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)