Compare Essence of Southern Africa by Aardvark Safaris vs South Africa in 9 days - Cape & Kruger Explorer - Charm by Exoticca

Days 1-4

Accommodation: Le Quartier Francais

On arrival into Cape Town International Airport today you will make your way to the rental information desk to collect paperwork and keys for your hire car. You have the use of a hire car throughout your time in Cape Town.

You will drive yourselves from the airport to Le Quartier Francais, where you spend four nights on a bed and breakfast basis in a Grande Room.

The charming village of Franschhoek lies in the heart of Cape Winelands in South Africa. Le Quartier Francais is an intimate, comfortable hotel in the village, only an hour from Cape Town, making it a great base from which to explore the Western Cape.

Le Quartier Francais comprises 21 suites divided into four categories all overlooking the inner gardens and pool. There are nine en-suite Auberge Rooms, three Grande Rooms, three Petite Garden Suites and two Auberge Suites (with childrens' lofts and private pools). The 'Four Quarter' suites give you spacious, comfortable rooms with televisions, computer facilities, a second pool, and private butler.

'The Tasting Room' is Le Quartier's exceptional a la carte restaurant, famed for its creative South African menu that combines Cape and Provençale flavors. For a less formal dining experience 'The Common Room' gives you the chance to grab a light bite during the day. For those wanting to enjoy a spot of pampering there is also 'The Treatment Room' offering an array of spa treatments from facials to massages and the new 'b.gorgeous' day spa for manicures and pedicures.

Days 5-7

Accommodation: Tanda Tula

After breakfast this morning you will drive yourselves to Cape Town International Airport in time to check for a regional flight to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport.

On arrival into Kruger Mpumalanga airstrip you will be met and assisted to an onward scheduled light aircraft flight heading for Tanda Tula. The next three nights will be spent at Tanda Tula on a full board basis to include all meals, house drinks and game drive activities.

Located on the western border of South Africa's majestic Kruger National Park, Tanda Tula Safari Camp lies within the private 20,000 acre Timbavati Reserve. The absence of any boundaries means that wildlife is free to roam between the park and this private reserve giving you the chance to view it close up.

Tanda Tula comprises 12 spacious East African tents equipped with en-suite bathrooms and a secluded decked viewing area that looks out across mature riverine foliage. The shared spaces include a comfortable seating area, dining space and a charming pool. It is also possible to spend a night at the Machaton Hide which looks out over the Machaton riverbed. A night here, in this elevated hide armed with a powerful spotlight and packed picnic supper, is a truly unique bush experience.

Game viewing from this South African camp is great and gives you the chance of encountering the 'big five' including lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. Your game drives take place during the early morning and late afternoon when the wildlife is most active, and this is done in an open 4x4 vehicle or in the form of walking safaris with an armed guide.

Days 8-12

Accommodation: Azura Benguerra

A scheduled light aircraft flight will take you to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport this morning in time to connect with a regional flight to Vilanculos. You will be met on arrival into Vilanculos and transferred to a helicopter flight to Benguerra Island.

Your stay at Azura Benguerra is for five nights on a full board basis. This includes all meals, house drinks, laundry, one 15 minute refresher back and neck massage on the day of arrival, one Land Rover island drive and one sunset dhow cruise. A range of other activities are available at an additional cost.

Beautiful Azura Benguerra on Benguerra Island is the original boutique eco-retreat in Mozambique and is set within Bazaruto National Park. A stay on this pristine island is an escape to dazzling white sandy beaches, warm aquamarine waters, and palm trees.

Azura Benguerra comprises 16 hand built villas nestling amongst mature palms and bush just meters from the beach. The decor is a harmonious mix of modern chic and the classic Mozambique style of ornately carved wooden beams and thatch roofs. Three 'luxury beach villas' offer amazing ocean views, a private sundeck and plunge pool. The one 'beach villa' has superb sea views, a private deck, beachside sala and plunge pool. Each large bedroom is equipped with fans, air conditioning, and en-suite shower. Outside you will find another shower. Ten 'infinity beach villas' have similarly beautiful views and modern facilities but also give you a bath and private five meter infinity pool. Four of the infinity beach villas have been arranged to suit families and are linked by a walkway.

Finally, two private villas, Villa Amizade and the Presidential Villa, provide ocean view bedrooms with en-suite facilities, a huge pool, seating with an open fire, a tree house, and dining spaces and a beach-facing garden.

Dining at Azura Benguerra is a Mozambican affair, which along with the excellent friendly service is a culinary treat. If you are feeling energetic, Azura Benguerra has a five star PADI dive center, and everything you need to snorkel, fish, swim, and sail in a dhow. On land, unwind completely at the retreat spa, explore the island by car, go horse riding (to be booked in advance) or enjoy beach picnics and star gazing.

