Compare Essence of Southern Africa by Aardvark Safaris vs 11 Day Essential South Africa: Cape Town, Winelands and Safari by Ker & Downey Africa

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: Cape Town International Airport - One & Only, Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: One & Only Cape Town

Luxury hotel located in or near Cape Town

Main Destination: Cape Town

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport before being greeted by your private chauffeur who will escort you to your private transfer. A short 20 minutes later and you will arrive at your first destination of your South African experience - the world famous One & Only Cape Town.

Located in the heart of the Cape Town V&A Waterfront, this hotel is perfectly located to give you access to both incredible views of the ocean as well as Cape Town City. The One & Only boasts a range of activities including a private spa island, world class dining, temperature controlled pools and with the hotel being situated just minutes away from nearby world famous beaches such as Clifton, there is no Cape Town desire not catered for.

Day 2: One & Only, Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

Drinks not included

Accommodation: One & Only Cape Town

Luxury hotel located in or near Cape Town

Main Destination: Cape Town

Awake to beautiful views of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront from your private balcony of your Marina Harbour Room. Your room at the One & Only will come standard with everything you would expect from a five star hotel.

Spend the day exploring Cape Town. With the ocean, city and mountain all in close proximity there are multiple options for couples, families or solo travellers in every direction and of every variety. Allow our travel experts to recommend the best activities for your personal tastes during your stay.

Tonight you will experience a safari like you haven't before - a Cape Town Jazz Safari. The night will begin with a visit to the home of a local jazz musician for a local dinner. Learn about the jazz culture and history of South Africa. Following dinner, you will have the option of visiting a 2nd musician's home for a nightcap or be transferred to a vibey jazz venue for the late set.

Be transferred back to the One & Only after the tour is complete.

Day 3-4: One & Only, Cape Town

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: One & Only Cape Town

Luxury hotel located in or near Cape Town

Drinks not included

Main Destination: Cape Town

Ker & Downey Africa recommends that you work with our travel experts to best curate experiences for your final two days in Cape Town. All of the planning and organisation for activities and excursions on day 3 and 4 will be pre arranged and taken care of on your behalf, and can be worked into the cost of your experience ahead of time.

From the One & Only, the V&A Waterfront is our first recommended stop, from here you can do a short excursion via ferry to Robben Island, the site where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, which has become a world renowned historical landmark.

Once back on the mainland, visit the Aquarium, view the underground tunnels of the harbour, enjoy the famous food and wine culture of Cape Town city, with it's high concentration of art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and boutique stores.

Spend your 4th day exploring Cape Town's more natural side by ascending Table Mountain either by hike or cable car and watch the sun set over the city.

Day 5: One & Only Cape Town - Leeu Estates, Franschhoek

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Leeu Estates

Luxury hotel located in or near Franschhoek

All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Main Destination: Franschhoek (Cape Winelands)

Awake to another beautiful day in Cape Town, enjoy your final breakfast at the world class One & Only, Cape Town, before a road transfer from your hotel to the Cape Winelands. Wind through beautiful vineyards and view the Drakenstein Mountains in the distance as you experience some of South Africa's most beautiful landscapes. After an hour's trip through the region you will arrive at your next accommodation - Leeu Estates.

Enjoy the various activities on offer on your first day in the Winelands either at Leeu Estates or in the greater region. Activities that can be arranged at your accommodation include a spa, gym and relaxing in the reading room for peace and tranquility. Further activities of the area include the Franschhoek wine tram that takes you from world renowned wine farm to renowned wine farm in a traditional tram as you learn about the history of the area, Wineland bike tours as wel as pre arranged wine tastings and food pairings.

Day 6: Leeu Estates, Franschhoek

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch ad Dinner

Accommodation: Leeu Estates

Luxury hotel located in or near Cape Winelands

All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Main Destination: Cape Winelands

Once you have enjoyed a good night's sleep between the tranquil vineyards of the Cape Winelands, enjoy the views of the gardens, farm dam, vineyards and mountains in the distance before exploring at your leisure for the day. Lots to do in Franschhoek.

Day 7: Leeu Estates - Lion Sands Narina Lodge, Kruger National Park

Meals: Breakfast  and Lunch

Accommodation: Lions Sands Narina Lodge

Luxury lodge located inside Kruger NP

Drinking water & alcoholic drinks (Other drinks not included)

Main Destination: Kruger National Park

Wake up this morning to absolute bliss in the Cape Winelands, enjoy another hearty and world class breakfast at Leeu Estate before travelling via road transfer to Cape Town International Airport in under an hour. Once at the airport and following a smooth and pre-arranged check in, you will board your flight to Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport.

Once you have taken in South Africa from the skies and come into land at the KM International Airport, you will be met by a representative from Lions Sands Narina Lodge who will escort you to a chartered vehicle which will be ready to take you to your Lodge Suite.

Narina Lodge is situated amongst the canopy of 100 year old trees overlooking the Sabie River in the Kruger National Park, the height of the lodge as well as the fact that there are only 9 suites provide five star, exclusive game viewing opportunities in a quite retreat at the otherwise busy Kruger National Park.

Day 8-10: Lion Sands Narina Lodge, Kruger National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Lions Sands Narina Lodge

Luxury lodge located inside Kruger NP

All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Main Destination: Kruger National Park

For the following 2 days of your South African experience enjoy the big 5 wildlife encounters of one of South Africa's oldest reserves, having been named a National Park in 1926 in South Africa, the Kruger National Park, viewed on guided game drives, promises to provide you with once in a lifetime wildlife encounters at every turn.

On the night of your 8th day on this journey you will experience one of South Africa's most authentic and natural experiences - sleeping under the stars in a treehouse in the Kruger National Park. As one of the most famous treehouses in Africa, this luxury bedroom is positioned on a 540 square foot deck high above the trees. Enjoy a gourmet picnic basket and experience truly being, safely out in the wild for a night.

Spend your 9th day on game drives or enjoying the range of activities at the lodge including birding with a guide or taking part in a guided walking safari.

Day 11: Lion Sands Narina Lodge - OR Tambo International Airport

Meals: Breakfast

All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Main Destination: Johannesburg Airport

After your final breakfast at the Lion Sands Narina Lodge, board you road transfer back to Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport where you will fly to OR Tambo International Airport. This brings to an end your South African experience.