Grand Tour of South Africa

We'll arrive this morning and spend the rest of the day at leisure in the city.  

Jo'burg, South Africa's largest city, is a city for style, art and music. You could learn more about the country's history with a visit to the Apartheid Museum - a fascinating, horrifying, humbling and ultimately inspiring journey from the dark days of ‘whites only’ privilege, through to Nelson Mandela’s historic release. It’s a truly fascinating exhibition charting the apartheid years and the struggle against it, culminating in the first democratic elections. It is a superbly presented walk through contemporary history using original material, riveting eyewitness accounts, photographs and film. Alternatively, you could stop by the Hector Pieterson Memorial and the former homes of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Vilakazi Street. 

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. We follow the 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. Deep circular rock formations created by years of erosion and many excellent vantage points offer superb photo opportunities for some of the most breath-taking views in Africa. 

Our hotel for the next three nights is beautifully located in the midst of lush forest on the banks of the Sabie River, on the edge of Kurger National Park. Dinner is included tonight.

Our first day in the world-famous Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest game reserve, will be spent on a full day's game drive. This is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries on the planet. With nearly two million hectares of unfenced African wilderness, more mammal species roam free here than in any other game reserve. Travelling in specially adapted 4x4 vehicles, we'll be off to experience areas of sweeping savannah, bisected by rivers full of hippos, muddy waterholes lined with animals quenching their thirst, and the bush itself, studded by biscuit-coloured termite mounds. There is simply nothing to beat that rising feeling of anticipation and excitement as we enter the nearby park in the half-light of the African dawn, surrounded by the noise of a unique dawn chorus.  

Which animal do you think we'll spot first? Perhaps an elephant or a family of warthogs or possibly even the elusive cheetah. The experienced game rangers know the best tracks and waterholes, their stories will amuse, inform and fascinate you. Most have lived here all their lives, accumulating insider knowledge you won't read in any book or article.

We'll spend the day at leisure in Kruger National Park - you can take it easy by the pool at the hotel or do some hippo-spotting from the lovely lawn overlooking the river.  

Alternatively, you could descend 60 metres down into the heart of one of Mpumalanga's last forested wonderlands on a visit to Graskop Gorge Lift. The glass-bottomed lift is the first of its kind in South Africa and offers knee-knocking views of the surrounding gorge and forest. Once at the bottom, you can stroll the series of elevated walkways at your leisure, exploring the local flora and fauna set against the craggy cliff faces that make up the gorge.  

There’s also the opportunity for a morning game drive or a sunset safari with dinner. A sunset safari is perfectly timed to try and spot nocturnal animals as they become more active. 

Exclusively for Riviera Travel guests, there are also a limited number of places available to stay the night at a tented camp and go on a bushwalk.

Today we'll leave Kruger on our way to the battlefields of Zululand. After breakfast we’ll drive south, entering the small but beautiful country of Eswatini. Formally the Kingdom of Eswatini, also known by its former official name Swaziland, is a landlocked country within Southern Africa. As the road climbs past the interestingly named Piggs Peak, we descend through lush green fields and rolling hills interspersed with small farms. Then, we’ll drive through the country’s small capital Mbabane, passing the parliament house and Royal Palace en route. 

We cross back into South Africa in the afternoon and enter Kwazulu Natal province. A region where glassy malls touch shabby suburbs, and the people are fiercely proud of their traditional Zululand culture.

After breakfast, we'll visit the battlefields of the Zulu Wars, Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift – one the site of a crushing British defeat that sent shock waves throughout the Empire, the other a valiant stand of just 140 against 4,000 Zulus. Brilliantly dramatized in films like Zulu Dawn and Zulu, these two battles, just a day apart, became a defining moment for the British Empire.  

In 1879 at Isandlwana, a depleted force of 1,300 were surprised and outmanoeuvred by a 20,000-strong Zulu army armed with cowhide shields and spears. Only a handful survived. 

The next day just 9 miles away, about 140 British soldiers, some wounded, held off 4,000 Zulus for over ten hours at Rorke’s Drift, an action earning eleven Victoria Crosses, the largest number ever awarded in a single engagement. Isandlwana particularly, remains a haunting and lonely place, with mass graves marked by simple white stones. Our specialist Zulu guide will really make those desperate encounters come alive.

We'll hear old Zulu stories of the battle to recreate the events of the day, as our guides explain how this battle was won, and give insight into the brave soldier warriors and Zulu chieftains who fought and died here.

We return to our hotel in the afternoon. Lunch is included today.

After breakfast we'll return to Johannesburg airport, flying to George in the Western Cape and at the heart of the gorgeous Garden Route, before the short drive to the Jewel of the Garden Route, Knysna.  

