If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
~ African Proverb ~

Escape with your best girls on a getaway in South Africa! This Girls Getaway Safari, across South Africa, gives you the chance to explore, indulge and relax. From private tours of Robben Island, enjoying Cape Winelands, Safari in Kruger, to Whale Watching in Hermanus, this bespoke adventure offers the best of South Africa for Safaring with your favorite girls!

South Africa Girls Getaway Safari
Cape Town ~ Franschhoek ~ Kruger National Park ~ Hermanus
12 Days / 11 Nights

Day 1                    

Arrive in Cape Town, transfer to hotel
Rest of day at leisure/relaxation
Dinner at the V&A Waterfront
Overnight: Commodore Hotel, V&A Waterfront

Day 2    

Shweshwe Skirt Measurement & Fabric Selection
Shopping at Design Afrika
Cape Malay Cooking Class in the Bo Kaap
Hope on Hopkins Gin Tasting
Table Mountain Sunset             
Overnight: Commodore Hotel, V&A Waterfront

Day 3    

Robben Island Private Tour with Christo Brand
Lunch in Kalk Bay
Visit with the African Penguins of Boulders Beach               
Overnight: Commodore Hotel, V&A Waterfront

Day 4    

Fynbos Masterclass in Wellington
Transfer to Franschhoek              
Overnight: Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, Franschhoek

Day 5    

Full day Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch & Franschhoek) tour with Wine Escapes, including Big 5 Wine Safari and Wine Pairings
Lunch at a Wine Estate 
Overnight: Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, Franschhoek

Day 6    

Transfer from Franschhoek to Cape Town International Airport for direct flight to Hoedspruit OR Skukuza
Transfer to Safari Lodge on a private concession, within the Kruger National Park Afternoon tea and afternoon Game Drive
Overnight: Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge

Days 7-9

Full day on Safari – morning and afternoon Game Drives, optional Bush Walk, relaxation time and all meals at the Lodge
Overnight: Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge

Day 10

Morning Game Drive, breakfast and check-out
Transfer back to Hoedspruit OR Skukuza airport for direct flight to Cape Town.
Transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Hermanus
Afternoon at leisure to stroll the town and clifftops - look out for Whales!          
Overnight: One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel

Day 11

Optional activities in and around Hermanus
Shore based Whale Watching, with optional boat-based Whale Watching Excursion
Wine Tasting in the Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Wine Valley       
Overnight: One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel 

Day 12

Morning at leisure
Transfer to Cape Town International Airport for departure flight back home

Please note: This special Safari Adventure is design to optimize the Whale Season. While majestic Whales can be see all-year along the Cape south coast, the best season is from June to November. Peak Calving period is July and August. Whales can be seen throughout September and October as well. A few stragglers leave towards the end of November to catch up with their friends.

Day 1     Arrive in Cape Town

On arrival in Cape Town your Girls Getaway group will be met by your personal Guide and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of one of Cape Town’s top tourist destinations – the V&A Waterfront. Enjoy the rest of day at leisure to rest and freshen up after the long trip. This evening enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the vibrant V&A Waterfront.

With Table Mountain as its backdrop, the V&A Waterfront is an iconic mixed-use destination located in the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. Named after Queen Victoria and her son, Alfred’s visit to South Africa, this popular and lively destination offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, bars, markets, activities, attractions and entertainment to visitors.     
Overnight: Commodore Hotel,
V&A Waterfront

Day 2     Shweshwe Skirt, Design Afrika Shopping, Cape Malay Cooking Class, Gin Tasting & Table Mountain Sunset    

This morning, before you set out for the day, a lady from one of the local communities will visit your hotel to take everyone’s skirt measurements and to bring some samples of beautiful traditional Shweshwe fabric for you to choose from. Each person will have their own beautiful, high-waisted flowly skirt with pockets made to your preferred length.

Following, your guide will take you to one of Cape Town’s truly unique stores, Design Afrika. Design Afrika specializes in finely crafted hand-woven basketry and has over many years developed close relationships with rural weaving communities across Africa. Through the global marketing of the work of these weavers, mostly women in rural areas, Design Afrika strives to help develop their economic independence while ensuring that their important traditional skills are not lost. Over 25 years, Design Afrika been a wholesale supplier to retail stores from Los Angeles to Tokyo, Santiago to Oslo.

Your Guide will then take you into the centre of Cape Town to the colourful Bo-Kaap area for a Cape Malay Cooking Tour. You will embark on a voyage into the life, food and culture of the Cape Malay people of the Bo-Kaap whilst enjoying a hands-on, practical lesson on how to cook like a real 'Auntie'!  Learn how to make a variety of Cape Malay favourites and how to mix Masala for that perfect pot of Bo-Kaap Curry! 

