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  4. Kruger & Cape Town Short Break by Plane

Explore the wild plains of Kruger National Park and the cosmopolitan streets of Cape Town.

Enjoy an incredible African adventure on this journey from Kruger National Park to the rugged beauty of sophisticated Cape Town. Feel the thrill of spotting one (or more!) of Africa’s Big Five for the first time on a game drive, hear the trumpet of elephants across the plains and learn about the park’s unique ecosystem on a guided walk. Travel to bustling Joburg – a juxtaposing city of mansions and shantytowns – before travelling to the chic streets of Cape Town to learn about the city’s dramatic past. Immerse yourself in the culture, beauty and history of this astonishing region.

Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Cape Town, South Africa
Destination
South Africa
Style
Comfort
Theme
Short Breaks, Wildlife
Code
UBAF
Physical rating
Ages
Min 6
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Experience a private game reserve after dark in an open top 4x4 vehicle

  • Try to spot the Big Five in Kruger National Park on two full day game drives

  • Enjoy traditional South African cuisine while dining under the stars

  • Relax in the lush environs of Stellenbosch with a glass of wine in hand after a city tour

  • Take in the beauty of Cape Town's coast while driving along the Cape Peninsula via Cape Point Nature Reserve and the Cape of Good Hope

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is one of our Short Breaks and is slightly different to our group tours. There is no group leader but rather a local guide in Kruger and in Cape Town with the idea being that you maintain a level of independence during down time. You'll most likely travel on a join-in basis, which means you may or may not be joined by others for activities and transportation, depending on demand. In some instances you will be with no other Intrepid travellers.

  • This itinerary starts in Johannesburg and includes 2 long travel days to and from Greater Kruger National Park.

  • Our lodge is located within the Greater Kruger Park ecosystem. It’s about a 50 minute drive to Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate. On this itinerary you will have Game Drives in both the Kruger National Park and neighbouring Private Game Reserves.

  • The transport to and from Kruger National Park will be in a 13-seater minivan. This is a shuttle service that departs daily. You may be sharing this shuttle ride with other travellers booked on different trips and itineraries to you.

  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Map of Kruger & Cape Town Short Break by Plane including South Africa
Antelope and birds in the Kruger National Park wilderness, South Africa
Lion in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Intrepid travellers stopping their 4x4 journey to inspect some wildlife, South Africa
Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa
Picteresque landscape of a vineyard in the Hermanus Wine Region, South Africa
A view of Blyde River Canyon from above, Johannesburg, South Africa
Elephant in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Itinerary
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Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your Kruger Short Break starts very early this morning to get you to Kruger for a late lunch. If staying at the Holiday Inn Rosebank you will be picked up at 6am. If you are staying at alternate hotel (and advised us prior to departure) you will be picked up from 5:30am onwards. The exact time of pick-up for alternate hotels will be communicated to your hotel reception in the afternoon prior to day 1 of your itinerary. Please verify this time with reception the evening prior to your start day.

We depart Johannesburg, the 'City of Gold' and head off on an adventure of a lifetime. A truly unique African experience unfolds as we enter the Greater Kruger National Park ecosystem arriving at our lodge in time for lunch (570 km, approx 8-9 hours travel time including stops along the way).

After some time to settle in, head off on a 3 hour afternoon game drive in open 4x4 vehicles in a private game reserve. Enjoy the thrill of spotting a impala, zebra, giraffe or lion, among other animals. Here you're likely to see any of the species that one may encounter in Kruger, since there are no boundary fences between the reserve and Kruger itself. Mid way through the safari stop for drinks at one of the waterholes before continuing the game drive into the early evening.

Located in the greater Kruger, your accommodation is wonderfully intimate, with limited permanent safari tented rooms. Rooms are tastefully decorated and comfortably appointed with private ensuite. The lodge also offers a comfortable lounge, perfect for chatting with the other guests over a drink or two. There is also a swimming pool, shaded deck area, dining tent and WiFi.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Private Game Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Our lodge is located within the Greater Kruger Park ecosystem. It’s about a 50 minute drive to Kruger National Park’s Orpen Gate. On this itinerary you will have Game Drives in both the Kruger National Park and neighbouring Private Game Reserves. Please note if our lodge is full you will be accommodated in a similar lodge in the same area.

One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog.
An early rise, as we make our way to the Kruger.

Our wildlife experience begins as soon as we enter the park, heading into prime game viewing areas where we hope to catch a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found inside the park, including the Big Five.

Enjoy breakfast at one of the picnic spots before continuing through the park. Our entire day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes en route.

We depart the park in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

We depart the lodge and make our way back into the Kruger National Park. another full day game drive in Kruger National Park. After a full day of exploring we return to the lodge and relax around the fire listening to the night sounds of Africa.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Spend the day at the lodge at your leisure, or take part in the optional drive along the Panoramic Route viewing the Drakensberg Escarpment - some of the most stunning scenery South Africa has to offer. The sights en route include: God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and some of the magnificent waterfalls within the Blyde River Canyon.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Day trip - ZAR1950
  • Private Game Reserve - Big 5 game drive - ZAR1200
  • Panorama Route - Day trip - ZAR1550
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Rise early and head out on a morning bush walk. Guided by a qualified nature guide, we learn about nature's finer details like bird, tree and spoor identification.
Transfer back to Johannesburg (600 km, approx 9-10 hrs). There's plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. Take in amazing views at the viewpoint over the awesome Blyde River Canyon and view the Three Rondavels.

