With a suitcase full of anticipation, you fly to South Africa.

Your tour guide awaits you at Johannesburg airport. Then your adventure begins with a drive through Mpumalanga to Ohrigstad, the starting point for your exciting explorations along the Panorama Route. After a short stop at your lodge, you set off on an approx. one-hour walk around the lodge grounds before your first day in Africa ends at sunset. Dinner is included and is traditionally prepared in the boma. Skyhaven Lodge: gently curving mountains, valleys and rugged cliffs form the impressive backdrop of the Skyhaven Lodge. One of the cosy chalets or luxury safari tents, designed with natural materials, will be your temporary home. Make yourself comfortable on your private terrace and listen to the sounds of the surroundings. The beautifully landscaped swimming pool provides refreshment on warm days. The heart of the lodge is the central lapa with a cosy lounge and the restaurant, with a wide view over the private nature reserve, which offers a protected habitat to over 200 bird species and a wide variety of other wildlife.

Today you set off towards the famous Panorama Route. It begins with a walk along the rim of the Blyde River Canyon, with its 800-metre-deep gorge and a view of the peaks of the Three Rondavels. Then it's on to Bourke's Luck Potholes, bizarre cylindrical holes that the river's whirlpools have bored into the rock. Near the Lisbon Falls we leave the minibus behind and walk the last stretch to Mpumalanga's highest waterfalls. Coffee break near the artists' town of White River at Sabie Valley Coffee, with a cup of full-bodied Arabica and delicious chocolate cake. A member of the Buckland family tells you all about growing and processing the precious beans. Tonight's accommodation is in the private Marloth Nature Reserve, right next to Kruger Park. Breakfast, coffee and cake as well as dinner are included. Maqueda Lodge: Francois van der Nest's Maqueda Lodge welcomes you with a warm, family atmosphere. It is beautifully integrated into the forest of the private Marloth Nature Reserve and so close to Kruger National Park that you can hear the lions roar. Zebras, kudus, giraffes and impalas live on the lodge grounds. The lovely rooms are furnished with light furniture, and the lush tropical garden and small, refreshing pool add to the feel-good ambience.

Early in the morning you set off with your tour guide and a ranger on a full-day safari. In an open 4x4 you roam the savannah and mountain bushveld of southern Kruger National Park. Besides wildebeest, zebras, impalas and warthogs, you may also encounter the Big Five: elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. Before dinner you go on a bush walk of about an hour and a half through the Marloth Nature Reserve, where there should be antelopes, giraffes and zebras to discover. At the Crocodile River, the border river to Kruger Park, all the park's residents often meet for happy hour – with a bit of luck, elephants too. A generous breakfast pack and dinner are included. In the evening, head chef Rebecca invites you to a South African braai – a barbecue evening – under the open sky. You need your passport on all safaris in Kruger National Park. If your group comprises up to 9 people, you travel in one 4x4 with an English-speaking guide and your tour guide. For 10 to 12 people, two 4x4s are used, each with a guide. Your tour guide then rides in one of the two vehicles, switching to the other vehicle in the afternoon. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

The smallest country in the southern hemisphere, the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in the middle of southern Africa, is full of traditions. Your drive to the Ezulwini Valley near the capital Mbabane takes you past dense forests, high mountains and countless round huts. On the way you meet the local guide Clement Maziya or one of his colleagues, who shows you »his« country. In conversation he tells you interesting things about the life of the Swazi and even more about their rites. Look forward to it! In Manzini you stroll through the local market, an important shopping place for the locals. Afterwards, at Swazi Candles, you see how talented craftspeople make colourful candles. As a founding member of the Swaziland Fair Trade Association, the company is committed to sharing profits with its employees and paying them a living wage. There's time to stroll through the adjacent Swazi craft market and browse for handmade souvenirs. Breakfast and dinner are included. Mogi Boutique Hotel: the Mogi Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of Ezulwini, prominently set on a hill opposite the Sheba's Breasts mountains. All eight rooms are tastefully furnished in a timeless design. The small swimming pool is in the beautiful garden. On warm days you enjoy the delicious breakfast on the sun terrace to the sound of birdsong.

