On this trip, you will be taken on exciting safaris in Kruger National Park, where you have every chance to experience ‘The Big 5’ right up close. In addition, you can learn how to decode the signs and signals of nature on a fascinating bush walk with a skilled ranger.
You will also visit the Drakensberg Mountains – the highest and longest mountain range in South Africa – where one of the highlights is Blyde River Canyon. This is the third-largest canyon in the world and provides a truly breath-taking view of The Three Rondavels. The trip will also take you to the God’s Window and vantage points, as well as the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where the Blyde and Treur rivers have eroded deep, cylindrical formations in the cliffs.
It is then time to fly on to the beautiful coastal city of Cape Town, where you can relax on the magnificent beaches, enjoy the views from the numerous vantage points, experience a whale safari, go diving in a shark cage, visit the infamous Robben Island prison, or take a trip to the South African vineyards.
Today is departure day, where you will fly to Johannesburg with connecting flights along the way.
When you arrive in Johannesburg, you will drive through the scenic South African countryside to the 4-star Kruger Gate. Located on the Sabie River, the hotel enjoys a colourful panoramic view of Kruger National Park. Spend the afternoon taking in the fantastic view from the large communal terrace or from the observation tower – or relaxing by the pool.
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from the lodge and you will head off on a bush walk with an experienced ranger to guide you through the bush. Your guide has been specially trained in bush walks and will teach you how to decode Mother Nature’s signals, by smelling the air, listening intently, looking and observing like a real tracker. He will also talk to you about the various animals’ behaviour, and explain how to identify them by their tracks. As you walk, you will hear and learn about many of the small plants and animals you often do not notice when driving through the area in safari vehicles.
Not permitted for children under the age of 12.
Remember to read our practical information on clothing requirements for a bushwalk.
Full-day safari in open-topped vehicles, where you can experience the delights of Kruger National Park – one of the most important national parks in the world. Kruger National Park was established as a game reserve back in 1898, and was elevated to national park status in 1926. The park is around 350 km long from north to south, and around 65 km wide from east to west. Covering a total of approx. 20,000 km², it is the largest national park in South Africa. The park is home to 146 different species of mammal, around 520 species of bird and 120 species of reptile. Not only are many species represented, but they are also strongly represented. For example, it is estimated that there are 11,000 elephants, 2,000 lions, 1,000 leopards and 35,000 buffalo in the park, as well as 35,000 zebras and more than 150,000 antelopes. As regards plants, the park boasts 2,000 different species of flora, including everything from mosses to grasses, trees, creepers and cacti.
The wild animals are generally most active early in the morning, and then again towards the end of the afternoon. You will therefore be leaving the lodge early so as to experience as many animals as possible before they seek out shelter and shade to rest during the middle of the day. On account of the early start, the lodge will provide you with a packed breakfast to enjoy at a suitable time and in a suitable place. For lunch, you will stop at one of the authorised areas where you will find both a café and a minimarket.
You will return to the lodge at the end of the day – almost certainly with a camera packed with wonderful photos!
Today is given over to a beautifully scenic full-day trip along the Panorama Route through the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains. The mountains themselves are red, and form a magnificent contrast to the green trees and plants. On the trip, you will experience the breath-taking Blyde River Canyon. Measuring 700 m deep and 60 km long, it is the third-largest canyon in the world. You will stop at the three best vantage points along the canyon: God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and The Three Rondavels – three beautiful and remarkable rock formations whose shape calls to mind the round huts previously to be found in local villages in many parts of southern Africa. The Panorama Route will also take you past a number of waterfalls, and you will have the chance to stop to admire one of them. This could, for example, be the Berlin Falls, where the water cascades down into a lake from a height of 150 metres. Or you may stop at the Lisbon Falls, located where the Blyde river splits in two and then drops 92 metres down an almost vertical cliff, before coming together to form a single river once more. There are many other waterfalls, however, and your guide will decide where you stop. One of the most spectacular sights you will see during the day is sure to be the Bourke’s Luck Potholes – cylindrical holes carved into the rocks by the action of water and sand over thousands of years. You can see this amazing natural phenomenon right up close from bridges built over the peculiar holes.
