Wander To South Africa

Jun 1

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.

Jun 2

Highlights: Full tour of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll head out for a full day around the Cape Peninsula, where mountains, beaches, and the Atlantic all collide in one long scenic loop. We’ll start along the Atlantic Seaboard, passing Cape Town’s best known beach neighborhoods, with white sand below and the Twelve Apostles mountain range rising behind us. We’ll stop at Maiden’s Cove, one of the best viewpoints in the city, for a clear look at Camps Bay, Lion’s Head, and the coastline stretching south. From there we’ll follow Chapman’s Peak Drive, a cliffside road carved into the mountain above the ocean, with plenty of chances to pull over to take in the views. We’ll then continue into the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, a wild stretch of coastline where you’ll see dramatic sea cliffs, rugged vegetation, and, if we’re lucky, animals such as baboons or antelope near the road. We’ll ride the funicular up to the Cape Point viewpoint, where you’ll look out over the meeting point of two major ocean currents and see why this corner of the map has pulled in sailors and travelers for centuries. After that, we’ll visit Boulders Beach to see a colony of African penguins living among the granite boulders, often waddling right past the boardwalk as they head between the sand and the water. We’ll stop for lunch in a coastal town, then follow the False Bay side of the peninsula back toward Cape Town, passing fishing harbors and colorful beach huts before returning to the hotel for a relaxed evening.

Jun 3

Highlights: Bo Kaap, cooking class, Signal Hill

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we’ll cross the city for a deeper look at the Bo Kaap, a neighborhood known for its steep streets, bright houses, and strong Cape Malay identity. Our local guide will share the history behind the community as we walk, and we’ll also have time to connect with residents and see what day to day life looks such as beyond the usual stops. We’ll then visit a local home where we’ll help prepare a traditional Cape Malay lunch and sit down together to enjoy it. Afterward we’ll drive up to Signal Hill for big views over the city, the bay, and the mountain ridgelines, then we’ll return to the hotel for a rest. In the evening, we’ll head out again for dinner at a well regarded restaurant on the V&A Waterfront, where the harbor lights and evening buzz make a great backdrop.

Jun 4

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, a relaxed town with strong ocean views and a calm feel. When we arrive we’ll sit down for lunch at a local restaurant known for seafood, then we’ll head out for a light hike along the Cliff Path Walk, with waves below and wide views that keep changing around each bend. We’ll keep the afternoon open so you can enjoy the town in your own way, whether that means a slow coffee, a wander through small shops, or time at the hotel. In the evening, we’ll come together for dinner at a local spot and settle in for the night.

Jun 5

Highlights: Whale watching tour

Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today 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 long lunch at a fantastic high-end restaurant, a great chance to settle in and enjoy an amazing meal after the morning on the water. 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.

Jun 6

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.

Jun 7

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!).

Jun 8

Highlights: iSimangaliso Park, cruise along Lake St. Lucia

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll head into iSimangaliso Wetland Park for our first game drive in a landscape that keeps changing as you move through it. This is a place of lakes, grasslands, dune forest, beaches, and a strong birdlife scene, so there’s always something to notice, even between the bigger sightings. After exploring the reserve, we’ll enjoy lunch, then we’ll switch gears for a two hour cruise on the Lake St. Lucia Estuary, Africa’s largest estuarine system. We’ll look for hippos and crocodiles along the banks, with plenty of birdlife overhead and the feeling of being out on quiet water. We’ll return to St. Lucia for dinner and a relaxed evening.

Jun 9

Highlights: Sungulwane Game Reserve, safari

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 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.

Jun 10

Highlights: Safari game drive, free time

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 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.

Jun 11

Highlights: Safari game drives, time to relax in nature

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 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 you’ll have a feel for the rhythm of safari days, the early starts, the long pauses when something appears, and the way the bush can shift from silent to full of movement in a minute. When we return, we’ll keep the afternoon easy so you can enjoy the lodge, take in the views, and spend time around the pool if you want it. Wildlife sometimes passes through the grounds, so even downtime can come with surprises.

Jun 12

Highlights: Drive to Durban, farewell dinner

Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a couple of weeks filled with excitement, we’ll leave the reserve and drive about three hours to Durban, with time to settle in once we arrive. After checking into our hotel, the afternoon will be yours to explore or rest, with options such as a walk along the Golden Mile beachfront, time at the Durban Botanical Gardens, or a visit to the Victoria Street Market for a final look at local life. In the evening, we’ll gather for our farewell dinner, share favorite moments, and wrap up the trip together.

Jun 13

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.