Knysna sits within the unmatched beauty of the indigenous forests, miles of sandy beaches, rivers and lakes that border the town. There's also a picturesque lagoon which opens between two massive cliffs called The Heads. Standing on either head offers panoramic views over the lagoon to the mountains and out towards the ocean. The small but spirited town has a lovely harbour front lined with galleries, shops, restaurants and cafés - the perfect place to explore for dinner this evening overlooking the lagoon.

Leaving our hotel this morning, we'll drive to Knysna where we'll take a ferry across the lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve - a privately-owned reserve in the middle of a scenic lagoon. We'll board 4x4 vehicles to explore the area. 

Stopping at some magnificent viewpoints, our guide will describe the area’s fauna, flora, history and shipwrecks before an easy downhill guided walk and delicious buffet lunch under the canopy of the milkwood trees. (Note: Due to weather conditions over the winter period, departures between May and Aug will have lunch at a restaurant in Knysna). 

After taking the ferry back to Knysna, you will have some free time to explore this small town, with its numerous art galleries, craft shops and the Knysna Quays marina shopping complex. 

This morning, we'll take the long scenic drive to the Cape’s beautiful Winelands before continuing to Hermanus, a lovely town that’s also the world’s best spot for onshore whale watching, usually between July and November. During the whaling season, the local 'Whale Crier' walks the streets to inform visitors when whales are present with a blast on their kelp horn. These gentle giants move in seemingly permanent slow motion and are a truly amazing sight as they playfully cavort in the water.

Not far from Cape Town is the Cape Winelands, home to some of the most prestigious wineries in the world. Today, we'll tour a valley backed by majestic mountains, rows of manicured vines and orchards stretch into a distance studded by lime-washed, often thatched, 300-year-old wineries built in the unique Cape Dutch style, seemingly mirroring the undulations of the surrounding countryside. Our first stop is elegant Stellenbosch, South Africa's second oldest town, established 300 years ago and home of South Africa’s most prestigious university. Its historical hub is home to period buildings and historic streets that reinforce the town’s dignified atmosphere, and we'll have time to explore this delightful town before a cellar tour and tasting at the award-winning Neethlingshof Wine Estate.

After that, we'll visit the small town of Franschhoek, set at the head of a valley. As well as outstanding wines and fine foods, you'll also find some wonderful art. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included typical South African BBQ or Cape Malay buffet dinner at our hotel.

This morning we'll visit the amazing Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, located just outside Cape Town and set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. With more than 7,000 plant species, most of which are unique to this part of the world (keep an eye out for all kinds of proteas, birds of paradise, wild gardenia, and much more). There are also artworks and sculptures scattered throughout its 1,300 acres. These incredible gardens are some of the best in South Africa - a gardener's paradise! 

We'll carry on to Cape Town. Our hotel is located right in the centre of this bustling city, within walking distance of the V&A waterfront, so you'll be well-placed for an afternoon at leisure exploring the city.

This morning we'll drive out of the city past pristine beaches to the fishing harbour of Hout Bay, a former fishing village surrounded by mountains, ocean and quintessential South African wine farm. 

We'll continue on Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the most scenic drives in the world. From Hout Bay, it begins to climb and winds steeply up to Chapman's offering rugged coastal views out over the Atlantic and the sandy bays below before reaching lower levels again at Noordhoek. Then we’ll drive through Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site and protected Nature Reserve with rich biodiversity - be on the lookout for ostriches, baboons and several species of antelopes as well as 250 different bird species. 

Next, we'll see the rugged rocks and sheer cliffs of Cape Point itself, stopping to take in the views. We'll see the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean currents and the treacherous promontory of rocks and swells, the scourge of mariners for centuries. 

Finally, we'll visit Boulders Beach and its penguin colony. Here you can see a colony of African Penguins - formerly known as Jackass Penguins because of their distinctive braying - in their natural habitat from a series of wooden walkways. Watch as they dive in and out of the calm waters of this sheltered bay and waddle up the beach back to their sand-dune burrows. It's a fascinating experience that is cute enough to warm even the hardest heart - you won't be able to resist taking a picture! 

We'll return to the city during the afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.

Cape Town, featuring British, Dutch and Cape Malay influences, is one of the world’s most naturally beautiful cities with so much to offer! You could do some bargain shopping at the Waterfront, followed by a fresh seafood lunch or maybe go people-watching at fashionable Camps Bay.  

We think no visit to Cape Town is complete without taking a revolving cable car ride to the top of iconic Table Mountain (assuming you're not afraid of heights). The mountain has welcomed generations of seafarers to the city as it rises on the horizon and the views from the top are fabulous. You could also visit Robben Island (weather permitting and based on availability), where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27-year incarceration, and whose visitors since its opening have included Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Gates and even Nelson Mandela himself.  