On arrival in Jo'burg you will be dropped at the Holiday Inn Rosebank where you will spend the night. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and is also located next to the Mall of Rosebank.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kruger Lodge Reserve - Morning Nature Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

You will need to check-out of the hotel after breakfast today and be ready for your transfer to the airport. Your transfer and flight time will be confirmed 30 days before departure or once full payment is made. We will use either Mango or Kalula for this flight and their luggage limit is one checked-in bag weighing no more than 20 kilos, and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 7kg. It's just a short 2hr 10 minute flight to Cape Town and on arrival you will be met by our local transfer company and transferred to your hotel.

With its stunning coastline, dominating mountain and modern cityscape, Cape Town is one of Africa's most appealing cities. With vineyards on its doorstep, adventure activities around every other corner and plenty of restaurants and cafes to while away the time, Cape Town is a very easy city to spend some extra time in.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today retrace 350 years of Cape Town’s dramatic history on a three-hour walking tour. The route will take in historical sights such as the Castle of Good Hope, Grand Parade, and significant historic slavery sites such as the Slave Lodge and Slave Tree. Stop out the front of the Parliament Building and District Six Museum, learn about apartheid and gain valuable insight into the effects of racism and discrimination on the lives of ordinary South Africans. Follow the Footsteps to Freedom tour guides in Government Avenue and hear about Cape Town’s three Nobel Peace Prize-winners: Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem De Klerk. Then visit the building where the apartheid laws were passed, and where they were later repealed after De Klerk’s dramatic speech at the opening of Parliament in February 1990. After the tour, perhaps soak up the modern-day energy of the city in Greenmarket Square or St George's Mall.

In the afternoon, travel down the spectacular coast to rugged Cape Peninsula. Some of the highlights including Clifton Beach, Camps Bay, Cape Point Nature Reserve, the Cape of Good Hope and the Boulders Beach Penguins. Don't forget to bring a camera!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cape Town - Morning Historic Walking Tour
  • Cape Town - Afternoon Cape Peninsula Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
In Summer, from October through till the end of February, the Peninsula part of the tour will run first, so as to avoid the queues at Cape Point and Boulder’s penguin colony.

Spend a full day travelling the beautiful Cape Winelands, visiting both colonial and more recent estates for a taste of the region’s best wines. The Winelands region features almost 100 different estates, of which the group will visit three today.

Start off with a cellar tour and a wine tasting at Hidden Valley Estate in the Stellenbosch area. There is also the option of adding a chocolate and wine pairing experience for an additional fee. After learning more about the region’s wine, visit the college town of Stellenbosch. Take an hour to wander the boulevards and town center, then head to the hills and visit Franschhoek. The view of the valley from here, which is lined with manicured rows of vineyards, is spectacular. Soak up the scenery and enjoy a fine wine from La Cabriere Estate. While here, perhaps take the opportunity to lunch at the estate’s gourmet restaurant, or choose to dine at one of the village’s many cafés instead.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing drive to Paarl, driving past the Groot Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990. Arrive at Fairview Estate for more wine and cheese tastings before returning Cape Town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Franschoek Winelands Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is a free day and Cape Town, with its internationally recognised beaches, is a great place to kick back and relax. If you'd rather get active, hop inside the revolving cable car and set off on one of hundreds of hiking trails that criss cross Table Mountain to its summit, stopping off the admire the views of Camps Bay below. If you've got energy left perhaps strap on a harness and abseil down. Other attractions worth a visit include the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Robben Island, and the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Unfortunately the Table Mountain cable car, facilities and shops will be closed due to maintenance from 8th July 8 to 18th August 2019. Access to the top of Table Mountain will still be available by the steep hiking trail. If you wish to hike to the top of the mountain we recommend using a local guide. Your Leader or hotel reception will be able to assist with arrangements.

Today is another free day to enjoy this great city. Perhaps take the Hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour around Cape Town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Our adventure comes to an end today. There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. Additional accommodation can be booked if you’d like to extend your time in Cape Town.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners

Transport

4x4 Safari Vehicle, Van, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Private Game Reserve - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day Game Drive
  • Kruger Lodge Reserve - Morning Nature Walk
  • Cape Town - Morning Historic Walking Tour
  • Cape Town - Afternoon Cape Peninsula Tour
  • Franschoek Winelands Tour

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. This trip departs between 5.30am and 6:30am on Day 1 so it is essential that you overnight in Johannesburg the day before the tour.
2. You will be picked up on day 1 from our preferred Joining Point Hotel; the Holiday Inn Rosebank and pick up time if 6.00 am.
3. If you require pick up from another centrally-located hotel in Johannesburg or OR Tambo Airport Hotel, please inform your booking agent at least 14 days prior to departure.
4. This trip is a combination of Intrepid's Short Break Adventures and you will not be accompanied by a tour leader. You will have local guides at the Lodge in Kruger and in Cape Town for your activities.
5. This trip includes an internal flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town on Day 6 and the flight will only be confirmed with full payment. Flights are non-refundable and non-changeable.
6. We will be using Mango or Kalula for the internal flight and the maximum checked in luggage is 20 kilos and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 7kg per person.

Unfortunately the Table Mountain cable car, facilities and shops will be closed due to maintenance from 8th July 8 to 18th August 2019. Access to the top of Table Mountain will still be available by the steep hiking trail. If you wish to hike to the top of the mountain we recommend using a local guide. Your Leader or hotel reception will be able to assist with arrangements.

Essential trip information

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