Italian-speaking local courier / guide. Departures are guaranteed (min 2 participants). Subject to availability. Max. 16 participants. Starting from 45 days before departure, availability is on request. Minimum age: 6 years
Itinerary
Day 1 — Johannesburg
Welcome upon arrival and transfer to the hotel, MATIMBA BUSH LODGE is located less than 5 minutes from the entrance of Kruger NP in a natural area of the Hans Merensky Golf Course, overlooking the lake called Mala Mala. Numerous animals such as hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes, and many birds like the beautiful fish eagle are at home and give the structure a magical and relaxing atmosphere. Matimba Bush Lodge offers classy accommodation and is a perfect destination for those who want to try their hand at golf, as well as for those who want to explore Kruger and the surrounding areas, but also for those who want to spend some relaxing hours by the lake in the company of its inhabitants., At 6:00 PM, meeting with the local assistant, with a certified driving license, for an informative briefing on the excursions and experiences during your stay in the "Mother City". Our assistant will be the one who will stay with you every evening during dinner and will be at your complete disposal for any additional information regarding the program for the following day., The "Johannesburg Street Art and African Flavours Tour" includes a graffiti tour, a walk in Yeovile, an African market and dinner at Mkhaya African Cuisine & Grill (or similar if unavailable) with a local drink included., return to the hotel, accommodation San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino,
Day 2 — Johannesburg
Breakfast, departure to Soweto, departure from hotel at 09.00, City within a city, Soweto (an acronym for South West Townships) was created by the segregationist government in 1930 and today has almost four million inhabitants from various social classes. The guided tour will give you a sense of history and help you understand the ongoing development. You will walk along Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world where two Nobel laureates, Mandela and Desmond Tutu, have lived., stop at al Chaf Pozi (bevande escluse) for lunch, visit of al museo dell'Apartheid3, The day concludes with a traditional homemade 7 Colors Dinner, hosted by a local family (drinks included),
Car
Day 3 — Johannesburg → Mpumalanga/Panorama Route
Breakfast, transfer to the airport, Meet the rest of the group at the airport., at approximately departure by bus for Mpumalanga/Panorama Route con autista in inglese (senza guida), stop for lunch during transfer, late afternoon arrival, meeting with the guide at the hotel, Located in the city center, Cape Town Lodge Hotel offers a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, a bar, and a fitness center, and is less than 5 km from Table Mountain and the renowned V&A Waterfront area. Overlooking Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Signal Hill, and the harbor, the rooms at Cape Town Lodge Hotel are located on the upper floors. The renowned restaurant, The Famous Butchers Grill, offers top-quality South African steaks accompanied by live music and a selection of local wines, in an environment characterized by sculptures and walls adorned with photos depicting the ancient Cape Town., dinner at the hotel, accommodation Founders House,
Car
Day 4 — Mpumalanga/Panorama Route → Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Breakfast, departure to la Panorama Route, the road crosses the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, boasting some of Africa’s most stunning views. The many pine and eucalyptus woods along the route echo with the tingling sound of crystalline streams and waterfalls. With a height of 700 m and a length of 20 km, the Canyon is one of the largest in the world. The first stop off is the viewpoint of the Three Rondavels (a group of three round mesas); after that, you will see Bourke's Luck Potholes (also known as “giant's kettles”), eroded by the wear of plunge pools., stop for lunch during transfer, early afternoon arrival in, return to the lodge, dinner, accommodation,
Day 5 — Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Full board at the lodge, Day dedicated to safaris in the Reserve, one in the morning and one in the afternoon., Traditional Shangaan or Afrikaans dining. The cuisine offers a distinctive insight into a culture and its people. This enjoyable experience will leave you with a new understanding of this beautiful culture, accommodation,
Flight
Day 6 — Karongwe Private Game Reserve → Cape Town
Time for a last safari at the break of dawn, return to the hotel for breakfast, transfer by shuttle to the airport of Cape Town, welcome upon arrival and transfer to the hotel, time at leisure for lunch (not included) and for a walk, Adjacent to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, the Radisson RED Hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, about a 5-minute drive from the business district and the Cape Town International Convention Centre, and a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport. Featuring artwork on the walls and modern furnishings, the rooms offer a 55-inch Smart LED TV, customizable lighting, a refrigerator, and a tiled bathroom with an artistic touch, equipped with a rain shower, hairdryer, and toiletries. In the common areas, you can enjoy temporary art exhibitions and live music performances. Free high-speed WiFi is available in all areas., At 6:00 PM, meeting with the local assistant, with a certified driving license, for an informative briefing on the excursions and experiences during your stay in the "Mother City". Our assistant will be the one who will stay with you every evening during dinner and will be at your complete disposal for any additional information regarding the program for the following day., dinner at the hotel, accommodation Harvest Inn,
