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Itinerary

• 1

  ARRIVAL · JOHANNESBURG

  Hello, South Africa! 🇿🇦

  Land in Johannesburg, complete immigration and meet our local team waiting to welcome us to South Africa. From the airport, we drive towards our hotel and check in.

  
  ✨ TODAY’S MOOD
  

  Land. Breathe. We’re in Africa. 🇿🇦

  No rushing into sightseeing today. After a long international journey, the idea is simple — settle in, freshen up and take the evening at your own pace.

  Those who still have some energy can explore Emperors Palace, grab dinner, spend some time around the entertainment complex or try their luck at the casino. And if your bed is calling louder than Johannesburg — listen to it. We have a big journey ahead. 😄

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  Peermont Metcourt
  

  — 3-Star, Johannesburg

  
  💡 WHY WE PICKED THIS STAY
  

  This is the only 3-star stay on our entire South Africa journey — and it is a deliberate choice.

  For our first night after a long international flight, we preferred spacious rooms and convenient access to Emperors Palace rather than choosing a higher star category simply for the label.

  Here’s how the stays look across our journey:

  1. Johannesburg: Peermont Metcourt — 3-Star
  2. Sun City: The Palace of the Lost City — 5-Star
  3. Pilanesberg: Bakubung Bush Lodge — 4-Star
  4. Mossel Bay: Diaz Beach Hotel — 4-Star
  5. Cape Town: Cresta Grande Cape Town — 4-Star

  We choose hotels for the experience they give you, not simply the number of stars beside their name.

• 2

  GOLD REEF CITY · SUN CITY

  From Gold Mines to a Palace 🏰

  After breakfast, we check out of our Johannesburg hotel and begin our first proper day of exploring South Africa.

  Our first stop is Gold Reef City, where we’ll experience the gold mine tour and get a glimpse into Johannesburg’s fascinating gold-rush history.

  
  🏰 TODAY’S BIG MOMENT
  

  We’re not just visiting Sun City. We’re staying at The Palace of the Lost City.

  After Gold Reef City, we leave Johannesburg behind and drive towards Sun City.

  And this is where the trip changes gear.

  We check into the magnificent Palace of the Lost City — our 5-star stay and one of the hotels we specifically wanted to make part of this South Africa journey.

  
  ✨ NOT JUST A HOTEL
  

  The Palace of the Lost City is one of those places where checking in is part of the itinerary. So we’ve deliberately kept the rest of the day easy — take your time, explore the property and actually enjoy staying here.

  Sometimes the hotel is where you sleep after the experience. Today, the hotel is the experience. 🏰

  The evening is yours. Explore Sun Central, walk around Sun City, spend some time at the casino or simply stay back and enjoy the Palace at your own pace.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY

  The Palace of the Lost City
  

  — 5-Star, Sun City

  
  🦁 TOMORROW
  

  Enjoy the Valley of Waves in the morning. Then, in the afternoon, we head into Pilanesberg National Park for our first African game drive.

• 3

  VALLEY OF WAVES · PILANESBERG SAFARI

  Waves by Day. Big Five by Evening. 🦁

  Wake up at The Palace of the Lost City, enjoy breakfast and take the morning at your own pace inside Sun City.

  Today, we have unlimited access to the Valley of Waves — Sun City’s famous water park. Swim, relax by the water or simply enjoy the resort before we change completely from holiday mode to safari mode.

  
  🦁 TODAY’S BIG MOMENT
  

  Our first African game drive.

  This afternoon, we leave Sun City behind for a few hours and head into Pilanesberg National Park — Big Five country.

  Once inside Pilanesberg, the itinerary slows down and the looking begins.

  Elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions and leopards all live here — but this is the wild, not a zoo. There are no scheduled appearances and no guarantees about what we’ll see.

  
  🌿 THAT’S THE MAGIC OF A SAFARI
  

  You watch. You wait. You listen to the guide. And then sometimes, when you least expect it, the bush gives you a moment you’ll talk about for years.

  Today is only our first game drive — Pilanesberg isn’t finished with us yet. 🦁

  After the game drive, we return to Sun City and enjoy another relaxed evening at the Palace.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  The Palace of the Lost City
  

  — 5-Star, Sun City

  Our second night at the Palace.

