Hello South Africa

“Africa, a region I have been passionately visiting for years... For Arkas Tourism’s specially designed “South Africa” tour, I turned the experiences I had here into a program. From Cape Town’s streets filled with art and gastronomy, to Franschhoek’s elegant vineyards, the safari tour where you will find the balance of life, and from Kruger’s wilderness to Johannesburg’s history, I carefully selected every step of the program. Alongside the gastronomic experience where you will taste tranquility in carefully selected hotels and natural cuisine with seasonal farm-to-table flavors, moments intertwined with art spilling from galleries onto the streets will be part of this journey. I invite you not just to a trip, but to an unforgettable experience where you will live the magic of Africa, tranquility, and the balance of life.”
                                                                                                                Candan Varnalı 

Tuesday, December 1 -- Welcome to Johannesburg
Departure to Johannesburg on the night connecting November 30 to December 1 at 02:05 with Turkish Airlines flight TK 0042. We land in Johannesburg at 10:50 local time with the first light of morning. As we board our private vehicle waiting for us at the airport, the emerald-green sea of trees stretching to the horizon says “Welcome” to you in its freshest summer form. After settling into the hotel and taking a short rest, we share the excitement of the tour’s first experience together, and after lunch we go to the Apartheid Museum. Here we follow step by step the traces of South Africa’s painful but honorable journey to democracy. Photographs, personal stories, documents… Every corner tells us how a country living under the shadow of racism attained freedom under the leadership of a leader like Nelson Mandela. At Mandela’s house in Soweto, time almost stands still. The photographs on the walls, the old items used... Together we witness the recent history of this country in its most authentic form. We end the day at one of Johannesburg’s most famous restaurants with a meat dish and South African wines. At the end of the first day, excitement, tiredness, and pleasure blend together.

Accommodation: 5* Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg or similar. Breakfast and dinner included

Wednesday, December 2 -- Johannesburg - Kruger Park
After breakfast in the morning, we complete our hotel check-out procedures. Departure to Skukuza at 10:05 with Airlink Airlines. After our arrival at 11:05, we set off toward Kruger National Park, the wild heart of Africa. After settling into our lodge and having lunch, our first adventure begins with our safari vehicles. While tracking the “Big Five” — lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros — the red soil of the Savannah, the shade of acacia trees, and the bird sounds coming from afar make us feel the spirit of safari down to our bones. As we return to the lodge at sunset, the African sky is painted in orange, pink, and purple hues. Our dinner is at the hotel, by the fire, under a sky full of stars...

Accommodation: 4* Kruger Gate Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner included

Thursday, December 3 -- In the Heart of Kruger Park
We board the safari vehicles before sunrise. At this hour, nature is at its liveliest: hunting predators, elephants gathering by the water, waking flocks of birds... Every corner seems like it came straight out of a documentary. In the afternoon, we return to the lodge and enjoy the African sun by the pool. In the evening, with our Sunset Cocktail treat, we watch the sun disappear behind the Savannah. As the sun sets, the African sky is covered in countless shades of orange.

Accommodation: 4*Kruger Gate Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner included

Friday, December 4 -- Kruger Park - Cape Town 
After breakfast in the morning, we complete our hotel check-out procedures. We depart for Cape Town at 11:45 with AIRLINK Airlines. Our arrival is at 14:35. As we descend into the city, the deep blue ocean and the grandeur of Table Mountain greet us. After settling into the hotel, guests who wish to have free time at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront may have lunch here. Seaside cafés, musicians, and colorful markets are enough to make us fall in love at first sight. Later, we go up Table Mountain to see a magnificent sunset view. We end the day with a delicious dinner at the restaurant located below our hotel.

Accommodation: 4*Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner included.

Saturday, December 5 -- Cape Town Sparkle
We begin the day among the fresh aromas of the ocean-breezed Farmers Market, refreshing your spirit with a traditional breakfast in the fairy-tale, colorful streets of Bo-Kaap. Then, after discovering local designs in the stylish boutiques of Kloof Street, we take a short break in the garden of Mount Nelson, which resembles a pink dream; we then crown the day with an unforgettable dinner at our restaurant, where fire turns into art in a mesmerizing atmosphere.

Accommodation: 4*Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner included.

Sunday, December 6 -- The Dynamic Spirit of the City
We start the day with a peaceful breakfast at our hotel. Then we head to Old Biscuit Mill, the center of local energy; guests who wish may also experience the freshness of the morning with the freedom of a bicycle or motorcycle tour. Around 14:00, we step into the lively harbor atmosphere of Waterfront. Later in the day, we visit the fascinating Zeitz Museum, transformed from an old grain silo into a temple of art, and embark on an enjoyable journey into the depths of modern art.

Accommodation: 4*Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar. Breakfast included.

Monday, December 7 -- Iconic Peninsula Discovery
The day begins with a journey into Cape Town’s wild and impressive nature, and we turn our route toward the legendary Cape of Good Hope. On the way, we greet the adorable penguins of Boulders Beach and pass through the nostalgic streets of Kalk Bay, then taste fresh seafood at our restaurant, the harbor’s most intimate stop, for lunch. In the afternoon, we set out on a captivating Peninsula tour accompanied by unique ocean views. We end the day in Camps Bay, famous for its pure white beaches, and have our dinner in a very stylish atmosphere accompanied by the colors of the setting sun.

Accommodation: 4*Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Tuesday, December 8 -- Dream of Exclusive Gardens
We say hello to the day by walking through the endless gardens of Babylonstoren, which feels like a fairy tale land in the heart of nature. Then we are guests in the peaceful atmosphere of Boshendal, under centuries-old oak trees, and La Motte vineyards, where elegance flows from every corner. When lunchtime comes, we choose to take a flavor-filled break at our restaurant where luxury meets art. With the first lights of evening, we surrender ourselves to the city, to that famous exotic and mysterious garden, and end the day with an elegant feast in this fairy-tale setting.

Accommodation: 4*Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Wednesday, December 9 -- Breeze from Nature to the City
We start the day by exploring the unique atmosphere of Montebello, the center of art workshops and local artisans. After leaving here, we turn our route to the vast Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens spread along the slopes of Table Mountain and take a nature walk among rare vegetation. We continue the journey by bus toward the Constantia Valley. After having lunch at a modern and cozy table, we return to our hotel for a short preparation and rest break. In the finale of the day, we surrender ourselves to the rhythm of the city and have dinner on an elegant terrace full of history.

Accommodation:4*Victoria & Alfred Hotel or similar. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included

Thursday, December 10 -- Return Home with Memories
We spend our last day shopping, buying souvenirs, and enjoying free time. The magic of South Africa bids us farewell, remaining in our memories and in our hearts.