10-day First Trip to South Africa Private Tour
Overview
- Combination of Private Tour & Safari
- Departs Any Day
- Starts In Cape Town, Ends In Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Welcome to your
Your 10-day First Trip to South Africa Private Tour
If you have never been to this spectacular country…this is the trip you should take as an introduction. We visit the must-see destinations of Cape Town, the Winelands, the Garden Route, and finish off with a Big 5 Safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. We say “first” trip to South Africa, because we know you will be back for more!
Tour includes:
- Services of a professional tour guide/driver (days 2-8)
- Arrival airport transfer
- Private transport, as described in itinerary
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Introduction tour of Cape Town
- Return Table Mountain Cableway tickets
- Wine tasting at three different wine farms in the Cape Winelands
- Entrance to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
- Entrance to the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach
- Tour of the Garden Route, with many options for nature, adventure, and culture along the way
- Donation to a local charitable project
Safari includes:
• Two-night all-inclusive safari in the Eastern Cape
• Airport transfers (Port Elizabeth to / from lodge)
• Conservation fees
Itinerary
Cape Town Arrival
Welcome to Cape Town! We will arrange a driver to meet & greet you at Cape Town International Airport, and take you to get settled into your accommodation. You have the rest of the day at leisure to shake of the jet lag, relax at your accommodation or to explore Cape Town and surrounding area on your own.
Day 1 highlights
Included meals:
None
Included activities:
Airport transfer
Optional activities:
Add more food & culture: Welcome African Dinner
Add more foodie: Food & Wine pairing dinner at Reverie Social Table
Approximate driving time:
+/- 30 minutes, 25 km
Overnight:
Cape Town 5-star: Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
Cape Town 4-star: Parker Cottage Guest House
Cape Town Economy: Antrim Collection
Cape Town City Tour & Table Mountain
This is a great way to get an introduction to “the Mother City,” Cape Town. Go for a tour in the city and surrounding area, including the city centre, Company’s Gardens, Cape Town Castle, the Bo Kaap, Signal Hill, and the V&A Waterfront. A big part of this tour is walking around the city with your guide getting to know the city, its different cultures, history, and geography. A highlight of the day is riding to the top of the famous Table Mountain in a cable car, for magnificent views over Table Bay, Robben Island, The Cape Peninsula and Lions Head.
Day 2 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast
Included activities:
Return Table Mountain Cableway Tickets
Introduction tour of Cape Town
Optional activities:
Add more history: Robben Island Tour
Add more nature: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Add more foodie: Lunch in the Bo-Kaap
Add more art: Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Add more adventure: Sunrise Lions Head or Table Mountain Hike
Add more convenience: Upgrade to Fast track Table Mountain tickets (recommended in Peak seasons)
Approximate driving time:
+/- 2 hours, 80 km
Overnight:
Cape Town 5-star: Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
Cape Town 4-star: Parker Cottage Guest House
Cape Town Economy: Antrim Collection
Cape Peninsula Tour
Join us on a spectacular journey to the Cape of Good Hope, including a visit to the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. We’ll explore Cape Point National Park on foot by taking a walk up to the lighthouse (or opt to take the “Flying Dutchman” funicular). We will then head to the Cape of Good Hope, the furthest southwestern point in Africa. Our day will include driving along the beautiful Atlantic seaside suburbs of Clifton and Camps Bay, with views of the Twelve Apostles Mountains. We will also enjoy a spectacular coastal drive along Chapman’s Peak, to take in one of the best views in the region.