  
  🌿 TOMORROW
  

  We check out of the Palace and move into Pilanesberg itself. Lunch at the bush lodge, another afternoon game drive — and tonight, we sleep surrounded by the African wilderness.

• 4

  PILANESBERG · BUSH LODGE · GAME DRIVE

  From the Palace to the Bush 🌿

  Wake up for one last morning at The Palace of the Lost City, enjoy breakfast and check out.

  Today, we trade palace corridors for the African bush as we drive towards Pilanesberg National Park and check into Bakubung Bush Lodge.

  
  🌿 TODAY’S MOOD
  

  A palace yesterday. The African bush tonight.

  This contrast is exactly why we wanted both experiences in the same journey.

  Once we arrive at the lodge, check in and settle down for lunch at Bakubung.

  Then it’s back into the wild.

  
  🦁 SAFARI #2 — BACK INTO BIG FIVE COUNTRY
  

  In the afternoon, we head out for our second game drive in Pilanesberg National Park.

  The beauty of doing more than one safari is simple: every drive is different. A road that was completely quiet yesterday could tell an entirely different story today.

  No checklist. No rushing. We give the wild another chance to surprise us.

  After the game drive, return to Bakubung, slow down and enjoy dinner at the lodge.

  Tonight feels very different from Sun City. We’re staying right here in Pilanesberg — exactly where we want to be before tomorrow morning’s safari.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY

  Bakubung Bush Lodge
  

  — 4-Star, Pilanesberg

  Our night in the African bush.

  
  🌅 TOMORROW
  

  Set the alarm. We head out for an early-morning game drive before breakfast — our third safari in Pilanesberg. Then we swap the bush for the coast and begin our journey towards Mossel Bay.

• 5

  SUNRISE SAFARI · FLY TO GEORGE · MOSSEL BAY

  Lions at Sunrise. Ocean by Evening. 🌅

  Early alarm today — but this is Africa, and there is a very good reason we’re waking you up. 😄

  We leave Bakubung Bush Lodge early in the morning and head back into Pilanesberg National Park for our third game drive.

  
  🌅 EARLY ALARM. WORTH IT.
  

  Pilanesberg while the morning is still waking up.

  Cooler air, softer morning light and one last chance to see what the bush has waiting for us before we leave safari country behind.

  There are still no guarantees about what we’ll see — that’s wildlife. But this is exactly why we built three separate game drives into the journey instead of trying to experience Pilanesberg in one quick safari.

  After the morning game drive, we return to Bakubung for breakfast, check out and begin our drive towards Johannesburg Airport.

  
  ✈️ AND JUST LIKE THAT…
  

  We swap the African bush for South Africa’s southern coast.

  From Johannesburg, we board our flight to George. On arrival, our driver and guide meet us at the airport and we continue by road towards Mossel Bay.

  Safari in the morning. Diaz Beach by evening. That’s quite a Tuesday. 🌊

  
  ✈️ INTERNAL FLIGHT
  

  Johannesburg → George
  Airfare for this internal sector is not included in the trip cost and will be booked separately.

  Once we reach Mossel Bay, check into the hotel and slow things down. The evening is free to enjoy the beautiful Diaz Beach and settle into our new coastal surroundings.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  Diaz Beach Hotel
  

  — 4-Star, Mossel Bay

  Our coastal base for the next three nights.

  
  🪨 TOMORROW
  

  We’re off to Oudtshoorn for a completely different South Africa — Cango Caves, ostriches and Cango Wildlife Ranch.

• 6

  OUDTSHOORN · CANGO CAVES · OSTRICH FARM

  Going Underground in Africa 🪨

  After breakfast at our hotel in Mossel Bay, we set out for a full-day journey towards Oudtshoorn — and today, South Africa changes character once again.

  Known for its dramatic landscapes, caves and ostrich farms, Oudtshoorn gives us a completely different experience from the safari country and coastline we’ve explored so far.

  
  🪨 TODAY’S BIG MOMENT
  

  We’re going underground at the Cango Caves.

