The Best of South Africa - Perfect for families 10 days 9 nights (land only) from $4167

The Best of South Africa
Perfect for families Cape Town, Gansbaai, Knysna, Shamwari/Kariega Game Reserve

Itinerary Day 1-10Prices and DatesRemarksPrint PDFItinerary Day 1-10
Day 1    International Airport - Cape Town Welcome to South Africa!! On arrival at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), where you will be welcomed by an English Speaking representative who will escort you to your transfer vehicle.  You will then be private transferred to the hotel for check-in. You will have rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation: Hotel in Cape Town for 3 nights. Day 2     Cape Town (B)

Pick up from your hotel this morning by your English speaking driver guide after breakfast and depart on a private tour of the “Mother City”. Drive to the magnificent Table Mountain. You will ascend to the top (weather permitting) by the revolving cable car.  Here, you’ll see wild flowers and the famous silver tree, and marvel at a birds-eye view of the city and its beaches.  On a clear day it is even possible to see Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on one side and Cape Point on the other. From here we visit the SA Museum, have a walk about in the infamous Malay Quarters and visit the Castle of Good Hope. We head back to the V&A Waterfront where a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium will be enjoyed. Return back to the hotel in the late afternoon and have the rest of the evening at leisure. Day 3     Peninsula Tour (B)

After breakfast, you will be pick up for your private full day Peninsula Tour. The tour begins with a 45 minutes scenic drive along the Atlantic coast, passing through the cosmopolitan suburbs of Sea Point and Camps Bay with its glorious views of the Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain range. You will continue to the fishing village of Hout Bay, one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets. Enjoy a Seal Island Cruise (if weather permitting). You will also visit the World of Birds, the largest bird park in Africa and one of the few large bird parks in the World. From here you travel for (stopping along the way) to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, comprising over 17,300 acres of indigenous fauna and flora.  Here you can see a variety of wildlife that includes baboons, rhebok, Cape Mountain zebra, Bontebok and the elusive Eland.  The reserve is also one of the world’s largest breeding grounds for tortoises.  Bird-watchers, too, will find many fine species to observe. The majestic coastline offers drama worthy of being called “Nature’s Greatest Show.”  Witness the union of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans (as per legend), and may even feel the brisk wind that is dubbed the “Cape Doctor” for its presumed curative powers. You will then visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach after a 10-minute drive to Simon’s Town, Boulders Penguin Colony in Simons Town is home to a unique and endangered land-based colony of African Penguins - this colony is one of only a few in the world. Boulders Beach consists of 3 pristine beaches, 1 penguin viewing area and 3 boardwalks. The boardwalks were built as a measure to allow for viewing of these wonderful birds, whilst keeping them safe from poking fingers, so please be sure to stay on the boardwalks at all times within the viewing area. From here you will visit the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens (if time permitting) before you head back to the city, passing the University of Cape Town, Rhodes Memorial and the Groote Schuur Hospital. The evening is at leisure. Day 4     Cape Town - Gansbaai (B/L/D)

Breakfast will be served at your hotel. Check out this morning and you travel to your next overnight stop, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. En-route you will visit the Cheetah Outreach, where you will have an opportunity to interact and encounter with an Adult Cheetah, Cheetah Cub, bat-eared Fox or a Meerkat. Travel to your lodge, a little luxury in harmony with Nature. Nestled between mountain and sea, the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a five-star eco-paradise showcasing the incredible Flora and Marine life of the Southern Tip of Africa. Home of the “Marine Big 5″ - whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins; and with unparalleled floral diversity. Grootbos offers you a one-of-a-kind luxury African experience. Day 5    Gansbaai (B/L/D)

The day is spent at leisure enjoying the many activities at the lodge included in your stay. You can join: • Guided Walks including fynbos nature tours and Milkwood walks • Nature, marine & coastal drives and walks including the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, De Kelders cliff walk, Klipgat Cave combined with seasonal land-based whale watching (whale watching especially during June – December) • Bird-watching; experience a great variety of bird species on the reserve • Various maps of the reserve and the area for self-guided walks Day 6   Gansbaai - Knysna (B)

