South African Grand Tour

Welcome to South Africa! When you land in Cape Town, you'll either head straight to pick up your hire car or be met by one of our friendly local team, with all of the documents and information you need for your trip. We have so many amazing options for places to stay in Cape Town, from quaint guest houses to lavish and luxurious hotels. It goes without saying, your expert will have chosen the perfect spot to base yourself to ensure the start of your unique South Africa holiday is the very best it can be.

Cape Town is packed to the rafters with things to do, sights to see, mountains to climb, food to eat and drinks to drink. You'll have no trouble filling your four days here. For your first full day in the Rainbow Nation (after a good sleep), we recommend conquering the iconic Table Mountain to take in the spectacular views and help you get your Cape Town bearings. Whether you challenge yourself with a hike up or hop on the scenic cable car, this really is a must for any trip to Cape Town. Keep your eyes peeled for the little dassies that can be spotted scurrying over the rocks at the top. This afternoon, jump on a boat and cross the shark-infested waters to Robben Island. Here you'll walk in Nelson Mandela's footsteps around the prison, led by your guide, an ex-prisoner, who will share plenty of authentic, first-hand accounts of what life was like.

Today, you'll jump in your hire car and leave the city behind to explore the beautiful Cape Peninsula. There are so many uncovered corners, secret beaches, sprawling national parks and quaint towns to explore along the way. And that's before we've even mentioned the famous penguin colony on Boulder's Beach, a must-visit! Climb up to the top of Cape Point lighthouse for an incredible view out over the ocean, before driving back along the stunning Chapman's Peak Drive, arguably one of the most breathtaking driving roads in the world.

Today, you’ll take an eye-opening and humbling Uthando project tour to learn more about the townships and how people are working to improve their lives there. Uthando works so hard to ensure that every visit directly impacts the local communities. You'll visit community projects, chat to local people and end the day knowing your visit has made a real difference to those you meet. Making genuine connections and learning about cultures is a huge part of what makes travel so special, so this addition to your South Africa holiday is one of our favourite ones.

To break up your drive to the Garden Route, we recommend spending a night at one of the gorgeous boutique hotels or guesthouses in the small Overberg town of Swellendam. Nestled in the countryside beneath the peaks of the Langeberg Range and surrounded by rolling farmland, it's a lovely spot for an overnight breather.  

Say goodbye to your trusty hire car at George Airport today and hop on a flight to Durban for an overnight stay. You might choose to spend the afternoon relaxing at your hotel, or head to uShaka Marine World, a water park and open-air shopping complex (that also happens to be home to the fifth largest aquarium in the World!) where you can even brave a caged shark dive if the urge takes you.  

After picking up a new hire car, it's time to head to the KwaZulu-Natal region for a big slice of history. This region is all about the culture, and it's really remote, so you'll most likely be staying in a lodge with all meals included. If you don't know a huge amount about Zulu history or South Africa's battlefields, that's all about to change. With tours of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift, led by highly knowledgeable historians who really know their stuff, you'll learn all about the rich and bloody history of the area where British, Boer and Zulu armies famously fought in a number of vicious battles. The landscape may seem peaceful now, but rewind to the 19th century and the region was a riot of blood, war and moments of history. 

Today, you're in for a treat of a drive. You’ll be heading north, past Swaziland, to the stunning Escarpment region. It's a long drive, probably taking most of the day, but it's the best route to take between the Battlefields and Kruger National Park. Plus, for your efforts, you'll be rewarded with some of the very best landscapes South Africa has to offer.

You'll have seen it in photos, but nothing quite compares to the feeling of standing on the edge of Blyde River Canyon. There are some fantastic hiking trails to explore if you're packing your hiking boots for your South Africa holiday. But, if you prefer to take things a little slower (zero judgement here!), the view alone is unforgettable. Don't miss the historic settler town of Pilgrim's Rest, walking down the sleepy roads will have you feeling like you've drifted off and woken up a fair few decades back. 

We love everywhere in South Africa, but the wild magic of Kruger National Park is tricky to beat. It offers some of the very best game viewing opportunities in Africa, with exceptional guides and rangers leading the way. Head off on a game drive through wide open plains, flying past iconic baobab trees as the sun sinks lower in the sky. Boasting incredible quantities of Big-Five wildlife, your chances of spotting lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino are high here. For those after a more up-close-and-personal encounter, walking safaris give you the thrill of tracking wildlife on foot, there’s nothing quite like following the footprints of a lion in the dust. And when it comes to where you stay, Kruger delivers again. From authentic lodges inside the park to luxury retreats in the surrounding private reserves, there’s a wide range of beautiful places to bed down between safaris.

Today, your ultimate three-week adventure around South Africa's best bits comes to an end. After dropping your hire car off at Johannesburg airport, you'll hop on your overnight flight home, packed with memories of your time exploring the Rainbow Nation.