Big 5 of Land & Sea

Today you will be met by your guide for an exploration of Cape Town, known affectionately as the Mother City. Your tour will take in the Houses of Parliament, the Castle (built between 1666 and 1679, this is South Africa’s oldest building), lively Greenmarket Square with its daily market, the Company Gardens and of course Table Mountain which will give you spectacular views over the city and Peninsula (cable car fee is not included as it is weather dependent). On our descent, we stop at the Bo Kaap, home to the Cape Malay community, with its cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses.

Sign up for optional activities (not included in tour price); diving to see Great White sharks, whale watching, visit to Robben Island to see Mandela's prison, visit to local townships, walking tours, visit winelands, cycling, cultural tours and more.

This morning you will be met at your hotel and transferred along the R44 from Gordon’s Bay to Hermanus. This is regarded as one of the top scenic drives in South Africa, hugging the coastline with amazing views of False Bay. Between June and November, whales are often sighted on this drive. The route winds through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, which is known for its beautiful fynbos. En route to Grootbos we will visit Stony Point in Betty’s Bay to view a colony with over 3500 African Penguins (the same penguins, guests would experience in Boulder’s). There are incredible pathways leading past the penguin nests and you will have many photographic opportunities of these amazing creatures.

Grootbos works with Marine Dynamics located at Kleinbaai Harbour (a mere drive of about 15 minutes), which we regard as the top sharking company in South Africa. It is not only known for its extensive conservation efforts, but also for their highly qualified marine biologists and staff on board, which makes it a truly amazing experience. Transfers from Grootbos to the harbour are included so you don’t have to rise early. After the boat trip you'll come back for a warm shower and a light lunch is already waiting for you.

Grootbos offers many wonderful adventurous trips that weave throughout the majestic reserve; it is the perfect place to recapture one’s outdoor spirit through the panoramic and beautiful scenery. On a guided walk through the nature reserve trails, visitors are far more likely to encounter birdlife which they would not have been able to spot and discuss if they had been in a vehicle. The Grootbos hiking trails offer so much to explore above the obvious flora and fauna. Animal tracks, local insects, flower details and much more are far more easily observed on the pleasant guided walks and hikes through the Grootbos reserve.

Other activities incldue: forest walks, visit the historic Klipgat Caves, spend a day at the beach, or enjoy 4×4 reserve drives through the last of the Cape’s Milkwood forests and the beautiful floral Kingdom. On another day you could choose to go horseback riding. One of the most satisfying and enriching ways of exploring Grootbos Nature Reserve is by horse back. The horses at Grootbos are ideal for beginners and experienced horse riders alike. Experienced staff look after 18 horses at the Grootbos stables, and accompany guests on rides.

The Overberg has long been known for its great wines, starting with Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson in the late 1980’s. During the last seven years, the area has become known as the new vogue area for wines in South Africa. This area boasts over 70 wine estates, many of them with award winning wines. Grootbos has decided to offer a guided wine tour, visiting three wine estates, where guests have the chance to interact with the winemakers during the wine tasting, and including a visit to the true southernmost tip of Africa – Cape Agulhas, where your guests will enjoy a hearty picnic lunch. The wine route will take guests also through the small village of Elim, which is the second oldest missionary station in South Africa, with the only functional watermill in South Africa.

Grootbos boasts the last of the Cape’s Milkwood Forests and the beautiful Cape Floral Kingdom. For those who wish to venture farther you can sign up for other activities as well. Whale Watching - By land, sea or plane (from June to December). Shark Cage Diving - By air, boat or cage diving. Big 5 Marine Tour - By boat, enjoy sights such as penguins, seals, dolphins, sharks, or even whales. Scenic Flights - View mountains, vineyards, shipwrecks and even sharks and whales. View the southern most part of the African land mass from this unique perspective.

Today you'll depart seaside Hermanus and enjoy a drive through scenic mountains back to Cape Town.

Take a flight from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport today. The flight duration is approximately 1.5 hrs.

Transfer between your Sabi Lodge and the KMIA Airport. This drive should take approx. 1.5 to 3hrs. Delays may occur in rainy seasons and drive time will vary depending on the location of your lodge.

This afternoon you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your afternoon game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost dependant on availability.

Before first light you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your early morning game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge for breakfast. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost depending on availability.

This afternoon you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your afternoon game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost dependant on availability.

Before first light you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your early morning game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge for breakfast. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost depending on availability.

This afternoon you'll meet up with others at the lodge and embark on your afternoon game drive. Sunrise and sunset are when the animals are most active. You'll be out in the reserve for a few hours before returning back to the lodge to freshen up for dinner. A private vehicle can be booked at an additional cost dependant on availability.

Transfer between your Sabi Lodge and the KMIA Airport. This drive should take approx. 1.5 to 3hrs. Delays may occur in rainy seasons and drive time will vary depending on the location of your lodge.

Take your flight from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Johannesburg today. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour.