South Africa Compact privately guided

ABOUT THIS TRIP

On this trip, you will travel as a couple, family or group of friends with your own private tour guide (either German or English-speaking), who will be at your disposal throughout. The trip can be started daily. You will spend the night in selected upscale accommodation. Of course, the itinerary can be adapted to your individual wishes at any point. The price per person depends on the size of your private group.

Experience classic South Africa on a privately guided tour: the Panorama Route, Kruger National Park, a private Big Five game reserve at Hluhluwe National Park, the Dolphin Coast, Tsitsikamma National Park, Knysna, the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm, Route 62, Cape Town City and Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands.

Please note: Our privately guided tours are designed for groups of people who have already been confirmed in advance. If you are interested in joining a group, please look under "Small group tours".

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• 15x overnight stays in the Deluxe category (5-star guesthouses and lodges)
• 15x breakfast, 4x lunch, 8x dinner
• Air-conditioned vehicle according to group size
• four game drives in an open off-road vehicle
• Domestic flight from Durban to Port Elizabeth in Economy Class
• Excursions and entrance fees according to program
• Private tour guide (German or English of your choice) and 24-hour hotline (English-speaking) on site
• Comprehensive travel documents (with an individual tour book and a travel guide per room)
• Virtual meeting with the tour guide before departure on request
• Insurance according to German travel law incl. travel price insurance certificate

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Drinks and meals not specified
• Long-haul flights from/to Europe (we are happy to arrange suitable flights on request)
• optional excursions, other personal expenses, tips
• Travel insurance

Tour description and prices as PDF

We also offer this trip in the Superior category ****.

Day 1: Welcome to South Africa (approx. 380 km)
You will be met at Johannesburg airport by your private tour guide. The journey starts in an easterly direction through the province of Mpumalanga, the land of the rising sun. Your destination is the small town of Hazyview near the Kruger National Park. The afternoon is at your leisure here and you can relax after your long journey.
Overnight stay with half board - Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa (Luxury Tented Suite) in Hazyview

Where you stay
The luxurious Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa is situated between Sabie and Hazyview, close to the Kruger National Park and the attractions of the Panorama Route. The 12 tented suites offer bath/WC, air-conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, minibar and safe. The guest house offers a bar, a restaurant, a spa area (for a fee), a garden with pool and a fantastic view of the Lowveld.

Day 2: Panorama Route
Today you set off for the highlights of the Panorama Route. Your first stop is the impressive "God's Window". On a clear day, you can see as far as the Kruger Plain. Continue to the Bourke's Luck Potholes. Here, erosion has created deep swirl holes and a canyon in the dolomite rock. Finally, you will visit the Blyde River Canyon, which is 26 kilometers long and 800 meters deep. The "Three Rondavels" can also be seen from here: Huge, round rocks that are reminiscent of the huts of the locals. Of course, the impressive waterfalls on the Panorama Route, such as Berlin Falls, Lone Creek Falls and Lisbon Falls, are not to be missed along the way. Let your tour guide show you their two favorites. In the afternoon, return to Hazyview via the Long Tom Pass.
Overnight stay with half board - Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa (Luxury Tented Suite) in Hazyview

Day 3: Kruger National Park (approx. 120 km)
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll set off for the famous Kruger National Park. The Kruger is by far the largest national park in South Africa and provides a habitat for the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard) and countless other African wildlife. At your private safari lodge, you’ll enjoy luxury close to nature and take part in your first game drive in an open-top 4x4 in the afternoon (English-speaking guide, shared with other guests).
Overnight stay with full board – Hamiltons Tented Camo (Tent Suite) in Kruger National Park

Your Stay
With its high-quality furnishings and outstanding service, Hamilton Tented Camp carries on the glorious safari tradition of days gone by. You can look forward to delicious meals, fine wines, and a cozy bar. The camp’s six luxurious tented suites feature a bathroom, air conditioning, mosquito nets, an observation deck with an outdoor shower, a lounge area, and a telephone. The lodge features a bar, a restaurant with an outdoor deck, a boma (traditional dining area around a campfire), and a pool.

Day 4: On Safari
The day begins early with a game drive in an open-top SUV (conducted in English, shared with other guests). Back at the lodge, a delicious breakfast will be waiting for you. Now you’ll have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the lodge’s amenities. In the afternoon, you’ll head out again for exciting wildlife viewing (conducted in English, shared with other guests).
Hamiltons Tented Camp is arguably the best-known and most famous classic tented camp for discerning guests in all of South Africa. It is located on a 10,000-hectare private concession directly within Kruger National Park. The camp was built to ensure minimal impact on the natural environment.
Overnight stay with full board – Hamiltons Tented Camp (Tent Suite) in Kruger National Park

Day 5: Badplaas (approx. 320 km)
After another dawn game drive (conducted in English, shared with other guests), you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before continuing your journey. Your destination is the beautiful Dawsons Lodge near Badplaas, where you’ll have the afternoon at your leisure. The lodge offers numerous activities (some for a fee) that invite you to participate, while those seeking relaxation will find a lovely spot by the pool.
Overnight stay with half board – Dawsons Game Lodge (Standard Room) in Badplaas

Where you stay
The luxurious Dawsons Game Lodge is situated on the Komati River between Barberton and Badplaas in a private nature reserve in beautiful surroundings. The area offers pure relaxation and recreation. You can fish for trout in the river or discover the reserve's animals (giraffes, zebras, antelopes and more) on foot. The 8 rooms have bath/WC, fireplace, minibar, tea/coffee maker and veranda. The lodge offers a pool, a restaurant, a bar, a TV lounge and various activities (some for a fee).