The day is yours to do with as you wish.
You may wish simply to relax by the pool, but you can also choose to go on one of the extra excursions organised by TourCompass.
Enjoy two full-day tours in Kruger National Park in four-wheel-drive safari vehicles. The park features extensive grassy plains, as well as areas of rocky land, lakes and watercourses. Late in the afternoon, all kinds of animals flock to the lakes and watercourses to drink, and you may even be lucky enough to witness elephants bathing in the cool water. On the tour, your guide will attempt to spot as many animals as possible, and will almost certainly try to find antelopes – because where there are antelopes, there are sure to be predators. If you are really lucky, you may even see a shy leopard or two.
You are picked up from your lodge and driven to the airport, from which you fly to Cape Town.
You are met by a driver in the Arrivals Hall, who drives you to the hotel where you will be staying for the next four nights.
Centrally located, the hotel is close to a variety of sights, making it the perfect base for exploring Cape Town and the many fascinating areas both in and around the city.
Our partner meets you at the hotel, where you can ask questions or obtain more information about Cape Town. The rest of the day is your own.
The days are spent at your leisure.
Cape Town is a wonderful city! With its scenic location at the foot of the famous Table Mountain, you can spend several days just walking around and seeing the city, enjoying the waterfront, the many historical sights and buildings, as well as museums and good restaurants.
And we also highly recommend venturing a little outside the city. A guided day trip to the Cape of Good Hope is a wonderful experience. Along the way, you will make a stop at Boulders Beach, where you can see the sweet little penguins. The view from Chapman’s Peak Drive also takes most people’s breath away.
A trip to the top of Table Mountain is pretty much a must when in Cape Town. Take the cable car up there and enjoy the unique view of the city below and out over the water. You will almost certainly meet a rock hyrax or two up here.
The wine country around Cape Town is world famous. On a day trip, you will visit Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek – and it goes without saying that you will get to taste the golden drops.
Don’t forget Robben Island either, where Nelson Mandela was in prison. Former prisoners show you around the island and it is definitely worth a visit.
The time has now come to leave Cape Town and head for home. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport to catch your flight home, which will include connecting flights along the way.
You will arrive at your chosen airport after a magnificent holiday packed with wonderful experiences.
From £1469 pp including flights
Children under 12 years from £939
Single room supplement from £319
For an elephant guarantee, head to Chobe National Park in Botswana. Here you will find the largest concentration of elephants on the entire African continent. At least 50,000 elephants live here – some say there are as many as 120,000. You can also see large flocks of buffalo, gnus, zebras, antelopes, lions, hippos, crocodiles and rich bird life including storks, bee-eaters and vultures. You can often see hyenas, leopards or rare wild dogs too. It is not without reason that Botswana was named the best safari country in all of Africa!
Chobe National Park offers unique and varied safari experiences with both traditional game drives and countless activities on the life-giving Chobe river.
This 4-day safari extension to Chobe offers the best of both worlds on land and on water. A unique opportunity to experience Botswana, now that you’ve come all the way to Africa!
From £769 pp including flights
Children under 12 years from £769
Single room supplement from £319
Exquisite wine, good food, history and gorgeous nature – all this can be expected from a visit to South Africa’s Winelands.
The lovely Winelands sit just a half-hour drive away from Cape Town. Here, there are soft hills with lush slopes, broken up here and there by crumbling cliffs, small, pleasant villages with charming Cape Dutch houses – as well as vineyards and wineries.
The valleys surrounding Cape Town are ideal for growing wine grapes. The mountains provide both water and shelter from the wind, the soil is well-drained and the climate is approximately like the Mediterranean.
The town of Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 by the governor of the Cape colony, making it the second-oldest European settlement in South Africa after Cape Town.
In 1690, the Huguenots brought the first grape vines to the field, founding its wine production history.
On this extension to the Winelands, you spend two nights at the 5-star Erinvale Hotel & Spa, and you will of course receive a guided full-day excursion to Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
Children under 12 years from £2439
Single room supplement from £879
Catriona is passionate about helping other people fulfill their travel dreams, as she knows how much travel has only improved her life for the better!
