Explore South Africa - Cape Town, Johannesburg & Kruger Safari

Let’s explore South Africa! Let’s depart on an overnight flight to Cape Town ready to discover Africa’s southern gem.

As you touch down at Cape Town International Airport, a friendly representative from Sense of Africa will be there to warmly welcome you. From the very first moment, you will sense the vibrant energy of South Africa’s most iconic city. You’ll be transferred to your accommodation, The Portswood Hotel, a historical gem nestled in the heart of the famous V&A Waterfront.

The V&A Waterfront is a lively hub, where the charm of a working harbour meets world-class shopping, fine dining, and breathtaking scenery. Set against the striking backdrop of Table Mountain, the waterfront is a paradise for explorers and food lovers alike, offering a unique blend of African culture and cosmopolitan flair

The PortsWood Hotel, a piece of Cape Town’s history, seamlessly blends heritage with contemporary luxury. Built around the original well and holding cells used for prisoners en route to Robben Island over 300 years ago, the hotel exudes character and a sense of the past. Rich in culture and renowned for its impeccable service, The PortsWood offers an unforgettable stay in this dynamic city.

This evening, you will dive into the rhythms and flavors of Africa at GOLD Restaurant, where an immersive culinary and cultural experience awaits. Enjoy an interactive drumming session before indulging in a 14-dish taste-safari. Each dish celebrates the diverse culinary traditions of Africa, paired with traditional Mali puppetry and live entertainment. This sensory feast will leave you captivated by the spirit of the continent.

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before setting off on an extraordinary walking adventure – the Lion Trail Walk. Beginning at the iconic red and white Green Point Lighthouse, this guided experience combines spectacular landscapes with fascinating history and storytelling.

The trail leads along the scenic Sea Point promenade before ascending steeply toward Signal Hill, rewarding you with panoramic views of the city, ocean, and Robben Island. From here, you’ll traverse the ridge of Signal Hill and enter the rugged terrain of Lion’s Head National Park, where breathtaking vistas stretch in all directions.

Your guide will share captivating insights into the history of the Cape, its first settlers, and the fascinating flora and fauna that flourish in this region. The final stretch of the journey winds through Clifton Beach, where you'll navigate rocky boulders and soft sands before hopping onto an e-scooter for a fun and effortless ride back to Green Point Lighthouse. Covering approximately 12km over 5 hours, this adventure is a truly unique and active way to experience Cape Town.

(Distance: 12km/ Difficulty: Moderate / Elevation: 700m /Duration 5hrs)

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure, whether you choose to unwind at the hotel, explore the vibrant waterfront, or soak up the city’s energy at a nearby café.

This evening, a transfer will be available for dinner at a restaurant within a 10km radius of the hotel.

Meals: B (Dinner at your leisure)

Stay: The PortsWood Hotel - Cape Town

Today, you ascend one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks – Table Mountain. The adventure begins with a scenic cable car ride to the summit, offering 360-degree panoramic views as you ascend to the top. Once there, you’ll embark on a guided two-hour hike across the Western Table to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point of the mountain.

This gentle walk allows you to fully appreciate the mountain’s unique ecosystem, where rare flora flourishes in the Table Mountain National Park. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to the intriguing marshy landscapes, where tiny frog species thrive, and point out rare plant species that make up the extraordinary Cape Floral Kingdom.

After descending via cable car, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore Cape Town at your own pace.

A dinner transfer is available to a restaurant within a 10km radius of the hotel.

Meals: B (Dinner at your leisure)

Stay: The PortsWood Hotel - Cape Town

After breakfast, embark on a full-day Cape Peninsula Tour, an exploration of one of the most scenic regions in the world. Travelling along the breathtaking Atlantic seaboard, you’ll pass pristine beaches and towering cliffs en route to Hout Bay, a charming harbour town. If weather permits, continue along the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, an engineering marvel carved into sheer cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Your journey continues to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, home to dramatic landscapes and windswept beaches. A short walk leads you to the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans collide, creating one of the most iconic viewpoints in the world.

