Private TIRS: Best of South Africa 2025

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN | TIRS
(Please note: Accommodation specified in itinerary is subject to availability and we reserve the right to use alternative accommodation if required. Agents will be advised in advance)


Day 1 | Sunday
DAY OF ARRIVAL (±30km)
Arrival at O.R. Tambo International – airport driver only transfer to hotel (included)
Lunch (own expense)
Afternoon at leisure
Dinner at the hotel (own expense)
Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton or similar - Breakfast (4-star)

NOTE: Guests will receive a Welcome Letter in their room, re-confirming the relevant tour details and times

Day 2 | Monday
JOHANNESBURG to MAKALALI GAME RESERVE via DULLSTROOM (±456km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Lunch en route (own expense)
Afternoon open safari vehicle game drive (included)
Dinner at the lodge (included)
aha Makalali Main Lodge or similar – Dinner, breakfast and 2 game viewing excursions (5-star)

Day 3 | Tuesday
MAKALALI GAME RESERVE to HAZYVIEW via PANORAMA ROUTE (±180km)
Early morning bush walk or open safari vehicle game drive (included)
Breakfast at the lodge (included)
Blyde River Canyon and Three Rondavels (included)
Bourke’s Luck Potholes (included)
God's Window (included)
Late lunch en route along the Panorama Route (own expense)
Arrive at the hotel late afternoon
Dinner at the hotel (included)
ANEW Resort Hazyview or similar – Dinner and breakfast (4-star)

Day 4 | Wednesday
HAZYVIEW to ESWATINI via KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (±285km)
Early breakfast at the hotel (included)
Enter Kruger National Park at Phabeni Gate – game viewing in closed vehicle (included)
Exit Kruger National Park at Malelane Gate (included)
Lunch en route (own expense)
Enter Eswatini at Jeppes Reef Border (visas for own expense)
Arrive at the hotel late afternoon
Dinner at the lodge (included)
Mantenga Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast (4-star)

NOTE: When entering the Kingdom of Eswatini, guests must ensure they have a valid passport and for nationals of applicable countries, multi-entry visa regulations apply (own expense)

Day 5 | Thursday
ESWATINI to ST LUCIA (±335km)
Breakfast at the lodge (included)
Visit Swazi Candle Factory and Crafts Market
Lunch en route (own expense)
Enter South Africa at Lavumisa Border (multiple SA entry visas for own expense)
Dinner at the hotel (own account)
Forest Lodge or similar – Breakfast and 1 game viewing excursions (4-star)

Day 6 | Friday
ST LUCIA to UMHLANGA (±225km)
Morning open safari vehicle game drive and short forest walk in iSimangaliso Wetlands Park (included)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary (included)
Lunch in St Lucia on the banks of the lake (own expense)
Arrive in Umhlanga late afternoon (not before 5pm)
Drop-off at the beachfront hotel
The Capital Pearls or similar – Breakfast (4-star)

NOTE: TIRS Northern portion Tour guide services end

Day 7 | Saturday
UMHLANGA to PORT ELIZABETH (GQEBERHA) (Flight own arrangements and own account)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Morning at leisure
Airport transfer to King Shaka International Airport (included)
Flight to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) (flight not included)
Airport transfer to beachfront hotel (included)
Dinner at hotel (own account)
Southern Sun The Marine or similar - Breakfast (4-star)

Day 8 | Sunday
PORT ELIZABETH (GQEBERHA) to KNYSNA via TSITSIKAMMA FOREST (±285km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Storms River Suspension Bridge walk (included)
Lunch in Tsitsikamma Forest (own expense)
Arrive at the hotel
Sunset Knysna oyster cruise (included – weather permitting)
Dinner at a restaurant next to Knysna Estuary (own expense)
Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast (4-star)

NOTE: TIRS Southern portion Tour guide services start

Day 9 | Monday
KNYSNA to PLETTENBERG BAY (±60km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Marine excursion in Plettenberg Bay (included - weather permitting)
Qolweni Township visit (included)
Lunch en route (own expense)
Dinner at a restaurant next to Knysna Estuary (own expense)
Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast (4-star)