Day 3 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast
Included activities:
Entrance to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Visit to the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach
Optional activities:
Add more adventure: Kayak near the Penguins
Add more adventure: Snorkelling in the underwater kelp forest
Add more foodie: Gourmet 6-course lunch, paired with herbal teas inspired by the local Cape floral kingdom
Add more wine: Explore the Cape’s oldest wine region with a tasting in Constantia
Approximate driving time:
+/- 3 hours, 130 km
Overnight:
Cape Town 5-star: Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
Cape Town 4-star: Parker Cottage Guest House
Cape Town Economy: Antrim Collection
Cape Winelands Tour
The Western Cape of South Africa is home to more than 500 wineries, and today we will visit a few of our favourites in the Stellenbosch wine region. We typically visit three wineries, and we like to consult with our clients on the day to tailor the stops to their tastes. Some of our current favourites are:
- Uva Mira, a boutique winery situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain range
- Jordan Wine Estate, a picturesque family-owned estate
- Warwick, award-winning wines and the first estate to produce a ‘Cape Blend’
- Stark-Condé, spectacular Cabernet Sauvignon with spectacular views
- Babylonstoren, at the foot of Simonsberg Mountain in the Franschhoek wine valley, with a fruit and vegetable garden of amazing beauty and diversity
- Boschendal, with its garden-to-table restaurant, historic manor buildings, garden picnics, and exceptional food & wine
- Muratie Wine Estate, a Stellenbosch farm dating back to 1685, one of the oldest estates in South Africa (with the cobwebs to prove it)
- Rust en Vrede, specializing in robust red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
- Oldenberg, a hidden gem with great views of the Banhoek Valley
Day 4 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast
Included activities:
Wine tasting at three different wine farms
Optional activities:
Upgrade to premium range wine tastings: Add R 1250 per person
Add more adventure: Cycle or e-bike in the Cape Winelands
Add more perspective: Scenic helicopter flip
Add more foodie: Farm-fresh picnic lunch at Boschendal
Add more foodie: “Soil to fork” seasonal lunch at Werf at Boschendal, or Babel at Babylonstoren, or Faber at Avondale
Approximate driving time:
+/- 2.5 hours, 140 km
Overnight:
Stellenbosch 5 Star: Lanzerac Wine Estate
Stellenbosch 4 Star: Oude Werf Hotel
Stellenbosch Economy: Roosenwijn Guest House
Stellenbosch – Mossel Bay - Wilderness
We depart Stellenbosch early, and make our way to the Garden Route. We enter the Garden Route at Mossel Bay, known as the landing site of the first European mariners to round the southern tip of Africa. There we can spend some time on the spectacular beaches, or hike the Cape St. Blaize trail along the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. Alternatively, we can go straight through to Wilderness, to check into our seaside accommodation for the evening.
Day 5 highlights
Included meals:
None
Included activities:
Mossel Bay or Wilderness exploration
Optional activities:
Add more history: Point of Human Origins Archaeological Tour
Add more adventure: Ocean Zipline or Paragliding
Add more booze: Gin tasting at the Cape Saint Blaize Distillery
Add more nature: Wilderness National Park hiking or canoeing
Approximate driving time:
+/- 5.5 hours, +/- 460 km
Overnight:
Plettenberg Bay 5 Star: The Plettenberg Hotel & Spa
Plettenberg Bay 4 Star: Christiana Lodge
Plettenberg Bay Economy: Barrington’s Small Hotel
Wilderness – Knysna - Plett
Today we explore the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna. This stretch of coast is known for its lovely scenery, including indigenous forest, a large warm-water estuary, and the Outeniqua Mountains.
Day 6 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast
Included activities:
None
Optional activities:
Add more wildlife: Whale Watching boat trip (in season, Jul – Nov)
Add more nature: Featherbed Eco Experience
Add more Instagram moments: Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Approximate driving time:
+/- 1.25 hours, 85 km
Overnight:
Plettenberg Bay 5 Star: The Plettenberg Hotel & Spa
Plettenberg Bay 4 Star: Christiana Lodge
Plettenberg Bay Economy: Barrington’s Small Hotel
Plettenberg Bay
After many days on the road exploring, enjoy a morning at leisure. Your guide and tour vehicle are available for outings in the area. We suggest exploring the beautiful coastal town of Plettenberg Bay. You can relax on one of the beautiful beaches, enjoy lunch at one of the great restaurants, taste one of the local wines at an area winery, or get active with a hike on the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve.
Day 7 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast
Included activities:
None
Optional activities:
Add more wildlife: Whale Watching boat trip (in season, Jul – Nov)
Add more nature: Hiking in Robberg Nature Reserve or Tsitsikamma National Park
Add more nature: Keurbooms River Ferry
Add more adventure: Kloofing with Africanyon
Add more foodie: Luka Vineyards
Add more local craft: Mungo Mill
Approximate driving time:
+/- 30 minutes, +/- 20 km
Overnight:
Plettenberg Bay 5 Star: The Plettenberg Hotel & Spa
Plettenberg Bay 4 Star: Christiana Lodge
Plettenberg Bay Economy: Barrington’s Small Hotel
Plett - Eastern Cape Safari
This morning, we will leave the Garden Route, and make our way to the Eastern Cape for a malaria-free Big 5 safari. Check into your lodge in time for lunch, before heading out on a two to three hour afternoon game drive.