On the return journey, visit the charming town of Simon’s Town and the world-famous Boulders Beach, home to a colony of endangered African Penguins. Watching these playful creatures waddle along the shore is an unforgettable experience.

The day ends with a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, one of the world’s most celebrated botanical gardens, showcasing the remarkable plant life of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Here, you’ll stroll through lush indigenous gardens set against the backdrop of Table Mountain.

A seafood lunch is included along the way, while the evening is free for you to dine at your leisure with a transfer available within a 10km radius of your hotel.

Meals: B, L (Seafood lunch included, drinks not included)

Stay: The PortsWood Hotel - Cape Town

After breakfast, you’ll leave the city behind and journey into the Cape Winelands, where rolling vineyards, historic estates, and stunning mountain landscapes create a picture-perfect setting. Arriving in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s most charming towns, you’ll embark on a Classic Cape Cuisine Walk, a delicious exploration of local food traditions. As you meander through the oak-lined streets, your expert guide will introduce you to the town’s rich history, elegant Cape Dutch architecture, and, of course, its mouthwatering flavours.

Next, visit Neethlingshof Wine Estate, an estate with over 300 years of winemaking heritage. Here, you’ll enjoy a cellar tour and wine tasting, learning about the estate’s dedication to biodiversity-friendly and sustainable farming practices. Sip on world-class wines while soaking in the breathtaking vineyard views.

After a relaxed afternoon, check into Baruch Guest House, a warm and welcoming retreat that combines contemporary luxury with old-world charm.

Meals: B, L (Lunch included on the Classic Cuisine Walk, drinks for your own account)

Stay: Baruch Guest House - Stellenbosch

After a final breakfast in the vibrant city of Cape Town, we transfer to Cape Town International Airport for our flight to Nelspruit (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport). Upon arrival, we will be met by our driver and embark on a scenic transfer of approximately one hour and fifteen minutes to our accommodation at Nkambeni Safari Camp, situated on the edge of the world-renowned Kruger National Park.

The southern section of Kruger, often referred to as the 'Southern Circle,' is one of the most wildlife-rich areas of the park. This region, separated from lush farmland by the meandering Crocodile River, is a prime location for spotting wildlife as they come to drink from the river’s edge. Expect to see a variety of animals, from large herds of elephants and towering giraffes to elusive leopards and powerful lions. This area is particularly renowned for its impressive population of rhinos and the different prides of lions that showcase unique hunting strategies. Ancient San rock paintings near the Hippo Pool add a fascinating historical dimension to this remarkable wilderness.

After checking into our accommodation, there will be time to relax and enjoy the lodge’s tranquil setting before dinner. Soak in the sounds of the African bush, as the calls of distant wildlife set the tone for our days ahead in this iconic national park.

Stay: Nkambeni Safari Camp

As the first rays of sunlight illuminate the savannah, we embark on an exhilarating full-day safari in one of the world's greatest wildlife reserves. Departing around 6:00 AM in an open safari vehicle, we venture deep into the park with our experienced ranger, whose knowledge of animal behaviour and tracking will provide us with the best possible chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters.

With over 2,294 km of roads open to the public, we will explore a fraction of Kruger’s vast wilderness, but every turn presents a new opportunity to witness the wonders of the African bush. Our route will take us through varying landscapes, from dense woodland to open grasslands, increasing our chances of spotting diverse wildlife. Keep your camera ready as we search for the famous Big Five—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo—as well as cheetahs, wild dogs, and an incredible array of birdlife.

Midway through the morning, we pause at a rest camp for breakfast, allowing us to stretch our legs and browse local shops. Later, we continue our adventure, visiting watering holes and riverbanks where hippos bask and crocodiles lurk just beneath the surface. Our guide will interpret the park’s ecological wonders, pointing out animal tracks and discussing the delicate balance of this ecosystem.

