South Africa: Pilanesberg Safari, Garden Route & Cape Town-10D|9N

Day 1: Bakubung Bush Lodge, Pilanesberg National Park

Day Itinerary

On arrival in  Johannesburg you will be met and transferred by road (approximately 2.5 hours drive) to the Pilanesberg Big Five Game Reserve. Depending on your time of arrival, enjoy your first game drive. Dinner will be at the lodge. 

Pilanesberg National Park

Located northwest of Johannesburg, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve lies inside a 1300 million-year-old extinct volcanic complex and offers a wide variety of beautiful landscapes featuring grasslands, wooded valleys and unique rock formations. Pilanesberg is home to a great diversity of plants and animals including the Big Five and over 360 species of bird. It has some great game drives for both day-trippers and visitors staying in the various camps. Those looking to mix a little glitz and glamour with their wildlife viewing, South Africa’s leading resort, Sun City, is only minutes away.

Sun City

• Stretching along the border of the Pilanesberg National Park, in the North West Province, Sun City is internationally renowned as South Africa's premier holiday resort and offers a multitude of attractions and activities to keep all visitors entertained for days. With its combination of golfing, gaming and gambling, as well as world-class hotels, it is a mini Las Vegas in the African bush. It is also known as the only surf-and-safari destination within a two-hour drive of the landlocked city of Johannesburg. Visitors can choose from a range of wonderful accommodation options including the opulent ‘Palace of the Lost City’ or the elegant ‘Cascades’ or enjoy the endless rolling waves at the ‘Valley of Waves’.

The Marula Grill 

• The Marula Grill restaurant offers a buffet breakfast, and either a buffet or table d'Hote luncheon and dinner. A terrace menu is also available between 11h00-21h00 daily.
• Breakfast : Monday to Sunday - 07h00-10h00
• Lunch : Monday to Sunday - 12h30-14h30
• Dinner : Monday to Sunday - 18h30-22h00

Outdoor Boma 

• Capture the spirit of Africa with a bush dinner in the outdoor boma, situated in the Pilanesberg National Park. Offering undercover seating for up to 120 people. A variety of theme evenings and gala dinners are available on request.
• Game Drives
• +/- 3 hour game drives in the Pilanesberg National Park

Overnight: Bakubung Bush Lodge View iBrochure

• A mere two hour drive from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg and ten minutes from Sun City, is a place of breathtaking beauty and serenity. Overlooking the rich expanses of the malaria-free Pilanesburg National Park, Bakubung, or 'People of the Hippo', offers guests Big 5 viewing in one of Africa's beautiful national parks. Guests are spoilt for choice be it having a cup of coffee overlooking our resident hippo in the waterhole, bushveld boma barbecues, game walks or the culinary experience of Bakubung's famous buffet.

Alternate: Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge View iBrochure

• Located on the outer rim of an extinct volcano lies Kwa Maritane, ‘Place of the Rock’.
• Overlooking a unique granite dome is Kwa Maritane, Legacy’s oldest and most famous bush lodge, host to families, businessmen and delegates from all over the world. The lodge is famous for its hide and waterhole linked by a 180m long tunnel, its outstanding cuisine and the hospitality of its staff. Guests can enjoy a host of recreational activities including dawn and evening Big Five game drives in the tender care of our experienced game rangers, bushveld boma barbeques, golf and other recreational activities at nearby Sun City, or simply relaxing in the lodge’s beautiful gardens and restaurant. 

Basis

• Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Activities

Day 2: Bakubung Bush Lodge, Pilanesberg National Park

Day Itinerary

Early morning game drive, the best time to see wildlife. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, followed by some leisure time. You could also choose to visit the neighbouring Sun City resort and enjoy the activities and entertainment on offer here. 

Optional

• Sun City Casino Entertainment Complex

Game Drives

• +/- 3 hour game drives in the Pilanesberg National Park

Guided Game Walks

• Tree, Bird, and game walks available daily.

