A first step in South Africa

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in South Africa

  

  Arrival at Johannesburg International Airport according to the flight schedule booked by you. After collecting your luggage, you will be greeted by our local French-speaking representative and assisted. Travel documents will be handed over. Then transfer to the guesthouse. Lunch at your leisure. Start your journey with a guided tour of Johannesburg, known as the City of Gold. Depending on your arrival time, it is possible to visit the Apartheid Museum (optional). Entirely dedicated to South Africa's dark period, it has quickly become a must-see in the country. Very comprehensive, this moving museum explains the difficulties faced by different communities during Apartheid. Dinner. Overnight at Melrose Place guesthouse or similar.

• day 2

  Visit of Soweto

  

  Breakfast. Guided tour of Soweto. Share this unique moment with the local population and discover the most famous suburb in the history of apartheid. Local lunch. Walk on Vilakazi Street, the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Enter Nelson Mandela's former house and contemplate some of his relics. Possibility to meet one of our partner associations. Dinner. Overnight at Melrose Place guesthouse or similar.

• day 3

  The Blyde River Canyon

  

  Breakfast. Continue towards the Mpumalanga region. Follow the panoramic route and explore the various viewpoints offered by this famous road in South Africa. It will allow you to admire the Blyde River Canyon, the 3rd largest canyon in the world, from all its angles. Stop at impressive waterfalls such as: Lone Creek, Bridal Veil, Mac Mac Pools and Falls, which will put you in the best conditions to begin your immersion in the north of the country. Picnic lunch en route. Take a walk in Pilgrim’s Rest, this former mining village where period houses from the late 19th century have been restored. Go back up the panoramic route to your accommodation. Dinner. Overnight at Zur Alten Mine lodge or similar.

• day 4

  The scenic route between Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

  

  Breakfast. Take your time to admire the natural wonders surrounding you. Get back on the road heading north and start your day gently by strolling around the Berlin and Lisbon waterfalls. You can also discover the local markets there and admire the regional crafts. Explore the highlights of the famous Panorama Route, such as God’s Window, Wonder View, and The Pinnacle Rock, which offer spectacular views of the region. The Three Rondavels, whose shape of this rocky massif evokes an African hut, stand on a canyon wall. Lunch along the way. Head to Bourke’s Luck Potholes, also known as "giant's cauldrons" or "witches' cauldrons", which demonstrate the power of water. Dinner. Overnight at Zur Alten Mine lodge or similar.

• day 5

  Local immersion

  

  Breakfast. On your way for your immersion. Meet in Hoedspruit, where you will be eagerly awaited by Donald. He will take you to his native village, where you will experience a total South African immersion. Donald will show you around his village, so don’t hesitate to be curious and ask any questions that come to mind. Take advantage of this moment to share and interact with the villagers. Live this unique experience that will allow you to discover South Africa as it truly is. All meals are included (local breakfast, lunch, dinner), except drinks. Homestay accommodation.

• day 6

  Local authenticity

  

  Breakfast. Discovery in all simplicity and sharing define the solidarity trip that awaits you on site. Enjoy this unique day, surrounded by the villagers and their families. Depending on the day's program, let yourself be guided by local festivities or set out to discover local customs and traditions. Do not be afraid to get involved; on the contrary, seize the opportunity to try things you do not know. You will not be disappointed by the joy of living and the authenticity that reign in this village. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay on site.

• day 7

  South African authenticity

  

  Breakfast. Last day of immersion, enjoy these final moments with your current hosts. On the agenda: possibility to go horseback riding, visit a school, or even attend a traditional event if one is taking place (wedding, etc.). Feel at ease and go with the flow. Why not learn how to weave a mat? You will taste the richness of the local cuisine and smell the soft, smoky bonfires that burn every night. Take advantage of these special moments to discuss culture, politics, and any other aspect of the daily life of our inhabitants. Lunch, dinner, and overnight stay on site.

