Watered the plants and left the mailbox key with the neighbours? Then let's go. You fly to South Africa.

After landing in South Africa's Mother City, your tour guide is eagerly waiting to welcome you on arrival at Cape Town airport. Freshen up briefly at your accommodation. On a first discovery tour you see, among other things, the City Hall and stroll through the Company's Garden. Weather permitting, today you take the cable car up Table Mountain. From over 1,000 metres you have a magnificent view of the city, Robben Island and countless beaches. And from Signal Hill you have a wonderful view of the city, the Atlantic and Table Mountain. 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, from where you have a fantastic view over Cape Town and of Table Mountain. The maintenance work may be postponed by a few days due to the weather. 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.

Along the winding coastal road with ever-new views of the Atlantic, your day trip takes you to Hout Bay, a small fishing town. On a 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 this unique project, in which township residents decorate recycled tea bags with patterns. You continue along the winding Chapman's Peak Drive and past Noordhoek, with one of the longest and widest beaches at the Cape. At the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve you either walk up to the lighthouse with its great view or hike for one to two hours to Cape Point. On the way back, near Simon's Town, you visit members of a penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Breakfast is included. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

At the V&A Waterfront you have time to explore the modern harbour with its many shops, restaurants and huge aquarium. A harbour cruise gives you a change of perspective. Afterwards you stroll through the colourful Cape Malay quarter. In Waheeb's kitchen you lend a hand preparing traditional Cape Malay classics and then taste your creations. Past extensive vineyards and renowned wine estates, in the afternoon you reach Stellenbosch, home of South Africa's largest wine cooperative. In the town centre you stroll along Dorp Street, the street with the most listed buildings in South Africa. How about browsing the many boutiques or visiting the famous general store »Oom Samie se Winkel«? Breakfast and lunch are included in the price. You prepare lunch together with your hosts. L'Avenir Country Lodge: the L'Avenir Country Lodge lies just outside Stellenbosch at the foot of the Simonsberg mountains and offers you a wonderful view of the winelands. L'Avenir is located on the grounds of a wine farm. Besides a green garden with swimming pool, there are eleven elegantly furnished rooms, each with a small patio. Hostess Elmarie tries to anticipate her guests' every wish. Her warm-hearted team serves you the estate's own wines on the terrace or by the fire.

Through the Breede River Valley you drive along Route 62 from the south coast into the semi-desert of the Little Karoo. At the Joubert-Tradauw family wine estate, Meyer Joubert or his colleague Erika give you a warm welcome. You learn interesting facts about winegrowing and taste the fine wines. In the early evening you reach Oudtshoorn, South Africa's ostrich-farming stronghold, with magnificent old villas and over 4,000 ostrich farms. Breakfast, a light lunch and a wine tasting are included. Snacks are served with the wine tasting. De Denne Country Guest House: the De Denne Country Guest House welcomes you on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, right on an ostrich farm. The grounds are very spacious and offer plenty of nature and a unique panoramic view of the Olifants and Swartberg mountains. Your accommodation is rustically furnished and enhanced with modern accents. The warm earth tones are reminiscent of the South African savannah. Each room has its own terrace where you can enjoy the vastness of the Karoo. After an exciting day you can use the outdoor pool, enjoy the sunset at the bar or treat yourself to local delicacies in the in-house restaurant.

Today, together with a guide, you explore Africa's largest dripstone caves, the Cango Caves. Around 10,000 years ago the caves were used as a shelter by the Khoisan, but only the entrance area. In the afternoon you immerse yourself in the typical life of the inhabitants of the Karoo semi-desert. On a guided farm tour you come face to face with ostriches of all sizes, get an insight into everyday work and learn all sorts of interesting facts about ostrich farming first-hand. Breakfast and a traditional Karoo dinner are included. In the evening a delicious braai with tender ostrich meat is prepared. We would call it a barbecue evening. Other guests may also take part in the guided tour of the Cango Caves. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

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 725 per person.