Swimming 

• Outdoor Swimming Pool

Sun City Casino Entertainment Complex

• Visitors can find the latest in entertainment and gaming in the Entertainment Centre, plus a wide range of fast food outlets, restaurants and children’s facilities. These range from a variety of restaurants, a kiddies games arcade, to slots floors and the Superbowl which boasts performances by world famous artists.

Basis

• Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Activities

Day 3: Peermont Metcourt Hotel at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg

Day Itinerary

If you missed the game drive on the day of arrival you will enjoy another game drive this morning, before your afternoon transfer back to Johannesburg where the rest of the evening will be at leisure. Your hotel is conveniently situated at the Emperor's Palace complex, where there are a range of dining and entertainment options on offer. 

Johannesburg

• Johannesburg is one of Africa’s biggest and most vibrant cities. It is the economic capital of Africa and the gateway to Southern Africa. Although not as famous as other South African destinations, there is plenty to do in Johannesburg and nearby Pretoria. The old city is a multi-cultural mixture of traditional medicine shops, Chinese restaurants, taxi ranks and ultra-modern skyscrapers. There are excellent museums, art galleries and organised tours of historical and political interest. The shopping is Southern Africa’s best and the many restaurants cater for all tastes. The nearby township of Soweto is Johannesburg’s most popular tourist attraction.

Emperors Palace Emporium

• 1001 things to see, taste and do!  Never before have you been this spoilt for choice with 6 state of the art NuMetro cinemas screening all the latest movies, 9 restaurants to tempt you with African, Asian, Continental, Greek, Italian and Portuguese fare, 6 popular fast food outlets, the hippest video and arcade games for teens and plenty of supervised fun for the younger kids.

Overnight: Peermont Metcourt Hotel at Emperors Palace View iBrochure

• Ultra-modern convenience at its best ... the three star, retro Roman Peermont Metcourt offers 348 chic and comfortable rooms ideal for corporate, convention, international and leisure guests requiring affordable accommodation, while the new plus-sized rooms are ideal for families. The hotel also offers a private and sheltered pool terrace with a covered patio, full gymnasium and a relaxing, manicured garden. Enjoy breakfast at the F.L.A.G. Café or watch sport at the 21 Degrees cocktail bar. A boardroom and business centre are available for residents’ use and the Olympus Sky Bar, with its magnificent views of the airport, can be booked for private functions.

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Day 4: Diaz Beach Hotel, Mossel Bay

Day Itinerary

This morning after breakfast at your hotel take the shuttle service to OR Tambo International Airport for your domestic flight to George, gateway to the Garden Route. On arrival at the airport collect your rental car and drive to your base for the next few days - Mossel Bay. 

Your hotel is ideally located only 5 minutes from the town centre and on Diaz beach, with spectacular ocean views from your hotel room balcony. Spend the afternoon exploring the area. 

Mossel Bay

• Idyllically set along the Garden Route on South Africa’s spectacularly scenic coastline, the port town Mossel Bay has rapidly grown from its days as a little fishing village. Today it is a thriving holiday resort town boasting a large bay edged by long sandy beaches. Mossel Bay serves as an excellent base from which to explore the renowned Garden Route. This historic town has plenty of recreational attractions – one of which is the Mossel Bay golf course, which boasts a spectacular sea view from every tee affording visitors the chance to whale watch as they line up their next shot. Visitors can also enjoy an array of other wonderful activities including: visiting the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, sampling local cuisine, as well as enjoying 4x4 excursions, swimming, hiking, and kayaking.

Garden Route

• Sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the glistening Indian Ocean, this lush 200-kilometre stretch of coastal plain between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth provides one of the world’s most spectacular drives. Visitors typically base themselves at the heart of the Garden Route - either in Knysna, complete with its scenic lagoon; or neighbouring Plettenberg Bay, famous for its excellent beaches - and then spend a few days exploring countless surrounding attractions. Whether you are seeking pristine, uncrowded white-sand beaches, world-class golf courses, ancient forests, top-notch surf spots, extraordinary nature reserves, excellent hiking opportunities or exhilarating outdoor adventures such as bungee jumping or ziplining, the Garden Route has it all.