Day 10 | Tuesday
KNYSNA to OUDTSHOORN via WILDERNESS (±125km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Outeniqua Mountain Pass
Cango Caves heritage tour (included)
Lunch en route (own expense)
Arrive at the hotel late afternoon
Olive tasting, paired with Protea Rose or juice (included)
Dinner at the hotel (included)
Surval Boutique Olive Estate or similar – Dinner and breakfast (4-star)

Day 11 | Wednesday
OUDTSHOORN to CAPE TOWN via ROUTE 62 (±440km)
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Ostrich farm tractor tour (included)
Lunch en route (own expense)
Wine tasting en route (own expense)
Drive via Route 62 and Stellenbosch
Arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon
Dinner at the hotel or at the V&A Waterfront (own expense)
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast (4-star)

Day 12 | Thursday
CAPE POINT FULL DAY TOUR
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Cape Point full day tour (Bilingual commentary - included)
Lunch on tour (own expense)
Dinner at hotel or in the city (own expense)
SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast (4-star)

Day 13 | Friday
DAY OF DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel (included)
Driver only airport transfer (included)

DAY OF ARRIVAL (±30km)
On arrival at the airport, guests will be collected and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or explore the famous suburb of Sandton offering many shops and restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. Dine at the hotel or in the city (own account). Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Balalaika Sandton or similar - Breakfast
Day 2: JOHANNESBURG to MAKALALI GAME RESERVE via DULLSTROOM (±456km)
Guests are collected from the hotel and travel eastwards to the province of Limpopo, via Dullstroom. Guests will stop for lunch (own account) en route and arrive at a private game reserve, to enjoy a guided, open vehicle game drive. Return to the lodge for pre-dinner drinks (own account) and dinner. Overnight at Makalali Main Lodge or similar – Dinner, breakfast and 2 game viewing excursions
Day 3: MAKALALI GAME RESERVE to HAZYVIEW via PANORAMA ROUTE (±180km)
Guests experience an early morning start in the bushveld on a guided, open vehicle game drive. They will enjoy coffee and rusks in the bush before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Head to one of Mpumalanga’s most magnificent attractions: The Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels. The Panorama Route affords guests memorable views of the more significant sites in this area, including God’s Window and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Lunch (own account) is enjoyed along this scenic route. The tour stops in Hazyview for the evening. Overnight at ANEW Resort Hazyview or similar – Dinner and breakfast
Day 4: HAZYVIEW to ESWATINI via KRUGER NATIONAL PARK (±160km)
Guests enjoy an early breakfast before departing the hotel, and head towards Mpumalanga's flagship attraction - the Kruger National Park. A closed vehicle game drive allows guests to take in the park and view the ‘Big 5’ and other fauna and flora. Enjoy lunch (own account) en route to the Kingdom of Eswatini. Guests enter at the Jeppes Reef border. Arrive at the hotel later in the afternoon and enjoy dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Mantenga Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast NOTE: When entering the Kingdom of Eswatini, guests must ensure they are in possession of a valid passport and for nationals of applicable countries, multi-entry visa regulations apply (own account)
Day 5: ESWATINI to ST LUCIA (±335km)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before visiting the Swazi Candle Factory. The candles, handmade in a music-filled workshop, are not ordinary. A special wax is used to create distinctive and colourful designs. The candle has a hard veneer from the ancient technique of “millifiore”. This candle factory started as a simple initiative in a cowshed in 1982, now has a global reach and supports over 200 local people. Eswatini’s vibrant craft market is overflowing with carvings, beadwork and colourful materials. Visit the Yebo Art Gallery to view the work of talented local artists. Sample local specialties, such as Buganu, a marula fruit drink or enjoy tea and cake at the Sambane Tea Garden. For something fiery, try the Black Mamba chilli sauce, a local delicacy. After a fascinating morning, we re-enter South Africa through the Lavumisa Border Post. We will enjoy lunch on the way to St Lucia. The landscape changes dramatically as we approach the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We travel through lush wetlands and dense forests in this paradise on the pristine shores of the Indian Ocean on the way to your lodge and a delicious dinner (at your own expense). Overnight at Forest Lodge or similar – Breakfast and 1 game viewing excursions