Depart this morning after breakfast as you travel along the scenic Garden Route to Knysna. Stop en-route at Mossel Bay where you visit the Old Post Office Tree Museum. From here you travel to Knysna with an early afternoon arrival. Check in at the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. Day 7    Knysna (B/L)

Depart this morning after breakfast to Knysna Elephant Park, for an extraordinary elephant experience, you will have the opportunity to interact, feed and walk amongst the herds of African elephants. From here you head to The Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head in Knysna, you will enjoy a return ferry trip on the Knysna Lagoon to the western head, followed by a 4×4 vehicle and trailer ride to the Knysna heads. From here Lunch will follow under a canopy of Milkwood Trees, a wonderful family outing! Return back to the hotel in the late afternoon and have the rest of the day at leisure. Day 8    KNYSNA – KARIEGA/SHAMWARI GAME RESERVE (B/L/D)

After breakfast and check out you travel to Kariega/Shamwari Game Reserve via a stop en-route at Monkeyland & Birds of Eden. Monkeyland is the world’s first free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary, where Birds of Eden unique two hectare dome (The World largest) spans over a gorge of indigenous forest. Standard Tour: Continue onto Kariega Private Game Reserve for a unique, educational and fun family safari. Kariega Game Reserve is a family-owned and operated private game reserve stretching across 9,000 hectares of pristine wilderness in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The reserve is situated along the famous Garden Route, making it the perfect Big 5 safari destination to compliment a tour along South Africa’s coast. This malaria-free destination is home to some of the richest biodiversity in southern Africa, as well as the picturesque Kariega and Bushman’s Rivers. Incorporating luxury safari lodge accommodation, spectacular vistas, and magnificent Big 5 game viewing, Kariega Game Reserve offers the ultimate in authentic African safari holidays. Kariega Main Lodge offers families, friends and couples a relaxed and friendly environment to enjoy the African bush. All the log chalets are air-conditioned with en-suite bedrooms and large private viewing decks. Each has a spacious lounge and living area, which is great for socializing before retreating to the privacy and comfort of your bedroom. The lodge has been expertly integrated with the surrounding bush to create a natural environment where the guests can enjoy traditional meals in the restaurant or bema, a drink at the bar or a quiet a swim in the pool. Deluxe Tour: Continue onto Shamwari Private Game Reserve for a unique, educational and fun family safari. The malaria free, 5 Stars Shamwari Game Reserve is located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. This Reserve is Malaria Free and lies on over 20 000 hectares of pristine bushveld which is rich in spectacular bird and wildlife. Set in verdant bush along the beautiful Bushmans River, the Lodges are to be found halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. This stunning Game Reserve has been complemented with a number of different International award such as; the World’s Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for 5 consecutive years. Day 9    Kariega/Shamwari Game Reserve (B)

Standard Tour: Enjoy a typical day at Kariega Main Lodge: •    06:00 am: Tea, coffee and a snack. Depart for an early morning game drive or perhaps a river cruise. •    10:00 am: Return to your Lodge for a late, but hearty breakfast/brunch. •    11:00 am: Enjoy a bush walk, a spa treatment (additional cost), go canoeing, have a swim, or just relax or siesta. •    02:30 pm: Savor the flavors of our well-earned afternoon eats. •    04:00 pm: Depart for an evening game drive. •    07:30 pm: Return to the lodge for your evening meal, which can be enjoyed al fresco in fine weather Deluxe Tour: The day is spent at the lodge enjoying the many activities for families at the lodge. The Kids on Safari program is sure to entertain the little ones with Exclusive visit to the Born Free Foundation Big Cat Rescue Centre as well as the Shamwari Animal Rehabilitation Centre. Children partake in various social, sporting, arts and culture activities under the supervision of the children’s coordinator. In the meantime, the kids’ parents can enjoy other many activities at the lodge.. Day 10    Departure (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at your hotel, this morning you bid farewell to the African Bush and transfer privately to Port Elizabeth Airport for your connecting flight back home. B - Breakfast L - Lunch D - Dinner