Mossel Bay

• Idyllically set along the Garden Route on South Africa’s spectacularly scenic coastline, the port town Mossel Bay has rapidly grown from its days as a little fishing village. Today it is a thriving holiday resort town boasting a large bay edged by long sandy beaches. Mossel Bay serves as an excellent base from which to explore the renowned Garden Route. This historic town has plenty of recreational attractions – one of which is the Mossel Bay golf course, which boasts a spectacular sea view from every tee affording visitors the chance to whale watch as they line up their next shot. Visitors can also enjoy an array of other wonderful activities including: visiting the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, sampling local cuisine, as well as enjoying 4x4 excursions, swimming, hiking, and kayaking.

Overnight: Diaz Beach Hotel

• The Diaz Hotel & Resort welcomes you to the pristine seashore of Mossel Bay's renowned Diaz Beach, offering you a thrilling and entertaining holiday experience right in the heart of the picturesque and famous Garden Route. Located only 10m from the high-water mark and offers spectacular ocean views from every window and balcony. The Diaz Hotel was named in honour of the famed Portuguese navigator, Bartolomeu Dias, who landed in Mossel Bay in 1488. Themed on the long and vivid history of the area, we offer guests a comfortable stay with FREE Wi-Fi and considerate service throughout your stay. The Diaz Hotel & Resort offers 86 superior sea-facing rooms, each with a private balcony from where you can enjoy breathtaking views. Perfect location for a wedding, with the option of making use of the magnificent Starlight Room, or drawing on the natural beauty of the pristine beach and holding both ceremony and reception right at the edge of the ocean.

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Day 5: Diaz Beach Hotel, Mossel Bay

Day Itinerary

Today take a day trip to Oudtshoorn, only an hour's drive away from Mossel Bay over the beautiful Robinson Mountain Pass. Visit the Cango Caves, an Ostrich farm and the Cango Wildlife Ranch. 

Oudtshoorn

• Located along the well-known Route 62 in South Africa’s beautiful Klein Karoo, the charming town of Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world. It is surrounded by numerous ostrich farms and the golden arid landscape of the Karoo. Visitors can enjoy the locally produced wine and port; sample ostrich meat and biltong; learn about the ostrich feather boom at the C.P. Nel Museum; and visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, the largest cave system in Africa featuring ancient rock formations and sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. Other popular activities include: mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding, and taking a day trip to the quaint town of Prince Albert over the scenic Swartberg Pass.

Cango Caves

• The spectacular Cango Caves are a subterranean wonderland of magnificent stalactite and stalagmite rock formations that attracts thousands of visitors annually. They extend more than two kilometres into the Swartberg Mountains and visitors can take guided tours that wind through narrow passageways and steep stairways linking the massive caverns.

Safari Ostrich Showfarm

• Safari Ostrich Show Farm is an operating farm where visitors will see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development in the surrounding fields. Visitors are assured of personal attention and upon their arrival are greeted by one of our multi-lingual guides who will, during the course of the tour explain every aspect of ostrich farming, from breeding to rearing. The tour starts in the breeding camp, with a nest of ostrich eggs, where the first stage of the ostrich life cycle is explained. Visitors will get the opportunity to test the strength of the eggs by standing on them - a great photo opportunity. During the breeding season visitors get to see ostrich eggs hatching in the incubator rooms. Visitors get to sit on an ostrich and those who are brave enough can even try their hand at riding one. A highly entertaining and educational tour is guaranteed.

Cango Wildlife Ranch

• The Cango Wildlife Ranch promotes awareness and conservation of endangered species, while encouraging supervised interaction – making this a wonderful destination for children of all ages. Housing the oldest and largest cheetah contact centre worldwide, visitors can view these powerful, speedy cats in a natural bushveld environment from elevated walkways. From predators of the land to predators of the water, visitors can then move on to the crocodile and alligator enclosures to study more of the world’s most dangerous beasts.

Outeniqua Mountains

• Made up of gentle fynbos- and forest-covered southern slopes and steep shrub-covered drops on the north-facing side that together rise 1600m, the Outeniqua Mountains lie between the fertile Garden Route and the drier Klein Karoo on the other side of the mountain range.