Day 13: Fly Vilanculos to Johannesburg

A morning helicopter flight will take you back to Vilanculos today. You will land in time to take a scheduled flight to Johannesburg. From here you will take an international flight home or continue with another African adventure.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrival at your US departure airport ready to check in for a flight * to Johannesburg. Night on board. * If your outbound flight leaves at dawn (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the selected departure day.

Day 2: Johannesburg

Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and its diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Tuck into the vibrant food scene and pop-up eateries. The city is a real cultural hub and it is a great place to catch live music performances and indulge in trendy bars and restaurants. Overnight stay in Johannesburg. Why not make the most of your time in South Africa by adding one of our optional excursion packages. Choose between our Gastronomic or Adventure packages in the next step of the booking process! Our Gastronomic Package includes two meals at excellent restaurants in Cape Town plus a Bo-Kapp Cooking Tour and Cape Winelands Excursion. Our Adventure Package includes a Full-Day Kruger Game Drive, an exciting Shark Cage Diving Experience and an Atlantis Dunes Quad Biking Excursion. Please note: you can only choose one of the optional excursion packages (Adventure or Gastronomic).

Day 3: Johannesburg - Mpumalanga - Kruger

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time transfer by road to Mpumalanga. You're headed for Kruger, home to some of the most iconic wildlife in South Africa. Along the way, see some of the most iconic sights of the Panorama Route such as Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels (entrance fees not included). You'll fall in love with the natural beauty of South Africa's landscapes! * Arrive and transfer to the hotel to check-in. Dinner and overnight stay in Kruger. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 4: Kruger National Park

Enjoy a Full-Day 4x4 Game Drive at Kruger National Park. Begin the day early on safari in the southern area of South Africa's most famous game reserves with breakfast on the go. The game viewing area is known as the 'Southern Circle' and is renowned for its rhinos and lions. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Kruger National Park and discover the amazing diversity of animals in one of the world's largest game reserves. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, warm and rainproof jackets, sunhat and protection and cameras to capture the beautiful wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Kruger National Park

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to explore the beautiful natural landscapes of Kruger and the White River. We recommend an optional day trip to Kruger National Park to experience more of its wildlife-rich eco-systems.* Dinner and overnight stay in the Kruger Region. * Optional Kruger National Park Day Trip: Set off to the wilds of Kruger for your chance to spot the famous Big Five. Enjoy a slow drive through the national park, home to elephants, buffalos, giraffes, impalas, zebras and, of course, lions. An unforgettable day in the wilds of Southern Africa. Packed lunch included. (This excursion is included in our Adventure Package of 3 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)

Day 6: Kruger - Johannesburg - Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by road back to Johannesburg, stopping to see the exterior of the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the official headquarters of the South African government. * Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Cape Town. Arrive in Cape Town, known as the 'Mother City', and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: The journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours by road and includes stops along the way for lunch (at own expense) and sightseeing. There will be no accompanying guide for this journey so take the opportunity to enjoy the passing landscapes as you travel through some of the most spectacular regions in South Africa.

Day 7: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the ticket hop-on hop-off tour in Cape Town. South Africa's capital combines cosmopolitanism, culture, architecture, and the best of nature. With the hop-on and hop-off ticket, you will be able to do over 30 stops to enjoy some of the most remarkable attractions of the 'Mother City'. Take the Cableway and go up to Table Mountain where you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views of Africa's landscapes.* Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Cape Town. * Please note: the Table Mountain Cableway in Cape Town will be closed for maintenance from the 25th of July until the 28th of August 2022. If your trip coincides with these dates, you will enjoy an included Sunset Cruise instead and your included Hop-On Hop-Off bus tickets will still enable you to visit the lower station of the cableway if you wish.

Day 8: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Cape Winelands excursion, especially if you're a wine lover as this region is known for its award-winning whites and reds.* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Wine Route Excursion with Wine Tasting: Set off into the lush Winelands outside of Cape Town and visit the wine producers in Stellenbosch for delicious wine tasting and a cellar tour. (This excursion is included in our Gastronomic Package of 4 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!)

Day 9: Cape Town

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day by discovering the city further. We recommend taking the optional Full-Day tour of the Cape Peninsula, a paradise of natural beauty, vineyards and coastal seal and penguin colonies!* Overnight stay in Cape Town. * Optional Full-Day Cape Peninsula Excursion: Enjoy the delights of the Cape Peninsula including Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and the amazing Twelve Apostles. Pass through Noordhoek and see the local ostriches before visiting the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Fall in love with the Penguin Colony and Boulder's Beach and see Simons Town and Muizenberg Beach.

Day 10: Cape Town - Night on board

Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Day 11: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.