Compare Explore Cape Town & Kruger National Park by G Adventures vs Cape Town to Kruger: Luxury South African Rail Journey by Audley Travel

Day 1 Cape Town

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

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.

Day 3 Cape Town

Enjoy a day of leisure in Cape Town, choosing from a variety of optional activities. 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, abseiling. 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.

If you are interested in visiting Robben Island - you must book it directly with the museum on their website prior to travel: http://www.robben-island.org.za Due to high demand, it is common that this tour can be sold out over one month in advance.

Day 4 Cape Town/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 dinner with your fellow travellers.

Day 5 Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area

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 lodge near Kruger National park, savour a delicious South African Dinner in this picturesque location.

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

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 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.

Day 7 Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve

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.

Day 8 Karongwe Private Game Reserve

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, a traditional braai.

Day 9 Karongwe Private Game Reserve/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 lodge.

Day 10 Johannesburg

Depart at any time.

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Cape Town.

Day 2 : Cape Town

On arrival in Cape Town you will be met by one of our representatives who will guide you through customs before you are picked up by a private vehicle and transferred to your accommodation.You will have a quick turnaround for your half day city tour, where you can get acquainted with the city and learn about the dramatic history of Cape Town and South Africa and also take in the scenic highlights of the city.

Day 3 : Cape Town

This morning you will meet in the heart of Cape Town to have a walking tour of the city with a local guide. This tour is a great experience to hear first hand what it was like to live through Apartheid. Your guide will also cover the various historical buildings and areas of Cape Town stretching all the way back to the Dutch and British colonial times.In the afternoon, take the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, to learn more about the country's political history.

Day 4 : Cape Town

Today will be spent exploring the Cape Peninsula. A private guide will collect you early in the morning as you head off on the spectacular drive through Chapmanâs Peak and on down to Cape Point, stopping to enjoy the pristine beaches along the peninsula. On the way back, you'll stop at Boulderâs Beach to visit Cape Town's famous African penguin colony and Kirstenbosch Gardens which is one of the biggest botanical gardens in Africa.

Day 5 : Cape Town

You will be collected by your private guide today and will spend the day exploring the Winelands just outside Cape Town. There are numerous farms and vineyards to explore and there are some excellent tasting opportunities available.Your tasting at Waterford is quite unique as local wines are paired with chocolate.

Day 6 : Cape Town

You will be transferred to the train station this morning to board the famous Rovos Rail as it departs from Cape Town heading through the Winelands to the historical village of Matjiesfontein where you can leave the train for a tour of the town. The journey continues through dinner as you head toward Pretoria.

Day 7 : Cape Town

Today will be a full day on the Rovos Rail as you visit Kimberley. From the station you will take an electric tram to the city centre where you can visit the Big Hole and the local museum before reboarding the train.

Day 8 : Johannesburg

Today you will arrive into Pretoria around midday. You will be met at the station and driven to Johannesburg where you will stay overnight.

Day 9 : The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

This morning your driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Johannesburg airport for your light aircraft flight to the Sabi Sand Wildtuin.When you land on the strip, your ranger will meet you and drive you back to the lodge. This afternoon enjoy your first game drive in the reserve experiencing South Africa's Big Five up close, aided by your expert ranger in custom-made safari vehicles.

Day 10 : The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

There are two game drives each day, one in the early morning and the second in the late afternoon. After your early morning game drive you will arrive back at the lodge for a filling brunch. The rest of the day you have at leisure until the afternoon and your second game drive. Just before sunset you will stop to enjoy a sundowner as the light begins to fade. On your return back to the lodge you will have a night drive where you can look for nocturnal animals that you may not see during the day.

Day 11 : The Sabi Sand Wildtuin

Enjoy another day on safari today. A real highlight is to take a guided bush walk to gain a true perspective of the fauna and flora around you. The walks are carried out by specially trained and qualified game rangers and make for a wonderful experience.

Day 12 : International return flight

You will be transferred back to the landing strip today and you will fly back to Johannesburg by light aircraft to meet your onward flight for your return journey back home.

Day 13 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.