After a hearty breakfast it's time to head back to South Africa. On arrival at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, you climb into the open 4x4. Together with a local guide you set off on an approx. three-hour game drive through the hilly bush of the country's oldest game reserve. You follow the tracks of the white rhinos that still live here in large numbers. In the early evening you reach your accommodation in St. Lucia. Breakfast is included. If your group comprises up to 9 people, you travel in one 4x4 with an English-speaking guide and your tour guide. For 10 to 12 people, two 4x4s are used, each with a guide. Your tour guide then rides in one of the two vehicles, switching to the other vehicle in the afternoon. Serene Estate: the Serene Estate is the ideal retreat in St. Lucia for exploring the wonderful wildlife, the untamed coast and the lush forests. The diversity and colours of KwaZulu-Natal inspired the design of this modern guesthouse and its seven rooms. The quartz floors bring nature indoors. The minimalist approach gives the bright, spacious rooms an abstract Zulu colour accent. The refreshing pool invites you to relax after an eventful day. Enjoy the sounds of the surrounding nature, as the iSimangaliso park is right next door!

To the west and south, St. Lucia borders a lagoon home to about 800 hippos and more than 1,200 crocodiles. Right next door to the east, the waves of the Indian Ocean crash onto the beach. To the north, the town borders the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Africa's largest marine reserve and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1999. So there's plenty to discover! In the morning you drive across the park in the tour bus. With a bit of luck, along the way you'll see antelopes, zebras and buffalo grazing in the sunshine. At Cape Vidal you have time for a long walk along the wonderful sandy beach. Are you brave enough to take a dip in the Indian Ocean? In the afternoon you board a boat and cruise for about two hours on the lagoon at St. Lucia, experiencing the evening awakening. Listen to the grunting of the hippos and the calls of numerous waterbirds. Breakfast is included. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

Early in the morning you drive first along the coast and then inland to one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. With peaks over 3,000 metres high, the Drakensberg is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. In the small town of Hermannsburg, a former German mission station, you are invited to lunch with a local family with German roots. Look forward to warm hospitality with Aunt Monika's cooked cheese and butcher Ruben's boerewors. In the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands you visit the impressive Nelson Mandela Capture Site Memorial. The monument of steel columns marks the unassuming spot where Nelson Mandela's »Long Walk to Freedom« began with his arrest in 1962. End the day with a glass of wine and a breathtaking view of the valley. A breakfast pack, lunch and dinner are included. At lunchtime you are the guest of a local family. Amazian Mountain River Lodge: at the Amazian Mountain River Lodge, Trudie and Brent take the warmest care of you. Since 2005 they have shared their love of the landscape, good food and delicious wines with their guests here. From a dilapidated farmhouse and a cheese dairy they have created a cosy lodge, complete with an extensive garden and wonderful viewpoints. You stay in one of the seven lovingly furnished rooms overlooking the Umzimkulu River or the wide hills of the southern Drakensberg.

Today you explore the rugged mountains of the Drakensberg in a 4x4. You cross the 2,873-metre-high Sani Pass and drive into the Kingdom of Lesotho. In the seclusion of the mountains, the Basotho, the people of Lesotho, have developed a unique culture. Along the way, shepherds with sheep or goats may cross our path, or we may see farmers tilling their fields with ox carts. You pass through the settlement and your local guide tells you interesting facts about everyday life in the mountains. From Black Mountain you enjoy the view over the rugged landscape, and for lunch you stop at the remote Masoba-Soba Lodge. In the afternoon you return to your accommodation in South Africa. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

From the foothills of the Drakensberg your journey takes you through the Eastern Cape province to the small village of Qunu. Nelson Mandela was born nearby in 1918 and buried here in 2013. In the late afternoon you reach the Wild Coast. The sound of the sea and the beach are already waiting for you. The meals included are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trennery's Hotel: the rustic Trennery's Hotel lies on the unspoilt Wild Coast. Popular with locals as a holiday spot, it is surrounded by gentle hills and lush tropical coastal forests. The rooms are spread across extensive grounds with a refreshing swimming pool. You reach the beautiful sandy beach with an adjacent lagoon via direct access. The in-house restaurant combines the typical flavours of the region with European classics.

