Culinary delights, cultural adventures, regional travels, and gratuities — all covered in one upfront price!🌮🎉 

Step into a world of endless wonder and foodie delights as you travel to KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town, South Africa. This epic adventure promises a perfect mix of culinary and cultural vibes, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. 🌍🍴✨

In KwaZulu-Natal, you'll be welcomed with the warm hospitality of the Zulu Kingdom and a feast of diverse cuisine. Think stunning coastlines and some of the best Big Five Game Reserves in the world. 🦁🌿

Meanwhile, Cape Town will charm you with its cosmopolitan flair, nestled between the iconic Table Mountain and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. The city's vibrant food scene and rich history will captivate you, and nearby vineyards offer amazing wine-tasting experiences. 🍷🏞️

Both regions showcase the magic of South Africa, leaving you with memories that will forever hold a piece of this incredible country in your heart. 🌟🗺️💖

We Love Walking: As a Journeys by VDB, we strive to experience the local areas we are visiting and a big part of this is walking around the destination.

Many of our activities include a lot walking throughout the duration of the activity as well as walking to and from activities or meals.  If you are not able to walk long periods of time, please reach out to one of our Journey Experts to see if this trip is right for you.

We Love Food: The best way to experience a destination is through its food.  We strive to include local delicacies and popular culinary delights from each destination we visit.  If you have strict dietary restrictions, please reach out to one of our Journey Experts to see if this trip is right for you.

Arrival/Departure: 

Your trip begins in Durban, South Africa and ends in Cape Town, South Africa

Arrival Day: Please schedule to arrive at the Durban King Shaka International Airport anytime on arrival day.  You will be met by our driver at the airport who will transfer you to The Oyster Box Hotel.

Departure Day:  There will be two transfers from the hotel to the Cape Town International Airport prior to your departure. 

Optional Add-Ons: Should you wish to extend your trip, we can offer you our discounted hotel rates at time of booking (subject to availability). 

We require a minimum of four (4) travelers for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare. 

To protect your travel investment and yourself, we strongly encourage purchasing travel insurance. TripAssure is our trusted travel insurance provider and can provide you with an online quote here

You’ve made it! After your journey to South Africa you will arrive at King Shaka International Airport (Durban) anytime on arrival day where a VIP Group meet and greet will be ready for you outside of customs to transfer to the hotel.

This evening at leisure with a cash stipend provided and your Journeys by VDB host will be at The Oyster Bar for an apertivo should you feel up to socialize (however we realize with the length of your travels, you may choose to head to your room for a shower and room service).

Sleep in or if you are up early, enjoy the beautiful breakfast spread at The Oyster Box.

Later this morning we will explore Durban with a Half Day Durban City Tour.  The ideal introductory tour of Durban, which has been shaped by the early Colonial settlers, the indigenous Zulus, and the Indians who arrived as indentured labourers in the 19th Century. 

Lunch is a special treat where we will discover the rich Indian history of Durban and experience the unique "Bunny Chow" cuisine.  Bunny chow is a popular South African street food originating from Durban and consists of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. Originally created by Indian immigrants in Durban, bunny chow typically features spicy curry fillings such as chicken, beef, lamb, or vegetables.

After an afternoon at leisure back at The Oyster Box we will enjoy dinner at our hotel in the casual, Mediterranean-inspired Ocean Terrace, with gorgeous views across the Indian Ocean, the impressive curry selection, of at least 11 curries daily, includes meat, fish and vegetarian options. Using delicate blends of spices and fresh herbs, each curry is a masterpiece in itself.

Say goodbye to the beautiful Oyster Box as well head to the African Bush!  On our way to the gorgeous mThembu Lodge we will stop in Saint Lucia along the way.

Lunch will be in the quaint beach town of Saint Lucia followed by a Hippo & Crocodile Cruise through the iSimangaliso Wetlands. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known as the St. Lucia Wetlands, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems, including beaches, coral reefs, wetlands, estuaries, forests, and grasslands. One of the park's main attractions is Lake St. Lucia, the largest estuarine system in Africa, which provides a habitat for hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species. 

In the afternoon we will arrive at mFulawozi and proceed to an evening game drive.  Game drives are an exhilarating experience where you board specially designed vehicles, accompanied by knowledgeable guides, to observe and encounter the diverse and majestic African wildlife in their natural habitats.

Dinner and drinks will be served at the lodge when we return from the game drive.

When on safari the game drives are typically early in the morning and in the late afternoon.  

In the morning we will head out on our morning game drive.

While we are exploring the African Bush in search of the Big Five, we will stop to stretch our legs and enjoy a coffee or tea out of the vehicle.  Breakfast will be served in the lodge after we return from the Bush.

The afternoon is at leisure.  You can choose to schedule a spa treatment, explore the lodge, see about walking safari’s or other activities the lodge provides, or relax by the pool if weather permits.

There will be a lunch and tea served in early afternoon prior to the evening game drive.