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Day 6: Diaz Beach Hotel, Mossel Bay

Day Itinerary

Explore more of the Garden Route today with a drive to Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and even Tsitsikamma. There is so much to see and do in these areas, let us know your particular interests and we can recommend some great options. 

Knysna

• Sandwiched between the towering Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Knysna is known as the ‘Garden of Eden’. It is surrounded by world-renowned forests, lovely lagoons and pristine beaches. Visitors can look forward to an array of markets offering delicious food and organic locally-made goods, explore the town’s picturesque waterfront and quaint streets, adventure through the lush forest, skip over streams and catch a glimpse of the multicoloured Knysna Loerie, take a ferry trip to the famed Knysna Heads and sample the local oysters. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of exciting activities including: surfing, swimming, yachting, jet skiing, boating, fishing, and golfing.

Plettenberg Bay

• Set along the spectacularly scenic Garden Route in South Africa, the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination. The Portuguese explorers called it the 'Beautiful Bay', and it’s easy to see why – Plettenberg Bay is a picturesque, charming town with endless pristine beaches, tranquil lagoons, clean rivers, indigenous forests and a dramatic rocky peninsula. Playground to the wealthy, beach mansions overlook the Indian Ocean, often dotted with luxury yachts, while leisure time is given over to polo and golf, among other things. However, all kinds of visitors will feel at peace here as simply swimming in the warm water on a safe beach is a great way to experience the beauty of Plettenberg Bay.

Tsitsikamma National Park

• Situated along South Africa’s beautiful coast, the Tsitsikamma National Park is known for its ancient forest, pristine coastline and magnificent rivers. The Tsitsikamma National Park falls within the Garden Route National Park and encompasses a marine conservation belt which stretches five kilometres out into the ocean. It is home to diverse fauna and flora including over 9000 species of indigenous fynbos. Visitors can look forward to hiking to the Big Tree, an ancient yellowwood;  and going on an exhilarating kayaking trip at Storms River Mouth, as well as a number of other activities including: cycling, swimming, zip lining, camping, snorkelling, diving, mountain biking, and sailing.

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Day 7: Inn on the Square, Cape Town

Day Itinerary

Enjoy your last morning on the Garden Route at Mossel Bay, perhaps this morning you might like to enjoy a Shark Cage Diving experience! 

The drive to Cape Town is an easy 4.5 hours, arrive in Cape Town late afternoon and check-in at your hotel, your rental car will be collected at 17.00. Again your hotel location is great, in the city centre, overlooking the vibrant Greenmarket Square and within easy walking distance to many shops and restaurants. Long Street is recognised as the centre of nightlife in Cape Town and the back of the hotel faces onto Long Street. 

Cape Town

• Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans, sandwiched between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and extraordinary architecture, while others boast breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary natural wonders. Cape Town is lucky enough to be blessed with all of these attractions and so much more. With its bustling harbour, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards, and its mountainous surroundings brimming with diverse flora and fauna, Cape Town consistently captivates the hearts of all who visit.

White Shark Africa Shark Cage Diving & Viewing

• Marine Dynamic in Mossel Bay, South Africa offers the unique and adrenaline packed opportunity to go shark cage diving with Great White Sharks. The activity begins with an inclusive breakfast/lunch, then moves onto a pre-trip briefing, then one can enjoy a leisurely 10-20 minute boat ride aboard the Slashfin to Dyer Island, where the boat will anchor for about 2 hours. On this trip, one can encounter marine life such as sharks, dolphins, whales, seals, penguins and several other bird species.

Greenmarket Square

• In the heart of Cape Town’s business district, you’ll find Greenmarket Square. The square has quite a reputation, it has been a slave market, a fruit and vegetable market and, during the 1950s, a humble parking lot. These days it’s just the place to look for clothing, glassware, hand-painted fabrics, footwear, music, sunglasses and curios from all over Cape Town and Africa.
• Greenmarket Square is more than a flea market, not only will you find a wide range of goods to buy, there is also entertainment in the form of buskers,  mime artists and jugglers, especially on Saturday mornings and other busy times. The market is a big success there are loads of coffee shops and restaurants in the vicinity, so take time out to sit at a sidewalk table and watch the world go by.

