This exquisite 13-day itinerary has been designed especially for honeymooners, combining the best of South Africa and Seychelles. First, stay at a luxurious lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, where you will enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner in the jungle and actively encounter the magnificent Big 5 animals on thrilling safari game drives.
Subsequently, you will explore the scenic Garden Route on a flexible self-drive journey. Following this, visit the famous Mother City (Cape Town) and taste world-class wine in Stellenbosch. Finally, conclude your romantic escape with stunning island hopping in Seychelles. The cherished memories of this perfectly planned trip will stay with you for a lifetime.
Safari Highlight
Knysna (garden route)
Oudtshoorn
Stellenbosch
Visit Cape peninsula
Mahe
City Tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival In Johannesburg
Upon arrival at Johannesburg Airport, our representative will meet and warmly greet you before they seamlessly transfer you to your hotel. First, check in at the hotel and take time to relax. The evening is yours for leisure. Specifically, your accommodation, Emperor’s Palace, is a casino hotel that actively offers multi-cuisine restaurants, extensive shopping, engaging entertainment, and much more right on site. Finally, enjoy your overnight stay comfortably at this vibrant hotel.
Day 2: Transfer To Pilanesberg National Park
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin your scenic drive to Pilanesberg National Park. Upon arrival, check in at the stunning Bakubung Bush Lodge and take a moment to relax. Later this afternoon, you will actively join an exhilarating open-vehicle game drive in search of Africa’s magnificent wildlife, including the legendary Big Five. Finally, return to the lodge for a delicious dinner and your comfortable overnight stay.
Day 3: Sunrise Safari & Big Five Tracking
An early wake-up call signals another exciting day in Africa! First, after morning coffee and light refreshments, you will immediately head out into the bush on an early morning sunrise safari. Since this is a “Big Five” reserve, you may encounter the legendary lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo on this three-hour drive.
Subsequently, return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Then, spend the remainder of the day at leisure: relax by the pool, visit the gym or bar, or alternatively, go on an engaging bush walk (at your own cost). Dinner will once again be enjoyed at the lodge.
Day 4: Johannesburg Airport-Knysna
After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge. First, we transfer you to Johannesburg Airport, where you will board your Johannesburg/George flight. Upon arrival at George Airport, proceed to the designated counter for the collection of your self-drive vehicle.
Subsequently, you will embark on your scenic self-drive journey to Knysna, where you will spend the following three nights.
Vehicle Hire Inclusions: Your rental features automatic transmission, air-conditioning, unlimited mileage, super insurance for theft and damage, personal accident cover, map books, 24-hour backup, and a GPS unit.
Regarding your destination, Knysna lies beautifully in the heart of the Garden Route. This coastal town features an indigenous forest on one side and a lagoon on the other, where the water actively joins the sea between the majestic Knysna Heads. Therefore, enjoy the rest of the afternoon wandering through either the vibrant waterfront area or the recently developed Thesen Island. Head to your hotel for your comfortable overnight stay.
Day 5: Oudtshoorn, Ostrich farms and Cango Caves
Today, you will self-drive to the ostrich capital of the world, the town of Oudtshoorn. Geographically, this town sits within the Klein Karoo, a semi-desert area of the country.
First, we will visit an active ostrich farm, where you will learn fascinating details about the feather, leather, and meat industries, both in South Africa and globally. Lunch will be heartily enjoyed right at the farm. Subsequently, in the afternoon, we will visit the famous Cango Caves, which are estimated to be 20 million years old and are internationally considered a World Heritage Site. Finally, in the evening, you will return to Knysna for your comfortable overnight stay.
Day 6: Self drive to Stellenbosch wine lands
After breakfast, check out and immediately make your way to the famous Stellenbosch Winelands. This area, besides being a charming university town featuring beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, also stands as South Africa’s premier wine district.
