Wonders of South Africa

On your arrival at Johannesburg Airport, you will be met by a local representative and escorted to your transfer that will take you to the tour hotel.

Once checked in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before meeting in the evening for a welcome dinner. Here, you will have the opportunity to meet your Big Journey Company Tour Director and fellow travelers and discuss the upcoming tour with them.

After breakfast, we travel together to Soweto for a thought-provoking day. Soweto is a sprawling cluster of townships on the south-western flank of Johannesburg. We visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Orlando West, built in memory of the people who died on the June 16 Soweto Youth Uprising.

We will also stop at the Mandela House Museum, Nelson Mandela's former home in Orlando West. The museum contains an assortment of memorabilia, paintings and photographs of the Mandela family and honorary doctorates bestowed on Nelson Mandela. You can also see the mansion belonging to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in an affluent part of Orlando West. Archbishop Desmond Tutu's house and the Sisulu residences are in the same neighbourhood.

After a stop for lunch, we proceed to the Apartheid Museum. Here we will embark on a tour with a local guide on hand to assist with insight and information relating to the exhibits. Illustrating the rise and fall of apartheid, the exhibits have been assembled and organised by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, film-makers, historians and designers. We will then return to the hotel for the evening.

After breakfast today we depart Johannesburg and travel via the magnificent Panorama Route to Hazyview, Mpumalanga.

From many well-positioned vantage points along the road, one has a view of the 33km long gorge, which starts at Bourke's Luck Potholes and ends at the Three Rondavels. We will make several stops along the way to make the most of the scenery.

Late afternoon we will arrive at our hotel. Dinner will be enjoyed together at the hotel this evening.

After breakfast, we will head to one of South Africa’s most famous sites – the Kruger National Park. We will enter the world-renowned reserve at Phabeni Gate, driving in a northerly direction through the park to our lodges, searching out the wildlife, birds and smaller creatures who call this 2-million-hectare conservation area home.

In the mid-afternoon, we exit the Kruger National Park via Orpen Gate and continue the 1hr drive to our lodge accommodation, located in a private reserve. Settle into your rooms and freshen up before heading out on an open-vehicle sunset drive through the reserve. Dinner is served on our return.

Today we will start our day early with a hot beverage before joining our guide for a thrilling morning game drive, watching as the animals stir to life and begin their day. Back at camp, we’ll indulge in a late breakfast and some relaxation time.

In the afternoon, we’ll head out on an evening game drive and take in the breathtaking views of the setting sun before returning for a scrumptious dinner. There will also be plenty of opportunities for relaxation between game drives for those who want to enjoy the lodge’s facilities.

After breakfast, it is time to leave the nature reserves as we transfer to Hoedspruit Airport for our flight to Cape Town.

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, we will be met and transferred to our hotel where the remainder of your day will be at leisure. We will enjoy dinner together this evening.

Today, we will enjoy a full-day city tour of Cape Town. We will meet our guide in the reception area of our hotel before ascending Table Mountain via cable car (weather permitting) to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the city, harbour, and surrounding mountains.

We will then have the opportunity to explore three of the following iconic landmarks: the peaceful Company Gardens, the historic Castle of Good Hope, and the vibrant Green Market Square. Once our tour is complete, we will return to our hotel for some relaxation.

In the evening, we will meet our representative in the hotel reception area for our transfer to GOLD Restaurant, where we will indulge in a unique pan-African dining experience.

GOLD Restaurant offers a 14-dish Cape Malay and African tasting menu, inspired by flavours and textures from across the African continent. Enjoy generous portions served with an explanation of the dish’s origin, cooking techniques, and spices. There are also vegetarian, vegan, and Halaal-certified options available.

Throughout the evening, we will be entertained by live dancing, singing, and the rhythmic beating of African djembe drums. There will even be an opportunity to participate in pre-dinner drumming, guided by an experienced facilitator. The evening’s festivities will conclude with the restaurant staff joining in the celebration, reflecting the warm and communal spirit of African culture.

Today, we head out on a full day excursion to the magnificent scenery and wildlife of the Cape Peninsula. 

Our morning begins with a visit to Boulders Beach, home to a large colony of African penguins. Here, we can observe these charming creatures swimming, sunbathing, and nesting on the rocks.

Next, we will explore the iconic Cape Point, where we’ll take a ride on The Flying Dutchman Funicular, a unique and exciting journey that takes us through the dense fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floral Region to the upper lighthouse, offering spectacular views of the rugged coastline.

To end the day, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive along the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive, a winding coastal road that boasts incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles Mountain range. We’ll have the chance to stop at various viewpoints along the way before returning to our hotel.

The rest of the evening will be at your lesiure. 

Today we will experience a full day wine tour in the Cape Winelands including a visit to the charming town of Oaks, Stellenbosch.

After some wine tastings and an introduction to the South African winemaking tradition, we’ll continue to the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, Franschhoek. After another round of wine tasting we will enjoy a picnic lunch at Werf Restaurant, a standout dining experience at Boschendal Wine Estate. Relax in the restaurant’s warm and inviting atmosphere, where fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients take center stage.

The whole day is dedicated to showing you our favourite secret spots and wine cellars – a day to tantalize your taste buds in some of South Africa’s most beautiful landscapes!

Return to the hotel for evening at leisure.

After breakfast today we will transfer you from the hotel to Cape Town International Airport in time to check in for your departure flight.

If you are not ready to leave Africa just yet, join us on the Victoria Falls Extension to see one of the wonders of the world!