South Africa

Tour members from across Canada gather to fly to Amsterdam before connecting to South Africa.

After our late arrival in Cape Town, we will be transferred directly to our hotel in vibrant Bantry Bay on the slopes of Lion’s Head.

The President Hotel (5 nights)

Our day begins with a cable car ride to the heights of Table Mountain (weather permitting). This unique landmark rises over 1,000 metres above the city and spreads horizontally across the skyline. Following lunch at the waterfront, enjoy some leisure time to explore.

Take in the sights as we drive through the city centre and visit the Government Gardens, Bo-Kapp Malay Quarter, and St. George’s Cathedral. Dating from 1824, the church has been the pillar of the Anglican Church in South Africa and was a major centre against apartheid led by Bishop Desmond Tutu. At an additional cost, you may opt to explore Robben Island before we enjoy a welcome dinner together at Gold Restaurant.

We head south to the quaint town of Simonstown. After lunch, we will visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Delight in the magnificent scenery as we drive to Cape Point, on the tip of the Cape of Good Hope.

Enjoy a guided walk through the National Botanical Garden in Kirstenbosch, a 528-hectare natural area set on the slopes of Table Mountain with over 10,000 different native flowers and plants. We head to Groot Constantia for a chocolate and wine tasting, followed by lunch.

We travel to the long-established university town of Stellenbosch, with its oak-lined streets and stately mansions. The area was first settled in 1680 and many buildings date from the late 18th century. Continue to Grand Provence Estate for a cellar tour, wine tasting and lunch. In Franschhoek, nestled in its own valley, we shall see the Huguenot Monument before reaching Montagu.

Montagu Country Hotel (1 night)

Our journey east follows the route of the early settlers over rolling farmlands and past spectacular scenery. Our travels will take us through Barrydale into Little Karoo. Following lunch, we continue to De Krans Estate where we will enjoy a glass of port wine. We then head to our hotel in the old-fashioned town of Oudtshoorn, made wealthy by the feathers of the flightless Ostrich. 

Surval Olive Estate (1 night)

This morning we shall explore the fascinating Cango Caves followed by a visit to an ostrich farm to learn more about these fascinating birds, and to enjoy a lunch featuring its eggs and very lean meat. In the afternoon we descend the Outeniqua Pass and drive through the Garden Route Lakes District to the resort centre of Knysna.

Protea Knysna Quays (2 nights)

Enjoy a leisurely morning relaxing or exploring on your own. Our afternoon is highlighted by a reception at Theodora Creche, hosted by the local community, and by a visit to Birds of Eden. Enjoy a short nature walk on Robberg Nature Reserve followed by a glass of sparkling wine. We will enjoy a delicious dinner at Drydock restaurant on Knysna’s waterfront.   

Departing early, we head east along the coast following the scenic route from Tsitsikamma to Port Elizabeth which is known for its sunshine and beautiful sandy beaches. From there, we fly to Durban, where we will overnight by the northern beaches.

Protea Hotel Umhlanga (1 night)

Relax this morning with opportunities to join an orientation tour of Durban City. Drive through Zululand to Lake St. Lucia, an area known for its exceptional bird life, where we will have lunch before a cruise on the lake. Continue into the land of Zulu and our delightful country inn.

Ghost Mountain Inn (2 nights)

We enjoy our first game drive in the Mkuze Game Reserve in open 4x4 vehicles, with opportunities to see a wide variety of game. Later we can relax at our resort or join an optional excursion to explore the mountainous countryside of the traditional Zulu homelands, highlighted by a visit to a Zulu compound where we will be introduced to their unique lifestyle. This evening, weather permitting, we are treated to a BBQ dinner and a presentation of Zulu war dances.

Our morning drive takes us to neighbouring Swaziland, an independent kingdom. Follow the Ezulwini Valley, known as the “Place of Heaven”, to the capital of Mbabane. Lunch is in the Ezulwini Valley. Along the way, we will visit the Swazi Market and a craft centre.

Piggs Peak Hotel (1 night)

Enjoy spectacular scenery as we drive over Piggs Peak and enter eastern Mpumalanga en route to Kruger National Park. Enjoy game viewing from our coach as we drive across the park.

Kruger Gate Hotel (2 nights)

Enjoy a full-day game drive through the heart of Kruger National Park in open game-viewing vehicles. Keep an eye out for sightings of the “Big Five” which includes elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions and leopards. This evening, relax in our delightful lodge.

This morning we drive from the plain of Kruger to Highveld and follow along its crest for magnificent views of the Blyde River Canyon and God's Window. Enjoy the wonderful scenery along the escarpment before we continue to our hotel.

Protea Nelspruit Hotel (1 night).

Journey through the Highveld's rolling farmlands to reach Pretoria, the picturesque capital of South Africa. Explore this gracious city known for its broad avenues bordered by flowering trees and its impressive public buildings and monuments.

Fire & Ice Melrose Arch (2 nights)

Enjoy a morning drive through Johannesburg, a city created from the wealth of gold and diamonds, before a visit to the engaging Apartheid Museum. We enjoy a special lunch at Chez Alina before heading off to explore the township of Soweto, home of Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

Our flight brings us to Victoria Falls, discovered by David Livingstone in 1855. At 353ft high and over a mile wide, they are the largest falls in Africa. Enjoy a guided walk, and weather permitting, there will also be an optional helicopter ride to see the sights of the main falls, Devil’s Cataract and Danger Point.

Victoria Falls Hotel (1 night)

We drive across the border into the north of Botswana, and the gateway to Chobe National Park. Chobe, spanning 11,000sq. kilometers, offers excellent game viewing with a diverse array of wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, hippos, and lions. Relax by the pool, and enjoy a dinner under the stars, serenaded by the unique sounds of Africa.

Chobe Game Lodge (2 nights)

Spend a full day in the park with morning and afternoon excursions in open land rovers, and by boat, to view the fauna that frequent the fertile flood plains of the Zambesi. A highlight of our stay will be the visit by boat to the natural hippo pool, a short distance from the lodge.

Enjoy the amenities of our beautiful resort or join an early morning game drive before checking out after breakfast. Later today we catch our return flights to Canada.

On arrival in Toronto, we catch our continuing flights to our homes across Canada.