Infused with rich history, this traditional style of food originated in the 17th century when the forefathers of the current community were transported as slaves from Southeast Asia (especially Java and Malaysia) to the Cape (a half-way station on major trade routes) by Dutch colonisers, bringing with them their recipes and culinary practices. While the fare has retained many aspects of its Javanese origins, it has also adapted and evolved over time – in part to accommodate a European palate – such that it’s now widely considered a form of cuisine that’s uniquely and quintessentially Capetonian.

After enjoying the lunch that you had a hand in preparing, you will get further into the city to Hope Distillery for a Gin Tasting Experience. The welcoming, open-plan tasting space on a mezzanine level offers a bird’s eye view over the distillery so that you can taste their spirits and see where and how they’re made at the same time.

As the first licensed small batch distillery in Cape Town, Hope Distillery has come a long way from when it launched with just one stainless steel pot still and a small column still. All Hope Spirits are distilled on site using both copper pot and stainless steel stills. Hope Distillery’s resident Gin & Spirit Maker, Lucy Beard and her team of Stillmen hand-craft not only a range of Hope Gins, but also Hope Small Batch Vodka, Esperanza Agave Spirit (Tequila), and Hope Rhum Agricole.

*For those who prefer a nonalcoholic option, an Alternative Coffee Tasting Experience through Cape Town’s exceptional Coffee Houses can be arranged. *

From here it’s a trip up in the cableway to Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain – one of the natural wonders of the world. Take in the spectacular views across the city bowl, Table Bay and Cape Peninsula, as the sun sets on another adventurous day.

Overnight: Commodore Hotel, V&A Waterfront

Day 3     Robben Island Private Tour with Christo Brand, Lunch in Kalk Bay and a visit to the African Penguins of Boulders Beach

An early start to meet the morning departure for Robben Island, famous for being home to Nelson Mandela for 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment. Robben Island is a unique symbol of “the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, suffering and injustice” with a rich 500 year old multi-layered history. Here you have the option to do this tour on a private basis with Nelson Mandela’s previous prison guard, Christo Brand, who later became one of his close friends, as your Personal Tour Guide.

On return to the mainland you will head out to Kalk Bay, recently named on a Forbes List “World’s Coolest Neighbourhood”, for a seafood lunch overlooking the harbour. You will also have time to stroll through the vibrant main street and browse the boutique shops, art galleries and antique stores.

In the late afternoon visit the comical African Penguins of Boulders Beach, near South Africa’s Naval town – Simon’s Town. 

Overnight: Commodore Hotel, V&A Waterfront

Day 4     Fynbos Masterclass in Wellington. Transfer to Franschhoek

The Cape Town Fynbos Experience® is a masterclass in the unique culinary flavours of the Fynbos biome in the form of a guided tasting, light tapas-style lunch and scenic walk on Giselle Courtney’s Fynbos farm.

Experience eleven of South Africa's gourmet flavours in a choreographed tasting of edible naturals, botanical tea infusions, traditional cordials, vinegar tinctures, culinary herbs, seasonings and aromatic digestifs. Become an instant Fynbos FOODIE. Learn how to pair Fynbos flavours with everyday meals and create cakes, bakes, cordials & cocktails with South Africa's sensational indigenous flavours.

Enjoy a tapas-style lunch created by you - experiment with Fynbos infusions, herbs and seasonings on an array of local cheeses, pulses, nuts and farm bread. The experience ends off with a Guided Fynbos Walk - get up close with fascinating Fynbos on the slopes of the historic Hawequas Mountains. The elevation of the veld is the meeting point of critically endangered Swartland Renosterveld and Cape Mountain Fynbos.

In the afternoon transfer through to Franschhoek to check-in at your hotel located in the heart of the village off the main street. Enjoy some time to browse the shops and boutiques along this stretch and in the evening enjoy dinner at a well-known South African restaurant. Franschhoek is also known as the “Gourmet Capital of South Africa” because it’s home to some of the best restaurants and wineries in the country.

Overnight: Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, Franschhoek

Day 5     Full day Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch & Franschhoek) Tour

An interactive, informative and an ultimately enjoyable day in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, by the end of your wine tour you will have experienced the beauty and warmth of South Africa, its wines and its culture. Your day will include wine tastings at three different wine estates, including a wine pairing (most likely chocolate!), as well as a unique Big 5 Wine Drive Safari! A lazy lunch will also be enjoyed while taking in the incredible views of the mountains and vineyards.

You will arrive back at your hotel in the early evening and after a long and full day our will appreciate the time to relax.  

Overnight: Franschhoek Boutique Hotel, Franschhoek

Day 6     Cape Town to Kruger National Park

Today you will transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to Hoedspruit or Skukuza, here you will be met and transferred to your Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge located on a private concession in the Kruger National Park – one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Africa.

A celebration of African style, from its traditional rondavel rooms to the splashes of colourful designer fabrics and earthy tones defining its interiors, Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge exudes a hearty spirit of warmth and welcoming.