Day 6: Zululand (approx. 420 km)
After breakfast, the journey continues. Via Piet Retief and Pongola you reach the lush green Zululand. Adjacent to the Indian Ocean are the beautiful iSimangaliso Wetlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to numerous hippos, crocodiles and bird species, as well as many other African animals. Your lodge is located in the middle of this natural paradise. Depending on your arrival time and interests, you can take part in a game drive in an open off-road vehicle in the afternoon or relax at the lodge (English-speaking, with additional persons) before enjoying a delicious dinner around the campfire in the evening.
Overnight stay with full board - Makakatana Bay Lodge (Luxury Suite) near St. Lucia

How you live
The lodge, built on stilts, invites you to linger and relax. Only 6 rooms offer maximum privacy. Guests have access to a bar, a swimming pool with a fantastic view of the bush, a wine cellar and a "boma" (covered outdoor dining area). The spacious rooms offer an incomparable view of the landscape through large windows. They also have air conditioning/heating, ceiling fan, telephone, minibar, outdoor shower and a private viewing terrace.

Day 7: iSimangaliso Wetlands
Today is all about the iSimangaliso Wetlands. The lodge offers many exciting excursions into the beautiful surroundings, which we will be happy to arrange with you in advance. The best way to experience the wetlands is probably from the water on an extensive boat tour through the labyrinth of waterways with a delicious picnic lunch in the midst of nature. Or you can set off in an open safari vehicle to the eastern part of the park to the beautiful beaches on the Indian Ocean for swimming and snorkeling. All activities at the lodge are in English and are carried out with other participants.
Overnight stay with full board - Makakatana Bay Lodge (Luxury Suite) near St. Lucia

Day 8: Departure to the Garden Route (approx. 260 km)
In the morning, you will take part in another game drive in an open off-road vehicle (English-speaking, conducted with additional persons). You will then drive to Durban Airport and fly to Port Elizabeth with your tour guide. There you will move into your next accommodation in the evening.
Overnight stay with breakfast - Mantis No 5 Boutique Hotel (Luxury Suite) in Port Elizabeth

Where you stay
You will stay at the luxurious Mantis No 5, a first-class restored Art Deco hotel in the Summerstrand district. The beach is only about 150 meters away and you will also find numerous stores and restaurants in the immediate vicinity. The boutique hotel has a fine dining restaurant, a private cinema, a lounge, a pool, a fitness center and a spa area. The 9 suites are all equipped with bath/WC, balcony/terrace, seating area, minibar, Nespresso machine, TV, air conditioning and safe.

Day 9: Tsitsikamma National Park (approx. 280 km)
You travel on to Tsitsikamma National Park, which is part of the Garden Route National Park with its hiking trails, beaches and waterfalls. You first make a flying visit to the Big Tree, a centuries-old yellowwood tree that is more than 40 meters high. You then visit the mouth of the Storms River. A leisurely, short hike takes you to the famous Suspension Bridge with its fantastic views (access to the bridge may be closed due to weather conditions). In the afternoon, you will reach the beautiful Nature's Valley, where you will have some time to relax on the secluded beaches or go hiking. In the evening you reach Knysna, the heart of the Garden Route.
Overnight stay with breakfast - Kanonkop House (Luxury Lagoon Facing Suite) in Knysna

Where you stay
You will spend the night in the spacious and luxurious Kanonkop House. Make yourself comfortable on the large terrace and enjoy the fantastic view over the lagoon and the forests of Knysna. The 7 stylish rooms have en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor seating areas, minibar, TV, underfloor heating, safe and tea/coffee making facilities with Nespresso machine. The guest house offers a pool, sun deck, terrace, lounge and bar.

Day 10: Knysna
Today is at your leisure, but your tour guide is of course available for excursions in the varied surroundings. The Wilderness National Park, for example, is ideal for a day trip. Or drive to the impressive viewpoint on the Eastern Head directly at the entrance to the lagoon and then enjoy a relaxing day on a beautiful sandy beach. In the evening, round off the day with a leisurely boat tour on the lagoon (English-speaking, with additional people).