Over the mountain landscape of the Outeniqua Pass you reach the Garden Route, one of South Africa's most beautiful stretches of coast. It extends from Mossel Bay to the mouth of the Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park. Wilderness is an idyllic village on the edge of the Garden Route National Park, its houses nestled against lush green hills in the hinterland. On a hike of about three hours, you follow the shady trail along the Touw River. A true bird paradise awaits you – look out for the Knysna turaco, which shows its bright red flight feathers particularly impressively in flight. You are rewarded for your efforts in the cool water of the rock pool. Along the Garden Route you reach the picturesque coastal town of Knysna, sheltered behind high sandstone cliffs on a large lagoon. Stroll along the waterfront with its little shops. Then it's on to the Eastern Head, a viewpoint with a panoramic view of the lagoon and its mouth into the Indian Ocean. Breakfast is included. For the hike in Wilderness we recommend sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen and enough water. The path is mostly shady and in good condition, with some stairs and steps. Christiana Lodge: the Christiana Lodge in a quiet district of Plettenberg Bay is run by Christa Joubert with great attention and enthusiasm. The sound and scent of the sea come as standard, as the beach is just a few minutes' walk away. You stay in bright, friendly rooms, some with a balcony. Open spaces, warm-hearted staff and a lovely pool in the garden make it easy to really relax. And if you like, you can enjoy breakfast with the best views of the wetlands of the Robberg Nature Reserve and the ocean.

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 see the Siyakula Crèche, a preschool with an attached kindergarten. Breakfast is included. The hike in the Robberg Nature Reserve requires good 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 1,100 (2027: ZAR 1,250) 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 750 (2027: ZAR 800) per person. The trip depends on the weather.

At the Bloukrans Bridge, known for Africa's highest bungee jumps, you make a stop and can buy souvenirs at the craft market. 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. 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. On a protea farm you are guided through a nursery, warehouses and protea fields and learn how the flowers are cultivated, cut and marketed. In the early evening you reach your accommodation. The meals included are breakfast and dinner. Longhill Lodge: at the Longhill Lodge, the friendly team led by manager Dannielle Rieck gives you a warm welcome. The lodge stands out for its proximity to the popular Addo Elephant National Park. Look forward to your modernly furnished accommodation, where comfort and relaxation are a priority. The lodge is located on the highest point of the Longhill Private Game Reserve. With a bit of luck you can watch springbok, giraffes and other wildlife at close range. On balmy African evenings the terrace invites you to be enchanted by the sounds of the bush and the starry sky.

After a hearty breakfast you drive into Addo Elephant National Park. For a full five hours your route takes you through the park in the tour bus, and you watch the pachyderms, which often gather in large herds at the waterholes around midday to cool off. In the grass steppe you may even spot the rare black rhinos, the Cape buffalo found only here, or lions. Back at your lodge, it's best to put your feet up for a while. In the afternoon you go on a two- to three-hour 4x4 safari through the private Longhill Game Reserve in search of giraffes, kudus and other wildlife. Breakfast and dinner are included. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

Go on a morning game drive in Addo Elephant National Park! You shouldn't miss this approx. five-hour safari in an open 4x4, as it promises the best views in the search for the gentle giants. Drinks are served along the way and a picnic lunch is also included. The safari is led by English-speaking rangers and takes place as an alternative to the safari by tour minibus included in your trip. The price is ZAR 2,300 per person.

On the way into the wilderness you stop in the coastal town of Kenton-on-Sea on the Sunshine Coast. The beautiful sandy beach invites you to take a long walk. Around midday you reach the malaria-free Kariega Game Reserve. In addition to the Big Five, mammals such as giraffes, zebras and antelopes live in this private game reserve. In the afternoon you go on a guided safari of about three hours in an open 4x4 through mountainous terrain. Together with a ranger you go in search of the Big Five – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price. During your stay at Kariega, drinks are also free of charge. Kariega Homestead: the Kariega Homestead lies in the heart of the Kariega Game Reserve. The exclusively reserved lodge offers the comforts of home with a cosy living and dining area, while the cheerful team of your host couple Temba and Lingani takes care of your culinary needs in the kitchen. The seven rooms each have a small terrace facing the lush garden, where a swimming pool provides refreshment on hot days. In the evening the lounge with fireplace and a bar await you for convivial hours.

From antelope to zebra, almost every kind of wildlife roams the Kariega Game Reserve. In an open 4x4 you set off with a ranger for about three to four hours in search of them. In the middle of the wilderness you stop for a break to refresh yourself with hot coffee and tea before continuing your safari. Along the way, a little deeper in the reserve, you go on foot for about an hour and a half. Then relax by the swimming pool at midday. In the late afternoon you set off by jeep to the river. There you board a boat and, with expert company, set out on a voyage of about an hour and a half. The river is home and feeding ground to numerous birds. Look out for the goliath heron, the largest of its kind, the sandpiper and the colourful kingfisher. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price. After sunset, a dinner traditionally prepared in the boma awaits you, as you bring your last day in South Africa to a close. You stay at the same accommodation as the previous day.

Early in the morning you climb into the jeep once more in search of wildlife. Perhaps you'll even track down a lion enjoying the first rays of the day just like you, before the farewell approaches after the game drive. You fly home from Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth. Breakfast is included.

After landing, you continue to your home town.