Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town
Transfer to your hotel, where you may relax after your international flight. Later, stroll through the vibrant waterfront area, noted for its fashionable shops, restaurants, music venues, bars, produce markets, restored warehouses and dock buildings. In the evening, dine at a recommended restaurant or at your hotel restaurant.
Day 2: Cape Town
Full day sightseeing including cable car excursion up Table Mountain. Along with Victoria Falls, Table Mountain is one of southern Africa's most beautiful and impressive natural wonders. Weather-permitting, your Table Mountain excursion should provide you with wonderful views of the entire Cape. After lunch, you have a choice of two activities. First, you may visit beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and then drive through the idyllic Constantia district. Your second option is take a fascinating tour of Robben Island, the notorious 17th century prison that later held apartheid South Africa's most famous opponents, including Nelson Mandela.
Day 3: Oudtshoorn
Depart Cape Town and travel through the semi-arid Karoo to the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn. Afternoon visit to the Cango Caves, reputedly the largest cave system in the world. Overnight at Hlangana Lodge.
Day 4: Knysna
After breakfast and a visit to a local ostrich farm, it's over the Outeniqua Pass and into the Garden Route. Destination Knysna, situated on a large lagoon guarded by the Knysna Heads, spectacular sea cliffs. Check and explore this quaint arty, crafty town. Sunset cruise on the lagoon.
Day 5: Tsitsikamma National Park
Through indigenous forest and over massive gorges we go, stopping at the Tsitsikamma National Park at Storms River for some great scenery and a walk to the river mouth. Then on to the Addo Elephant Park with an afternoon game drive in quest of these massive, yet gracious, beasts - and more (rhino, buffalo, lion and a variety of antelope). The floodlit waterhole is a great place to spend a while before retiring to bed! Overnight in park chalets
Day 6: Coffee Bay - The Wild Coast
Today we head for the sea - the warm Indian Ocean at Coffee Bay on the spectacular Wild Coast, driving through classic rural Africa en route! Ocean View Hotel, overlooking the beach and the ocean. DBB (dinner, bed and breakfast).
Day 7: Coffee Bay
Coffee Bay. Full day at leisure. Relax around the pool, on the beach, swim, walk, climb to the cliff tops and look out for dolphins, or take an optional tour to the amazing Hole in the Wall OR go abseiling.
Day 8: Drakensberg Nature Reserve
Turning inland, we travel to the Southern Drakensberg and Lotheni Camp in the Drakensberg Nature Reserve. Enjoy a walk before dinner - a traditional South African "braai" (barbeque). Overnight in chalets.
Day 9: Cathedral Peak
Skirting the base of the Drakensberg, we move on to the northern sector and Cathedral Peak. Quite the most amazing scenery. Check in at the Cathedral Peak Hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure to hike, swim or simply relax.
Day 10: Hazyview
Basically a transit day (it's a BIG country!). North through vast farmlands to the town of Hazyview. Overnight at the Hazyview Protea Hotel just outside town.
Day 11: Djuma Game Reserve
Time for some Real safari! Into the Lowveld, well, Bushveld! To Djuma Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, on the edge of Kruger. One of the finest private reserves we've seen. Have not been once without spotting leopard (the most difficult of the Big Five to see)! Check in at Bush Lodge. After lunch, it's off on a game drive in open safari vehicles with a sun-downer stop included. Then it's time for dinner under the African stars.
Day 12: Djuma
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Time to relax - or do a tour of one of the local Shangaan rural villages (own account) - worthwhile! A bush walk is also an option (included). Lunch is usually followed by a snooze around the pool before the afternoon game drive.
Day 13: Mocambique
Time for another country! Mocambique - our bit of Africa with a Latin feel! Bob Dylan was even inspired to write a song about it. Clearing customs, we again head for the coast and the capital, Maputo. A fascinating, almost schizophrenic place - colonial Portuguese, seventies Portuguese, African Socialist, modern. Street cafes and Portuguese food - and seafood! Check into the Fabulous Polana Hotel near the city center.
Day 14: Maputo
Maputo city tour. We'll visit the beautiful cathedral, railway station, the Iron House (designed by Eiffel of the tower fame!), the Mercado (market) and more. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 15: Pemba
Early breakfast and then transfer to Maputo Airport at 07h00 for our flight to Pemba in the north. On arrival, transfer to what we regard as a bit of heaven. Pemba Beach Hotel on Wimbe Beach. Check in and relax! Swim in the rim - flow pool or the warm ocean and get ready for dinner.
Day 16: Unwind
Quite a range of options: A city / town tour (visiting the cashew nut factory is quite an experience, the Makonde woodcarvers, the craft shop, etc) snorkeling or diving, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, or a day trip to the surreal Ibo Island with it's old Portuguese fort and decaying town, tennis, or just relax!
Day 17: Return flight to Maputo and overnight at Polana Hotel.
Day 18: Time to haul out the passports again!
Depart Mocambique and enter the Kingdom of Swaziland, one of only 3 remaining kingdoms in Africa. Visit Mantenga Crafts en route to our hotel, the Foresters Arms.
Day 19: Back into South Africa and to the City of Gold, Johannesburg.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodations,
- Meals as indicated
- Professional local guides
- Entrance fees
- Activities as per itinerary
- All land transportation and airport transfers in air-conditioned VW Micro bus
- All flights within South Africa
- Satou-accredited driver
- Satou-accredited accompanying guide throughout
Price Excludes:
- Visa fees: USA passport holders purchase visas at port of entry $ 30 per person
- Meals not listed in itinerary
- Tips to guides
- Excess baggage charges
- Alcoholic beverages
- Laundry, other personal items
- Airport departure taxes
- Travel insurance.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Central African Republic
Cultural Journey
National Parks
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