Car
Day 7 — Cape Town
Breakfast, Departure at around 08:00 from your hotel. Departure from Cape Town via Elgin, towards Hermanus. Stop at the Old Harbour Museum, which provided a rocky but safe shelter for small fishing boats whose owners were attracted to Hermanus by the abundance and variety of fish. The Old Harbour was declared a "Museum" in 1972. We continue towards the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Here, a wine tasting is planned at one of the estates in the region that boast unique wines. Panoramic tour to the town of Kleinmond for a visit to the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. The garden is renowned for its waterfalls and amber-colored pools. The high coastal road that leads from Cape Hangklip to Gordon's Bay is one of the most spectacular in the world., lunch en route, return to the hotel at 17.30/18.00, At 7:00 PM, meeting with the Italian guide and walking towards the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for dinner at Sevruga Seafood restaurant., accommodation Harvest Inn,
Day 8 — Cape Town
Breakfast, Cape Town is located on a spectacular mountainous peninsula that juts out into the ocean. From the city, you follow the Atlantic coastline along the beaches and through upscale residential suburbs such as Clifton Beach and Camps Bay. In Hout Bay, you board a cruise for a close-up visit to Seal Island, home to hundreds of Cape fur seals and cormorants. Next, you travel along Chapman’s Peak Drive, with its 114 curves over 9 km, considered one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world (subject to closure in adverse weather). The route leads to Cape Point, the famous Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of the peninsula where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The first landmass directly south of the Cape is Antarctica. You can take the funicular to reach the top. The journey continues to Simon’s Town for lunch, followed by a visit to nearby Boulders Beach to see the rare and endangered African penguins., return to the lodge around, At 7:00 PM, meeting with the Italian-speaking guide for a typical Cape Malay-style dinner with entertainment at the Portswood hotel restaurant. This evening celebrates the recent publication of a small recipe book, full of authentic recipes of traditional Cape Malay meals. Cape Malay cuisine was brought to South Africa in the late 1600s when the first group of Malay prisoners landed from Java and the nearby Indonesian islands. The spicy and aromatic dishes prepared by the Malay people were quickly assimilated into many Cape kitchens. Today, Malay-Portuguese terms such as "bobotie," "sosatie," and "bredie" are considered iconic vocabulary in South African cuisine., accommodation Harvest Inn,
Day 9 — Cape Town
Breakfast, morning visit of the city, Departure from your hotel at approximately 8:00 a.m. The tour begins with a visit to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The garden encompasses five of South Africa's six distinct biomes and is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of its Cape flora and its magnificent setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Next, continue to Table Mountain (weather permitting; cable car ticket not included). Enjoy panoramic views of the Mother City and the Atlantic Seaboard, with Robben Island resting sleepily in Table Bay harbor. After visiting Table Mountain, head to the city center. Walk through the Company Gardens, where you can admire squirrels and a variety of plants, creating a cheerful atmosphere to soak up some of the city's vibes. Visit the Slave Lodge, which explores the history of involuntary immigrants and their contribution to the richness and diversity of South Africa's history, creating an atmosphere that can be felt throughout the journey through the city., return to the lodge around, At 6:00 PM, meeting with the English-speaking driver at the reception for the transfer to the Gold Restaurant where, upon your arrival, you will have the pleasure of participating in a special "Djembe Drumming Session" during which you will dance and move to the powerful African music. This will be followed by a 14-course dinner with delicious African and Cape Malay flavors, a mix of intense tastes and aromas, all prepared with fresh and typical ingredients. Drinks are not included. Return to the hotel around 9:30 PM., accommodation,
Day 10 — Cape Town
Breakfast, transfer to the airport, end of the tour,
Notes
LUGGAGE: porterage is included for one medium-size baggage (max. 23 kg). Due to limited storage room, we cannot assure you can bring along extra baggage on the coach.
