Meet local hosts at an Eswatini cultural village on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience. Learn greetings in Siswati, step inside traditional beehive-styled huts and hear how customs shape family life, music and craft.

Conversations with artisans and community leaders offer insight into traditions and language passed through generations. Your visit supports skills, pride and livelihoods while deepening understanding of contemporary Swazi culture.

Suit up for a coached session at Jeffreys Bay, where beginner-friendly breaks complement legends like Supertubes. Learn paddling, pop-ups and ocean safety before practicing on mellow, rolling sets.

Feel the glide underfoot and the lift of the Indian Ocean swells as your instructor fine-tunes technique. All gear provided. Optional, additional cost; book on tour for ideal tide and wind windows.

Connect with residents on a guided visit to a local Knysna township, meeting community leaders and artisans to learn about daily life, entrepreneurship and culture. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience fosters meaningful exchange.

Contributions support education and skills projects while conversations illuminate history, language and contemporary challenges. Optional, additional cost; book on tour and travel respectfully with your local guide.

Drift across the Knysna estuary as the sun warms sandstone cliffs guarding the Knysna Heads. Raise a glass on deck, breathe the salt air and watch the water turn molten gold on this gentle sunset cruise.

Your skipper shares stories of shipwrecks, oysters and lagoon ecology while you admire shoreline villas and birdlife. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Weather and tide dependent.

Ride a rigid-inflatable boat onto the Indian Ocean for a marine safari seeking dolphins, seasonal whales and pelagic birds. Skippers interpret sea conditions and wildlife behavior as you scan for fins and blows.

From winter humpbacks to year-round marine life, this adrenaline-tinged excursion celebrates the open coast. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Weather and swell dependent.

Pedal quiet trails in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, sharing open plains with zebra, wildebeest and impala. Your guide sets an easy pace, tailoring the route to the group and pausing for wildlife and viewpoints.

With no Big Five present, this is a relaxed, immersive way to explore Eswatini’s landscapes under your own steam. Optional, additional cost; bikes and helmets provided.

Explore one of Africa’s oldest reserves on a ranger-guided safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, renowned for bringing the white rhino back from the brink. Drive rolling hills and thornveld in search of the Big Five.

Conservation history, river vistas and rich biodiversity combine for a classic Zululand safari. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Early departure recommended for prime sightings.

Unwind on the golden sands of Plettenberg Bay’s main beach, a crescent of soft dunes and gentle swells backed by the mountains of the Garden Route. Swim, sunbathe or stroll the shoreline as seabirds wheel and the light shifts across the bay.

With views towards the Robberg Peninsula, this coastal stop balances serenity and scenery. Finish with a seafood bite nearby to taste the Cape’s ocean-fresh bounty.

Visit the protected boardwalks of Stony Point Nature Reserve to watch one of Africa’s few mainland colonies of African penguins. Observe their braying calls, careful preening and torpedo dives as they commute between shore and sea.

Rangers safeguard these endangered seabirds and their nesting sites along the rugged Cape coastline. Look out for cormorants and dassies as waves crash against kelp-fringed rocks below.

Join a guided city tour taking in the color-washed facades of Bo-Kaap, historic avenues and the bustling V&A Waterfront. Then ascend by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, with a rotating cabin revealing 360° views.

From the summit, trace the curve of the Atlantic, the Twelve Apostles and distant Robben Island. Granite boulders, proteas and ocean panoramas set the scene for memorable photos and quiet, high-altitude moments.

Explore Stellenbosch, a handsome university town known for Cape Dutch gables and oak-lined streets. Stroll past whitewashed manors and galleries before browsing a local food market for artisanal cheeses, biltong, bakes and preserves.

Founded in 1679, Stellenbosch pairs heritage with contemporary flair. Even without wine tasting, the culinary scene and photogenic streets offer a rewarding taste of the Cape Winelands’ culture and craftsmanship.