Day 6: ST LUCIA to UMHLANGA (±225km)
Before breakfast, guests embark on an open safari vehicle and enjoy a game drive through South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a colloquial reference roughly translated as ‘miracle and wonder’. Observe hippos, crocodiles, and an abundance of birds on an eco-friendly boat cruise on the lake. They can have lunch (own account) while taking in the lake vista before departing for the coastal town of Umhlanga. Enjoy dinner at the beachfront hotel or in town (own account). Overnight at The Capital Pearls or similar - Breakfast
Day 7: UMHLANGA to PORT ELIZABETH – flight (own account and own arrangements)
Breakfast is enjoyed at the hotel and the morning spent at leisure. Guests can take a walk along the promenade or spend time on the beach. Guests are collected from the hotel and transferred to King Shaka International Airport for a flight to Port Elizabeth (flight not included). On arrival, guests are met and transferred to a city hotel. Dine (own account) at the hotel or at a restaurant of choice. Overnight at Southern Sun The Marine or similar - Breakfast
Day 8: PORT ELIZABETH to KNYSNA via TSITSIKAMMA FOREST (±285km)
Guests are collected from their hotel and head west to Knysna via Storms River and the Tsitsikamma Forest; in the heart of the Garden Route. Guests will stop at Storms River and enjoy a short walk to the suspension bridge to take in the views. Enjoy lunch (own account) in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, home to century-old trees, then continue on to the picturesque town of Knysna. After arrival and check-in, guests board the informative Knysna oyster cruise to sample oysters and enjoy a sundowner. Guests savour an evening’s dinner next to the Knysna Estuary (own account). Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast
Day 9: KNYSNA to PLETTENBERG BAY and back (±60km)
After breakfast, guests make their way to Plettenberg Bay. Guests depart from Lookout Beach on a marine excursion (weather permitting) dedicated to the observation and conservation of marine mammals. This Fair Trade Tourism certified ocean safari affords guests extensive and memorable whale, dolphin and seal watching. Back on shore they can enjoy a relaxing lunch (own account). In the afternoon, guests take a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school, and crèche. This is a community development programme; allocated tour proceeds fund the education of Qolweni’s children. Guests are invited to donate pencils, books and other stationary. Take the scenic drive back to Knysna; spending the afternoon at leisure or exploring the village of Knysna. In the early evening, guests enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants at the Knysna Waterfront (own account). Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Breakfast
Day 10: KNYSNA to OUDTSHOORN via WILDERNESS (±125km)
After breakfast, the tour departs for Oudtshoorn, in the Klein Karoo via the Outeniqua Pass, over the Outeniqua mountains. Lunch en route (own account). Oudtshoorn is the principal town of the Klein Karoo and the ostrich capital of the world. Guests visit the Cango Caves in the Cango Valley before an olive tasting, paired with Protea rosé or juice, at this evening’s boutique guest house. Enjoy dinner in this quaint setting. Overnight at Surval Boutique Olive Estate or similar – Dinner and breakfast
Day 11: OUDTSHOORN to CAPE TOWN via ROUTE 62 (±420km)
After breakfast guests visit a working ostrich farm for an informative tractor tour of the farm on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn. Departing the farm, the tour traces Route 62, the region’s iconic freeway. Guests can enjoy a wine tasting (own account) and the sweeping views of the Tradouw Valley. Lunch is enjoyed en route (own account). Guests arrive at a Cape Town hotel in the late afternoon. Guests dine at the hotel or a city restaurant (own account). Overnight at SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast
Day 12: CAPE POINT FULL DAY TOUR
After breakfast, guests join a guided full day Cape Point tour. Travel along the Atlantic seaboard to Cape Point via Chapman’s Peak and the Cape Peninsula. Visit the Cape Point Nature Reserve; Boulders penguin colony (own account); quaint coastal villages and the Rhodes Memorial site. Dine at one of many city restaurants (own account). Overnight at SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl or similar – Breakfast
DAY OF DEPARTURE
Guests enjoy breakfast and spend the day at leisure. A scheduled transfer to the Cape Town International Airport concludes the tour.