ROOMS: triple rooms are not available. A standard room cannot fit three adults., TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: before the start of the tour, all the participants must make sure they possess the required documents to enter the destination countries, and that such documents are comprehensive and valid.
MINIMUM AGE: At least 7 years, although we recommend a minimum of 10. Children from 6 to 12 years are allowed to join the safari at the rangers’ discretion.
SMOKING: smoking is prohibited in hotels and on coaches.
HOTEL, CHECK-OUT: rooms must be left in the morning (the exact time will be provided by the hotel). Supplements for late check-outs amount to an extra night's charge
FINAL HOTEL LIST: as in the travel documents
HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The Organizing Body reserves the right to substitute the itinerary and/or the hotels to alternative of a similar or superior category in the event of unplanned circumstances, and if the safe and normal proceeding of the tour is threatened. Furthermore, when in the impossibility for all of the travellers to stay at the same hotel, the group will be split amidst several hotels of the same category.
MEALS: not included when not specified
SAFARI: safari vehicles are open off-roaders (Land Rover- or Land Cruiser-style) that can fit 6 to 9 passengers. Your guides will be English-speaking rangers, sometimes with the help of professional trackers. You will ride both along the paths the cross the private reserves and off-road, to have a better chance to see the animals
PUNCTUALITY: you are advised to be punctual. No refund is issued to passengers failing to meet at designated time.
REFUNDS: If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to Force Majeure or Vis Majeure, the Company shall not be responsible to give any refund; also, no refund will be given for any portions of the tour unused by the traveler
TRANSFER / VEHICLES: air-conditioned vehicles for all scheduled transfers, excursions and visits. Depending on the number of participants, there will be different vehicles. Indicatively: 2-3 pax > mid-sized vehicle; 4-7 pax: 7-seater; 8-13 pax: 15-seat minibus; 14+ pax: 9-, 25- or 44-seat coach. The vehicle used during the safari will be an open 6- or 9-seat off-roader
South Africa By Hand Grand Tour — NAAR
Starts from
10 days / 9 nights – from Johannesburg to Cape Town,
Meals
Key: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner,
Price includes
Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners, accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar), admission to parks and sanctuaries, visits, excursions and game drives: as scheduled ans Green seat, private transfer by air-conditioned coach, minivan or car depending on the number of the participants, 24/7 assistance from our local office, with Italian-speaking staff, local Italian-speaking guide during the visits,
Price does not include
Administration fees and “no-risk” coverage, trip cancellation, medical expense & baggage coverage, meals that have not been specified; beverage; any extra, entry visa for non-UE citizens, tips, air travel and taxes, everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes",
Important notes
Upon arrival in South Africa you will be given a 90-day visa. Your Italian passport must have at least two blank pages and has to be valid for at least 30 days after returning from South Africa., the tour starts at the airport of Johannesburg OR Tambo. You must thus book a flight leaving by 09.30, flight from Hoedspruit to Cape Town CPT (not included): it is necessary to book the flight departing from Hoedspruit at 13:50 with arrival at Cape Town CPT at 16:25., Table Mountain: the ascent is subject to weather conditions and the annual closure for cableway maintenance from July 28th to August 3th, 2025; if not accessible, Signal Hill is visited.,
Cancellation policies
No penalty up to 44 days before the start of the tour - 44-20 days 50%, 19-0 days or no show 100%,