Perhaps though, simply wander where your feet take you, or relax a little, taking afternoon tea in beautiful colonial splendour at the Mount Nelson Hotel – the choice is yours. 

Today, we escape the bustle of the city and head out to the Winelands area of the Cape, stopping at Viljoensdrift.  

Nestled on the south of the Elandsberg Mountain, on the banks of the River Breede, is the Robertson Wine Valley and our first destination of the day, the Viljoensdrift Wine Estate. Their winemaking heritage dates back over 200 years when their French Huguenot ancestors planted the first vines here. Five generations have lovingly toiled the fertile land and, today, the estate is still family-run, producing award-winning wines. Here we'll enjoy a tasting of their distinctive wines and take a boat ride along the river, flanked by indigenous Breede River Yellowwood and Wild Olive trees teeming with a variety of bird species. 

Later, we'll continue on to Montagu, with its Wineland scenery, whitewashed farms and dramatic mountain backdrop - it's known for its springs and was a popular Victorian spa resort.  

This small town is on one of South Africa's most popular road routes, Route 62, which meanders from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. The road follows winding mountain passes that unfold before your eyes, opening into green valleys, past crystal-clear streams and framed by distorted geological shapes and richly coloured rock faces dating back hundreds of millions of years.

Make sure you have a hearty breakfast today as we'll start the day's exploration with a brandy tasting at a local distillery and learn all about Cape Brandy. It's a product of diverse cultural influences and a testament to the historical art of distilling - a process, legend has it, they've been honing since 1672.  

It's made from grapes grown in the Cape Wine Regions. Each swig of the 38% proof spirit is aged for a minimum of 3 years and perfectly captures the flavours and aromas unique to the region, as well as the creativity and artistry of the people who produce them. 

As we continue on Route 62, we'll visit an ostrich farm situated in the heart of “Ostrich Country”. This is an area of the Cape well known for its ostriches which are particularly valuable thanks to their lean, tasty meat; their feathers, which can be used for clothing, dusters and ornaments; eggs which can be eaten or decorated; and exquisite leather, perfect for bags, shoes, wallets and furniture. We'll take a tractor ride - the only ostrich tractor safari in South Africa - to see their flocks, including Kenyan (Massai), Zimbabwean Blue and South African Ostriches, and visit the chick-rearing area to see the adorable hatchlings. We'll also enjoy lunch in the farm's restaurant (yes, ostrich meat is available but optional, we checked).

Today, we'll head to the Swartberg Mountains for a drive through the Swartberg Nature Reserve in 4x4 vehicles.   

The Swartberg Mountains - or "Black Mountains" in English - runs east to west along the northern edge of the Klien Karoo. Most of the mountain peaks are above 2,000 metres high, making it the highest mountain range in the Western Cape - and the longest spanning at around 230km. The Swathberg has an interesting history, and the mountain complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It’s one of only six botanical kingdoms on earth, thanks to its vast and pristine environment. There are two official ranges here, Klien Swartberg and Sweseekspoor which, according to legend, were split by a spell and a bolt of lightning (although, we're guessing geologists might disagree with that story). 

Regardless of how they came to be, the diversity of the vegetation is very impressive. The soil is poor in nutrients and the slopes are steep, yet proteas, ericas, watsonias, gladioli, Haemanthus species as well as many lesser-known rare plants are scattered across the landscape in bright floral displays. It's also home to a wide variety of native animals, including baboons, various species of antelopes and more than 130 species of birds - there are even the occasional sightings of leopard and caracal. 

We will continue to the 200-million-year-old Cango Caves, South Africa’s best-known caves. This underground cave system consists of a series of deep-cut, rugged limestone chambers brimming with unique rock formations and low passageways creating a labyrinth of kaleidoscopic colours. Our tour of the caves will reveal beautiful helictites, celestial crystals, aquamarine cave pools and grottos.  

Later, we'll travel back to Oudtshoorn for an evening at leisure in the ostrich capital of the world.

We'll begin our journey back to Cape Town passing through the towns of De Rust and Prince Albert before stopping at Matjiesfontein. 

This tiny village on the edge of the Great Karoo was founded by legendary Scottish railwayman James Douglas Logan in 1884, establishing itself as a fashionable Victorian health spa. Today the village is a living museum and a national monument thanks to its historical architecture. Here you can enjoy a sense of peace that is rare in the modern world as you wander through the white-washed Victorian-era houses. 

Of special interest is the museum on the platform of the railway station, the station master's office, which dates back to the late 1800s, and the original signal room. Classic car enthusiasts can find a remarkable collection of vintage cars from the 1930s-1960s, including two Royal Daimlers from King George VI's 1947 tour of South Africa.