After a relaxed breakfast you set off on an excursion into the surrounding area. Your local guide Carlos first takes you through his home village and gives you insights into the culture and way of life of the Xhosa. The walk leads you to the bank of the Qolora River, where you have a great view of the steeply rising rock faces known as »The Gates«. How about a refreshing swim? From the water the cliffs look even more imposing! You then walk along the bank to where the river flows into the Indian Ocean. You can spend the afternoon as you like. The meals included are breakfast and dinner. For today's easy walk we recommend good footwear, a hat, swimwear and sun and mosquito protection. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

The beautiful beach invites you to take a walk before breakfast. With a bit of luck, a few dolphins will show up for their morning exercise. Through the rugged settler country, in the afternoon you reach the northern entrance gate of Addo Elephant National Park. In the afternoon you climb into the open 4x4 and set off on an approx. two-hour tour through the nearby Addo Wildlife reserve in search of its small and large residents. The meals included are breakfast and dinner. Addo Wildlife: Addo Wildlife is located in the village of Addo and stands out for its proximity to the popular Addo Elephant National Park. Look forward to a modernly furnished chalet with its own terrace. The thatched main house is tastefully designed in South African style. Here the »Tangelo« restaurant also awaits you, spoiling you with local dishes after an eventful day. Springbok and other wildlife live on the Addo Wildlife grounds and, with a bit of luck, you can watch them up close. On balmy evenings people sit comfortably around the open fire with a view of the lodge's aviary, listening to the chirping birds.

In the morning you go on a game drive of about three hours by minibus through Addo Elephant National Park and watch the gentle pachyderms, which often gather in large herds at the waterholes for a refreshing bath. The drive continues towards the famous Garden Route. At Storms River Mouth you hike for about an hour and a half along the magnificent cliffs of Tsitsikamma National Park with a fantastic view into the gorge. The Tsitsikamma park is one of the last almost untouched primeval forests in South Africa, with large stands of yellowwood trees, giant ferns and rare orchids. The meals included are breakfast and dinner. The hike at Storms River Mouth requires average fitness. We recommend sturdy shoes, a hat and mosquito protection as well as enough water. Fernhaven Lodge: the Fernhaven Lodge is idyllically located at the foot of the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the heart of the Garden Route. The cosily furnished Cape Dutch-style villa with its spacious, modernly furnished rooms and large bathrooms will be your home for the coming nights. A great infinity pool awaits you in the garden. Relax surrounded by greenery, leave everyday life behind and treat yourself to a deep breath of fresh mountain air.

The day begins with a hike of about three hours in the nature reserve on the Robberg Peninsula. The circular trail leads over partly uneven steps past a seal colony to a bay with a secluded sandy beach. Along the way you are rewarded with wonderful views of the open sea. Afterwards we recommend sunbathing in the shallow bay of Plettenberg Bay. In the early afternoon, on a walk through Qolweni township in Plettenberg Bay, you are accompanied not only by your tour guide but also by local guide Hazel Mbanguta or one of her colleagues. She gives you first-hand insights into everyday life in a township. You also pass the Siyakula Crèche, a preschool with an attached kindergarten. Breakfast and dinner are included. The hike in the Robberg Nature Reserve requires fitness. In places it runs along steep cliffs, and there are some climbs to tackle, so you should have a head for heights. We recommend sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen as well as enough water. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

From 1 July to 30 November we highly recommend the »Close Encounter« whale-watching trip. On the approx. 90-minute boat trip you are very likely to see whales from as close as 50 metres. However, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The price is ZAR 1,350 per person. The trip depends on the weather. From 1 December to 30 June you can take part in the »Marine Encounter« marine wildlife trip. As hardly any whales can be seen at this time of year, the focus during the two-hour boat trip is on other marine life such as dolphins, sharks and seals. However, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The price is ZAR 900 per person. The trip depends on the weather.