Long Street Nightlife

• As night falls on the City Long Street comes to life - restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs.

Overnight: Inn on the Square

• Housed in one of Cape Towns' oldest buildings overlooking the vibrant Greenmarket Square and conveniently located in the vibrant business and government district, towers Inn on the Square, a contemporary business and leisure hotel that represents a young, dynamic mid-market brand, promising to be ‘the best sleep in town’ with 165 comfortable en-suite rooms and puling city life.

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Day 8: Inn on the Square, Cape Town

Day Itinerary

Today you will enjoy a full day Cape Point & Penguin Explorer Tour! Located at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, this tour is the ultimate in covering the most scenic parts easily, conveniently and safely. The enthusiastic, knowledgeable English speaking guide will make you fall in love with the Cape whilst you explore! This tour offers lots of "off the bus" time to explore the Boulders Beach penguins colony, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.

Hop On Hop off Red City Tour

• The Red City Tour is our flagship tour in Cape Town. It provides the easiest and most convenient way to visit the Table Mountain Cableway and it offers a great introduction to Cape Town’s City Bowl, as well as Camps Bay and the Atlantic Seaboard. There are 11 bus stops, hop on and off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop offs) is approximately 90 minutes. Skip the ticket queue at the Table Mountain Cableway (stop 7) and buy your Cableway ticket at one of our tour offices or on the red bus. A red bus ticket allows you to hop on and hop off on all our tours so you can start your double-decker experience at any of our stops. Tickets can be bought at our tour offices (stop 1 and stop 5), online at a discounted rate, or from the bus driver.

Hop On Hop off Yellow Downtown Tour

• If you've taken the red bus to Table Mountain already and are keen to visit the cultural and historical landmarks in Cape Town, hop on the Yellow Downtown Tour at stop 5, our Long Street Office. This tour has seven bus stops, hop on and hop off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop-offs) is approximately 30 minutes. We recommend the Red City Tour to Table Mountain, and then switch to the Yellow Downtown Tour at stop 5 to check out Cape Town’s variety of museums and cultural hot spots. A red bus ticket allows you to hop on and hop off on all our tours so you can start your double-decker experience at any of our stops. Tickets can be bought at our tour offices (stop 1 and stop 5), online at a discounted rate or from the bus driver.

Hop On Hop off Blue Mini Peninsula Tour

• The Blue Mini Peninsula Tour circles the back of Table Mountain, letting you take in the scenery of the mountain’s southern slopes, which include the beautiful gardens of Kirstenbosch, past the exquisite Constantia winelands and out of town towards charming Hout Bay, before heading back through the Atlantic Seaboard and into the city centre. This tour has 14 bus stops, hop on and hop off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop-offs) is approx two hours, 15 minutes. We recommend that you meet the locals at Imizamo Yethu Township (stop 23) and visit the Original T-Bag Design company (closed on Saturdays and Sundays). The Imizamo Yethu Township Tour runs seven days a week and will leave you with a sense of ubuntu – a South African term for essential human virtues, compassion and humanity.

Hop On Hop off Purple Wine Tour

• The beginning of South Africa's rich wine heritage awaits you! Hop off at Constantia Nek (stop 21) to hop on the Purple Wine Tour bus. The tour takes you to three wine stops: Groot Constantia, Eagles' Nest and Beau Constantia. There are three bus stops, hop on and hop off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop-offs) is approximately 20 minutes. There are three exquisite wine estates on this tour. A red bus ticket allows you to hop on and hop off on all our tours so you can start your double-decker experience at any of our stops. To catch the Purple Wine Tour bus, hop off at Constantia Nek (stop 21). Tickets can be bought at our tour offices (stop 1 and stop 5), online at a discounted rate or from the bus driver.

