10 Days: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Thornybush Game Reserve, Johannesburg

Tour overview:
This 10-day itinerary emphasizes many details that make South Africa one of the very few destinations for wine lovers, who are also fascinated by wildlife. Sophisticated urban living, vast forested mountains, fertile plains, fascinating wildlife and South Africa’s highly developed vineyards come together in a unique combination of wine and wildlife.

Day 1 – Arrive Cape Town

Arrive to Cape Town, South Africa, where you are met and escorted to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 2 – Cape Town – City Tour

Morning tour of South Africa’s “Mother City”. Take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting), then drive by the Malay Quarter, city center, Company Gardens and Castle of Good Hope. Travel to Milnerton Lighthouse for the best photographic opportunities of Table Mountain. Visit Diamond Works before ending the tour at the V&A Waterfront. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Day 3 – Cape Town – Cape Peninsula Tour

Cruise along Millionaires Paradise from Clifton to Camps Bay and on to Llandudno before an up close and personal Seal Island cruise (weather permitting, extra cost). Wind along Chapmans Peak Drive, with lunch (not included), at Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park before meandering back along the coast, visiting Simons Town and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. End at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in summer, or in winter, Groot Constantia for a wine tasting and cellar tour. (B)

Day 4 – Cape Town / Franschhoek

Morning private transfer to the exquisite little town of Franschhoek, situated only 45 minutes from Cape Town. Surrounded by its majestic mountains and beautiful vineyards – Franschhoek is known as the food and wine capital of South Africa located in the exceptional winelands region. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 5 – Franschhoek – Winelands Tour

A superb day dedicated to celebrating the glorious grape, the exceptional winelands region, and the heavenly scenery. Experience a wine cellar tour, where you’ll learn all about the process of wine-making. We visit Franschhoek, pass by the impressive Huguenot Monument, and in a town with a reputation for gourmet fare, where else could we choose to enjoy lunch (not included). We wind our way to the heady heights of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to meet the charming university town of Stellenbosch on the other side. Enjoy a wine tasting at two different wine estates. (B)

Day 6 – Franschhoek

Enjoy a day at leisure in the Cape Winelands. (B)

Day 7 – Franschhoek / Cape Town / Johannesburg / Hoedspruit -Thornybush Game Reserve

Transfer to Cape Town Airport for your scheduled flight to Hoedspruit via Johannesburg. Arrive and transfer to your safari lodge located in the heart of Thornybush Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park. This afternoon, enjoy an open-vehicle game drive. We stop to enjoy sun-downers, followed by evening game viewing by spot light. (BLD)

Day 8 & 9 – Thornybush Game Reserve

Enjoy two full days in the Thornybush Game Reserve. Shortly after your early morning wake-up call, depart in your open 4WD safari vehicle with an experienced Ranger and Tracker. After an exhilarating hunt for tracks, you will stop out in the bush for a coffee & tea break. After a sumptuous breakfast is served, walks are offered to suit your interests and fitness levels. Mid day is at leisure. A late lunch is followed by the afternoon game drive and extends into the evening. Once again, you will break out in the bush to watch the sunset. Upon returning, enjoy a drink followed by a gourmet dinner. (BLD)

Day 10 – Thornybush Game Reserve / Hoedspruit / Johannesburg

After the morning game drive, transfer to airport for the flight back to Johannesburg, connecting with your departure flight. (B)