Lunch (not included) will be enjoyed at one of the park’s rest camps, where we have time to unwind before continuing our afternoon game drive. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, we slowly make our way back to the lodge, reflecting on the day's extraordinary encounters and savouring the thrill of the wild.

Stay: Nkambeni Safari Camp

After breakfast, we set off for a full-day exploration of the stunning Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic drives. Departing at 8:00 AM, we journey through a landscape of deep gorges, dramatic cliffs, and cascading waterfalls, stopping at some of the region’s most iconic viewpoints.

Our first stop is the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon, the third-largest canyon in the world, stretching over 60 kilometres. From vantage points such as the Three Rondavels and God’s Window, we take in breathtaking views of the vast escarpment and the winding Blyde River far below. These spectacular rock formations, shaped by millions of years of erosion, offer some of the most stunning panoramas in South Africa.

Continuing along the route, we visit the picturesque Berlin Falls, where water tumbles 150 meters into a serene pool below. Nearby, the Lisbon Falls, the highest waterfall in the province, showcases its dramatic 92-meter drop. At the Mac Mac Falls, we admire the twin cascades named after the Scottish miners who once sought their fortune in the area.

Another highlight of the day is Bourke’s Luck Potholes, an extraordinary geological formation where centuries of swirling water have carved deep cylindrical rock pools. Walking along the bridges and pathways, we get a close-up view of these fascinating natural sculptures.

Our final stop is the Graskop Gorge Lift, where we descend into an indigenous forest via a glass elevator. Here, we take a leisurely walk along elevated boardwalks and suspension bridges, immersing ourselves in the lush vegetation and soaking in the tranquility of this unique environment.

Lunch (not included) will be enjoyed at a local restaurant along the route, offering a taste of regional flavors. By late afternoon, we return to our lodge, having experienced some of South Africa’s most stunning natural wonders.

Stay: Nkambeni Safari Camp

As dawn breaks over the African bush, we set off on a guided sunrise bush walk, an intimate experience that brings us closer to nature in a way that game drives cannot. Accompanied by an expert walking safari guide, we explore the wilderness on foot, learning about the smaller details of the ecosystem—tracks left by nocturnal animals, medicinal uses of indigenous plants, and the fascinating behaviors of insects and birds.

This two-hour walk provides the opportunity to encounter wildlife at eye level, from grazing antelope to mischievous baboons. If we’re lucky, we may even cross paths with some of Kruger’s larger residents under the watchful guidance of our ranger.

After our walk, we return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before departing for Johannesburg. The scenic transfer takes approximately five hours, allowing time to relax and take in the changing landscapes as we journey toward South Africa’s largest city.

Johannesburg, often referred to as "Jozi" or "The City of Gold," is a sprawling metropolis rich in history and culture. It is South Africa’s economic hub and a city of striking contrasts, where gleaming skyscrapers stand alongside historic townships. The city was founded in 1886 following the discovery of gold and has since evolved into a global financial and cultural center.

Upon arrival, we check into our comfortable accommodation at the Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre. In the evening, we gather for a farewell Boma Braai, a traditional South African barbecue experience, where we share stories of our journey over a delicious meal under the starlit African sky. This special dinner includes two soft drinks, two beers, or two glasses of house wine per person.

Stay: Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre

After breakfast, we embark on a guided city tour of JOhannesburg followed by a 2hr guided walking tour of Soweto, South Africa’s most famous township and a significant site in the country’s struggle against apartheid. Led by a local guide, this two-hour walking tour offers an authentic insight into Soweto’s vibrant culture, history, and resilient spirit.

We explore key landmarks, including Vilakazi Street, home to both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, which commemorates the students who protested against apartheid in 1976.

After our adventure walking tour of Soweto -  we must say goodbye to South Africa and transfer to the airport for your international flight back home bringing our incredible South African adventure to a close.