Table Mountain

• Without a doubt it is Table Mountain that makes Cape Town the unique city it is. Rising up over 1000m above sea level, it is the icon that makes Cape Town instantly recognizable. It is a symbol, a playground, a spiritual retreat and a big draw card for tourists. So intertwined with the identity of Cape Town is Table Mountain that a visit to the city isn’t complete without having walked or taken the cable car to the top.

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Day 9: Inn on the Square, Cape Town

Day Itinerary

ExploreCape Town with City Sightseeing Tours - Hop onto the open top red bus and explore the Mother City, as she is affectionately known. With over 30 stops, and taking you to over 50 of Cape Town’s top attractions, the bus allows you to hop-on and hop-off at your leisure. Make sure you visit the city's iconic Table Mountain for a cableway ride to the top! 

Hop On Hop off Red City Tour

• The Red City Tour is our flagship tour in Cape Town. It provides the easiest and most convenient way to visit the Table Mountain Cableway and it offers a great introduction to Cape Town’s City Bowl, as well as Camps Bay and the Atlantic Seaboard. There are 11 bus stops, hop on and off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop offs) is approximately 90 minutes. Skip the ticket queue at the Table Mountain Cableway (stop 7) and buy your Cableway ticket at one of our tour offices or on the red bus. A red bus ticket allows you to hop on and hop off on all our tours so you can start your double-decker experience at any of our stops. Tickets can be bought at our tour offices (stop 1 and stop 5), online at a discounted rate, or from the bus driver.

Hop On Hop off Yellow Downtown Tour

• If you've taken the red bus to Table Mountain already and are keen to visit the cultural and historical landmarks in Cape Town, hop on the Yellow Downtown Tour at stop 5, our Long Street Office. This tour has seven bus stops, hop on and hop off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop-offs) is approximately 30 minutes. We recommend the Red City Tour to Table Mountain, and then switch to the Yellow Downtown Tour at stop 5 to check out Cape Town’s variety of museums and cultural hot spots. A red bus ticket allows you to hop on and hop off on all our tours so you can start your double-decker experience at any of our stops. Tickets can be bought at our tour offices (stop 1 and stop 5), online at a discounted rate or from the bus driver.

Hop On Hop off Blue Mini Peninsula Tour

• The Blue Mini Peninsula Tour circles the back of Table Mountain, letting you take in the scenery of the mountain’s southern slopes, which include the beautiful gardens of Kirstenbosch, past the exquisite Constantia winelands and out of town towards charming Hout Bay, before heading back through the Atlantic Seaboard and into the city centre. This tour has 14 bus stops, hop on and hop off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop-offs) is approx two hours, 15 minutes. We recommend that you meet the locals at Imizamo Yethu Township (stop 23) and visit the Original T-Bag Design company (closed on Saturdays and Sundays). The Imizamo Yethu Township Tour runs seven days a week and will leave you with a sense of ubuntu – a South African term for essential human virtues, compassion and humanity.

Hop On Hop off Purple Wine Tour

• The beginning of South Africa's rich wine heritage awaits you! Hop off at Constantia Nek (stop 21) to hop on the Purple Wine Tour bus. The tour takes you to three wine stops: Groot Constantia, Eagles' Nest and Beau Constantia. There are three bus stops, hop on and hop off as you like. The total tour duration (with no hop-offs) is approximately 20 minutes. There are three exquisite wine estates on this tour. A red bus ticket allows you to hop on and hop off on all our tours so you can start your double-decker experience at any of our stops. To catch the Purple Wine Tour bus, hop off at Constantia Nek (stop 21). Tickets can be bought at our tour offices (stop 1 and stop 5), online at a discounted rate or from the bus driver.

Table Mountain

• Without a doubt it is Table Mountain that makes Cape Town the unique city it is. Rising up over 1000m above sea level, it is the icon that makes Cape Town instantly recognizable. It is a symbol, a playground, a spiritual retreat and a big draw card for tourists. So intertwined with the identity of Cape Town is Table Mountain that a visit to the city isn’t complete without having walked or taken the cable car to the top.

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Day 10: End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

Today you will be transferred to Cape Town International Airport for your departure, taking with you lots of wonderful memories! 

