This popular comprehensive tour visits the highlights of South Africa, including an ostrich farm experience and the Cango Caves with their magnificent dripstone formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Also experience a stroll through the Tsitsikamma National Park, renowned for its age-old trees, a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia A World Heritage Site, an optional Zulu experience at Shakaland, the 'Big Five' in Hluhluwe Game Reserve and Kruger National Park, spectacular Blyde River Canyon and God's Window and a visit of Soweto.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1 - Cape Town - Oudtshoorn
Depart Cape Town via Sir Lowry's Pass. After traveling the plateau of expansive apple orchards in and around Grabouw, arrive at the charming town of Swellendam and continue through the folded sandstone mountains of the Huis River and Tradouw Passes. The true diversity of landscapes is highlighted through the ever-changing semi-desert areas of the Klein Karoo. Visit the towns of Barrydale and Calitzdorp en route to Oudtshoorn. Enjoy a hearty dinner at a superb local restaurant famous for its ostrich fare and fine wines. Hlangana Country Lodge or similar. Includes: (D).
Day 2 - Cango Caves - Knysna
After breakfast, start the day with a visit to the world famous Cango Caves for a fully guided tour. Time permitting an optional tour of the Crocodile and Cheetah Park is also available. Leaving Oudtshoorn, visit a local Ostrich farm for a guided tour. Continue over the Robinson Pass to Mossel Bay. Send a postcard to friends or relatives from the famous Post Office Tree before visiting the Diaz and Maritime Museums with relics of famous explorers. Scenic drive via Dolphin Point to Wilderness and on to South Africa's 'oyster capital', Knysna. After checking into your Waterfront hotel, freshen up for a superb dinner at a local restaurant on the Knysna Waterfront. Protea Hotel Knysna Quays or similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3 - Knysna - Port Elizabeth
After breakfast you have sufficient time to enjoy a boat cruise on the lagoon (not included) or a simple stroll through the village or Waterfront. Our journey to Port Elizabeth commences with a short refreshment stop in the 'millionaires' playground' of Plettenberg Bay. Attractions to be visited in the Tsitsikamma Forest area include the 'Big Tree' and the 'Garden of Eden'. Gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. Leave the Garden Route via the Groot River and the Bloukrans Passes to Port Elizabeth. The day ends at your hotel late afternoon. Protea Hotel Marine or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 4 - Port Elizabeth - Durban
Morning at leisure, then transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Durban (not included, contact us for quotes). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred from Durban International Airport to your hotel. Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 5 - Durban
Optional full day tour of Shakaland (not included). Depart Durban and travel to Eshowe and the authentic Zulu Kraal of Shakaland. Feel the pulsating rhythm of Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Experience the sight of assegai wielding warriors, share the fascinating secrets of Sangomas and witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and the beer making ceremony. Traditional Zulu lunch will be served. For those not taking the tour, enjoy the day at leisure. Protea Hotel Umhlanga or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 6 - St Lucia - Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Leaving Durban, drive through sugar cane plantations along the Indian Ocean seaboard to St Lucia, a World Heritage Site and enjoy a river cruise on the estuary. Here you may see pelicans, fish eagles, hippos and crocodiles. Continue to a Maputaland Game Lodge and enjoy a late afternoon open safari vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Return to the lodge for a hearty dinner served under the African sky (weather permitting). Gazebo Safari Lodge or similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7 - Swaziland - Kruger National Park
After an early breakfast, enter the Kingdom of Swaziland at Golela border. Continue via the Lebombo Mountains through eastern Swaziland and exit at Jeppe's Reef border. Travel to the next private game lodge, with its awe-inspiring views, bordering the Kruger National Park. Arrive in time for high tea and late afternoon game viewing in an open safari vehicle with an experienced ranger and tracker. Return to the lodge for dinner where an African feast awaits you.
Bongani Mountain Lodge or similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8 - Kruger National Park
An early morning bush walk or game drive (optional and not included in cost). After breakfast, depart for the world famous Kruger National Park for game viewing en-route to your safari hotel. When the dinner-drum sounds, your meal will be served under the stars in a traditional African Boma (weather permitting). Umbhaba Lodge or similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9 - Mpumalanga
Early morning game drive in the Kruger National Park (an open safari vehicle is available as an optional extra). After returning to the hotel for breakfast, travel via Kowyn's Pass to Graskop. Explore the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring: the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels; Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window and various waterfalls. Continue with a short visit to the historic town of Pilgrim's Rest, Mac-Mac Waterfalls and Sabie. A superb meal complements and completes the day. Lone Creek River Lodge (Timber Cottages) or similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10 - Johannesburg
After a hearty breakfast on the veranda overlooking the Sabi River, our journey to Johannesburg begins with a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfalls. Travel over the historical Long Tom Pass to the town of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank. Late afternoon arrival in Johannesburg. Protea Hotel Wanderers or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 11 - Soweto - Depart
Morning tour of Soweto including a fascinating glimpse of bustling neighborhood life, two Nobel Prize winners previous residences, the Hector Peterson memorial and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Return to your hotel by lunchtime. Later today you will be collected and transferred to Johannesburg International Airport in time for your onward or homebound flight. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2006 Departures: Every Wednesday from Cape Town.
2007 Departures: Every Tuesday from Cape Town.
Price Includes:
- Accommodations as detailed;
- Transportation as noted;
- Game drives as detailed in the itinerary;
- Transfers as indicated in the itinerary;
- Sightseeing/tours/entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary;
- Meals as noted (B-bkfst, L-lunch, D-dinner);
- Services of professional driver and guide.
Price does not include:
- Flights to/from Africa;
- Scheduled flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban*;
- Gratuities;
- Items of personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, travel insurance etc.
- Optional tours (e.g. Balloon excursion);
- Fees for passport, visas, airport departure taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Boating and Sailing
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