Arrive at Cape Town International Airport where you will pick up your rental car and drive to the upmarket city suburb of Higgovale, set against the slopes of Table Mountain. Settle into Kensington Place, a sophisticated and tranquil boutique hotel, and enjoy a relaxing evening in or set out to explore the city at night.

The next three days are yours to explore bustling, vibrant Cape Town and its many attractions. Wander around the ever-popular V&A Waterfront for great shopping and dining, enjoy a picnic in the stunning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or take a day tour around the Cape Peninsula to take in Boulders Beach and Cape Point. Head up Table Mountain on foot or by cable car and marvel at the spectacular views of the city and surrounding oceans, visit historic Robben Island or get your adrenalin pumping with shark-cage diving or kite surfing.

Wander through Cape Town’s streets, stopping at the many shops, street markets and cafes along the way for a taste of the city’s famous cultural diversity. Return to Kensington Place for a whisky on ice before heading back to town for a completely different atmosphere and some fine dining at one of the city’s top restaurants.

Leave Cape Town behind today as you take a leisurely drive into the Cape Winelands and the beautiful town of Franschhoek. Arrive at Franschhoek Country House, the perfect place for an elegant, relaxing stay where you can unwind and enjoy the finer things in life – after all, this is South Africa’s best fine food and wine destination.

Visit local wine estates as you wind through this extraordinarily scenic valley to taste exquisite wines and marvel at the stunning Alpine views. Enjoy the elegant simplicity of the country-style estate as you wander through the gardens and cool off with a dip in the pool. Treat yourself to a professional spa treatment or massage before heading out in the evening to enjoy a classic meal at one of Franschhoek’s world-famous restaurants – accompanied of course by a fine local wine.

Say farewell to the Winelands and return to Cape Town International to drop off your rental car and catch your flight to Durban, a colourful and cultural city located on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Collect another rental car when you arrive and drive to Umhlanga Rocks, a popular holiday escape north of Durban. Settle into The Oyster Box, a charming and gracious hotel offering a spa, sea views and a swimming pool overlooking the beach.

This morning you will drive to Phinda Resource Reserve for three days of superb game viewing and luxurious accommodation in a peaceful, forested getaway. Set at the heart of an indigenous forest, Phinda Forest Lodge is a haven for nature lovers: many small animals wander freely around and the bird watching even around camp is excellent. But the big stuff lies a little further away: go on 4X4 game drives to explore Phinda’s beautiful and varied habitats and be on the constant lookout for Africa’s Big 5.

The reserve has long been known for its population of rhinos, and a rhino tracking excursion will prove an exhilarating experience as you search for these creatures on foot. Return to the lodge in the evenings for a relaxing sundowner drink and sit down to a delicious meal as you listen to the sounds of the African night.

Leave the Phinda wilderness behind today as you return to the coast and make your way into the rugged and remote Maputoland area for a four-night stay at Thonga Beach Lodge, right beside the Indian Ocean. Thonga is surrounded by indigenous milkwood forest and is only a short walk away from a seemingly endless beach.

Spend your days absorbing the natural ambience of this sub-tropical paradise with long walks on the beach and cool swims in the clear, blue ocean. Go snorkelling at low tide to discover what goes on beneath the warm ocean’s surface and go on whale, dolphin and turtle tracking expeditions to learn more about the resident marine life. In the evenings you can enjoy a sundowner drink overlooking Sibaya Lake, a destination that forms part of the Greater St Lucia Estuary.

Return to Durban today to drop off your rental car and connect with your outbound flight to continue your journey further.