In the late afternoon we will depart on our evening game drive.  Towards the end of the game drive we will stop for a “sun downer”.  A sundowner is a refreshing (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) drink taken at sunset in the African bush to end your afternoon safari game drive adventure in style: a so-called safari-inspired happy hour while enjoying the sunset on a beautiful place in the African bush

Dinner and drinks will be served at the lodge when we return from the game drive.

Today we will depart beautiful Hluhluwe Game Reserve and transfer to Thanda Safari Lodge.

On our way to Thanda we will make a short stop at Zamimpilo Craft Market to look at (and if you’d like, purchase) all the local crafts and items the Zulu women in the area make and sell.

In the afternoon we will arrive at Thanda and proceed to our evening game drive.

Dinner & drinks will be at the lodge after the game drive

In the morning we will head out on our morning game drive.

Breakfast will be served in the lodge after we return from the Bush.

The afternoon is at leisure.  Guests are welcome to visit schools and families in the neighbouring communities, experience Zulu culture, and community projects. You can also choose to schedule a spa treatment, explore the lodge, see about walking safari’s or other activities the lodge provides, or relax by the pool if weather permits.

There will be a lunch and tea served in early afternoon prior to the evening game drive.

In the late afternoon we will depart on our evening game drive.  Towards the end of the game drive we will stop for a “sun downer”. 

Dinner and drinks will be served at the lodge when we return from the game drive.

In the morning we will head out on our morning game drive.

Breakfast will be served in the lodge after we return from the Bush.

The afternoon is at leisure.  Guests are welcome to visit schools and families in the neighbouring communities, experience Zulu culture, and community projects. You can also choose to schedule a spa treatment, explore the lodge, see about walking safari’s or other activities the lodge provides, or relax by the pool if weather permits.

There will be a lunch and tea served in early afternoon prior to the evening game drive.

In the late afternoon we will depart on our evening game drive.  Towards the end of the game drive we will stop for a “sun downer”. 

Dinner and drinks will be served at the lodge when we return from the game drive.

As we depart the African Bush we will have one last chance of spotting the beautiful wildlife of KwaZulu-Natal.  We will take our breakfast to go and transfer to King Shaka International Airport for our flight to Cape Town.

Before heading to our hotel in Cape Town we will take a tour to Boulders Beach. Boulders Beach, is not only a stunning testament to South Africa's diverse coastal beauty, but it also plays a significant role in penguin conservation. As one of the few sites in the world where visitors can get up close with the endangered African penguin, it provides a unique opportunity to appreciate and understand these endearing creatures. The boardwalks ensure that humans can observe without disrupting their natural habitat. Every visit to Boulders Beach supports conservation initiatives to sustaining the habitat and ensuring the future of the African penguin. 

After our visit with the Penguins, we will head towards our hotel with a stop in Hout Bay for a dinner of some authentic fish & chips.  Nestled between the rugged peaks of the Table Mountain National Park and the azure embrace of the Atlantic Ocean, Hout Bay offers a charming blend of nature and culture. Its thriving harbor provides a bustling backdrop of fishing boats coming and going, while the nearby Mariner's Wharf offers an array of seafood delights, reflecting the town's maritime heritage.

Breakfast at leisure at the hotel.

We will head to Table Mountain for a cable car ride to the top for some of the best scenic views in all of South Africa.  After we descend the mountain we will be picked up by sidecars for a beautiful drive around the coast.

Later in the afternoon we will head back to the V&A Waterfront area for some free time to shop, walk around, or grab a drink at one of the many restaurants and bars.

This evening we will have dinner at one of Cape Town’s amazing restaurants.

Breakfast at leisure at the hotel.

Today we depart Cape Town and head to the beautiful Cape Winelands.  We will stay in the charming down of Franschhoek where we can walk to shops, restaurants, and our tours.  

This afternoon we will partake in a Food & Wine walking tour in Franschhoek inclusive of all food & drinks t really get a feel for the amazing gastronomy of the area.

This evening will be at leisure.

Today we will have an exceptional wine & cuisine experience on the Franschhoek Wine Tram.  We begin our day with a fresh coffee and beignet before heading to an unforgettable breakfast and wine pairing. Continue your journey through the vineyards on our Tram while sipping bubbles and indulging in some delicious truffles along the way.

Stop to enjoy a luxurious lunch pairing at one of Franschhoek’s world-renowned wine estates, and experience the best wine and cuisine our valley has to offer!

End off this incredible day with a sweet symphony of delectable desserts paired with fine wines.

Dinner at The Hussar Grill Franschhoek

Breakfast at leisure at the hotel.

Today we say goodbye.  There will be two scheduled transfers from Franschhoek to Cape Town International Airport.

While we have carefully planned and organized our itinerary, there may be circumstances beyond our control that necessitate changes to hotels, tours, or restaurants during the course of our trip.  

Please rest assured that should any changes occur, our priority will be to ensure that the replacement accommodation, tour, or restaurant is of equal or higher quality and standards.