At  Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge you will enjoy some of Kruger’s most spectacular landscapes and an extraordinary variety of wildlife, birdlife, and plant life within the Mluwati Concession, ensuring that each Safari experience will be unique.

Experience a morning and evening Safari during your stay at Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge. Savour the rich smells of the bush, hear the shrill calls of the Magpie Shrike and see the wind blowing through the feather grass dotting the savannah plains. A Hoyo-Hoyo Safari will reveal new scents, curious sounds and the beauty of an extraordinary African landscape to delight your senses.

Accompanied by your Guide, on board the powerful open 4×4 Land Cruiser vehicle, you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the one hundred square kilometre private concession area within the Kruger National Park. Experience the inimitable thrills of a Safari inside the National Park in pursuit of the legendary “Big Five” species that call the concession home. You will be able to join the twice daily Safari, morning and afternoon/evening. If you would like the unrivalled experience of discovering the magnificent Kruger National Park on foot, or would like to spend time focusing on the smaller things out in the Bush, the guiding team will be on hand to ensure an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Overnight: Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park

Day 7-9 Full days on Safari in Kruger National Park and at Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge

Kick-start your day before the sun rises, dunking a homemade Rusk into a steamy cup of coffee before setting off on your morning Game Drive with your assigned Ranger. Watch as the Bush awakens around you; the dew glistens on the webs of the Golden Orb spider and Lilac Breasted Rollers flash their startling sky-blue bellies as they flit past your game vehicle.

If lucky, see the allusive Wild Dogs laze under the Acacia Trees and Elephants leave their distinct trail as they chomp through the bush at a leisurely pace. Steal a glance at the Leopard eating its prey high up in an old Tamboti Tree, Zebra foraging alongside large herds of Wildebeest, and Impala flashing their characteristic ‘M’ as they disappear into the thick brush.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast under the thatched rondawel roofs of Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge and then retire to your room and relax, laze at the crystal-clear infinity pool or request a Bush Walk for an up-close encounter with the Kruger.

Lunch is a relaxed, informal affair. Served on the deck with beautiful views of the surrounding Bushveld, you will be treated to light salads and tasty desserts, before retiring to your room to rest or an afternoon siesta.

Indulge in a soothing massage from the comfort of your private deck, the scents of Ylang Ylang, Vanilla, and Cedarwood soothing body, soul and mind. Hoyo Hoyo’s trained therapists hail from the local community and provide a range of massages, including full-body aromatherapy, foot massages, and Swedish back and neck massages.

Afternoon tea, served on the deck, heralds the imminent departure of your special evening Safari through the Mluwati Concession. Spot a pride of lazy Lions lounging casually in the tall grass and the associated warning call of nature’s tattletales, the Grey Loerie, as they inform the surrounding species of impending danger.

Sip a Sundowner G&T as you watch the sky turn from the brilliance of an African sunset to a bright band of stars; the persistent call of Frogs, Owls and Nightjars accompanying you back to Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, where an African feast awaits.

Bursting with the day’s extraordinary Bush experiences, all that’s left is to retire to the comfort of your traditional Tsonga homestead with nothing but the reassuring sound of the Crickets and Frogs lulling you to sleep.

Overnight: Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park

Please note: There is no Wi-Fi or cellphone signal at this exclusive and remote Safari Lodge, allowing complete relaxation for guests. The suites offer a radio link to the Manager at the Lodge.

Day 10  Travel from Kruger National Park to Hermanus

After your final morning Game Drive, breakfast and check-out you will transfer back to Hoedspruit or Skukuza airport for a direct flight to Cape Town. Transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Hermanus, also known as the Whale Watching Capital of the World. Hermanus is approximately 2 hours drive from the airport.

One Marine Drive enjoys a spectacular location, right on the Cliff Path, and within easy walking distance of the town’s many attractions, and overlooking Walker Bay.

Overnight: One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel

Day 11  Full day in Hermanus and surrounds  

Stretched along a narrow ribbon of land between towering mountains and a spectacular shoreline, Hermanus is surrounded by nature in her grandest style. Sitting on the edge of Walker Bay, this small coastal town offers a bewitching array of experiences. Whales and Great White Sharks, the most diverse Floral Kingdom in the world, mountain walks and pristine beaches, secluded forests, crashing surf, lagoons, and a hidden Wine Valley, so beautiful it’s named ‘Heaven and Earth.’

Enjoy a walk in the fresh air along the clifftops looking out for the Southern Right Whales which visit these waters between June and November each year. You also have the option of joining a boat-based whale watching excursion for a more up close experience. Those feeling a little more adventurous or active can choose to join a fat bike tour, do some horse riding or kayaking.

Lunch and a Wine Tasting will be enjoyed in the Hemel en Aarde Valley – home to some of South Africa’s top Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs.

Overnight: One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel

Day 12  Departure from Cape Town International Airport

After a relaxed morning and breakfast at your hotel, you will transfer back to Cape Town International Airport for your departure flight back home.

 We look forward to seeing you again!