Stretch your legs on a guided nature walk in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini’s pioneering reserve. With no Big Five on site, the pace is relaxed as you watch for antelope and zebras, warthogs and abundant birdlife.

Trails cross grassland and woodland typical of Eswatini’s highveld. Your guide interprets tracks, plants and local conservation stories, adding depth to every sighting and scent on the breeze.

Stay inside Kruger National Park at Lower Sabie, where our exclusive riverside camp pairs canvas comfort with prime wildlife viewing. Unzip your tent to sunrise over the Sabie River; unwind by the communal fire under a spill of southern stars.

Within the fenced rest camp, amenities and a café overlook the water’s edge. Evenings bring the night sounds of the bush—hyena calls, distant lions and rustling river reeds.

Join an included game drive inside Kruger National Park, traversing thornveld and riverine landscapes in search of elephant herds, browsing giraffe and the elusive big cats. Your ranger reads tracks and bird alarms to maximize sightings.

Established in 1898, Kruger protects exceptional biodiversity and the famed Big Five. Expect sweeping savanna vistas, ancient leadwoods and moments of quiet anticipation between thrilling encounters.

Meet a ranger to learn how trained dogs and handlers safeguard wildlife through the K9 Watchdog Project. Hear field stories of anti-poaching operations, from tracking to detection, and the communities working alongside conservation teams.

This insightful session connects your safari to real-world wildlife conservation. Understand the challenges, triumphs and vital role travellers play in sustaining protected areas for future generations.

Ride or shuttle the gravel hairpins of the UNESCO-listed Swartberg Pass, a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering by Thomas Bain. Coast past folded sandstone, proteas and panoramic views of the Klein and Great Karoo.

As dusk settles, gather on a local farm for a convivial Karoo braai dinner. Savor fire-grilled meats and starlit skies while your hosts share stories of life in this rugged, beautiful landscape. Optional, additional cost; book on tour.

Paddle beneath fern-draped cliffs as you kayak up the Storms River gorge in Tsitsikamma National Park. Glide through tranquil pools and narrow canyons while waves boom at the river mouth behind you.

Guides share geology and forest ecology as light filters across mossy walls and kingfishers flash by. Optional, additional cost; book on tour and subject to sea and river conditions.

Head offshore on a specialist boat to seek out dolphins, seasonal whales and Cape fur seals near the Robberg Peninsula. Scan the swells as guides interpret behaviors and surface patterns during this marine safari.

From breaching humpbacks (in season) to playful pods riding the bow wave, it’s a salt-sprayed celebration of the Cape’s rich waters. Optional, additional cost; book on tour and weather dependent.

Lift off over Camps Bay and Clifton on a scenic flight tracing the rugged coast beneath Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles. Beaches, peaks and the city bowl unfurl in a single, spectacular panorama.

Pilots point out Robben Island and the curve of the peninsula as you capture cinematic views of the Mother City. Optional, additional cost; book on tour and weather dependent.

Savor the Cape’s signature varietals on a guided tasting at storied estates near Stellenbosch. Sample Pinotage, Chenin Blanc and more as you learn about terroir, cellar craft and the region’s 17th-century wine heritage.

Between sips, step onto verandas for vineyard vistas backed by craggy mountains. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Non-wine alternatives are often available at the estates.

Roll roti, fold samoosas and spice a fragrant bobotie during a hands-on Cape Malay cooking class in Bo-Kaap. Learn the stories behind turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon as music and laughter fill the kitchen.

Share the meal you’ve created and toast to flavors shaped by the spice route and Cape history. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Suitable for all skill levels.

Board a flat-bottomed boat to explore the UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, gliding past pods of yawning hippos and basking crocodiles. Scan the reeds for fish eagles as evening light gilds the water.

Guides unravel the dynamics of this vast estuary and its wildlife. This hippo boat cruise is a quintessential St Lucia experience. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Weather and water levels permitting.