  We join a guided tour through the spectacular Cango Caves, exploring the enormous chambers and rock formations hidden beneath the Swartberg Mountains.

  Back above ground, our Oudtshoorn experience continues with a visit to a Cango Ostrich Farm.

  Oudtshoorn and ostriches have a long history together, so this isn’t just a quick photo stop. We’ll take a guided tour and learn more about these rather unusual residents of the region. 🪶

  
  ✨ THREE EXPERIENCES. ONE DAY.
  

  🪨 Cango Caves — Guided cave tour
  🪶 Cango Ostrich Farm — Guided ostrich experience
  🐾 Cango Wildlife Ranch — Wildlife visit

  From underground caves to ostrich country — today is South Africa showing us another side of itself.

  Our final visit of the day is Cango Wildlife Ranch before we begin our journey back towards Mossel Bay.

  After a full day out, return to the hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  Diaz Beach Hotel
  

  — 4-Star, Mossel Bay

  Night 2 of our three-night stay in Mossel Bay.

  
  🌊 TOMORROW
  

  Road-trip mode on. We head towards Knysna, stop at the beautiful Knysna Heads, explore the waterfront and continue to Bloukrans Bridge — where the brave can choose to bungy jump.

• 7

  KNYSNA · GARDEN ROUTE · BLOUKRANS

  Windows Down. Garden Route On. 🌊

  After breakfast in Mossel Bay, we’re back on the road — and today is all about experiencing another beautiful stretch of South Africa’s famous Garden Route.

  We drive towards Knysna, a beautiful coastal town surrounded by forests, water and dramatic landscapes.

  
  🌊 TODAY’S MOOD
  

  Windows down. Cameras ready. Garden Route on.

  Some days are about reaching an attraction. Today, the road itself is part of the experience.

  Our first stop is at the spectacular Knysna Heads for photographs and views over the dramatic entrance where the Knysna Lagoon meets the ocean.

  From here, we continue to Knysna Waterfront. Take some time to walk around, enjoy the atmosphere and soak in one of the Garden Route’s best-known coastal stops.

  
  📍 TODAY ON THE ROAD
  

  🌊 Knysna Heads — Scenic photo stop
  ⚓ Knysna Waterfront — Time to explore
  🌉 Bloukrans Bridge — Home of the famous bridge bungy

  Then we continue towards Bloukrans Bridge, famous around the world for its spectacular bungy-jumping experience.

  
  😈 FEELING BRAVE?
  

  Bloukrans Bridge Bungy — Optional

  Those who want the adrenaline can choose to bungy jump from the bridge at an additional cost.

  Jumping is optional. Standing safely on the other side and questioning your friend’s decisions is included. 😄

  After our Garden Route adventure, we drive back to Mossel Bay for our final evening by the coast.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  Diaz Beach Hotel
  

  — 4-Star, Mossel Bay

  Our third and final night in Mossel Bay.

  
  🌆 TOMORROW
  

  Pack those bags — we’re heading to Cape Town. A scenic drive takes us towards the Mother City, and our first evening ends at the V&A Waterfront.

• 8

  GARDEN ROUTE · CAPE TOWN · V&A WATERFRONT

  Hello, Cape Town! 🌆

  After breakfast, we check out of our hotel in Mossel Bay and begin our scenic journey towards the final chapter of this South African adventure — Cape Town.

  Settle into the drive, watch the landscapes change and enjoy the road. Today isn’t about rushing from one attraction to another — getting to Cape Town is part of the experience.

  
  🌆 TODAY’S BIG MOMENT
  

  And then… Cape Town appears.

  After Johannesburg, Sun City, Pilanesberg, Mossel Bay and the Garden Route, we’ve made it to one of the most exciting stops of the journey.

  On arrival in Cape Town, we check into our hotel, freshen up and take a little time to settle in.

  But we’re not calling it a night just yet.

  
  ✨ FIRST EVENING IN CAPE TOWN
  

  V&A Waterfront

  In the evening, we head to the V&A Waterfront — the perfect place for our first taste of Cape Town.

  Walk around the harbour, browse the shops, find something delicious for dinner or simply enjoy the waterfront atmosphere at your own pace.

