Smash your comfort zone in South Africa

New country, new friends, new adventure!

Touch down in South Africa and prepare for one epic fortnight. Your transfer awaits to whisk you off to your harbourfront hotel, where it’s time for you solo travellers to unite for a friendly meet-and-greet with each other and your guide. Check out the hotel facilities, including a courtyard pool and spa treatment rooms. In the evening, we’ll head to the super-trendy hub of Camps Bay for sunset cocktails at a local bar, toasting the adventure that is to come. From here, we’ll move onto a restaurant for dinner on the waterfront, looking out to views of the mountain you’ll be conquering tomorrow.

Note: For any adrenaline junkies out there, we offer optional shark cage diving a day before the adventure starts. The cost includes an airport transfer, one night in the Cape Town hotel and a very early start the following morning to find some Great Whites!

Bear Grylls, eat your heart out

Conquering the heights of Table Mountain is on today’s agenda. This flat-topped beauty is one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks, looming majestically at 1,086 metres. While you could cheat and take the cable car (a mere five-minute ride), hiking offers a more visceral experience. The steep trek is worth every puff of breath when you see the incredible view of Cape Town and beyond at the top, either set against a dazzling blue sky on a clear day, or a “tablecloth” of moody storm clouds if not. Take in the breath-taking panorama, then harness up because we’re abseiling down a portion of the mountain. It’s a heart-racing experience, but the horizon-stretching views and amazing photos more than make up for those leg trembles. Once you’re safely back to sea level (with help from the cable car), spend the evening soaking up the vibrant Cape Town nightlife. You climbed a mountain today, go crazy.

Paddle-boarding and penguin pals

Wake up feeling awesome; another day of exploring South Africa awaits. Today, we’re embracing the ocean with a Cape Peninsula foray. We kick off with some stand-up paddle boarding in one of the most stunning locations imaginable. Glide across the shimmering sea like a pro. Or, if you can’t quite master it, falling into the turquoise waves really isn’t so bad. After some beach-side lunch, it’s time to get friendly with some locals – and it just so happens that they’re PENGUINS. On a beach. No big deal. We’re heading to a secluded cove to admire them in all the sandy glory of their natural habitat. Then after befriending these sunbathing penguins, spend this evening hitting up Cape Town’s on-point bar scene, your Flash Pack crew in tow.

Drink in South African history and wine

If the weather is on our side, after breakfast you’ll be heading over to the infamous Robben Island to see the prison that held Nelson Mandela. History and culture play a huge role in the Flash Pack experience, so you’ll learn all about the moving heritage of the island, with a former political prisoner for a guide. After the boat trip back, it’s time to head to the beautiful wine-rich region of Stellenbosch. The rest of your day is yours to do as you please. You can eat your way down the lively street cafés of this easygoing university town, or head for a sunset stroll along its oak-lined streets.

The grape-scented air of Stellenbosch

No trip to Stellenbosch is complete without visiting its renowned vineyards, and no trip to a Stellenbosch vineyard is complete without tasting the wine. Today we’re doing just that. Settle in for a short scenic hike through the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, as we explore the spectacular mountain-shrouded wine lands, slotting in a tasting session of top-notch South African vintages en-route. You’ll be swept away by the endless natural beauty of the rolling hills, and to wash down all that fabulous vino, we’ll stop for light lunch in a local deli or restaurant. If the sunshine wine has got you in a party mood, the evening is yours to soak up the Stellenbosch nightlife. This is a student town, so make yourself at home at the lively bars and cafés that spill out onto the pavements into the early hours.

Whale-watching in Hermanus

Today we’re heading along the Western Cape coast to the blue ocean of Hermanus; the whales are calling. Breathe in that sea air and get set to enjoy one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. From a picture-perfect viewpoint overlooking the sea, admire these gentle giants as they leap above the waves. It’s a truly soul-soothing experience to tick off your bucket list (the optimum whale-spotting season is June to November, so if your adventure falls during the rest of the year, then we’ll drive the inland route instead and enjoy lunch in Swellendam at a beautiful rustic restaurant). We then press onwards to Oudtshoorn. It’s a six-hour drive, but you’ll be passing through the semi-arid desert of Klein Karoo along the way. This striking environment is perfect for ostrich-spotting and glimpsing life off the beaten track. Once we arrive, settle into your gorgeous guest farm, with chic interiors and a large swimming pool that sits amid a stunning wilderness landscape.