Therefore, take the excellent opportunity to drive out to some of the most well-known wine estates and actively sample their fine wines. Specifically, vineyards well worth a visit in the Stellenbosch area include acclaimed estates like Rust-en-Vrede, Kanonkop, Warwick Estate, and Rustenburg, among many others.
Day 7: Stellenbosch-Cape town
After breakfast, you check out and immediately drive to the Mother City, Cape Town. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and then actively explore the cosmopolitan city center on your own. Later in the evening, our representative will collect the rental car directly from your hotel. You will spend your overnight stay comfortably in Cape Town, ready for tomorrow’s guided adventures.
Day 8: Cape Town City Orientation
Today, your full-day Cape Town City Tour begins with a delicious breakfast served at the hotel. Subsequently, your driver will pick you up for the exciting city exploration covering all major attractions. First, start off with a visit to the iconic Table Mountain, which offers a truly panoramic sight of the entire city. This sandstone bed is famous for its hiking tours and the unique flora and fauna actively conserved within the Table Mountain National Park.
Next, you proceed toward Signal Hill near Table Mountain, where you can enjoy an optional hike, weather permitting. After this main tour, you have the rest of the day to enjoy a scenic drive through beautiful Clifton and the Cape Town coastline. Finally, if time allows, you can actively explore other attractions like the historic Houses of Parliament, the Company Gardens, or the City Hall.
Day 9: Cape Town Peninsula Tour
In the morning, we start with an incredible scenic drive along the Atlantic Seaboard. First, proceed through Sea Point and Camps Bay before reaching Hout Bay, a charming fishing village you must not miss. Here, enjoy a boat ride out to Seal Island.
Subsequently, you have the rest of the day to explore the magnificent Cape Point via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive. Lying close to the end of the Cape Peninsula, the landscape offers the best marine views and a supreme location for hiking or biking. Next, visit the famous Cape of Good Hope, which UNESCO nominated as a World Heritage Site. Wildlife such as penguins, dassies, antelopes, and southern right whales actively attract a significant number of tourists here.
Finally, your Cape Town tour is incomplete without a cultural stop at Simon’s Town. This historic town actively exhibits rich historical and cultural wealth, vintage architecture, seal colonies, penguins, and fascinating aerial and marine life.
Day 10: Cape Town-Mahe
Today, after breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport. First, board your domestic flight to Johannesburg to catch your international connecting flight onward to Mahé, Seychelles (note: this flight incurs an additional cost).
Upon arrival at Mahé airport, your tour representative will meet you and seamlessly transfer you to your reserved accommodation. Notably, Mahé Island actively flaunts the most engaging accommodations, beautiful hotels, and resorts where you can truly spend a leisurely vacation. The dense vegetation, dramatic granite peaks, stunning beaches, charming village life, and long coastline all stand as major attractions that you can explore during your stay. You will enjoy a delicious dinner at the resort this evening.
Day 11: Mahe City Tour & Scenic Beaches
After breakfast, we proceed directly for your comprehensive Mahé City Tour. First, you will see the bustling Victoria Market, where you can actively shop for local souvenirs and handicrafts. Here, catch a glimpse of history at the famous Clock Tower, positioned in the middle of the capital city of Victoria. These sites offer great photo opportunities.
Subsequently, you will have time to visit the beautiful beaches of Mahé, including popular spots like Beau Vallon, Anse Royale, and Baie Lazare. Furthermore, capture amazing views of the entire island from the stunning La Misère viewpoint. You can also choose to stop at key locations such as Mission Lodge, the Botanical Gardens (entrance fee not included), and other popular tourist sights across Mahé.
Day 12: Full Day Excursion to Praslin Island
In the morning, we proceed immediately for your exciting Full-Day Excursion to Praslin Island. First, we will transfer you to the jetty to board your ferry for the 55-minute journey to Praslin. Upon arrival, you will actively explore the island and its stunning attractions entirely on your own. Finally, in the evening, proceed back to the jetty to board your return ferry to Mahé Island, where you will enjoy your overnight stay at the resort.
Day 13: Mahe Departure
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.