See parts of South Africa many travellers never get to experience, like getting up close to meerkats in their natural environment. Admire the views from iconic Table Mountain, delve into the chequered history of this fascinating country with a visit to Robben Island and meet the famed whales of Hermanus and penguins of Boulders Beach.

• Travelling - 1
  

  Fly to Cape Town, arriving on day 2.

• Stand on top of Table Mountain - 2
  

  Your first thoughts on arriving in Cape Town are sure to be of its most famous landmark, Table Mountain. So to satisfy your curiosity, we waste no time in exploring it. Despite its immense size, it only takes 10 minutes to reach the summit on the cable car (weather permitting) and the views over the city are truly incredible. The cloud which often covers the top is fondly known as the tablecloth and it is from this that the mountain got its name. Declared by Nelson Mandela as ‘a gift to the Earth’, Table Mountain is a fascinating natural wonder where unusual animals like the Ghost Frog can be found. Overnight Cape Town.

• Life of the locals / Robben Island - 3
  

  South Africa’s past is still fresh in many people’s memories and a visit to two of the area’s townships really brings this to life. Langa is the oldest formal township in the Cape Town area, developed to house migrant workers and the layout of the town is such that the residents’ every move could be observed. Khayalitsha is one of South Africa’s largest townships and is split into areas housing hundreds of thousands of people, ranging from the poor to the well off. But we won’t just view these places from a distance, we’ll step inside with our exclusive guide Owen Jinka and get an authentic feel of how they live their lives with a visit to a local tavern and craftsman’s dwelling, as well as meeting some of the people who live here.

  Set out in the waters of beautiful Table Bay, Robben Island has had far from a beautiful past. Its isolated location made it the perfect place for a maximum security prison, its most famous prisoner being Nelson Mandela who spent 17 years here. Being both black and a political prisoner made him the lowest grade of inmate with the fewest privileges. You can hear all about the kind of conditions he had to endure when you meet another former political prisoner face to face during your visit to the island. Overnight Cape Town.

• Rub shoulders with the penguins - 4
  

  Stunning bays, flora and fauna abound on the extensive Cape Peninsula and travelling along it to Cape Point allows you to truly appreciate it. You’ll pass quaint fishing villages and sweeping beaches and visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before experiencing something quite unique – Boulders Beach. Here, penguins really rule the roost. You’ll see them on the beach preening themselves, searching out shade and waddling down to the water’s edge for some refreshment. If you take a walk to the beach, you really will feel like you’re a visitor in their world as they carry on their business regardless! Overnight Cape Town.

• Sip wine and cuddle cheetahs - 5
  

  As well as all its wildlife and stunning scenery, South Africa is also famous for its wines. The historic Stellenbosch region is one of the best known and arguably one of the most scenic winelands anywhere in the world. It is also one of the largest with over 80 wineries, one of which, Spier Estate, you’ll have the pleasure of exploring. After you’ve had a walk around the impressive gardens, learnt about the wine-making process and sampled some of the top quality wines produced here, you’ll experience something you would never have thought possible on a wine estate – a cheetah reserve. The eco-friendly Spier Estate is passionate about nature and the environment, so as well as the winery, it is also home to cheetah and eagle outreach projects. The aim of the cheetah centre is to raise awareness of these incredible creatures by letting people get up close to them and you’ll have the chance to encounter one of these elegant hand-reared cats personally, as well as stepping inside one of the enclosures. A thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Overnight Stellenbosch.

• Constant caves - 6
  

  It is hard to imagine anywhere that can maintain a constant temperature of 19°c all year round, regardless of weather conditions, but this is true of the Cango Caves. This underground wonderland is a true sight to behold and you’re sure to be amazed by what you see as you wander through its many chambers. The strange shapes made by the stalagmites and stalactites play with your imagination and it’s incredible what you can see if you just stand and look for a while. Overnight Oudsthoorn.

• Meerkat magic / Standing on ostrich eggs - 7
  

  We often think of the Big Five when we think of South Africa, but have you ever considered the Shy Five? These, according to Grant Mc Ilrath of the Meerkat Magic Conservation Project, are the bat-eared fox, porcupine, aardvark, aardwolf and meerkat. He believes that the smaller creatures of South Africa are just as fascinating, if not more so, than the big ones and he works tirelessly to study and raise awareness of these cute critters. Brought to fame by the TV advert and loved the world over for their comical stance, the meerkats are adorable creatures and you’ll be taken out on a guided walk (weather permitting) to see the meerkats in their natural environment at De Zeekoe. You’ll have to sit very still as the sun rises and the first little head appears above the ground but it will be worth it to watch them sunning themselves and heading out in search of an insect or two for breakfast.

  Larger, but equally fascinating to watch are the ostriches of Oudtshoorn - the ostrich capital of the world. Your visit to the ostrich farm will give you the opportunity to learn more about these creatures and you’ll also get to hold one of the enormous ostrich eggs, even stand on one to test its strength and see the different types of ostrich feathers. Overnight Oudsthoorn.

• Relax on the beach in Kysna - 8 to 9
  

  Leaving Oudtshoorn behind, head along the coast to Knysna for time to relax on the beach at Plettenberg Bay or perhaps visit Featherbed Nature Reserve. Overnight Kysna.

• Having a whale of a time - 10
  

  Hermanus is the prime location for whale watching in South Africa as it is here that the mighty Southern Right Whales come to mate, calve and nurse their young every year between June and November. You are sure to see them from the shores as they spend time in the shallow waters to calve and nurse their young, but one of the best ways of experiencing these incredible creatures is by heading away from the shore by boat and watching them swim up. Whales are naturally curious creatures, so as the boat stops, they often come closer to have a look. Despite their size, you won’t feel threatened by these giants, only in awe of them. Overnight Hermanus.

• Hermanus and travelling - 11 to 12
  

  There is time to explore and take a walk around the small town of Hermanus before transferring to Cape Town for your return flight to the UK, arriving on day 12.

Accommodation

• PH President, Cape Town (4-star) - 3 nights
• PH Dorpshuis & Spa, Stellenbosch (4-star) - 1 night
• PH Riempie Estate Oudsthoorn (3-star) - 2 nights
• PH Knysna Quays, Knysna (4-star) - 2 nights
• Windsor Hotel, Hermanus (3-star) - 1 night

• Flights are scheduled services of
• Flights depart at 12:00 am and return at 6:20 am

Includes

Not Included