Swim with the dogs of the ocean

For those of you who fancy waking up pre-sunrise for a one-off encounter with meerkats, today is your day. It’s an optional extra which you pay directly to the farm, so it’s entirely up to you (we won’t tell the meerkats if you’d rather stay in bed). Next up is another quirky wildlife encounter. Forget swimming with dolphins and allow us to introduce you to the less been-there-done-that alternative: swimming with seals. You’re heading to Plettenberg Bay, where these friendly marine mammals are just itching to share the water with you. Described as dogs of the ocean, their playful exuberance is great fun to swim alongside and it’s all completely safe with a qualified divemaster. From here, we’ll make our way to the seaside town of Knysna, where a shimmering lagoon is ready and waiting for your surf lesson tomorrow.

Ride the waves of Knysna

Fuel up at breakfast this morning because we’re hitting the beach to get up close and personal with Knysna’s salty waves. Surf’s up Flashpackers, so prepare for two hours of wave-ridin’ fun. You’ll have a fair few wobbles along the way, but if you manage to stay upright on the surf – even for a minute – it’s like no feeling on earth. Once you’re all splashed out, it’s time to explore the Garden Route, in all its natural beauty. A stunning stretch of coastline with dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls and golden beaches, this a South African must-see. Along the way, we’ll pass the lush Tsitsikamma Forest, home to the world’s highest commercial bungee jump – for anyone feeling brave…

Do nothing or everything

Today is a day of leisure, to do exactly as your South Africa self pleases. This may involve nothing but poolside chilling at your hotel (no judgements here). Or, if you fancy being more active, you could explore the local horse trails, or there’s an elephant sanctuary nearby. You could also sign up to a kayaking trip, and meander around the mesmerising Featherbed Nature Reserve. Equally, with your guide, air-conditioned minibus and a bunch of like-minded Flashpackers at your fingertips, there’s nothing stopping you from exploring the sun-dappled sights of Knysna. These include the 800-year-old Woodville Big Tree, Millwood Goldmine and the double-decker John Benn floating restaurant – an ideal spot for sundowners.

Grab your binoculars, it’s safari time

After breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to hit the Eastern Cape. We’re talking safaris and luxury lodges. Your morning will be taken up by travelling to Addo Elephant National Park, but that’s quickly forgotten as you knock back welcome drinks at the elegant safari lodge. In the heart of the South African bush, this hideaway consists of luxury chalets that blend seamlessly into the environment, with panoramic views over the tropical greens and reddish-browns of the wilderness all around. There’s a lovely swimming pool and on-site wellness centre, as well as a restaurant that serves authentic Karoo cuisine. Once you’ve checked in, it’s time to hop into open-top jeeps and enjoy an afternoon game drive with expert rangers. With the animals roaming freely, be sure to have your binoculars and cameras at the ready to spy out elephants, big cats, giraffes and more.

Safari time in a luxury lodge

Rise and shine at 6am, grab some snacks, swig back some coffee and you’re all set for a sunrise safari over the grassy plains. It’s an unforgettable scene as the misty sunlight reveals wakening giraffes, strolling buffalo and roaming elephants, all to the unique sound of a South African dawn chorus. After this mesmerising morning, return to the lodge for a hearty brunch. Once you’re suitably refuelled, spend some quality time with your swimming pool before enjoying high tea with your fellow Flashpackers. It’s then time to jump back into the jeep for an afternoon game drive. No two safaris are the same here, so prepare to be awed once more by a whole new scene of roaring lions and yawning hippos. Return to a delicious four-course dinner. This is the life…

A final game drive and farewell cocktails

Still not spotted the elusive cheetah? Waiting to get the perfect photo of a crash of rhinos? (There’s a good bit of trivia for you, Flashpackers) Today kicks off with one final game drive, to squeeze every last inch of excitement out of your safari experience. Then it’s time to check out of your luxury lodge and head to the seaside city of Port Elizabeth. Spend the rest of the day exploring its friendly waterfront and golden beaches, before sipping back a celebratory G&T to toast your adventure over a last South African sunset. Here’s to conquering mountains, meeting local penguins and surviving an open-top safari (not to mention abseiling, paddle-boarding, wine-tasting and seal-swimming – we could go on…)

See ya, South Africa

Alas, our epic South African getaway draws to a close today. Depending on the time of your flight (and how many drinks were had last night), dig into breakfast at the hotel before making your own way to Port Elizabeth airport. Goodbyes are never easy, but you’ve had one action-packed fortnight to send your spirit soaring on the long journey home. You’ve abseiled down Table Mountain, and learned to surf in Knysna Lagoon. You’ve swum with seals, hung out with penguins and paddle-boarded the shimmering straights of the Cape Peninsula. You’ve knocked back top-quality vino in the vineyards of Stellenbosch and stayed at a series of lovely boutique hotels with pools. And you’ve hit off a few wishes on your bucket list, with epic game drives across the South African bush, and a luxury safari lodge to boot. So, return to reality with the glow of someone who’s just had the adventure of a lifetime – and all the stories to prove it.