Day 1: Flight to South Africa
Your trip starts with your flight to South Africa.

Day 2: Welcome to South Africa
Arrival at Cape Town International Airport where your tourguide will welcome you. Our first destination is the beautiful guesthouse with a pool and seaview in Cape Town where you will stay for the night. The world famous beach of Camps Bay is just a walk away. A sundowner on Signal Hill is the perfect introduction for the wonderful days to come. D

Day 3: The Whole Universe in the Great Karoo
The following morning, after breakfast, we depart in a north-eastern direction towards the semi-arid Karoo. “Karoo” is an old bushman word for “land of big thirst”. The road will take us over spectacular mountain passes to a “Big 5” game drive in a private game reserve. We then continue to Sutherland, South Africa’s “stargazing capital”. Stargazing with an amateur astronomer at night – including a look through his telescope – will provide more exciting insights about the incredible dimensions of the universe! 326 km / B, L, D

Day 4: Prehistoric Fossils at the Heart of the Semi-Desert
In the morning, we will visit SALT (Southern African Large Telescope), the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. A fascinating tour will introduce us to the exploration of the stars on this side of the world. The road will then take us further inland to the heart of the Great Karoo: Beaufort West, birthplace of world famous heart surgeon Professor Christiaan Barnard. Driving along karoo-typical gravel roads, past towns completely lost in time, will give us a first impression of the quiet life in this semi-arid region. More than 9000 so far identified succulents, bushes, shrubs and other plants as well as antelopes, still roaming free, will provide ample photographic opportunities. In the afternoon, we visit the Karoo National Park, where we will enjoy a small section of the infinite vastness and unique landscape of the Great Karoo. That evening, a romantic sundowner tour on a donkey cart awaits us, including a bush braai (weather permitting). 297 km / B, D

Day 5: Bushmen Culture and the Anglo-Boer War
After visiting the Christiaan Barnard Museum, we continue through the semi-desert of the Great Karoo to Graaff-Reinet, the “Gem of the Karoo” and the only town in South Africa completely surrounded by a national park. Discover its wonderful Cape Dutch and Victorian houses (more than 200 national monuments), dreamy streets, gorgeous jacaranda trees and the unique charm of a typical Karoo town. A short walk through the famous “Valley of Desolation” at the Camdeboo National Park with its dramatic scenic views of bizarre rock formations and the vastness of the Karoo will be an additional highlight. At the guest farm accommodating us for tonight, we may then take a guided tour to several millenia old bushman paintings. 203 km / B, D

Day 6: The “Big 5” at Addo National Park
Our destination for today is South Africa's second biggest National Park, the Addo Elephant National Park. The park has been over the years extended to 180 000 ha and instills a typical "Out of Africa" feeling. It provides the rare opportunity for "Big5" game drives in a malaria free environment. Since October 2003 all of the "Big5" are back in this habitat. In addition to more than 500 elephants we may come across spotted hyenas, leopards and the endemic flightless dungbeetle. Our accommodation for the next two nights will be a beautiful lodge on the Sunday's River close to the Addo Elephant National Park. 326 km / F, A

Day 7: Addo Elephant Park
We will rise very early and embark on our first game drive before breakfast, as many animals will be at the water holes at this time of the day. For lunch we may visit the Park Restaurant, before going on a further drive to discover the incredible variety of the African flora and fauna. Alternatively, you may use the day to relax and enjoy the surroundings of the lodge. Optional trips and activities may be booked with African Kombi Tours. B, D

Day 8: The Garden Route’s Last Virgin Forest
In the morning, we will follow the coast to join the world famous Garden Route. Our destination for today is the Tsitsikamma National Park at the mouth of Storms River, South Africa’s oldest national park. Part of the park is a Maritime Protected Area reaching five kilometers into the open sea. The park itself covers an area of almost 70,000 ha and was founded in the year 1964. It is said that its mystic atmosphere inspired South African born author JRR Tolkien to write his master piece “The Lord of the Rings”. A short, easy hike will take us past wooded cliffs and thousand year old yellowwood trees to the unique suspension bridge over the Storms River rushing into the Indian Ocean. 206 km / B, D

Day 9: Portuguese Seafarers and the “Bahia Famosa”
On a trip to the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay in the morning, we will visit the Robberg Marine and Nature Reserve. A very rewarding hike taking approximately 4 hours will lead us around the peninsula along high cliffs and through a wide variety of indigenous fynbos vegetation. The view over the bay called “Bahia Famosa” by the early Portuguese seafarers will be unforgettable. On top, we may spot endless numbers of seals and dolphins,and, in season, even whales! Today’s final destination will be the stunningly located coastal town of Knysna with its famous lagoon. 104 km / B, D

