Unmissable South Africa 11 nights

Day 1 : Flight from Montreal to Cape Town in economy class.

Day 2 : Upon arrival in Cape Town, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3 : Spend the day exploring Cape Town, affectionately known as the Mother City. Highlights include visits to the historic Castle of Good Hope (or Slave Lodge), the beautiful Company’s Garden, and the vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood, famous for its colorful houses and rich cultural heritage. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the area before ascending Table Mountain by cable car*, where breathtaking views of the city, harbor, and coastline await. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

* Weather permitting.

Day 4 : Begin your exploration of the Cape Peninsula with a cruise to Duiker Island departing from Hout Bay*. This small island is home to thousands of Cape fur seals and a variety of seabirds, including Cape gannets, cormorants, and gulls. Continue to the spectacular Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where dramatic landscapes, unique geological formations, and diverse flora and fauna create one of the most remarkable natural settings in the world.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Boulders Beach, famous for its colony of endangered African penguins. Continue to the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where Cape Town’s historic docks have been transformed into a lively shopping, dining, and cultural destination. Dinner will be served at one of the marina’s restaurants before returning to your hotel for the night.

* Weather permitting

Day 5 : Depart for an orientation tour of the charming town of Stellenbosch, known for its historic church square, oak-lined streets, and picturesque narrow lanes. With its elegant architecture and relaxed atmosphere, the town offers a distinct European feel in the heart of South Africa’s wine region.

Continue with a visit to a local winery, where you will enjoy a wine and cheese tasting while learning about the traditional techniques used to transform locally grown grapes into internationally acclaimed wines. Lunch will be served on the estate before returning to Cape Town.

In the evening, experience a memorable dinner at the renowned Gold Restaurant, featuring authentic African cuisine accompanied by live music and traditional dancing. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 6 : After breakfast, depart for a visit to Robben Island, the historic prison island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for nearly 18 years beginning in 1964 under prisoner number 466/64.

The visit, lasting approximately 3.5 hours, begins at the Nelson Mandela Gateway on Cape Town’s Waterfront, where you can explore exhibitions detailing the island’s history. Following a 30-minute ferry crossing, discover the former maximum-security prison, often guided by a former political prisoner who shares firsthand experiences of life on the island. A 45-minute bus tour provides further insight into the island’s remarkable past.

Please note: This excursion is conducted in English only.

Return to the Waterfront and enjoy a free afternoon at the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, with time for shopping, sightseeing, or simply relaxing at your own pace.

Lunch and dinner are at leisure.

Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 7 : After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Nelspruit (KMIA), gateway to the famous Kruger region. Upon arrival, enjoy a light lunch before continuing to your accommodation, where you will settle in for a two-night stay.

Late in the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable sunset 4x4 safari through the African bush. As the sun sets over the savannah, enjoy a traditional South African Amarula aperitif while taking in the sights and sounds of the wilderness.

Return to your lodge for a traditional Boma dinner under the African sky before retiring for the night.

Day 8 : Today, discover the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world, with dramatic cliffs ranging from 600 to 800 metres in depth. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, and antelope roaming the canyon floor.

Travel along the scenic Panorama Route, where you'll enjoy spectacular views of some of the region’s most iconic landmarks, including God’s Window and the Three Rondavels.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before continuing to Pilgrim’s Rest, a former gold-mining town now designated as a national historic monument. Its beautifully restored buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into South Africa’s gold rush era and create the atmosphere of a living ghost town frozen in time.

Continue to your accommodation, where you will check in, enjoy dinner, and spend the night.

Day 9 : After breakfast, set out for an unforgettable full-day 4x4 safari in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest and most celebrated wildlife reserves. Home to more than 12,000 elephants, 27,000 buffalo, and over 1,000 leopards, the park offers excellent opportunities to spot the legendary Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo.

Kruger is also home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including 147 mammal species, 517 bird species, and six distinct ecosystems. Travelling in an open 4x4 vehicle allows you to venture deep into the bush while your experienced ranger tracks fresh animal signs and shares insights into the region’s unique environment.

A stop at one of the park’s rest camps will provide time to stretch your legs and refresh before enjoying lunch at a restaurant within the reserve.

Later in the day, continue to your lodge and settle in for a two-night stay. Dinner and overnight accommodation at the lodge.

Day 10 :After breakfast, enjoy some free time to relax and take advantage of the lodge’s facilities. Unwind by the pool, soak in the peaceful surroundings, or simply enjoy a refreshing break in the heart of the South African bush.

For those seeking additional adventure, an optional afternoon 4x4 safari may be available (subject to availability).

Lunch will be served at the lodge.

Later in the afternoon, depart for the Hazyview Elephant Sanctuary. Upon arrival, enjoy a memorable visit and the unique opportunity to interact with these magnificent gentle giants while learning about their behaviour, conservation, and importance within the African ecosystem.

Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 11 : After breakfast, depart for Middelburg, home to the renowned Corn & Cob Farm. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided visit of this unique property, offering insight into local farming traditions and rural South African life.

You will then have free time to explore the nearby Ndebele village, where you can discover the rich cultural heritage, colourful artistry, and traditions of the Ndebele people at your own pace.

Lunch will be served at the farm before continuing your journey to Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, where dinner will be served. Overnight stay in Pretoria.

Day 12 : After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. Discover Church Square, the historic heart of the city, as well as the impressive Union Buildings, the seat of government, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. You will also visit the iconic Voortrekker Monument (entrance included), an important symbol of Afrikaner history and heritage.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before continuing to Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa and the country's economic hub.

Upon arrival, visit the renowned Apartheid Museum, which offers a powerful and moving insight into South Africa’s journey through apartheid and the struggle for freedom and equality.

Following the visit, transfer to your hotel in Johannesburg. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, known for its unique African dining experience, before returning to your hotel for the night.

Day 13 : After breakfast, discover Soweto (South Western Township), one of South Africa’s most iconic and historically significant communities. Home to more than two million residents, Soweto is a vibrant melting pot where nine different ethnic groups coexist, with the Zulu and Xhosa communities being the most prominent.

As you explore the township, you will witness the striking diversity of its neighbourhoods, ranging from elegant homes to the traditional corrugated-metal shacks that tell the story of South Africa’s complex past.

Enjoy lunch in a traditional shebeen, a former underground tavern where alcohol was sold illegally to Black South Africans during the apartheid era. This unique experience offers a glimpse into an important chapter of the country’s social history.

The excursion also includes a panoramic tour of Soweto and a visit to the former home of Nelson Mandela, one of the most influential figures in South African history.

If time permits, enjoy some free time for last-minute shopping before transferring to Johannesburg Airport for your return flight to Montréal.

Day 14 : Arrival in Montréal, marking the end of this unforgettable adventure in the heart of South Africa