is when the town really earns its reputation, and on the water you’ll have a strong chance of seeing whales close up as they surface, blow, and move through the swells, sometimes with calves nearby. After the cruise we’ll come back into town for a quick fresh-up before a relaxing group dinner at a local restaurant.

Aug 31

Highlights: Relaxing day by the sea

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a slower morning following yesterday’s longer day, we’ll head out for a light walk along Hermanus’ famous Cliff Path, one of the best places in town to enjoy the coastline and watch for whales from shore. The path follows the ocean for miles, with rocky viewpoints, waves crashing below, and plenty of spots where it’s worth stopping to simply look out over the water. If timing allows, we may also visit Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a beautiful area of fynbos covered hills and walking paths just above town, known for its native plant life and wide views back over Hermanus and the bay. After a fresh seafood lunch, the rest of the afternoon will be yours to enjoy at your own pace. You might browse a few local galleries, take a relaxed walk through town, or find a spot by the sea and enjoy the views a little longer before we meet up again later.

Sep 1

Highlights: Franschhoek Pass, Wine tasting, Picnic Lunch

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we’ll head into the Cape Winelands through the Franschhoek Pass. This is one of the most beautiful routes in the region, with mountain curves, wide valley views, and long stretches of vineyards and orchards spread out below. We’ll take our time with it, stopping to stretch and soak up the scenery, before arriving in Franschhoek, a small town with a strong food and wine scene and an easy pace. Our first stop will be a winery that focuses on sparkling wine, where we’ll do a tasting and get a clearer sense of what makes the local style distinct, from crisp, dry bottles to richer, more layered ones. Afterwards we’ll head to another excellent winery for lunch on the lawns, a proper long meal outside with wine alongside, and time to relax and enjoy the setting. Later in the afternoon we’ll make the short drive to our boutique guesthouse in the heart of Franschhoek. After checking in, you’ll have time to freshen up and either rest or take an easy wander through town, where galleries, small shops, and great restaurants are all close by.

Sep 2

Highlights: Morning flight, transfer to St. Lucia

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to the other side of the country! We’ll start with a 1-hour drive back to Cape Town, followed by a quick 2-hour flight from Cape Town to Durban. Upon arrival, we’ll drive for 2.5 hours to the peaceful town of St. Lucia, where we’ll settle into our centrally located lodge. Dinner will be at one of the town’s top restaurants, and then, if we’re lucky, we may even spot the hippopotamuses that roam the town after sunset (don’t worry, we’ll do it safely!).

Sep 3

Highlights: iSimangaliso Park, cruise along Lake St. Lucia

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We’ll embark on our first game drive as we head to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This incredible park is teeming with wildlife and boasts over 500 bird species. With its mix of lakes, beaches, grasslands, dune forests, and marine reserve, iSimangaliso is one of the most diverse and best parks in the country to experience. After exploring the reserve, we’ll enjoy lunch before shifting gears for our next activity: a two-hour cruise along the Lake St. Lucia Estuary. This isn’t just any lake — it’s Africa’s largest estuarine system, where we’ll have the chance to spot plenty of crocodiles and hippos that call the area home. We’ll then return to St. Lucia for a relaxing evening and a delicious dinner.

Sep 4

Highlights: Sungulwane Game Reserve, safari

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll leave St. Lucia behind and set off on our 2-hour drive toward Bayala, tucked inside the Sungulwane Game Reserve. As we head inland, you’ll start to feel the landscape change, with more open bush, bigger skies, and that sense that we’re moving into safari country. Once we arrive, we’ll settle into our highly rated lodge and take a short break to drop bags, refresh, and get ready for the afternoon. Then we’ll head straight out on our first safari drive. With an experienced naturalist guide, we’ll begin scanning the bush for movement and tracks as we look for the Big Five, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and Cape buffalo, along with everything else that makes these drives so rewarding, such as giraffes, zebras, antelope, and birdlife. After the safari we’ll return to camp for a relaxed evening, with a campfire, dinner, and time under the stars.

Sep 5

Highlights: Safari game drive, free time

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After enjoying an early morning cup of coffee, we’ll set off on another wildlife safari, venturing even deeper into the reserve as we continue our search for the Big Five and more! This safari will be a relaxed adventure, allowing us to take our time, soak in the natural beauty around us, and marvel at all the wildlife we encounter. After the game drive, we’ll return to our comfortable lodge for some well-deserved rest, with optional activities available in the afternoon. For those who wish, there will be an opportunity for another safari drive in the late afternoon before dinner.

Sep 6

Highlights: Safari game drives, time to relax in nature

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

It’s South Africa, so we can’t leave without one last game drive! As we venture even further into the Sungulwane Game Reserve, we’ll conclude our journey with the most extensive safari yet. By now, being surrounded by wildlife will feel like a natural part of our days, and it’s an experience we’ll never forget. The duration of today’s safari will depend on several factors, but when we return to the lodge, we’ll have the expansive views and a serene pool to enjoy. This will be our last chance to soak up life in remote nature, taking advantage of the quiet surroundings and even wildlife roaming the lodge grounds.

Sep 7

Highlights: Drive to Durban, farewell dinner

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a couple of weeks filled with excitement, we’ll head out of the game reserve after breakfast and begin our 3 hour drive to Durban. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel followed by some free time. You can visit the famous Golden Mile beachfront, take a stroll through the lush Durban Botanical Gardens, or explore the lively Victoria Street Market for some last-minute souvenirs. In the evening, we’ll then gather for our farewell dinner as we conclude this amazing adventure around South Africa!

Sep 8

Highlights: Departure day

Included: Breakfast

A private driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the airport in time for your departing flight.