Visit a Zulu village near St Lucia to meet local hosts, learn greetings, and see beadwork, dance and homestead traditions up close. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience emphasizes respectful exchange and community benefit.

Hear how heritage and modern life intertwine along the Elephant Coast, with time for questions and shared stories. Optional, additional cost; book on tour.

Join a guided walk in the coastal forests and pans of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, keeping eyes peeled for elephants, buffalo and rhinos alongside antelope and abundant birdlife. Learn to read tracks, dung and calls.

The blend of dunes, wetlands and woodland makes this a biodiversity hotspot. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Routes curated by rangers for safety and seasonal wildlife movements.

Venture out on a sunset game drive as golden light fades and nocturnal species stir. Your ranger scans for eyeshine while you listen for hyena whoops and nightjars trilling from the bush.

Return for a hearty traditional South African buffet celebrating local flavors and fireside warmth. Optional, additional cost; book on tour. Availability may vary seasonally.

Time your safari for predators at dawn and the magic hour at dusk with optional sunrise and sunset game drives in Kruger National Park. Watch first light skim the savanna, then later see the bush shift as nocturnal life awakens.

From lion tracks to leopard silhouettes and elephants bathing at twilight, these golden-hour outings heighten drama and photography. Optional, additional cost; book on tour.

Gather around the coals for a classic South African braai at camp—think sizzling boerewors, steaks and sides like chakalaka and roosterkoek. Swap sightings and stories as embers glow and the Milky Way brightens.

The aromas of spice and smoke, the crackle of fire and distant calls from the bush create a perfectly South African evening. Optional, additional cost; book on tour.

• 13 Breakfast (B)

• Marrakesh: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
• Cape Town: Generally, the tap water in most of the locations we visit is safe to drink (and readily available too!) We don’t provide bottled water due to our sustainability promise, but your Trip Manager will sort you out for anything you might need during the trip.
• Cape Town: The question should be – when is it not the best time to travel to South Africa?In the summer (October to April), you’ll find perfect beach weather at our coastal destinations, and lush green landscapes everywhere. It also tends to be the birthing season (baby animals!!!). Winter (May to August) in South Africa is probably the best time for safaris since you’ll find wildlife gathering around waterholes.Luckily, the chances of spotting the Big 5 is equally good throughout the year. And if you’re here for the whales, visiting between June to November would be your best bet.
• Cape Town: You can book your flights with departure times after 7pm on our last day. We’ll arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at around 4pm.
• Cape Town: We recommend that you book an Uber from the airport. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to get to the start locations on our trips.
• Chobe National Park: As the name suggests, a Special Stay ain’t your ordinary accommodation – it’s much more than that. Think of it as an experience in its own right. On this trip, you’ll be able to camp under the stars (all while being surrounded by wildlife) at your Special Stay.
• Amboseli: Nope, you’re all good! All equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc) will be provided for you.
• Amboseli: You don’t have to. Your road crew will set up camp, cook meals, and clean up afterwards – but you’re always welcome to help!
• Amboseli: You’ll have access to proper bathrooms with real toilets, hot showers and everything you need – just shared with the crew.