Day 8 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Included activities:
Afternoon game drive safari
Optional activities:
Add more adrenaline: Bloukrans Bungee Jump
Approximate driving time:
+/- 3.5 hours, 310 km
Overnight:
Eastern Cape Safari 5 Star: Shamwari Eagles Crag
Eastern Cape Safari 4 Star: Kariega Ukhozi Lodge
Eastern Cape Safari economy: Amakhala Woodbury Tented Camp
Safari
Today is a full day to enjoy on safari. Go on morning and afternoon game drives on the private game reserve, hoping to spot the wildlife that Africa is famous for: lion, zebra, giraffe, hippo, and more. This area of the Eastern Cape is renowned for game viewing, and this is a great opportunity to see wildlife in its natural environment.
Day 9 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included activities:
Morning & afternoon game drives
Approximate driving time:
2 game drives, approximately 2-3 hours each
Overnight:
Eastern Cape Safari 5 Star: Shamwari Eagles Crag
Eastern Cape Safari 4 Star: Kariega Ukhozi Lodge
Eastern Cape Safari economy: Amakhala Woodbury Tented Camp
Safari + drop off in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
After one final morning game drive, guests will be transferred to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where tour services will end. We recommend booking late afternoon or evening flights from Port Elizabeth, in order to allow enough time to enjoy the full morning game drive.
Day 10 highlights
Included meals:
Breakfast
Included activities:
Morning game drive safari
Transfer from game reserve to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Approximate driving time:
+/- 1.5 hours, 85 km (plus 2–3-hour morning game drive)
Overnight:
n/a
Tour Map
Tour Pricing (September 2026 – August 2027):
| Number of people (Cost per person) | ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | single supplement | |
| Tour including 5-star accommodation | HIGH SEASON | R140,700 | R103,050 | R90,550 | R85,450 | R51,350 |
| LOW SEASON | R126,600 | R88,950 | R76,400 | R71,300 | R38,950 | |
| Tour including 4-star accommodation | HIGH SEASON | R104,350 | R65,050 | R52,000 | R46,650 | R16,300 |
| LOW SEASON | R99,500 | R60,200 | R47,100 | R41,800 | R12,600 | |
| Tour including economy accommodation | HIGH SEASON | R103,900 | R63,000 | R49,350 | R43,850 | R10,500 |
| LOW SEASON | R99,700 | R58,800 | R45,150 | R39,600 | R7,900 | |
Rates are indicative; final price varies by specific travel dates and room category availability. Please enquire for a fixed quote – our private tour consultants will be happy to advise on options to meet your group size, available dates & budget.
High season: September – April, excluding peak season of 15 December – 15 January; Low season: May – August.
Single supplements: for odd numbers of guests (1/3/5), one person will pay a single supplement for a single room.
Safari Pricing (September 2026 – August 2027):
| Number of people (Cost per person) | ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | single supplement | |
| 5-star safari with transfers & conservation fees | HIGH SEASON | R49,850 | R48,400 | R47,900 | R47,950 | R13,700 |
| LOW SEASON | R50,000 | R48,250 | R47,650 | R47,500 | R13,550 | |
| 4-star safari with transfers & conservation fees | HIGH SEASON | R28,150 | R26,250 | R25,650 | R25,650 | R11,900 |
| LOW SEASON | R23,550 | R21,650 | R21,050 | R21,050 | R9,600 | |
| Economy safari with transfers & conservation fees | HIGH SEASON | R16,000 | R14,750 | R14,350 | R14,500 | R6,350 |
| LOW SEASON | R14,000 | R12,750 | R12,350 | R12,500 | R5,300 | |
Rates are indicative; final price varies by specific travel dates and room category availability. Please enquire for a fixed quote – our private tour consultants will be happy to advise on options to meet your group size, available dates & budget.
High season: September – April, excluding peak season of 15 December – 15 January; Low season: May – August.
Single supplements: for odd numbers of guests (1/3/5), one person will pay a single supplement for a single room.