BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA
17 DAYS/16 NIGHTS | FULL BOARD | MAX. 6 GUESTS | FROM £5,995
OVERVIEW
South Africa is one of the world's best destinations for wildlife lovers; a treasure nestled at the southern tip of the abundant African continent. Visitors from all over the world venture to the ‘Rainbow Nation’ to take advantage of the breathtaking scenery, rich culture, outstanding hospitality, and diverse array of wildlife.
The landscapes of South Africa offer the full spectrum of biomes from arid deserts to rich green forests, making them ideal for thousands of different species. Famed for its national parks and big game, South Africa is home to 297 mammal species, as well as 858 species of bird and over 20,000 species of vascular plants. The shores of South Africa are home to an abundance of fascinating marine animals including great white sharks, southern right whales, humpback whales, orca, and dolphins.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at Cape Town International Airport
Our driver will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel before your adventure begins the next morning. Your guide will meet you upon arrival at your hotel to give you the briefing and all the necessary information regarding your tour and answer any questions that you might have.
Days 2, 3, & 4: Cape Town
Begin your Cape Town adventure with a trip up the iconic Table Mountain, taking a cable car to the summit for panoramic views of the city and Lion’s Head. Capture photos of the resident dassies and lizards before heading out on a guided tour to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years imprisoned. Spend the next day exploring the peninsula, including a boat trip to see Cape fur seals, a visit to Cape Point Nature Reserve, and time with the endangered African penguins at Boulder’s Beach. Finish with a day in wine country, enjoying tastings and food pairings at some of South Africa’s finest estates.
Days 5 & 6: Hermanus
You’ll be picked up early and driven to Gansbaai, the world’s premier great white shark hotspot. Set out onto the open water for an adrenaline-pumping cage dive before returning to the picturesque town of Hermanus. The next day, board a boat to explore Walker Bay, where southern right whales migrate from Antarctica. Keep an eye out for humpbacks, dolphins, seabirds, and, if you’re lucky, orca. (Note: the best time to see southern right whales is June to November.)
Day 7: Hermanus - Plettenberg Bay
Spend the morning exploring the charming seaside town of Hermanus, capturing landscape shots of the stunning coastline. Around midday, your private vehicle will collect you for the scenic drive to Plettenberg Bay, with a stop in Knysna for a leisurely lunch. After checking in to your beachfront hotel, enjoy a relaxed evening walk along the golden sands before dining with sea views, keeping watch for whales, seals, and dolphins offshore.
Day 8: Plettenberg Bay - Port Elizabeth
Spend the morning exploring Robberg Nature Reserve, where you’ll spot local wildlife such as dassies, grey duikers, reptiles, and a variety of birds. Enjoy sweeping views over the seal colony and relax on the golden sand beaches that line the peninsula. Robberg is also one of the few places in the world where you might witness great white sharks hunting seals from land. In the late afternoon, you’ll head to Port Elizabeth for an overnight stay before continuing to Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Days 9 to 15: Shamwari Game Reserve
You will be picked up from your hotel in Port Elizabeth and transferred to the world-famous Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Over the next seven days, you will take morning and afternoon game drives where you will have bountiful opportunities to witness and photograph iconic species including elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetah, buffalo, hyenas, giraffe, zebra, hippos, crocodiles, and much more.
Day 16: Back to Port Elizabeth
On the final day in Shamwari, you’ll take a short morning game drive to capture your last few shots before journeying back to Port Elizabeth and spending the night at your hotel where you can enjoy a massage at the spa and wellness center.
Day 17: Departure
You will be transferred from your hotel to Port Elizabeth International Airport in time to make your flight back home.
ACCOMMODATION
Cape Town - Radisson RED V&A Waterfront 4* (mountain-facing room)
Hermanus - Harbour Square Hotel 4* (sea-facing room)
Plettenberg Bay - Plett Beachfront B&B 3*
Port Elizabeth - Radisson Blu 5* (sea-facing room)
Shamwari Game Reserve - Proctors Safari Lodge
INCLUDED
Airport transfers
Transportation
Expert guide
Accommodation with breakfast
Meals at Shamwari Private Game Reserve
All activities and entrance fees
NOT INCLUDED
International flights
Visa
Travel and medical insurance
Meals and drinks (outside Shamwari)
Alcoholic beverages
Tips
DOMESTIC TRANSFERS
Airport pickup and drop-off will be by private taxi.
All transfers throughout the trip will be in a private sedan or minibus depending on the number of participants. You will be picked up and dropped off at each accommodation.
The safari at Shamwari Private Game Reserve will take place in a private 4x4 vehicle.
OUR VALUES
As a responsible tour operator, we respect the natural environment, and the welfare of wildlife will always come first. We abide by guidelines that make sure the animals are not disturbed or impeded by our presence.
RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS
The reservation is considered formalized with the deposit payment of 50% of the tour price. Final payment must be made 30 days prior to the departure date of the trip.
TRAVEL CONTRACT
When the reservation is considered formalised (payment in deposit), we will send a travel contract for you to return signed.
CANCELLATION POLICY
A deposit of 50% of the total cost is applied if the booking is made more than 30 days before the trip. For the bookings made less than 30 days before the trip, the price is charged in full amount.
The following penalties will be applied if the trip is canceled by the traveler:
61 or more days before the trip: No penalty. Deposit returned.
30 days before the trip: Loss of deposit.
29 days or less: Mostly dependent on individual hotel policies.
If the cancellation is made by the company, all payments will be refunded.
***Please note that our cancellation policy will mostly be determined by hotel cancellation policies.
FINANCIAL PROTECTION
The payments for this tour are made through Nutshell Travel meaning you have the financial protection of booking through a registered tour operator. Please download our terms and conditions here.
REVIEWS
“I’ve traveled across most of the world, but this was hands down the best trip I’ve ever been on. The itinerary was brilliantly put together with a nice mix of cultural and wildlife experiences. Leigh is a really knowledgeable guide and he helped me to develop my photography skills and capture some amazing images along the journey!”
- Sara, Croatia
BOOKINGS
Our tour groups are small, allowing for a maximum of 6 participants so space is very limited.
For inquiries about this incredible experience, please fill out the contact form below.