• day 8

  Meeting with Daktari - Kruger Park, life-size

  

  Breakfast. Say goodbye to your hosts and leave early with your vehicle to visit the Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage center to discover the animals, the youth, as well as the local team present. They will introduce you to the camp and explain the role that Daktari plays within the local community. Continue southwards to reach Kruger National Park. It is one of the most famous parks in the world and its area represents half of Holland. Lunch en route. Departure for a sunset safari aboard your vehicle. Arm yourself with patience to encounter along your way the remarkable Big Five: buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinoceroses, as well as other equally impressive wild animals: giraffes, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, warthogs, zebras. Dinner and overnight at Royal Kruger lodge or similar.

• day 9

  Hakuna Matata at Kruger Park

  

  As soon as the sun rises, set off for a morning safari aboard your vehicle. You will be able to observe the density of wildlife and flora present in this iconic park. Kruger Park offers a unique experience at the heart of wildlife, getting you as close as possible to the animals and leaving you with an unforgettable memory. Breakfast en route. The wildlife experience continues until your return to the lodge. Lunch. Dinner and overnight at the Royal Kruger lodge or similar.

• day 10

  In search of the Big Five, then on the way to Cape Town

  

  Breakfast. Free morning to enjoy the last moments you have left to live in the heart of nature. Take the time to relax and enjoy the activities offered by the lodge. Private transfer from the lodge to the airport. Free lunch en route. Check in your luggage, then flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival, collect your luggage and meet your new local guide. Transfer and check-in. You will then be able to discover another side of South Africa. The "Mother City," as it is called, remains the country's must-see destination. Dinner. Overnight at The Lions guesthouse or similar.

• day 11

  Table Mountain by scooter

  

  Breakfast. Discover Cape Town like nowhere else! Jump on a scooter and seize the unique opportunity to discover Table Mountain and its breathtaking views. This 5 km trail will take you on an adventurous path from Signal Hill to Bo Kaap. The experience continues until your final descent on a single track off this world-renowned natural splendor! A fun way to combine sport and the discovery of one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Lunch at your leisure. Afternoon at your leisure. Optional: head to Groot Constantia, the oldest wine estate in South Africa. You can enjoy this little moment of pleasure to try local wine tastings. Dinner. Overnight at The Lions guesthouse or similar.

• day 12

  The Cape of Good Hope peninsula and the encounter with the penguins.

  

  Breakfast. Meet in great shape at 8:30 am on the pontoon by the water in Simon's Town and depart by kayak. You will have to paddle to observe a colony of penguins that have chosen Boulder's Beach as their habitat. Lunch by the Atlantic Ocean under a stunning panorama. Continue towards Cape Point, the tip of the Cape Town peninsula, and the famous Cape of Good Hope, discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century. On the way back, stop at Muizenberg to discover the legendary colorful cabins facing the ocean. At 5 pm, meet in the Bo-Kaap district for your local cooking class. Dinner on site and overnight at The Lions guesthouse or similar.

• day 13

  Visit to the Kirstenbosch gardens and Cape Town city center.

  

  Breakfast. Visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, located in the chic suburb of Cape Town. They feature a wide variety of plants from southern Africa. Part of the Kirstenbosch Gardens is situated on the slopes of Table Mountain, while other species are cultivated in the Conservatory greenhouses. This botanical garden is one of the most renowned in the world, both for its collection and its exceptional location. Lunch. Visit to downtown Cape Town and its famous Green Market Square. Dinner. Overnight at The Lions guesthouse or similar.

• day 14

  Goodbye, beautiful South Africa.

  

  Breakfast. Free day. Take advantage of your last day to do one last activity, make your final souvenir purchases at the local markets, or simply relax. Lounge on the beach or, if you wish, visit the famous "Victoria & Albert Waterfront," a particularly lively harbor district with its shops and restaurants. Then, head towards District Six to discover the Slave Museum and the Castle of Good Hope. If you wish, you have the option to stroll through an old fishing village, Hout Bay, to embark on a cruise to Duiker Island, the seal island. Throughout the crossing, you may have the chance to observe them up close. Possibility to swim with the seals (optional). Lunch on your own. Return transfer to Cape Town airport according to your return flight schedule. Check-in of luggage and return flight in the evening. Dinner and overnight on your own, on board the plane.