9 Days Awe-Inspiring and Picturesque Yoga Safari Tour in South Africa

Day 1

Begin your Cape Town to Johannesburg adventure with a magical first yoga session on top of Table Mountain. Meet us at your centrally located hotel to start this tour for Cape Town's most famous icon: Table Mountain by the Aerial Cableway at 7 am to take in the natural beauty and stunning views. This is followed by a visit to the first botanical garden in the world to be established (in 1913) to protect local flora, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in the UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Kingdom follows. Lunch is at the famous Jonkershuis Cape Malay restaurant. Visiting Groot Constantia, we taste their export quality wines.

We journey along the False Bay coastline to Kalk Bay harbor and stroll along the quaint cobbled streets. From here we pass Fish Hoek and Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, home to one of the few land-based penguin colonies in the world.  Choose one of the popular restaurants in the area for dinner. You overnight at African Soul Surfer, the location for our first studio-based class with sweeping views of Muizenberg and where surf lessons are also offered. 

Day 2

The first visit is Cape Point, part of the Table Mountain National Park and home to an abundance of flora and fauna. Depending on the weather conditions you might hike a light downward trail to the stunning Dias beach to enjoy your morning yoga session next to the ocean. You also visit the viewpoint with the Flying Dutchman Funicular. Visit Hout Bay harbor and Camps Bay African Craft Market on our way along the scenic Chapman’s Peak drive. Driving in the direction of Stellenbosch, we visit the Vergenoegd wine farm for some wine tasting. We go to the Spier Wine Farm for chocolate and wine tasting on the banks of the Spier dam. Choose one of the popular restaurants in the area for dinner. Overnight at African Soul Surfer (or similar).

Day 3:

Starting our journey to the Garden Route, we visit some of the numerous farm stalls at Grabouw, and then moves on to the town of Oudtshoorn with Route 62. This route delivers an unforgettable South African traveling experience, making of life-long memories. (Lunch en-route) After visiting the Cango Caves for a Heritage Tour, we head down the scenic Outeniqua Pass and onto the green forests and beaches of the Garden Route. We go to Buffalo Bay for a yoga session on the beach and experience the sunset. Buffalo Bay beach is a blue flag beach located in Goukamma Nature Reserve, between the coastal towns of Knysna and Sedgefield, along the Western Cape Garden Route. The beach is characterized by dune fields, coastal fynbos, and a forest that flanks the long white sands. Overnight is at the Acorn Guest House George (or similar).

Day 4

A short drive brings us to Knysna where your instructor will take you through a session at the viewpoint of Knysna Head. The Knysna Heads are a pair of sandstone cliffs that separate the Knysna Lagoon from the sea beyond; a famous landmark along the renowned Garden Route. The eastern head is easily accessible by car and has many spectacular viewpoints overlooking the channel, Indian Ocean, the Knysna Lagoon and estuary, and the Outeniqua Mountains. Driving to the Addo National Park, we stop over at the ‘highest recognized bungee from a bridge’ in the world, the Bloukrans Bridge Bungee Jump for an optional jump if you feel brave enough. Alternatively, you can do one of the activities at Stormsriver Adventures: a Tsitsikama Woodcutters Journey or a Tsitsikama Canopy Tour. We look out for Humpback Whales at Nelson Mandela Bay. (Lunch en-route) From here we go to the Addo Elephant National Park where we will have dinner at their restaurant, and a night game drive.

The Wild Coast is a stunning section of Eastern Cape coastline stretching from East London in the south to the border of KwaZulu-Natal in the north. It is the home of the Xhosa people and incorporates estuaries, sandy beaches, natural heritage sites, craggy cliffs, waterfalls, and rolling hills, providing spectacular scenery and real authentic traditional experiences.

Day 5

We leave the Addo National Park (while viewing game) for Port Elizabeth. We head North from Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) to the spectacular Wild Coast along the roads of the Transkei, and see how the Xhosa people still live in their traditional rondawel huts, with farm animals grazing by the side of the road against the backdrop of the Drakensberg in the distance! We visit the Nelson Mandela Museum at Qunu and then veer off the N2 to “The Hole in the Wall”, one of South Africa's most famous tourist attractions, where you have a yoga session.

The iconic Hole in the Wall rock formation is a geological masterpiece. It is an offshore stack of stratified sandstone through which the power of the waves has worn an impressive hole. The locals call this "izi Khaleni" which means place of thunder. During certain seasons and water conditions, the waves clap in such a way that the concussion can be heard throughout the valley. If you want to have a real authentic traditional experience, sleep in a rural rondawel (hut) of a traditional Xhosa village if available at the time. You also have the choice to stay at the Hole-in-the-Wall Hotel.

