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. Following our visit to the top, we’ll return to our hotel for a rest before heading out for dinner at a highly-regarded local restaurant on trendy Kloof Street.

Aug 30

Highlights: Hermanus, local markets, Cliff Path Walk

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. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy a light hike along the famous Cliff Path Walk, offering ocean vistas and a great chance to spot whales in their natural habitat. Afterward, we’ll have the option to indulge in a fresh seafood lunch at a local restaurant before checking into our hotel. The rest of the afternoon will be free for you to relax at the hotel or wander the quaint streets of this welcoming town. In the evening, we’ll come together for a group dinner at a local restaurant.

Aug 31

Highlights: Marine Big 5 safari, food tour

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we’ll immerse ourselves in the charm of Hermanus, beginning with a "Marine Big 5 Safari" — an incredible opportunity to (hopefully) witness whales breaching the surface, great white sharks cruising through their natural waters, dolphins leaping playfully in the waves, seals basking on the coast, and penguins waddling along the shore. Following this adventure, we’ll head back to town for a guided food tour at a local market, where you'll taste a variety of local foods. The remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy at leisure. You can grab a coffee at a cozy café, visit art galleries showcasing the works of talented South African artists, or simply unwind by the seaside, taking in the awe-inspiring views.

Sep 1

Highlights: Wine tasting in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

It’s time to head to the the Cape Winelands, a region renowned worldwide for its top-quality wines. Our first stop will be the town of Stellenbosch, where we’ll visit one of the most beautiful wineries in the area. Our experience will include a wine tasting, followed by a picnic lunch on the winery grounds. Afterward, we’ll drive to the Franschhoek wine region for a second wine tasting at another award-winning winery. Once we’ve savored the wines, we’ll make a short drive to our boutique guesthouse, located in the heart of the quaint Franschhoek town. After checking into our rooms, we'll head out to wander through town, which offers plenty of art galleries, quaint boutiques, and excellent restaurants, all just a short walk away.

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: Zulu cultural village, Sungulwane Game Reserve, safari

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll visit a cultural village, offering us a unique opportunity to learn the deep-rooted customs and traditions of the Zulu people, the largest ethnic group in South Africa. Through a blend of storytelling, folklore, fortune-telling, and traditional healing, this will be an incredibly educational experience. We’ll then we’ll set off on a 2-hour journey to Bayala, nestled in the heart of the Sungulwane Game Reserve. Upon arrival, we’ll be warmly welcomed at our highly-rated safari lodge. After a short rest, we'll get to it and head straight out on our first safari adventure! During the safari, accompanied by a naturalist guide, we’ll search for Africa’s Big Five — lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo — all of which roam these lands. After the safari, we’ll return to our cozy camp for a relaxing evening experience, complete with a campfire, dinner, and stargazing.

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.