Wildlife, waterfalls and world’s end

On arrival at O R Tambo International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by a dedicated team member, who will drive you to The Residence Houghton. Depending on your arrival time, there might still be time to take part in some of the activities available in Johannesburg.  Pending your time of arrival, you might be on time to depart to Kirkman’s straight away should you wish to make more of your safari time. After a bawdy start as a tent and shanty town, today Johannesburg is the second largest city in Africa. Had it not been for the discovery of gold by prospector George Harrison, who pegged the first claim on the reef, sold it for just ₤10 and disappeared without a trace, the city probably wouldn’t even be in existence. Known as the greatest gold-mining area on earth, this vibrant city is not just an industrial giant, but the heart of the country’s economy. From traditional ‘muti’ (medicine) shops, exclusive boutiques in upmarket malls, theatres and museums to cultural villages, restaurants, beautiful walks in indigenous gardens and more, Johannesburg is a diverse cultural melting pot. Time permitting, you can choose to take a guided tour through the vibrant township of Soweto. See Vilakazi Street, home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners and visit the Hector Pietersen Museum. End your journey with a guided tour of the Apartheid Museum, which commemorates the legacy of apartheid and the miracle of transformation in South Africa. Choose to visit Liliesleaf Farm, which was the secret hideout of the ANC during apartheid times, and learn about Mandela’s capture in the Rivonia Raid and the subsequent trial. Or choose to explore the historical Old Fort, built by Paul Kruger in 1893 and used as a prison, as well as the modern Constitutional Court, one of the world’s most sophisticated courtrooms. Then head to Alexandra, Johannesburg’s oldest township, where you can tour a workers’ hostel, sample local food and explore the colourful and vibrant culture. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the Sterkfontein Caves, home to ancient discoveries such as the two-million-year-old Mrs Ples and the even older Little Foot. Tour the exhibition centre above ground before descending deep into the caves. Spend the night in a luxury room at The Residence Houghton. You stay includes accommodation, a welcome drink, full English breakfast, luxury evening turndown, complimentary use of spa facilities (sauna and steam room), complimentary WiFi, limited complimentary soft drinks in mini bar and complimentary tea and coffee in the mini bar (Nespresso machine in room).

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which borders the Kruger National Park, is made up of a number of private game lodges – each one differing in atmosphere – and a visit to the area guarantees a never-to-be-forgotten experience of the African bush. With no fences between the farms (or, for that matter, between them and the Kruger Park), animals wander across vast stretches of grazing land as they did years and years ago. With one of the richest game populations in the country, the chances of seeing the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) are excellent. The reserve is also home to a host of other animals – but be warned: chances are that one visit to the area will probably lead to many more! Spend three nights at &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp. You stay includes three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, scheduled safari activities, refreshments on game drives, one-hour nature walks (accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability), emergency medical evacuation insurance, laundry and VAT.

Sabi Sand is particularly well known for sightings of the normally elusive leopard, so make sure to keep an eye out for this graceful and elegant cat. The early morning game drives leaves shortly after dawn, with the mysteries of the bush lying open before you. Your experienced ranger and tracker team will discuss what you hope to see prior to the drive and will do their best to find all your favourite animals for you. After breakfast there is the option to set off on a bush walk and explore the finer details of your surroundings, from animal tracks to plants, insects and birds. Another game drive sets off in the late afternoon, continuing after dark in search of a fascinating glimpse into the nocturnal lives of Africa’s predators.

AWorld Heritage Site, Victoria Falls is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles and the stuff of legends, romance and myth. Long before the Scottish missionary and explorer Dr David Livingstone ‘discovered’ the Falls in 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi-oa-Tunya, or ‘the smoke that thunders’. Livingstone named them for his queen. Today, the village rightly claims the title of Adrenaline Capital of Africa, home to a seemingly endless variety of adventure sports from bungee jumping to canoeing and white water rafting. Spend three nights in a deluxe room at the Victoria Falls Hotel. You stay includes accommodation and breakfast.

Choose to take a guided tour of Victoria Falls, marvelling at the enormous volume of water that thunders down into the chasm at the foot of this truly spectacular waterfall. Your guide will entertain you with the history of the area while showing you the best spots to enjoy the view and take photographs. When you are done with viewing the Falls on foot, why not book a scenic helicopter flight that will expose the sheer scope of this magnificent spectacle from above. Adrenalin addicts are sure to opt for the surge of pure emotion that accompanies leaping off the picturesque Victoria Falls Bridge on a bungee jump or the unequalled thrill of shooting some of Africa’s biggest rapids on a white water rafting adventure below the falls. If you prefer a slightly gentler pace, book a sundowner cruise on the broad waters of the Zambezi River and experience the magical quality of the African light just before the sun goes down. Marvel at sleepy crocodiles and listen to the evening serenade of groups of hippo. If you are lucky, you might spot a herd of elephant coming down to the water to bathe. You can also choose to explore the waters of the Zambezi by canoe, gliding silently along and keeping an eye out for antelope or other wildlife while marvelling at the magnificent variety of birdlife. Those keen for a taste of local life will want to set off on a village tour that include traditional costumes and life.

With Table Mountain, one of the most spiritual places on earth, at its heart and two oceans at its feet, the city of Cape Town, strategically situated at the south-western tip of Africa, has been famed for centuries as the Tavern of the Seas. Vibrant, cosmopolitan and an eclectic mix of old and new, this laid-back city is as much at home with its 17th century castle (whose cannons have never been fired in anger) as it is with its sleek skyscrapers and trendy malls. Home to South Africa’s first mosque, the country’s oldest wine farm, a 350-year-old garden and timelessly beautiful beaches, it’s no surprise the legendary Flying Dutchman and his spectral ship have spent eternity sailing the city’s shores. Spend three nights in a business class room at the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront. You stay includes accommodation and breakfast.

Indulge in a full day in the spectacular Cape Winelands, beginning with your first wine tasting on the way to Franschhoek, home to award-winning wine estates and known as South Africa’s gourmet capital. Drive past the Groot Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated before his release and where he took his first steps as a free man. Visit the village of Franschhoek and see the Huguenot monument. Enjoy wine tasting in and around Franschhoek before stopping in the village for lunch. Continue your journey through the panoramic landscapes of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass, stopping for a third wine tasting in the area, time permitting. Your adventure ends with a leisurely stroll along the oak-lined streets of the university town of Stellenbosch, well known for its traditional Cape Dutch architecture. Or, if you prefer to explore the Winelands in a truly unique style, travel to one of the country’s premier wine estate by helicopter. After tasting some of the Cape’s famous vintages, you can choose to return to Cape Town on the back of a vintage motorcycle, drinking in magnificent views of the coastline. Back in Cape Town, choose to take a cable car to the top of iconic Table Mountain and marvel at the magnificent views from its flat top. Browse vibrant Greenmarket Square, one of the city’s oldest markets, and walk through Company Garden, established by Dutch settlers in 1652. Visit the traditional Malay Quarter, with it brightly coloured houses, and indulge in a glimpse into one of the city’s vibrant cultures. If you are a history buff, set out on a ferry ride to Robben Island, best known as the site of a jailhouse for political prisoners, including former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela. Your tour of the island is guided by a former political inmate, which means you will hear first-hand tales of its story of hope and hardship. A tour of Cape Point will drive you through the lovely scenery of the Cape Peninsula to beautiful Hout Bay and over the truly awe-inspiring Chapman’s Peak Drive. Touch on the continent’s most south-western point at the Cape of Good Hope and admire the views from the old lighthouse at Cape Point.

After breakfast you will be driven back to Cape Town International Airport, where your adventure with us will end.