• Cango Caves: Tour Africa’s largest limestone caves system. At over 20 million years old, it makes our nan look like a spring chicken.  
• Addo Elephant National Park: See these gentle giants in their natural habitat as you cruise in our Contiki coach through this scenic National park. Also be on the lookout for giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, warthogs and all of Africa’s incredible wildlife.
• Jeffreys Bay: Known for its waves, its calamari and its natural beauty, there’s no beach quite like Jeffreys Bay Beach. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
• Knysna: If you’re looking for dramatic scenery, a trek through Tsitsikamma National Park will give you plenty of ops to fill up your memories and Insta feed. 
• Knysna: Stretch out on the golden sands and enjoy some sea air at one of South Africa’s best beaches.    
• Hermanus: Sensational scenery plus your favourite seabird, is this the detour of your dreams or is this the detour of your dreams?
• Stellenbosch: Get to know the photogenic wine town of Stellenbosch. Rich in vineyards, but even richer in history.
• Cape Town: Bo-Kaap. The City Centre. V&A Waterfront. This tour takes in all the historical sites & attractions of the Mother City.  
• Cape Town: Stroll around the scenic harbour and enjoy some Insta-worthy views, at South Africa’s most-visited attraction. 
• Mbabane: We’ll cross the border to Eswatini and travel to a local village where we’ll meet some locals, spend time with them and find out all about their culture and everyday life.
• Kruger: Our Special Stay is located right inside one of Africa’s most famous National Parks and is also within one of its most popular Main Camps – Lower Sabie. The fenced-in camp is perched on the banks of the Sabie River with a shop, swimming pool and riverside restaurant (to look out for wildlife coming down to drink!). Our exclusive camp comprises of canvas dome tents with stretchers, mattresses, linen and towels plus charging outlets and a communal firepit to sit around late into the night gazing at the stars and listening to the calls of nocturnal animals.
• Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary: Traverse through Mlilwane on your own two feet, keeping your eyes peeled for antelope, wildebeest and more as you go. With a local guide on hand to make sure everyone is going the right way.
• Kruger National Park: We’ll go on an adventure in the world famous Kruger National Park, keep your eyes peeled for animal sightings!
• Kruger National Park: Wanna know how K9 Dogs protect wildlife? Come meet one of our Rangers who’ll tell you all about the K9 Watchdog Project, their fight against poachers, and how your donations from the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience helps them save Africa’s wildlife from extinction.
• Kruger National Park: Keep your eyes peeled and those binoculars close. We’re heading out to spot more magnificent wildlife (cross those fingers for rhino’s!) and stunning scenery with our last game drive as we say goodbye to Kruger.

Join two game drives across Eastern Cape private reserves, ranging from river valleys to open grasslands. Scan for elephant paths, rhino middens and cheetah tracks while rangers interpret fresh signs and movements in the thicket.

These malaria-free reserves protect varied ecosystems and celebrated wildlife. Golden light, birdsong and wide horizons amplify the sense of wildness as you search classic Big Five country in prime viewing conditions.

Walk the forested trails of Tsitsikamma National Park to the Storms River Mouth suspension bridges, where fynbos-covered cliffs tumble into swirling surf. The path frames thunderous breakers, sea spray and cedar-scented air, with frequent stops for photos.

Part of the Cape Floral Region, this coastal reserve protects rare plants and marine life. Pause above the gorge to feel the bridge sway and absorb the drama of the Garden Route coastline below.

Soak up the surf-town vibe at Jeffreys Bay Beach, a shoreline famed for the long, flawless right-handers of Supertubes. Stroll the wide sands, feel the Indian Ocean rollers underfoot and watch local surfers carving through glassy lines.

Between beach walks and shell collecting, breathe the sea breeze and sample the town’s easy-going café culture. It’s a quintessential Garden Route pause with salt, sun and surf culture in equal measure.

Explore Addo Elephant National Park from a tall, comfortable coach designed for wildlife viewing. Skirt spekboom thickets and open plains as you spot herds of elephants at waterholes and watch for buffalo, kudu and the occasional lion moving through the scrub.

Founded in 1931, this Big Five sanctuary is a conservation success story. Your elevated vantage provides sweeping views, perfect for photography and quiet moments observing the rhythms of the bush.

Discover the subterranean spectacle of the Cango Caves, Africa’s largest show-cave system, on an expert-led tour. Wander through cathedral-like chambers draped in limestone formations, from rippling curtains to towering columns, as your guide points out dramatic halls and acoustics carved over millions of years.

Hear stories of early exploration and the ancient San heritage linked to this Karoo landmark. Cool cave air, echoing vaults and calcite “draperies” create a quietly awe-inspiring atmosphere deep beneath the arid Klein Karoo outside Oudtshoorn.