After breakfast you drive to neighbouring Knysna, sheltered behind high sandstone cliffs on a huge lagoon. From the Eastern Head viewpoint, a panoramic view opens up over the mouth into the Indian Ocean. Via George and the spectacular mountain scenery of the Outeniqua Pass, you continue into the semi-desert of the Little Karoo and to Oudtshoorn, South Africa's ostrich stronghold. On a farm tour you come face to face with ostriches of all sizes and get insights into everyday farm life and ostrich farming. The meals included are breakfast and a traditional Karoo dinner with ostrich meat. Mooiplaas Guesthouse: the Mooiplaas Guest House lies in the unique Little Karoo landscape, about ten kilometres outside Oudtshoorn. The owners, Viljee and Hanlie Keller, are already the fourth generation of the Keller family on Mooiplaas – which means »beautiful place« – and give every guest a warm welcome. You stay in comfortably furnished rooms with large bathrooms. From the terrace and the infinity pool you have a wide view across the plain to the Swartberg mountains.

Past barren mountain landscapes and through orchards, today you drive along Route 62, one of South Africa's most beautiful touring routes. Shortly after passing the village of Montagu you reach the Breede River Valley, a wide valley with dreamlike views, varied scenery and towering rocks. It is one of the main wine- and fruit-growing areas of the Western Cape. At the Excelsior Wine Estate in Robertson you are invited to a wine tasting. Afterwards you can try your hand as a winemaker: you create your own wine blend, which you're welcome to take home with you. Breakfast, a wine tasting and blending session and dinner are included in the price. A platter of local snacks and tapas is served with the wine tasting. Retreat at Waterfall Valley: the Retreat at Waterfall Valley, set among olive groves over 100 years old on extensive grounds with a small waterfall, awaits you with stylishly furnished rooms. The view takes in the fynbos-covered mountains of Paarl and the Klein Drakenstein range on the horizon. The venerable manor house is run with passion and warm hospitality by Maika Götze and her family. Be sure to try the home-made olive oil and olive bread.

Early in the morning, join a ranger-guided meerkat safari in the Little Karoo. At dawn you are a silent witness as the lively little animals wake up and venture out of their burrows. You set off from your accommodation before sunrise for this unique safari and return after about two and a half hours. The safari is not offered in cool temperatures or rain. The price including transfers is approx. ZAR 800 per person.

In Stellenbosch you stroll along the famous Dorp Street, the street with the most listed buildings in South Africa. South Africa's second-oldest town impresses with its Cape Dutch houses and romantic atmosphere. How about browsing the many boutiques or visiting the famous general store »Oom Samie se Winkel«? Around midday you reach Cape Town. Weather permitting, you take the cable car up Table Mountain. From over 1,000 metres you have a magnificent view of the city, the sea and the wide countryside. From Signal Hill, too, you have a wonderful view of the city, the sea and Table Mountain. On your discovery tour you stroll through the Company's Garden and the colourful Cape Malay quarter. Past the City Hall, the tour takes you to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where you have time to discover the modern harbour with its shops, restaurants and huge aquarium. Breakfast is included in the price. The annual maintenance work on the Table Mountain cable car usually takes place from mid-July to mid-August, so the excursion up Table Mountain is not possible during this period. Instead, you go up neighbouring Signal Hill. As the maintenance work depends on the weather, it may be extended by a few days. The Three Boutique Hotel: at the historic The Three Boutique Hotel at the foot of majestic Table Mountain in the Oranjezicht district, your host Desiree and her team take warm care of you. The 18 spacious rooms are modernly furnished, and the small but fine swimming pool offers refreshment. The hotel's name plays on the threefold view from the roof terrace of Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Devil's Peak. Don't miss the sunset over Cape Town's Atlantic coast from up here.

Today's day trip first takes you along the winding coastal road to the small fishing town of Hout Bay. There, on a half-hour boat trip to Duiker Island, you watch the Cape fur seals. At T-Bag Designs, Avuyile and Sandiseka look forward to giving you an insight into their project, where township residents make greeting cards, notebooks and bags, among other things, from recycled tea bags. You continue along the winding Chapman's Peak Drive and past Noordhoek with its long, wide beaches. At the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve you reach Cape Point either by the restored funicular or on foot in one to two hours. Whichever you choose: the view of the rugged coastline guarantees great photos. On the way back, near Simon's Town, you visit a penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The meals included are breakfast and a farewell dinner. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

On a walk through the wonderful Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden you experience the diversity of native plant life, all growing right here on the slopes of Table Mountain. Afterwards your tour guide takes you to Cape Town airport, and you fly home. Breakfast is included.

After landing, you continue to your home town. One thing is certain: you'll treasure your experiences for a long time to come.