Highlights of South Africa: Cape Town, Cape Winelands & Eastern Cape Game Reserve - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town, Explore South Africa's Legislative Capital

Welcome to the vibrant and cosmopolitan port city of Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital. Upon arrival, meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel. After refreshing, the day is yours to spend as you wish. A good place to start is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a bustling harbor area that blends historical charm with modern sophistication. Stroll along the promenade and browse the array of boutiques, eateries, and museums set against the backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain. Then, board a 40-minute ferry to the UNESCO-listed Robben Island.

Disembark and join a guided tour led by former prisoners for a firsthand account of the island's role as a political prison during the apartheid era. Follow your guide through the maximum-security prison, stopping at the cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in captivity. Back on the mainland, stroll to Bo-Kaap, Cape Town's Malay quarter, renowned for its brightly painted houses. Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum, housed in one of the pastel-colored houses, to learn about the formerly enslaved Malays and Indonesians who used to live here and turned the neighborhood into the vibrant community it is today.

Day 2: Ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Today, you'll discover one of the official Seven Wonders of Nature with a ride on the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. The cable car rotates, so you'll enjoy 360-degree views of the Atlantic coastline and landmarks you may have visited yesterday, like Robben Island. After five minutes, you'll reach the summit, where you can explore various walking trails that offer different perspectives of the cityscape below. You may also find local flora and fauna, like rock hyraxes and cape sugarbirds. When you're ready for a break, visit the Table Mountain Café for snacks, refreshments, or a full meal.

Day 3: Full-Day Tour of the Cape Peninsula, Wine Tasting in Constantia

Leave the city behind for the day as you set off on a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Meet your driver outside the hotel and start the journey, passing the colonial-era University of Cape Town and the rural wine-producing region of Constantia. Continue along Ou Kaapse Weg, a scenic mountain pass, to reach the seaside town of Noordhoek, where you can stretch your legs, grab a cup of coffee, and snap some photos of the ocean and surrounding hills. Your next stop is the Cape Point Nature Reserve, situated at the tip of the Cape Peninsula. 

Day 4: Transfer to Franschhoek, Food & Drink Tour in Stellenbosch

Say goodbye to Cape Town this morning as you transfer one hour to Franschhoek, a storybook village nestled amid the rolling hills of South Africa's wine country, the Cape Winelands. Check in at your luxury hotel surrounded by emerald vineyards and towering mountains, then transfer 30 minutes to the historical town of Stellenbosch for a food tour. As you stroll the tree-lined streets, you'll stop for a variety of sweet and savory snacks, like biltong (dried, cured meat similar to beef jerky), before enjoying a sit-down lunch platter packed with seasonal, locally sourced produce. 

You'll also sample award-winning gin and craft beer as the town is home to several distilleries and breweries. While you sip and eat, your guide will give you an insider's perspective on the contemporary and traditional South African art exhibits dotting the picturesque streets. End the tour with a liquid dessert at an innovative coffee laboratory paired with a decadent sweet treat, then return to your hotel and enjoy its amenities, such as the outdoor pool or gourmet restaurant, if you're still hungry.

Day 5: Half-Day Cape Winelands Cycling Tour

For a close-up look at the rolling vineyards, quaint villages, and towering mountains of the Cape Winelands, you'll set off on a bicycle tour this morning. After breakfast, transfer to the Basse Provence Country Estate, hop on your bicycle, and start pedaling through the countryside behind your guide. Feel the fresh air on your face and the sunshine on your back as you learn about the region's viticultural history, including the origins of its famous wine estates and winemaking process.

Take a break at one of the original seven wine estates established by French Huguenot settlers who arrived in the late 17th century. Take in views of the neatly manicured vines as you indulge in a food and wine pairing highlighting the estate's finest wines. Continue to another estate for a wine tasting before returning to your hotel to relax. Grab dinner at the hotel again or make your way into town to visit one of the fine-dining restaurants, like La Petite Colombe.

Day 6: Enjoy a Free Day in Franschhoek

Today, you're free to explore Franschhoek at your own pace. For a fun-filled way to discover more of the region, opt for a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. It operates on a hop-on, hop-off system, allowing you to disembark at various stops to sample exceptional wines, tour historic estates, and savor gourmet food. With its charming vintage design and informative commentary, the tram is a relaxing and immersive way to experience the Cape Winelands.

Those who want to learn more about the region's rich history can visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum instead. Peruse the artifacts, historical documents, and personal stories that depict the Huguenots' journey, their trials, and their impact on the development of the local wine industry. Then, head to the Franschhoek Motor Museum, home to a collection of over 220 classic and vintage vehicles, spanning from early 20th-century models to modern classics. Each vehicle is showcased with detailed information about its history and significance, offering insight into the evolution of automotive design and technology.

Day 7: Transfer to Cape Town, Fly to Port Elizabeth, Transfer to Kuzuko Lodge

Trade the Cape Winelands for the malaria-free Karoo region as you return to Cape Town for a one-hour flight to Port Elizabeth. From there, you'll transfer 2.5 hours to the luxurious Kuzuko Lodge, the only lodge on an exclusive 35,000-acre private reserve in the Greater Addo Conservation Area. Settle into your thatched-roof chalet and get ready for lunch or high tea made with local produce and homegrown herbs. After refueling, set off on a late afternoon safari to discover the Big Five, which includes lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes.

The cooler temperatures often attract a variety of wildlife, making it ideal for spotting predators such as lions and leopards as they become more active. As you traverse the varied terrain, ranging from rolling hills to arid plains, look for herds of antelope, graceful giraffes, and various bird species, including the African fish eagle and kori bustard. Then, return to the lodge in time for a five-course gourmet dinner or traditional South African braai (barbecue) under the stars.

Days 8-10: Explore a Private Game Reserve

Spend the next three days exploring the reserve as your stay at Kuzuko Lodge includes all meals and two safari activities per day. A typical day at the lodge starts around 5:30 am with tea and biscuits. Then, at 6 am you'll set off on a morning game drive to spot predators returning from their hunt and nocturnal creatures, like porcupines and honey badgers, seeking shelter for the day. Return to the lodge at 9 am for breakfast and some free time by the pool while enjoying the lodge's amenities.

Then, at 4 pm, you'll set off on a late afternoon game drive to search for the Big Five, as well as other wildlife like wildebeest, kudu, and hyenas. Each day, you'll return to the lodge around 7 pm to freshen up for dinner. You can also break up the game drives with other activities, like self-guided hikes, guided nature walks, spa treatments, or a tour to discover ancient San rock art lining the walls of nearby caves. These were created by the earliest hunter-gatherers in southern Africa—the San people. 

Day 11: Transfer to Port Elizabeth, Depart

If you don't mind waking up early, consider booking a private breakfast on the lodge's sunrise deck or in the bush to take advantage of your final moments in the reserve. After your meal, meet your driver at the lodge for the 2.5-hour transfer back to the airport in Port Elizabeth for your flight home. Safe travels!