The Ultimate South Africa Rugby & Safari Adventure

 

Arrive in Johannesburg, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and prepare for the exciting journey ahead.

 

Overnight: Johannesburg hotel (breakfast included)

 

Day 2

 

Discover the rich history and vibrant energy of Johannesburg and Soweto. Highlights include Constitution Hill, Kliptown Open Air Museum, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, views of the iconic Soweto Towers, Vilakazi Street, and an authentic local street market.

 

Day 3

 

Enjoy a relaxed day at leisure before heading to Emirates Airline Stadium (Ellis Park) for Test 1 as New Zealand take on South Africa. Return match transfers are included.

 

Day 4

 

Depart Johannesburg early this morning and travel northeast through scenic landscapes toward the Greater Kruger region. En route, enjoy lunch in the historic village of Haenertsburg, perched on the edge of the escarpment.

 

Arrive at a well-appointed Bush Lodge in a private reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, where wildlife roams freely. Enjoy your first safari experience in open game-drive vehicles, with the opportunity to spot a wide variety of animals both day and night. Relax at the lodge, overlooking a nearby waterhole often visited by wildlife, before drifting off to sleep to the sounds of the African bush.

 

Overnight: Bush Lodge (private reserve)

 

Day 5

 

Wake early to a light breakfast before setting out on a guided game drive with a qualified ranger in a Big Five area. Beyond the larger animals, your guide will share insights into the smaller, often-overlooked details of the wilderness. Return to the lodge for a hearty brunch, followed by time to relax by the pool or on your private deck, watching animals gather at the waterhole.

 

Later this afternoon, head out on an open safari drive that transitions into a night drive, searching for nocturnal wildlife. Enjoy a classic sundowner as the African sun sets over the bushveld.

 

Overnight: Bush Lodge

 

Day 6

 

After breakfast, depart for the spectacular Panorama Route, one of South Africa’s most scenic regions. Highlights include the dramatic Blyde River Canyon, the fascinating geological formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and the breathtaking viewpoints at God’s Window (weather permitting).

 

Arrive in Hazyview mid-afternoon and check in to a tranquil forest lodge overlooking the Sabie River. If time allows, enjoy a gentle nature walk through the surrounding forest and coffee farm.

Overnight: Forest Lodge, Hazyview

 

Day 7

 

Depart at sunrise for a full-day safari in a different region of Kruger National Park. Spend the day game viewing across this vast wilderness, home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. Your expert guide will share insights into animal behavior as you explore the park, with stops along the way to stretch your legs and enjoy an optional lunch at a rest camp.

 

Return to your lodge in the late afternoon to relax and reflect on your safari experiences.

Overnight: Forest Lodge, Hazyview

 

Day 8

 

After breakfast, transfer to Kruger Airport for your flight to Cape Town. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.

 

Overnight: Cape Town hotel (breakfast included)

 

Day 9

 

Enjoy an orientation tour of Cape Town, taking in some of the city’s highlights. Stops may include the colourful Malay Quarter, Company’s Garden, and the Castle of Good Hope (time permitting).

 

Day 10

 

Enjoy a free day before heading to DHL Stadium for Test 2, where New Zealand face South Africa against the dramatic backdrop of Cape Town.

 

Day 11

 

Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight.

 

This itinerary can be extended or customised, speak to us to tailor it perfectly.