Day 6

After visiting some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the world, we drive to the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, which lies snugly at the head of a spectacular river gorge lined with dense coastal bush and forests. ) The breath-taking scenery along the Umzimkulwana river gorge makes this a photographer’s and nature lover’s paradise, and here you will have a yoga session. Wildlife in the Oribi Gorge consists of many antelope, although the graceful oribi (after which the gorge is named) is rarely seen. You can do an optional activity here: the Lake Eland Zip Lines, the Longest Zip Line Tour in Africa! This tour consists of 14 zip line slides starting at the top of the Oribi Gorge. We stay here for the night. We stay at the 4-star Oribi Gorge Hotel. (or similar)

Day 7

The Hibiscus coast with its inviting stretch of Indian Ocean which sometimes presents the year-round delights of frolicking dolphins and majestic, cruising whales, provide the spectacular scenery for the drive to Durban. Your tour group now has the opportunity to choose one of the following activities for the rest of the day: optional scuba diving at Aliwal Shoal from Umkomaas, a rocky reef which is the remains of an ancient sand dune approximately 5 kilometers off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The reef is inhabited by many kinds of hard and soft corals and a variety of tropical and subtropical fish species. You can also visit uShaka Marine World in Durban.

KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, Battlefields Route & Midlands Meander. A barrier of upward-pointing spears for the Zulu name “Quathlamba”, describes the craggy pinnacles that form the most spectacular part of the Great Escarpment of Southern Africa’s major watershed.  Discover historical sites where ferocious wars took place and our knowledgeable guides take you back in time to the battlefields of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The mountains and hills hold many secrets and stories of the Anglo Boer war. Add in daily yoga practices and you’ll soon find yourself reflecting on your adventure with complete clarity.

Leaving from Durban, we head to Howick to visit the Mandela Monument. From here we take the road North on the Midlands Meander and visit Tsonga shoes and bags, Marrakesh Cheese and Chocolate Heaven. We overnight at the Brahman Hills Hotel, with expansive views over the Blue Crane Nature Reserve located in the KZN Midlands. Here you have a yoga session to wind down for the evening and start off with an early morning Vinyasa flow, which together with optional spa treatments are offered in a space dedicated to nurturing your mind, body, and soul. 

Day 8

An early yoga session and breakfast is followed by a tour of the Dragon Rock Reptile Centre, or observe as magnificent raptors perform in the skies above the Majestic Drakensberg Mountains at Falcon Ridge. You also have the option for a helicopter flight over the main escarpment. (own cost) We head out to do the Drakensberg Canopy Tour and then attend a Drakensberg Boys Choir concert. (If available on a Wednesday afternoon) We spend the night at the Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort, located at the foot of the majestic Drakensberg in the beautiful Champagne Valley. (or similar) Dinner at the restaurant.

Day 9

After yoga in the lush gardens of the resort, we head to Dundee to have a tour of the battlefields and historical sites of Blood River/Ncome/Napoleon Prince Imperial/Talana. “By 1836 relations between the British rulers in the Cape and the Dutch settlers had reached an all-time low. They decided to pack-up their worldly goods load them onto covered wagons and head into the largely unknown interior of South Africa. Thus began in 1836 the exodus that would be recorded by history as ‘The Great Trek’! The north, west and eastward movement of this exodus of Trekkers, who became known as Voortrekkers inevitably led to conflict with the indigenous peoples who inhabited the hinterland. Trek leader Piet Retief and his party were killed at King Dingane’s capital of Mgungundlovu in February 1838…”, and see where brutal battles took place. We drop you in Johannesburg from 19 pm.

Note

Instead of following the normal itinerary from days 8 and 9 on the 30 September start date, you can unwind and relax with a yoga and meditation detox retreat in the Midlands Meander. Set in the Blue Crane Nature Reserve you are treated to sweeping views as your instructor takes you through yoga, meditation, and breath work techniques twice daily. Included are nourishing vegetarian meals as well as an indulgent spa treatment. Enjoy live juicing stations blending your own fresh juices and let out your fun side with a creative expression workshop. Please inquire for a detailed program for days 8 and 9. Changes apply only for the 30 September 2019 starting date.

Places where you will do yoga with your instructor on this safari:

• Table Mountain, one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature
• Cape Point, where the two oceans meet on tip of Africa
• Blue flag Buffalo Bay beach on long white sands
• Knysna Head viewpoint, overlooking the Indian Ocean and the Knysna Lagoon
• The “Hole in the Wall”, an offshore stack of stratified sandstone at the Wild Coast
• Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, a nature lover’s paradise
• Brahman Hills Hotel, views over the Blue Crane Reserve in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
• At the foot of the majestic Drakensberg in the beautiful Champagne Valley

Cape Town, the “Mother City”, or the world’s most fabulous city, is the oldest city in South Africa and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years. Recharge your body, nourish your mind, and find the perfect balance with yoga on top of one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

• Optional yoga and meditation detox retreat in the Midlands Meander on days 8 and 9

• Yoga classes
• Game drives
• Entrance fees
• National park fees
• Yoga instructor
• Driver / registered tour guide
• Professional guide at specialist venues
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
• Yoga mats
• 8 nights accommodation as per itinerary
• Breakfasts and some dinners
• Airport transfer from Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

• Excess luggage charges (where applicable)
• Alcoholic drinks
• Activities indicated as optional
• Food (lunch and some dinners) and drinks, unless specified
• Gratuities (recommended)
• Travel insurance
• Flights
• Porterage
• Visa fees

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 40% of the total price.
• The deposit is fully refundable if the booking is cancelled up to 60 days before the arrival date.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 60 days before arrival.