Wanderlust: Adventures in South Africa - 11 days

Delve into the hidden secrets of South Africa's largest cities, explore its most scenic landscapes and track the Big Five in one of its most diverse game reserves. Explore beautiful Capetown, set in the shadow of Table Mountain.   Venture into the Cape Winelands on bicycle and go cage diving in the Cape waters. Travel to scenic Knysna on the Garden Route and cruise along its tranquil lagoon or encounter pods of dolphin off its craggy coastline. Enjoy the urban vibe of Johannesburg, where you can explore a traditional township by quad bike, view archeological discoveries at Sterkfontein and indulge in a hot air balloon flight over the Magalies River Valley.  End your adventure with thrilling wildlife encounters at Phinda Private Game Reserve, known for elusive cheetah and rare black rhino. 

Day 1
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be welcomed by a member of our  team, who will drive you to your hotel.
With Table Mountain at its heart and two oceans at its feet, Cape Town is home to South Africa's first mosque, its oldest wine farm, a 350-year-old garden and timelessly beautiful beaches. Vibrant, cosmopolitan and an eclectic mix of old and new, this laid-back city is as much at home with its 17th century castle as it is with its sleek skyscrapers and trendy malls.
Overnight: The Cape Grace

Day 2
Capetown
Embark on a cycling adventure in the beautiful Cape Winelands, stopping to sip on fine wines and snack on delectable treats along the way. Travelling to scenic Stellenbosch by train, you will collect your bicycle and set out on a 14-km (9 mile) tour of three superb wineries.
Overnight: The Cape Grace

Day 3

Capetown

Travel to the quaint coastal village of Gansbaai, where you will experience the excitement of coming face to face with sharks while on a thrilling cage dive in the Cape waters, accompanied by a marine biologist.
Overnight: The Cape Grace

Day 4

Knysha
You will be driven back to the airport, where you will catch a flight to George. On arrival, a member of our team will be waiting to drive you along the spectacular Garden Route to Knysna.
Knysna is famous for both its tranquil forests, where elephants still roam, and its beautiful lagoon, filled with tasty oysters. This lovely town is surrounded by rolling hills and its huge lagoon is jealously guarded at the entrance to the sea by two massive cliff faces known as The Heads.
Check into a luxury suite at the Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa, where you will spend two nights, before setting off a sunset lagoon cruise on board a luxury catamaran yacht or atmospheric paddle steamer.
Overnight: Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 5

Knysha
You will be driven to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, where you will head out onto the ocean, travelling past magnificent scenery. Enjoy dolphin and shark sightings, as well as pelagic birds, and stop off at the seal colony while enjoying tales of the area's history. Back on the mainland, visit a primate sanctuary deep in the indigenous forests and interact with elephants at an elephant sanctuary.
Overnight: Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 6

Johannesburg
You will be driven back to George Airport, where you will catch a flight to Johannesburg.
After a bawdy start as a tent and shanty town, Johannesburg is now the second largest city in Africa. Known as the greatest gold mining area on earth, this vibrant city is a cultural melting pot of traditional medicine shops, exclusive boutiques, theatres, museums, villages and more.
Check into the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, where you will spend two nights, before heading off on a quad bike adventure on the outskirts of the thriving township of Soweto. End the day with a traditional South African meat barbeque.
Overnight: Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 7

Johannesburg
We will drive you to Cradle of Humankind, where you will visit the Sterkfontein Caves, the site of major archeological discoveries. Then indulge in a gourmet cooking class at Roots restaurant before sampling a tasty three-course lunch. In the afternoon, soar above the treetops of the Magalies River Valley in a hot air balloon before ending the day with a post-flight sundowner.
Overnight: Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 8

Phinda Private Game Reserve
You will be driven to OR Tambo International Airport to catch a flight to Richards Bay Airport, where a member of our team will be waiting to drive you to Phinda Private Game Reserve.
Situated within easy reach of the coastline, the diverse Phinda Private Game Reserve  boasts seven distinct habitats, from dry sand forests to wetlands and mountains. The reserve is home to the Big Five, as well as elusive cheetah, shy suni antelope and elegant nyala.
Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge

Day 9

Phinda Private Game Reserve
Spend the morning tracking the rare and endangered black rhino on foot, accompanied by an expert ranger and tracker team. Learn how to follow rhino tracks, recognize rhino middens and scratching posts and follow the signs of the trees and grasses.
Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge

Day 10

Phinda Private Game Reserve
In the evening, set out on a moonlit beach adventure in search of massive leatherback and loggerhead turtles as they emerge from the balmy Indian Ocean to lay their eggs in the sand. Enjoy the spectacular beauty of the surrounding marine ecosystem, with its sand dunes that tower over the beach. Alternatively, travel to Sodwana Bay during the day and dive its magnificent coral reefs, with their amazing marine diversity.
Overnight: Phinda Forest Lodge

Day 11

Departure
After breakfast, you will be driven back to Richard Bay Airport, where you will board a return flight to Johannesburg.