  No checklist tonight. Just go meet Cape Town. ❤️

  After enjoying the waterfront, we return to our hotel for the night.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  Cresta Grande Cape Town
  

  — 4-Star, Cape Town

  Our home for the final three nights of the journey.

  
  🐧 TOMORROW
  

  This is the big Cape Peninsula day — Maidens Cove, Hout Bay, Seal Island Cruise, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Boulders Penguin Colony, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope.

  And yes, Jugni — tomorrow we meet the penguins. 🐧

• 9

  CAPE PENINSULA · PENGUINS · CAPE POINT

  Yes, We’re Meeting the Penguins! 🐧

  Breakfast done, cameras charged — today we’re heading out for a full-day Cape Peninsula adventure, and this is easily one of the biggest sightseeing days of our South Africa journey.

  We’re travelling along one of South Africa’s most spectacular coastal routes, with ocean views, dramatic cliffs, seals, penguins and some very famous corners of the Cape waiting along the way.

  
  🗺️ TODAY’S ROUTE
  

  📍 Maidens Cove
  🦭 Hout Bay & Seal Island Cruise
  🌊 Chapman’s Peak Drive
  🐧 Boulders Penguin Colony
  🌿 Cape Point Nature Reserve
  🚋 Flying Dutchman Funicular
  📸 Cape of Good Hope

  
  🐧 YES, THE PENGUINS
  

  Boulders Beach — we’re coming.

  One of today’s most anticipated stops is the Boulders Penguin Colony, where we’ll get to see the famous African penguins.

  We came to Africa expecting lions. Nobody said the penguins wouldn’t steal the show. 😄

  The journey continues through Cape Point Nature Reserve, where we’ll take the Flying Dutchman Funicular and explore another dramatic corner of the Cape Peninsula.

  And, of course, we’ll stop for that photograph at the legendary Cape of Good Hope.

  
  🌊 ONE EPIC COASTLINE
  

  Today isn’t really about one attraction. It’s the combination — Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, penguins, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope — that makes this one of those full days where South Africa just keeps changing outside the window.

  After a very full Cape Peninsula day, we return to Cape Town for the evening.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  Cresta Grande Cape Town
  

  — 4-Star, Cape Town

  Night 2 of our three-night Cape Town stay.

  
  ⛰️ TOMORROW
  

  We’re going up. Weather permitting, tomorrow morning we take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, followed by a Cape Town city orientation and some much-needed free time.

• 10

  TABLE MOUNTAIN · CAPE TOWN · FREE TIME

  On Top of Cape Town ⛰️

  One last proper day in South Africa — and we’re starting it with one of Cape Town’s most recognisable landmarks.

  After breakfast, we head towards Table Mountain and, weather permitting, take the cable car all the way to the top.

  
  ⛰️ TODAY’S BIG MOMENT
  

  Cape Town from the top.

  Take your time up there. Look over the city, the mountains and the ocean — after ten days of travelling through South Africa, this feels like a pretty good place to stop and take it all in.

  
  🌤️ A LITTLE TABLE MOUNTAIN REALITY
  

  Table Mountain has a personality of its own. The cable car operates subject to weather conditions, so our visit depends on what Cape Town’s weather decides to do that morning.

  Fingers crossed. Cape Town, behave yourself. 😄

  After Table Mountain, we continue with a guided orientation tour of Cape Town, getting a better feel for the city we’ve been calling home for the last few days.

  
  🛍️ AND THEN — YOUR CAPE TOWN
  

  The rest of the day is deliberately kept free for exploration and shopping.

  Find a café. Pick up those last souvenirs. Go back somewhere you loved. Wander around. Or do absolutely nothing for a while.

  We’ve shown you South Africa. This afternoon, Cape Town is yours.

  Tonight is our final night together in South Africa, so enjoy it. Tomorrow, the suitcases come out one last time.

  
  🛏️ TONIGHT’S STAY
  

  
  Cresta Grande Cape Town
  

  — 4-Star, Cape Town

  Our third and final night in Cape Town.

  
  ❤️ TOMORROW
  

  One last breakfast, one last look at Cape Town and then we head to the airport. Eleven days. One very big South African story.