Riviera Travel South Africa

• Visit Hermanus for the chance to spot whales
• Tour the Zulu War Battlefields with a specialist guide
• Explore the Cape of Good Hope
• Drive through the small country of Eswatini

• Return flights and transfers
• 13nts in 3/4* accommodation
• Breakfast each day, 2 lunches and 4 dinner
• 15 included experiences
• Expert tour manager
• Checked luggage

Day 1: Departure
You should arrive at the airport to take your overnight flight to Johannesburg where you will be met on arrival ready for your transfer.

Day 2: Arrival in Johannesburg
After our morning arrival, we transfer to the four-star Indaba Hotel in a prosperous suburb, north of the city. On the way to our hotel we take the opportunity to visit the Apartheid Museum, a truly fascinating exhibition charting the apartheid years and the struggle against it, culminating in the first democratic elections.

Day 3: Panorama Route
After breakfast we depart for the open spaces and farmlands of the Highveld, following the Panorama Route to Kruger National Park, one of the most scenic drives in South Africa. Follow the spectacular rim of the Blyde River Canyon, an amazing 20-mile long and 2,300- foot deep gorge cutting a vast swathe through the Great Escarpment separating the temperate grasslands of the Highveld and the drier savannah beyond

Day 4: Kruger Game Drive
Today we have a full day’s game drive in specially adapted 10 seat 4×4 vehicles. There is simply nothing to beat that rising feeling of anticipation and excitement as you enter the nearby park in the half-light of the spectacular African dawn, surrounded by the noise of a unique ‘dawn chorus’. Which animal shall you spot first? Perhaps an elephant, a family of warthogs or possibly even the elusive cheetah.

Day 5: Kruger Free Day
This is a day at leisure for anyone who just wants to take it easy by one of the pools at the hotel or do some hippo-spotting from the lovely lawn overlooking the river. Alternatively, you could try some elephant encounters, exciting microlight flights or even river rafting (all subject to weather conditions), as well as sunset safaris or night safaris where you can experience the unique thrill of an open 4×4 vehicle game drive by spotlight.

Day 6: Eswatini & Kwazulu Natal
After breakfast, leave Kruger and take a long coach journey to the battlefields in KwaZulu Natal, travelling through the country of Eswatini. Pass Piggs Peak before driving through Mbabane, the capital. Arriving in Kwazulu Natal in the afternoon.

Day 7: Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift
After breakfast we visit the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. Brilliantly dramatised in the films Zulu Dawn and Zulu, these two battles, just a day apart, became a defining moment for the British Empire.

Day 8: Knysna
After breakfast we return to Johannesburg airport, flying to George in the Western Cape and at the heart of the gorgeous Garden Route. Then, drive to Knysna.

Day 9: Featherbed Nature Reserve
This morning, take the ferry across the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Board 4×4 vehicles to explore the area, stopping at brilliant viewpoints and learning about the areas flora and history from the guide. Then take a guided walk and enjoy a buffet lunch under the trees. Return to Knysna where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10: Hermanus
This morning take the long scenic drive to the Cape’s beautiful Winelands before continuing to Hermanus, the world’s best spot for whale watching, usually between July and November.

Day 11: Winelands
Today, tour the awesomely beautiful Winelands. The first stop is Stellenbosch where you’ll have time to explore before enjoying a tour and tasting at the Neethlingshof Wine Estate. Next, visit the town of Franschoek. Tonight, enjoy an included Cape Malay buffet dinner at the hotel.

Day 12: Cape Town
This morning we visit the amazing Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, located just outside Cape Town and set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Then continue to Cape town and checking into your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 13: Cape of Good Hope
This morning, visit Cape Point and the legendary Cape of Good Hope, firstly driving past pristine beaches to the picturesque fishing harbour of Hout Bay. Continue along the breathtakingly scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, full of rugged seascapes, to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, then on to Cape Point itself. Finally, visit Boulders Beach to see its Penguin Colony before returning to the city.

Day 14: Free Day in Cape Town
Cape Town, featuring British, Dutch and Cape Malay influences, is simply one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities with so much to offer the visitor! You could do some bargain shopping at the Waterfront, followed by a sumptuous seafood lunch. Or maybe go people-watching at fashionable Camps Bay? Obviously no visit to Cape Town is complete without taking a revolving cable car ride to the top of iconic Table Mountain which has announced the city to generations of sea-farers.