Optionally, you can also take part in other activities (for a fee, English-speaking, carried out with other people).
Township tour: This takes place in the morning or afternoon and lasts around 3 hours. True to the motto "Meet the locals", you will visit the small township on the outskirts of Knysna. Here you will meet the residents and learn about education, housing and the health system.
Whale watching: On the whale watching tour, you take a small boat out to sea and, with a bit of luck, get up close to the large marine mammals! The tour takes place during the whale season from June to November and you should be seaworthy.
Overnight stay with breakfast - Kanonkop House (Luxury Lagoon Facing Suite) in Knysna

Day 11: Oudtshoorn & the Little Karoo (approx. 120 km)
You leave the coast via the scenic Outeniqua Pass and reach the arid hinterland. Once you arrive in the ostrich capital of Oudtshoorn, you will discover the stalactite cave landscape of the Cango Caves on a guided tour (English-speaking, with additional persons). Numerous chambers of the huge cave system offer an impressive variety of enormous stalactite formations. Afterwards, you will get up close and personal with these large, flightless birds on an ostrich farm and learn many amazing details about the animals and their breeding on a very informative tour (English-speaking, guided tour with additional persons). Your destination is a cozy guesthouse in Oudtshoorn.
Overnight stay with half board - Rosenhof Country House (Luxury Room) in Oudtshoorn

Where you stay
The Rosenhof Country House in Oudtshoorn is a five-star hotel built in Victorian style around 1852 and recently restored for discerning guests who love the natural. Antique furniture and warm colors create a cozy ambience. The lovingly and impeccably landscaped garden with fountains, herbs and a large rose garden will tempt you to dream and is the ideal place for lovers. The wide terraces and lush greenery create a very romantic atmosphere. The Rosenhof offers haute cuisine that combines traditional South African cuisine with international influences. The property is also known for its wide selection of wines.

Day 12: Route 62 & Winelands (approx. 370 km)
Today’s journey continues along the famous and scenically unique Route 62, the former road connecting Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. This route exudes a certain Wild West atmosphere, hence the similarity in name to the legendary Route 66. You’ll reach the Robertson Wine Valley, where you’ll take part in a wine tasting at an idyllic winery. We then continue to the unique Babylonstoren farm, which is world-famous especially for its garden. You can explore the beautifully landscaped fruit and vegetable garden on your own, and ripe fruit can be picked straight from the tree and enjoyed to your heart’s content. The historic Cape Dutch farm buildings also house a coffee roastery, a gelateria, a bakery, a tasting room for the estate’s own wines, and a well-stocked farm shop with all kinds of products grown on the farm.
Overnight stay with breakfast – Babylonstoren (Farmhouse Suite) in Franschhoek

Your Stay
Nestled in the triangle between Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, amidst beautiful countryside, lies the luxurious Babylonstoren estate, world-renowned for its magnificent gardens. The hotel suites and cottages are located in various buildings spread across the expansive grounds. Various restaurants invite you to enjoy lunch and dinner. Hotel guests can use the pool and, for an additional fee, the wellness area. The individual suites and cottages all feature a bathroom/toilet, air conditioning, a fireplace, a minibar, a TV, a safe, and tea/coffee-making facilities. The Two-Bedroom Cottages have two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom/toilet.

Day 13: Cape Town & Table Mountain (approx. 60 km)
You’ll spend the morning in Stellenbosch. The country’s second-oldest town boasts a beautiful historic center with many buildings in the Cape Dutch architectural style. Cafés, restaurants, and shops invite you to stroll and linger. Afterward, you’ll head to Cape Town, the “Mother City,” to explore the city’s sights. Behind the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood lies a long history; the centrally located Company’s Garden invites you to take a relaxing stroll amid the urban hustle and bustle; and at Greenmarket Square, you can shop for all kinds of arts and crafts and souvenirs. If the weather is good, you’ll of course visit Table Mountain, the city’s landmark, and enjoy the breathtaking view. If the cable car is closed, you can alternatively enjoy the view from the Cape Wheel Ferris wheel at the V&A Waterfront.
Overnight stay with breakfast – Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa (Luxury Room) in Cape Town

Where you stay
The historic Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa originally served as the harbor master's private residence and welcomes its guests in an elegant ambience. Located directly on the V&A Waterfront, you can stay right in the heart of the city and still enjoy the tranquillity of the large garden away from the hustle and bustle. The seven luxurious rooms all have a bathroom/WC, balcony/terrace, air conditioning, satellite TV, minibar, tea/coffee station and a safe. The hotel offers a pool, a garden, a terrace, a fitness center and a spa area.

Day 14: The Cape Peninsula
You set off on a day trip to the Cape Peninsula. First you stop in Muizenberg and marvel at the colorful little houses that can be found on every postcard. Continue along False Bay via Kalk Bay to Simon's Town, where you will visit the famous penguin colony. You then drive to the Cape of Good Hope National Park with the Cape of Good Hope and via Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, on to Hout Bay with its small fishing port. In the late afternoon you will arrive back in Cape Town, where you will say goodbye to your tour guide.
Overnight stay with breakfast - Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa (Luxury Room) in Cape Town

Day 15: Cape Town
This day in Cape Town is at your leisure. For example, take advantage of the good shopping opportunities or culinary offerings at the V&A Waterfront. The ferries to the former prison island of Robben Island also depart from here. Or stroll through the lively city center and the Company's Garden and visit one of the many museums located there.
Overnight stay with breakfast - Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa (Luxury Room) in Cape Town

Day 16: Goodbye South Africa
Your trip ends today and you will be taken to Cape Town airport by a driver from our transfer partner (English-speaking) to coincide with your return flight.