Luxury Journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town 

South Africa | Eight destinations: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Hoedspruit, Skukuza, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Stellenbosch, & Cape Town | 

Seven hotels | Eleven nights​

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Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg / Pretoria

Welcome to Johannesburg, also known as Joburg or Jozi. Once a gold-mining town, it has grown into South Africa’s largest city. Upon arrival at the airport, collect your rental car. If you have booked a pre-program in Johannesburg, the rental car will be collected in the city. Drive to your hotel in Pretoria, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

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Day 2: Pretoria to Hoedspruit

Depart Johannesburg in the morning and drive to Hoedspruit. In the afternoon, we recommend a visit to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, which focuses on the conservation of vulnerable and endangered wildlife. During a cheetah-focused tour, you will learn more about these magnificent cats and the efforts being made to protect them.

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Day 3: Hoedspruit – Panorama Route

Today you travel along the spectacular Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic and popular routes. It winds through the dramatic landscapes of the Drakensberg Mountains in Mpumalanga, offering breathtaking views where the Highveld plateau drops steeply to the Lowveld plains some 1,000 meters below. Highlights include Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, the Three Rondavels, Pilgrim’s Rest, Graskop Gorge Lift, Mac Mac Falls, and other waterfalls. Return to your accommodation in the Hoedspruit area in the evening.

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Day 4: Hoedspruit to Kruger National Park

Today you enter South Africa’s largest and world-famous wildlife reserve, Kruger National Park, covering approximately 20,000 km². Established in 1898 by President Paul Kruger as the Sabi Game Reserve, it became a national park in 1926. The park is home to around 150 mammal species and nearly 700 bird, reptile, fish, and amphibian species.
Your lodge offers two daily game drives in open safari vehicles, giving you the chance to experience Africa’s bushveld wildlife up close. With a bit of luck, you may spot all of the Big Five during the four included game drives (starting on arrival afternoon and ending with a final drive on departure morning). Please note: arrival should be no later than 2:00 pm and departure no earlier than 10:30 am to participate in all game drives. Unused game drives are non-refundable.

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Day 5: Kruger National Park

Today is fully dedicated to exploring Kruger National Park. Enjoy early-morning and afternoon game drives in open safari vehicles as you search for the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—along with many other species. Impalas are the most numerous large animals in the park, followed by giraffes and elephants. Each game drive offers unique wildlife encounters in this remarkable ecosystem.

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Day 6: Kruger National Park to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth)

After breakfast, drive back to Johannesburg, return your rental car, and check in for your flight to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). After approximately 1.5 hours of flying, collect a new rental car and drive to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your journey, with dinner optional.

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Day 7: Gqeberha to Knysna

Travel from the Eastern Cape into the Western Cape along the N2, partly passing through Tsitsikamma National Park, where a stop is highly recommended. Continue past Plettenberg Bay and consider a coffee break at Old Nick Village, known for arts and crafts. Enjoy a beach walk or even a refreshing swim in the Indian Ocean. Upon arrival in Knysna, check in and optionally enjoy a lagoon cruise followed by dinner at the Waterfront or Thesen Island.

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Day 8: Knysna

Explore Knysna at your leisure. Visit the Knysna Heads, the lagoon, or the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Bollard Bay Beach on Leisure Island offers beautiful views of the Heads, while Brenton-on-Sea boasts a long sandy beach. An excursion to Plettenberg Bay is also recommended if you did not stop there previously.

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Day 9: Knysna to Stellenbosch

Continue along the N2 toward the Cape Winelands, one of South Africa’s most famous and oldest wine-growing regions. After checking in at your hotel in Stellenbosch, enjoy a stroll through the historic town and dine at one of its many cafés or restaurants. Optional wine tastings are available at numerous nearby wine estates.

 

Day 10: Stellenbosch to Cape Town

Today you arrive in Cape Town, often considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Known as the “Mother City,” it is South Africa’s second-largest city and the birthplace of the country’s colonial history. Check in at your hotel and take time to get an initial impression of the city and its surroundings.

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Day 11: Cape Town

A full day for exploration. Highlights include Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, featuring dramatic coastlines, charming fishing villages, the penguin colony at Simon’s Town, and the iconic Cape of Good Hope. Roads are well maintained and clearly signposted, making self-driving easy. Optional guided full-day tours of the Cape Peninsula, city, or Table Mountain are available on request.

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Day 12: Departure from Cape Town

Today you bid farewell to South Africa. Depending on your flight time, drive to the airport, return your rental car, and check in for your onward or return flight. We wish you a pleasant journey home.