Day 15: Return Flight
Our final day in Cape Town is at leisure before a transfer to the airport, at the appropriate time, for our return flight via Johannesburg to the UK.

Day 16: Arrive Home
We arrive back in the UK after a truly unique tour.

This Signature Tour includes everything from the Classic Tour as well as the following:

Day 3:
Visit the Hippo Hollow Hotel, where you’ll sample Amarula, a sweet liqueur produced from the marula tree, indigenous to Southern Africa. While here, you might see hippos, who often graze on the lawn

Day 5:
Set off on a game drive this evening, where you’ll see many exciting animals at their most active. After the game drive, enjoy an African-style dinner, cooked over hotel coals before returning to the hotel.

Day 14:
After breakfast, visit District Six, visiting the museum to learn more about the history of the area

Plus, enjoy the more exclusive atmosphere of travelling in a small group of 25 or fewer guests.

For dates and prices, please enquire or call 0800 707 6229

Full Day Walk to Freedom (Inc. Robben Island)
Drive past city hall to view Mandela’s Statue, before visiting the District Siz Museum. Then, head to Langa Township, the oldest apartheid housing scheme in the Cape where you’ll visit the local market. In the afternoon, board the ferry to Robben Island.

Gold Restaurant
Enjoy an evening of African culture and celebration at the Gold Restaurant. Begin with an optional interactive djembe drumming session. Then enjoy a 14-dish dinner, offering a generous selection of traditional African dishes.

Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg
Nestled within lush gardens, the four-star Indaba Hotel features two outdoor pools and an inviting spa for relaxation. Enjoy a variety of culinary options at the Epsom Terrace, Courtyard, and Chief’s Boma. The 260 air-conditioned rooms offer comfort and essential amenities. Located in a peaceful suburban area north of the city, it’s an ideal retreat.

Hippo Hollow Country Estate, Hazyview
The three-star superior Hippo Hollow Country Estate offers a serene retreat along the Sabie River, surrounded by lush gardens. Guests can enjoy the charming bar, a riverside restaurant with terrace, and two inviting pools. The 109 rooms, located in low-rise buildings and thatched chalets, provide garden views and essential amenities. Just a 10-minute drive from the National Park gate, it’s an idyllic location to explore the area.

Battlefields Lodge, Dundee
The three-star Battlefields Country Lodge, nestled near Dundee in Kwazulu Natal, offers a tranquil retreat in a historically significant area. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the lodge features a breakfast restaurant, an open-air pool, and 50 comfortable rooms. It overlooks rolling hills and the historic Talana Hill, the site of the first battle between the Boers and British soldiers.

Diaz Hotel, Mossel Bay
The Diaz Hotel offers a luxurious beachfront experience in the charming town of Mossel Bay, with stunning ocean views from every window and balcony. This elegant hotel boasts a cocktail bar, pizzeria, and a delightful restaurant serving dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.  The well-appointed rooms feature satellite TV, private bathrooms, and other amenities.

Pearl Valley Hotel, Franschhoek
The Pearl Valley Hotel, nestled within the scenic Paarl-Franschhoek Valley, offers a luxurious stay within the Val de Vie Estate. This four-star hotel provides a range of amenities, including a wine cellar, equestrian and polo center, spa, and an acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool and 31 one-bedroom studio rooms equipped with modern comforts and private balconies or terraces.

Southern Sun Waterfront, Cape Town
The stylish Southern Sun Waterfront, conveniently located a short walk from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, offers easy access to the city’s major attractions, including Table Mountain. The hotel features comfortable and well-appointed rooms with amenities like air conditioning, a bath, shower, hairdryer, safe, satellite TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel also provides an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and a convenient shuttle service to the waterfront.

Fact File

• Currency: South African Rand
• Flight time: Approx.  11 hrs 30 mins
• Languages: English, Afrikaans
• Time zone: GMT+2
• Country: South Africa

*All transfer times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic. Please note, en route to Johannesburg, you will spend 2 hours at the Apartheid Museum