Iconic South Africa: From the Cape to the Wild Heart

Welcome to South Africa!

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be greeted by an English-speaking driver who will provide your transfer to the Cape Milner hotel.

Known as South Africa's "Mother City", Cape Town is a beautiful scenic city that captures the hearts of all who visit. The city is famous for its lively harbor, white and golden beaches, top-class vineyards, and mountainous surroundings rich in diverse flora and fauna. Cape Town welcomes everyone with its rich culture, cosmopolitan atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, exceptional architecture, breathtaking landscapes, and extraordinary natural wonders.

The Cape Milner hotel in Cape Town is a fantastic place to stay! The rooms are spacious, bright, and cozy, with stunning views of the city or the mountains. The location is great for exploring the city and the staff is super friendly and helpful.

You will meet an Italian-speaking guide at the Cape Milner hotel reception around 19:00. The guide will give you your travel documents, brief you on the journey, and answer all your questions.

At 20:00 you can enjoy a 3-course dinner with wine pairing at the 2 on Milner restaurant, located inside the Cape Milner Hotel. (Drinks excluded).

Overnight stay.

Day dedicated to visiting the Cape Peninsula with your Italian-speaking guide.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure at 8.00. Entrance fees included: Seal Island, Kirstenbosch, Cape Point and Boulders Beach. Private Essenza excursion.

Departure along the Atlantic coast passing by Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay, to Hout Bay, a picturesque fishing village and port with magnificent views of the mountains and the beach. Boarding for the visit to Seal Island from the harbor (weather and sea conditions permitting).

Continue to Chapman's Peak, one of the most breathtaking coastal routes in the world, to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, perceived as the meeting point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Continue to the historic Simon's Town, a village with fascinating Victorian architecture, a naval base, and a large colony of penguins at beautiful Boulders Beach. The Boulders Penguin Colony hosts a growing colony of the vulnerable African penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to observe the penguins in their natural habitat and the information center is available to visitors. A stop for lunch is planned nearby.

The day ends with a visit to the famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. The garden includes five of South Africa's six different biomes and is world-famous for the beauty and diversity of Cape flora and for the magnificence of its scenery on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.

The tour ends with return to the hotel around 18.00.

Overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure at 08:00 with an Italian-speaking guide for a half-day city tour including entry to the "Slave Lodge", an interesting museum of South African socio-political history. Private Essenza excursion.

Return to the hotel expected at 12:30.

Departure at about 08:00 from your hotel. The tour begins at the Table Mountain, weather permitting you will go up to the top to admire the city from above (cable car ticket not included). You return to the city center for a pleasant walk in the Company Gardens, created by the Dutch East India Company.

Passing by the famous St. George's Cathedral, known for its resistance against apartheid, you arrive at the "Slave Lodge" museum where you will visit to understand the social history of South Africa and how the period of slavery has influenced the current population.

The tour ends at the Truth Café, a place that serves many different types of coffee in a very nice vintage environment (every drink is excluded).

Return to the hotel (around 12:30), time to freshen up. Around 17:30-18:15 transfer with the Gold restaurant shuttle for the interactive Djembe drumming session at 18:30, followed by a 14-course African dinner (drinks excluded) and entertainment at 19:00. Transfer to the hotel at around 21:30.

The evening begins with a special "Djembe Drumming Session" during which, to the sound of drums, you will dance and move to the powerful African music.

Afterwards, a 14-course dinner with delicious foods with African and Cape Malay flavors, a mix of intense tastes and aromas all prepared with fresh, typical ingredients. Drinks are excluded. Return to the hotel around 21:30.

Overnight stay.

Early in the morning, after breakfast, transfer with an English-speaking driver to Cape Town International Airport. Flight not included. Upon arrival at Hoedspruit Airport, meet with the English-speaking driver for transfer by road to Matimba Bush Lodge (about 95 km).

You will be welcomed by Daniela and Alberto, owners of Matimba Bush Lodge, guide/ranger (Alberto) and photographer (Daniela), professionals and great experts in safaris and local experiences.

Welcome to the new and exclusive Matimba Bush Lodge!

MATIMBA BUSH LODGE is located less than 5 minutes from the Kruger NP entrance in a natural area of the Hans Merensky Golf Course, overlooking the small lake called Mala Mala. Many animals such as hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes and many birds such as the beautiful fish eagle are at home here and give the property a magical and relaxing atmosphere.

Matimba Bush Lodge offers classy accommodation and is a perfect destination for those who want to try golf, explore the Kruger and surrounding areas, or simply spend some relaxing hours by the lake with its inhabitants.

The afternoon of arrival is devoted to relaxation and acclimatization to the South African bush.

High tea, dinner and overnight stay in a standard room. (drinks excluded).

Early morning departure for a full day game drive in Kruger National Park with an Italian-speaking guide. Departure from Matimba is scheduled for 05:15 with packed breakfast prepared by the lodge.

Your professional guide Alberto will lead a day of safari in search of the famous Big Five. (4x4 vehicle). If the weather allows, it will be possible to access an area of the park reserved for a few… outside the usual tourist circuits.

Picnic lunch – drinks excluded.

Return to the lodge in the late afternoon between 17.00 and 18.00.

Overnight and full board accommodation with activities as per program. Drinks excluded.

Departure with an Italian-speaking guide for the Kruger National Park in a 4x4 safari vehicle, for a half-day safari. Departure from Matimba is scheduled for 05:15 with packed breakfast prepared by the lodge.

Lunch at the Lodge.

In the afternoon – cruise on the Olifants River.

One of the most exciting activities is certainly the cruise which, especially in the afternoon, can be done with a flat-bottomed boat along the Olifants River.

During the excursion, with a drink in hand, you may spot not only the inevitable crocodiles and hippos, but also other animals coming to the river to drink: herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffe, kudu and impala are common, but if you are particularly lucky you might even see lions and leopards!

Overnight and full board accommodation with activities as per program. Drinks excluded.

Breakfast at the lodge and departure with your Italian-speaking guide and host, Daniela, who will share with you her passion and commitment to rural communities.

This fascinating tour includes a visit to the local townships to learn about the various and authentic aspects of local community life. You will visit some families, schools, the Matimba Day Care center for the care and support of young children, and have lunch in a typical restaurant with local dancers.

Return to the lodge in the mid-afternoon.

Dinner and overnight stay at Matimba Bush Lodge.

Weather permitting, this evening Alberto and Daniela will invite you to join the experience of a typical South African "braai".

Overnight and full board accommodation with activities as per program. Drinks excluded.

After breakfast you will say goodbye to your hosts Alberto and Daniela and depart with an English-speaking driver for Johannesburg. Departure is scheduled for 08.00.

The journey is about 550 km and will last the whole day going up to the Gauteng plateau, where Johannesburg is located at 1750 m. Along the way, you will visit the Blyde River Canyon - the third largest canyon in the world and considered the largest vegetated canyon.

Lunch along the way at Corn & Cob where you can visit a representation of a traditional Ndebele village.

Arrival at Johannesburg airport at around 18.30 for the intercontinental departure. The recommended time to be at the airport is always 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic/national flight.