Explore Cape Town and Kruger National Park

Day 1 - Cape Town

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Airport Transfer Cape Town International Airport – Cape Town 1h You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting 1h Meet your Cape Town G Adventures representative at the hotel - please have a look at the information board in the hotel for the meeting time. Your rep will go through your tour details, help you with booking optional activities, and be your contact person for the next few days.

Day 2 - Cape Town

Begin the day with an exploration of vibrant Cape Town, wandering through the multicultural Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Then enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, named by National Geographic Travel as one of the world’s 10 most magnificent gardens. Later, stop by Boulders Beach to see the resident population of African penguins, and continue to the Cape Point lighthouse and the Cape of Good Hope, the southwesternmost point in Africa.

Private Vehicle Cape Town Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Guided Tour Stop and smell the flowers on a tour specially designed for National Geographic travellers. Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, led by an expert who will talk about the history of the gardens, its exhibits and a behind the scenes look at the mother beds. The garden is administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) who have received funding from National Geographic and the site has been named one of the Top 10 gardens in the world by National Geographic Traveler.

Guided Cape Town Orientation Tour and Excursion to Cape Point Cape Town Enjoy a guided orientation tour of vibrant Cape Town. Continue on to Cape Point to enjoy a stunning vista and visit the penguins at Boulders Beach.

Day 3 - Cape Town

Enjoy a day of leisure in Cape Town, choosing from a variety of optional activities. Hike up iconic Table Mountain or hop on a cable car to the summit, taking in extraordinary views of the city and the Atlantic seaboard. Or explore the Cape Winelands, visiting the historical city of Stellenbosch, touring wine estates with expert guides, and indulging in a variety of tastings and pairings.

There is something for everyone in Cape Town. Visit Table Mountain, walk the V&A Waterfront or embark on a wine tour in and around Stellenbosch. For the adventurous, opt to go skydiving, abseiling, or, if you're really brave, cage diving for a close encounter with a great white shark. Wander through the city centre, which has some of the oldest buildings and gardens in South Africa. Check out the Cultural Historical Museum, Planetarium, and many other museums and theatres.

Day 4 - Johannesburg

Fly to Johannesburg, then take a guided tour of Soweto township. Soweto was an important center of South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement and home to its leader, Nelson Mandela. Visit the Mandela House Museum and learn about this painful chapter in the country’s history. In the evening, enjoy a traditional South African braai (barbecue) with your fellow travellers.

PlaneC ape Town – Johannesburg 2h Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Soweto TourSoweto 1h-2h Take a guided tour of bustling Soweto and learn more about its important history. The residential area was created under apartheid and played a significant role in bringing the issues of segregation to the forefront. The anti-apartheid movement was launched here by its most famous resident, Nelson Mandela.

Your Foodie Moment: Traditional South Africa Braai (Barbecue) Enjoy a spread of grilled meats, vegetables and homemade salads, and talk with your friendly hosts about life in South Africa.

Day 5 - Johannesburg - Kruger

Set out towards Kruger National Park via the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Make stops at the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes, and take in panoramic views of the forest-covered valley from the God's Window viewpoint. Continue to our tented camp near Kruger National Park and savour a delicious South African dinner in a boma.

Today is a very long driving day; however, we will make many stops along the way at sites along the Panorama Route.

Private VehicleJohannesburg – Nelspruit 7h-8h30m 500km Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Panorama Route Scenic Drive Enjoy a scenic drive along the famed Panorama Route. You’ll see magnificent mountains, panoramic passes, valleys, and waterfalls. There will also be stops at Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and God's Window.

Day 6 - Kruger National Park

Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park—home to an extraordinary array of large mammals. Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and perhaps elusive leopards as we explore this breathtaking wilderness of savanna and scrubland. Return to our lodge in the evening, where you can take some time to relax on the deck and enjoy the nocturnal sounds of the bush.

At over 19,000 sq km (7,500 sq mi), South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most impressive animal reserves in the world. With 147 species, Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other park on the continent.

Kruger National Park Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive - Full day Kruger National Par k6h-7h Hop in a 4x4 safari vehicle and get yourself one step closer to the surrounding nature. Be ready to spot elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, zebras, and many other species in this impressive South African national park.

Day 7 - Kruger National Park

Travel to the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, a pristine wildlife sanctuary located in the Greater Kruger area. Meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project—a program funded in part by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative—and learn about efforts to protect the region’s cheetahs and other carnivores. The researcher then joins us for a wildlife-viewing excursion through the reserve.

For the next two days, enjoy ranger-led morning and evening wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle in Karongwe Nature Reserve, searching for Africa's famed Big Five. With over 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of supreme African bushveld, Karongwe Private Game Reserve is home to many creatures, and our safari drives provide several opportunities for wildlife viewing.

We use various accommodations within the reserve (the location is based on availability). During your time here, you will either stay in lodge rooms or very comfortable permanent tents (both of equal quality and with similar amenities).

Wildlife safari drives are conducted with qualified wildlife rangers and local expert trackers who will share their vast experience of the African bush.

On some occasions, if space is unavailable, we may need to change accommodations or even use a different private reserve. In such a case, be assured we will choose other lodges or comfort camps (of equal quality) within the Greater Kruger area.

Private Vehicle Nelspruit – Karongwe Private Game Reserve 3h150km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Carnivore Conservation Experience

Meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust's Cheetah Metapopulation Project, a project managed by National Geographic grantee Vincent van der Merwe. A member of Vincent's team will give a talk about cheetahs in South Africa and the important research CMP is doing. We will also discuss conservation within parks and reserves in South Africa and National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative. You will then be accompanied by the researcher on a wildlife safari drive to give you more insight into cheetahs and other carnivores.

Day 8 - Kruger National Park

Spend the day exploring Karongwe on morning and afternoon safaris with our local guides. Search for Africa's famed "big five" as we drive through the shrublands of the bushveld. Back at camp, relax on deck or take a walk around the grounds.

Wake up before the sun (around 5am) and sip your morning coffee before heading out on a morning wildlife safari drive. Return to the lodge for brunch and some leisure time. Converse on the deck, walk the grounds and gardens, and enjoy high tea. Following tea, it's time for a late afternoon safari drive. After spotting tons of wildlife, it’s time to return to camp and freshen up before dinner.

Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive Karongwe Private Game Reserve 3h05:00 Jump into a safari 4x4 and keep your eyes open for fantastic wildlife encounters. Wildlife safari drives are conducted with qualified wildlife rangers and local expert trackers; both will share their vast experience of the African bush.

Free Time Karongwe Private Game Reserve Afternoon Relax and enjoy some down time between wildlife safari drives.

Day 9 - Kruger - Johannesburg

Embark on one last safari this morning, keeping a lookout for Karongwe’s iconic inhabitants. Then head back to the city, where you’ll enjoy dinner in our local guest house.

Karongwe Private Reserve Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari DriveKarongwe Private Game Reserve 3h05:00 Morning Jump into a safari 4x4 and keep your eyes open for fantastic wildlife encounters. Wildlife safari drives are conducted with qualified wildlife rangers and local expert trackers; both will share their vast experience of the African bush.

Private Vehicle Karongwe Private Game Reserve – Johannesburg 7h 500km Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Day 10 - Johannesburg

Depart at any time.