Your Hop on Hop off bus ticket is still valid today, so depending on the time of your flight you can still do some last sightseeing! 

Basis

• Bed & Breakfast

Notes:

• Not applicable on public holidays:Eid, Christmas, New Year, Lunar New Year
• Midnight transfer: surcharge 10 USD per way.
• Supplement charges applicable for festival seasons, Christmas and new year.
• For any customization of the packages, Kindly contact support@thekiwivacations.com, and one of our support team will assist you within 12 hours.

Travel Information

This vast country is undoubtedly one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Fondly known by locals as the 'Rainbow Nation', South Africa has 11 official languages and its multicultural inhabitants are influenced by a fascinating mix of cultures. Discover the gourmet restaurants, impressive art scene, vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches of Cape Town; enjoy a local braai (barbecue) in the Soweto township; browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban; or sample some of the world’s finest wines at the myriad wine estates dotting the Cape Winelands. Some historical attractions to explore include the Zululand battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town. Above all else, its remarkably untamed wilderness with its astonishing range of wildlife roaming freely across massive unfenced game reserves such as the world-famous Kruger National Park. With all of this variety on offer, it is little wonder that South Africa has fast become Africa’s most popular tourist destination.

Banking and Currency

Currency

The currency is the Rand, which is divided into 100 cents. There are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10 notes. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.

Banking

Banks are found in most towns, and are generally open from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays (Closed Sundays and Public Holidays). Most of them offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank & credit cards as well as travellers cheques. You can also obtain cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs). Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed. 

Travel, Transport and Getting Around

Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail. 

Principal air routes are serviced by SAA and British Airways, operated by Comair. There are 2 low-cost carriers on main routes, namely Kulula.com and Mango.   

Facilitating travel around South Africa are 10 airports managed by the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa). In addition, there are some 90 regional airports, including the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit and the Skukuza Airport, offering access to the Kruger National Park. 

An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by vehicle convenient and easy. You will find gravel roads in rural areas though.  Note:

• A valid international driver's licence is required.
• We drive on the left hand side of the road. 
• Wearing seat belts is compulsory and cell phones can only be used ‘hands free'.
• Speed limits are generally set at 120km on freeways, 100km on secondary roads and 60km in urban areas.
• Toll fees apply on certain national roads.
• Petrol stations are widespread.
• Most global car hire firms have branches in South Africa

Another means of getting around South Africa are luxury inter-city bus services such as Greyhound and Trans-Lux.  Metrobus buses are available for in-city transport.  Metered taxis must be ordered by telephone. There is a hop-on-hop-off bus in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Our rail system includes the long-haul, inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains. More luxurious options are the Blue Train, Premier Classe and the steam train Rovos Rail.  There is also the new Gautrain rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni and OR Tambo International Airport.

Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in South Africa, are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.

It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads, and put ice in your drinks. South Africa's fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.

Restaurants are subject to South Africa's food safety control legislation, which is implemented by local government.  Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.

Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.

Climate and Weather

South African temperatures, which are measured in centigrade, average at highs of 28°C to average lows of 8°C in the summer months while winter temperatures range from 1°C at night to around 18°C in the day.  Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry.  Much of the rain falls in the Western Cape in the winter, differing from the rest of the country, which experiences summer rainfall. On the plus side, the South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day.

Clothing and Dress Recommendations

Summer

Bring clothes that are cool, light and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 - 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also bring an umbrella or raincoat during summer as this is when most of the country gets its rain, but don't forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).

Winter

The winters are generally mild, comparing favourably with European summers.  But there are days when temperatures dive, especially in high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg, so be prepared with jerseys and jackets. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season so it’s advisable to bring rain gear along.

General

Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months.

Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, with warm socks in the winter.

If you are doing business in the country, business attire  (suit and tie) is generally called for in the corporate sector, but media for example generally dress more casually.

For game viewing, a couple of neutral-toned items will be useful, but there's no need to go overboard. A good pair of walking shoes is also advisable.

For the evening, if you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.

Electricity and Plug Standards

Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adapter plug should be brought for your electrical appliances - such adapters are also available at major airports.