Day 10: Feather Barons and Million Years Old Stalagmites
Today, we’ll say farewell to the Indian Ocean as the road takes us over the Outeniqua Pass (2,600 ft) and into the Little Karoo to the “Ostrich Capital of South Africa”, Oudtshoorn. In the town that was home to the “Feather Barons”, we visit one of the typical local ostrich farms and learn more about the animals, their history and their economic importance for the region. We then continue to one of the Seven Wonders of South Africa, the world famous Cango Caves. 117 km / B, D

Day 11: Route 62 and Famous Cape Wines
We travel on the famous Route 62, past the picturesque Klein Karoo towns of Calitzdorp and Ladismith, renowned for its cheese, and over the scenic Huisrivier Pass to the small artist town of Barrydale. Driving on, we will be slowly entering the Cape Winelands. After passing spectacular Du Toits Kloof farm, where we can spot Table Mountain on a clear day, we’ll reach Paarl in the early evening. We will stay at a beautiful winefarm at the foot of Paarl Rock for the next two nights. 367 km / B, D

Day 12: The Huguenots and the First Winefarmers
Today’s tour through the unique Cape Winelands begins with a formal cellar tour introducing us to the local production and manufacturing processes. A fascinating historical tour relating the story of one of South Africa’s oldest vineyards awaits us on a further wine farm. We then visit Franschhoek, a town founded by French Huguenot immigrants, and the famous university town of Stellenbosch. In the evening, we will have dinner at a tasty restaurant. 124 km / B, D

Day 13: From Apartheid to the Rainbow Nation
Today we will be closing the circle and returning to the “Mother City” of Cape Town. A township tour introducing us to the life of its inhabitants will be a cultural highlight. For reasons of authenticity, our guide will be a fully-trained black tourguide from the area. Other interesting activities include a boat trip to Robben Island prison (optional). There, you will visit the cell of Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African president, Nelson Mandela. 132 km / B, D

Day 14: South Africa’s “Mother City”
On our city tour, we will visit the Company Gardens, an African arts & crafts market, Parliament, City Hall, Cape Castle and the Slave Lodge. At noon a short transfer will bring us out to Blouberg Strand where Table Mountain towering over the whole Table Bay, guarantees unique pictures! In the afternoon, Bo-Kaap, the colourful Cape Malay quarter, certainly provides another set of beautiful photo opportunities while introducing us to the life of the former slaves and today’s “Coloureds” in Cape Town. Before dinner, we will visit an African theatre. The one-hour show rhythmically depicts the cultural development of the Rainbow Nation. B, D

Day 15: From the Cape of Good Hope to the African Penguins
We will explore the entire Cape peninsula with all its fascinating highlights. A drive over the most spectacular mountain pass of the Western Cape, Chapman’s Peak Drive (might be closed) will take us through the rural coastal village of Noordhoek to the outmost south-western point of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Driving along False Bay we reach the old South African marine base, Simon’s Town, in the afternoon where we visit a rookery of African penguins nesting on Boulders Beach. Shortly before returning to Cape Town, we visit the breathtaking Botanical Garden of Kirstenbosch which displays a variety of local vegetation on more than 500 ha and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before our mouthwatering farewell dinner, we will join in with some unique African rhythms before reflecting on this memorable trip. 116 km / B, D

Day 16: Farewell on Table Mountain
Another unforgettable highlight awaits us in the morning: an optional trip to Table Mountain (3,650 ft) with its spectacular views on Cape Town (weather permitting, optional, to be paid on site). We will then drive to Cape Town International Airport where you will say farewell to South Africa. You are of course welcome to prolong your stay in Cape Town –  we will gladly assist you with tourist tips as well as the booking of additional accommodation and rental cars. B

Day 17: Return
Arrival at your home destination

tour date: Prices and Dates on request.
tour price: Prices and Dates on request.

* Price valid for a group size of 6 to 8 people.
* Cut off date for the minimum size of participants is 28 days before your departure date. We will inform you accordingly (see T&Cs).
* Price does not cover general increases in travel cost and currency fluctuations.
* The tour programme may be subject to change.

Price includes:

• Private, local, qualified English-speaking tourguide for the duration of the tour
• 14 overnight stays in handpicked accommodations (three to four stars)
• Half board accommodation excluding beverages (B = breakfast, D = dinner)
• Lunch on Day 3
• Excursions and round trip in modern, airconditioned kombi or minibus according to local standard
• All entrances, activities and conservation fees according to tour description (excluding optional activities)
• Baggage transport
• Transfer from and to Cape Town International Airport

Price does not include:

• Long distance flights to and from South Africa
• Optional activities and additional services
• Travel insurance
• Beverages
• Personal expenses
• Service Tips