Sympathetic South Africa

Join us on our fantastic trip to South Africa. During our winter months, the country has a pleasant climate with warm, sunny days and balmy nights. Our South African journey begins and ends in Cape Town, which is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with the distinctive blend of modern and colonial architecture, influenced by Portugal, Holland and the British Isles. In Cape Town, we see some of the city’s main sights and also visit the shantytowns and the Cape of Good Hope. In Stellenbosch, which is one of South Africa’s oldest and most beautiful wine districts, we enjoy South Africa’s best wines and the fabulous surroundings. Along the magnificent ‘Garden Route’, the coastal road that runs from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, we experience dizzyingly beautiful views with lush vegetation, beautiful sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs and high mountains.

Day 1: Travel to South Africa
Flight to Cape Town. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.

Day 2: Cape Town
We arrive in Cape Town and go to our hotel for check-in. Our journey to South Africa now really begins with a ride past the parliament, the town hall, and Cape Town’s fort and on to the historic site Green Market which is an open African market in the heart of Cape Town. In the evening we gather for a welcome dinner. Overnight in Cape Town. (Dinner)

Day 3: Cape Town
In the morning we take a boat trip over to Robben Island. It was on this island that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for most of his imprisonment. Then we make a trip, weather permitting, a cable car ride up Taffelberget, from where we are offered an incomparable view of Cape Town and the Atlantic as a backdrop outside. We then go to V&A Waterfront and visit the very unique aquarium. Overnight in Cape Town. (Breakfast)

Day 4: Cape Town
One of the highlights of the trip is a full day excursion along the beautiful Cape Peninsula. Via the stretch of road along Chapman’s Peak we reach the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point to admire the magnificent views. In Simonstown we have a lunch consisting of sea delicacies before we visit the penguins. Overnight in Cape Town. (Breakfast and lunch)

Day 5: Cape Town
The whole day is free for your own walks. Feel free to ask the guide about additional sights or activities. Overnight in Cape Town. (Breakfast)

Day 6: Cape Town – Hermanus
In the morning we visit the District 6 Museum, which provides insight into apartheid politics and the then regime. Then we come to Langa, one of the many areas in South Africa that were designated for black Africans before the apartheid era. We continue to Morgenstern winery and Olive Estate, an olive and vineyard dating back to 1711, and produce internationally acclaimed Bordeaux-style wines and extra virgin olive oil of astonishing quality. We get to taste both wine and olive oil. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Hermanus. Overnight in Hermanus (Breakfast)

Day 7: Whale watching tour
Hermanus is located on the fantastic south coast of the Western Cape and is known for its opportunities to see southern humpback whales. In the morning we board a boat for such a whale watching trip, and we head out to sea to get even closer to these incredible creatures. Once back ashore, we continue to Knysna, and along the way we take a break in Albertinia, where we visit a factory that manufactures aloe skin care products. Overnight in Knysna. (Breakfast)

Day 8.Knysna – Port Elizabeth
Before we leave the city, it will be possible to admire the view from “The Heads”, two cliffs that form a narrow passage at the entrance to the lagoon. We continue along the Garden Route, towards the Birds of Eden Zoo and Monkeyland. Here we get to get to know most of the birds and aparts. We stop at Bloukransbron to see the view from the world’s highest bungee jump bridge (216 meters), before continuing to Tsitsikamma National Park. Here we can walk in the native forests and cross the estuary on a suspension bridge and view the beautiful landscape along the dramatic coastline. Then we continue to Port Elizabeth. Overnight in Port Elizabeth. (Lunch and dinner)

Day 9: Port Elizabeth – Kuzuko Private Game Lodge
Our journey continues towards Kuzuko Private Game Lodge where we can enjoy the wild nature and with a little luck also experience “The Big Five”, a collective name that refers to the five animal species elephant, rhino, African buffalo, lion and leopard. After a light lunch, we have time for our own reflections before it’s time for an afternoon safari or game drive as it is called here. We drive out in open cars with a ranger, who is an expert on the area’s flora and fauna, together with other guests at the lodge. After a couple of hours safari we are back at the lodge. Overnight in Kuzuko. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Day 10: Kuzuko Game Lodge – safari
Early in the morning we start a sunrise safari. The sunrise, from around 05.00, is the best time to have the opportunity to see “Big Cats” and other predators as dawn and dusk are their main hunting time. When we return after a couple of hours, it tastes extra good with a hearty breakfast. Later in the afternoon there will be another safari in the wild bush of Africa. Overnight in Kuzuko. (Brunch and dinner)

Day 11: Kuzuko – Oudtshoorn
After breakfast we leave Kuzuko game lodge to go to Oudtshoorn, known as the ostrich capital, but the big bird is just one of many attractions in this area. Here in Oudtshoorn we visit an ostrich farm and also look at the “feather palace”. Overnight in Oudtshoorn. (Breakfast)

Day 12. Oudtshoorn – Stellenbosch
We continue to Stellenbosch along road 62. The most striking thing about this road is the unique landscape. This part of South Africa is characterized by red soil, steep cliffs, rivers, orchards and shrubs. Gardens and vineyards abound along the road, which is known as the world’s longest wine road. We stop at one of the vineyards. Late in the afternoon we arrive in Stellenbosch.

Day 13: Stellenbosch
The second oldest city in South Africa, Stellenbosch, is known for its natural beauty and echoing roads, Dutch architecture, history and culture – and of course its wine routes. Stellenbosch Wine Routes includes more than 200 wine and grape producers in the region, of which we visit two wineries and learn all about winemaking. Overnight in Stellenbosch. (Lunch and dinner)

Day 14: Return journey
Transfer to the airport for return journey. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.

Day 15: Homecoming
Arrival at the boarding place.