Spectacular South Africa

With so much to see and do in Cape Town and its surrounding areas, your second day can be as busy or as relaxed as you wish. Start the day with a beautiful breakfast served up in the poolside Oasis restaurant, take a refreshing dip, a gentle stroll around the gardens or indulge in a massage. If you do choose to explore beyond the hotel,  the V&A Waterfront is a short drive away or you can make use of the hotel's complimentary shuttle. With a huge range of eateries, bars and shopping, it is easy to see why this is such a hotspot for visitors to Cape Town. Or you may prefer the more laidback and local vibes of Camps Bay, located southwest of the city. If you are looking to get out and stretch your legs, hikes such as Lion’s Head and Signal Hill offer enjoyable trails with rewarding views.

Collect your hire car in the city before heading off on a full day adventure. Leave Cape Town behind and travel along Chapman’s Peak, often hailed as one of the best drives in the country, heading west down the Peninsula towards the Cape of Good Hope. This rocky peninsula is located within the Cape Point Nature Reserve, an area rich in flora and fauna and you are likely to spot baboons and ostrich on your travels. Spend the night just outside of Simon’s Town. 

Wake early for an exclusive opportunity to see the penguin colony of Boulders Beach before the crowds. Tintswalo at Boulders is uniquely located directly behind the beach where this African Penguin colony congregate and a private walkway leads from your own room directly to the entrance to the beach. The penguins can also be spotted from a variety of viewing areas around the property, including the front deck and rooftop pool area. Later, travel inland to the world-famous wine region of Franschhoek.

Known for its breathtaking scenery, rich history, exquisite wine estates and renowned culinary scene, Franschhoek is often referred to as the food and wine heartland of South Africa. Enjoy a wine-tasting session, sampling the vineyards offerings and learning about the winemaking process during your stay at Mont Rochelle. Part of the Virgin Limited Edition, owned by Sir Richard Branson, this exclusive hideaway epitomises exclusivity, relaxation and indulgence.

The adventure continues today with a leisurely two-hour drive to the coastal town of Hermanus, renowned for its fantastic land-based whale watching during the migratory months of June to November. However, a stay at charming boutique hotel Birkenhead House is well worth including in your itinerary whatever time of the year your travels take you to South Africa.

Take in the fresh sea air strolling along the coastal path from the hotel to Hermanus or simply relax in and around the hotel. The all-inclusive offering here is sublime, with gourmet cuisine, delicious wines and cocktails, unparalleled service and even complimentary laundry combining for a true luxury experience, and of course, if it is the right time of year watching whales lobtailing from your private balcony or the elevated ocean facing infinity pool is a once in a lifetime experience.

From the coast to the mountains, start to travel back in-land today to take an alternative route east from the traditional Garden Route. Depart Hermanus after lunch and travel first towards Swellendam where you can break the journey and spend an evening in Schoone Oordt Country House, a boutique family run property that servers up a delectable breakfast offering.

Today’s drive is a magnificent one. Travel along Route 62 from Swellendam to Oudtshoorn and marvel at the variety of landscapes, from rugged mountain passes through semi-arid deserts and charming rural towns. Take time to stop off and enjoy some local cuisine or browse the quirky arts and crafts roadside stalls. Admire the breathtaking views and changing landscapes as you journey further along this celebrated route before arriving at Oudtshoorn, located in the picturesque Klein Karoo. Your hotel for the next two nights is Rosenhof Country House. This boutique property has been carefully renovated to retain its historical charm whilst offering comfortable and luxurious accommodation.

Today is action-packed, waking before the sun rises for a meerkat safari. Return to Rosenhof for a hearty breakfast before getting back in the car and heading to the Cango Caves. This interesting cave complex is one of the oldest in the country and as you travel deeper into the carefully preserved natural wonder you will learn about the history of the indigenous people who inhabited the site. A short drive from the caves is Swartberg Pass, a hair-raising mountain pass that runs through the Swartberg Mountain range connecting Oudtshoorn with the town of Prince Albert in the Great Karoo. Not for the faint-hearted, this narrow winding pass demands a confident driver. The views of the unbelievably dramatic landscape from the peak and as you descend into the valley are not to be missed. Enjoy a delicious freshly prepared late lunch at the quaint Lazy Lizard in Prince Albert as your reward and then take the circular route back to Oudtshoorn.

The coastal town of Plettenberg Bay is the next destination on your remarkable South African journey. Known for its long stretches of beautiful beaches and the nearby Robberg Nature Reserve, it’s a popular spot and offers a variety of activities for those seeking nature, relaxation and adventure activities. On route, stop off at Knysna, another popular coastal town and spend some time browsing the boutiques and enjoying lunch at the marina. Spend two nights at The Old Rectory, located within the oldest surviving building in Plett. The property celebrates its historic roots while providing all the modern conveniences of a luxury hotel, including suites with private gardens and delicious, freshly prepared cuisine.

Today marks the end of your epic road trip adventure. Depart Plettenberg and continue east towards Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to drop your hire car off and take an evening flight to Johannesburg. Tsitsikamma National Park is an excellent spot to break the journey offering a fantastic range of hiking and water based activities. Overnight accommodation will be at an airport hotel conveniently located close to the arrivals hall at Johannesburg ready for an early flight to Kruger the following morning.

A South African safari is truly a bucket list experience and nowhere in the country is better known for its range of luxury lodges and magical wildlife encounters than the Greater Kruger National Park. Arrive at Hoedspruit Airport and take a transfer to Thornybush Game Reserve. The final three nights of this spectacular South African sojourn will be spent in Saseka Tented Camp. Spacious beautifully designed tents are a stunning juxtaposition of nostalgic safari-inspired décor and contemporary glamour featuring a private plunge pool and large private deck overlooking the dried river bed.

Get ready for an early morning wake up call ready for your first exciting game drive in Thornybush Nature Reserve, known for it’s high density of wildlife including the Big Five. Your expert tracker and ranger guide will lead you in the most memorable of safari experiences before heading back to the lodge for a wonderful breakfast selection. Spend the next few days enjoying thrilling morning game drives and spending your afternoons relaxing by your private pool, learning about Thornybush’s commitment to conservation or chatting with fellow explorers and the lodges ever friendly and knowledgeable team before heading back out on more adventures. Dining at Saseka is a rare treat and the selection is wide and varied with each dish as delicious the last. On day 17, depart from Hoedspruit and connect with your international flight home in Johannesburg.