With such incredible diversity of landscape, culture and history it is no surprise that Africa plays host to more of our itineraries than any other continent. As Tour Leader Alastair Smith leads our group through South Africa, Mozambique and the kingdoms of Swaziland and Lesotho on this 16-day adventure, we are exposed to a spectrum of sights, sounds and experiences that few destinations can boast. In South Africa, we wander the bustling streets of Johannesburg, explore one of the world's most isolated cities in Cape Town, admire the rugged alpine splendor of the Royal Natal National Park and enjoy a game drive in the Sabi Sands Conservation Area. The picturesque countryside of Lesotho is complemented by its blend of ancient culture with modern lifestyle and the idyllic beaches, tropical islands and crumbling fortresses in Mozambique allow for exploration of the best of the natural and the man-made world. We pass through tiny villages fringed by sugarcane fields in Swaziland and keep a lookout for big game and the elusive white rhino on our trip into some of the country's national parks.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Johannesburg
Today we arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa. Currently this South African city has a population of about five million. It had its beginnings in 1886, when a prospector found a surface outcrop of gold, which turned out to be the richest gold reef the world has ever seen. In just over 100 years, nearly half of all the gold that has ever been mined on earth has been mined here. Overnight in Johannesburg (Sandton). Holiday Inn Crown Plaza or similar. Dinner if required.
Note: The hotels / lodges named in this itinerary are our intended / preferred properties and not yet confirmed. They should, however, give you a very accurate indication of the type and standard that we are aiming for on this tour.
Day 2: Johannesburg, South Africa - Maseru, Lesotho
Today we fly from Jo'burg to Maseru, the capital of the mountain kingdom of Lesotho (pronounced "Le-soo-too"). Formerly the British Protectorate of Basutoland, this Belgium-sized state is the only country in the world with all its land situated more than 1000 m (3,300 feet) above sea level. Lesotho came into being as a separate state because of massive demographic upheaval in Southern Africa during the 19th century. Today it is the homeland of the Basotho Sotho-Tswana peoples who found a refuge high in the mountains against the incursions of various European and African groups. Before independence in 1966, under British colonial rule, it was known as Basotholand.
Note: Most internal flights are not included in the Land Only price. These are available for an additional 400 CAD / 330 US for Land Only passengers. These flights are included for land / air participants. Overnight in Lesotho. Lesotho Sun Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 3: Lesotho
We visit this geographically diminutive highland kingdom, with lowland areas all above 1000 meters (3,300 ft) and mountains rising to more than 3000 meters (9,900 ft). The population is small; just over two million inhabitants. We tour the picturesque countryside, stopping en route to visit, among other places, the craft center of Teyateyaneng. Overnight in Lesotho. Lesotho Sun Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4: Lesotho - KwaZulu Natal, South Africa - Royal Natal National Park
Today we travel the spectacular Sani Pass in the southern Drakensberg range. We explore this pass by 4 X 4 vehicle, the most scenic and highest pass in Lesotho. Our destination is the Royal Natal National Park, situated in the Northern Drakensberg. The Drakensberg in KwaZulu Natal belongs to the mountain range of the Great Escarpment in the east of South Africa. The Royal Natal National Park, proclaimed a protected area in 1916, encapsulates the beauty of this rugged alpine mountain world. Vertical rock walls, grass-covered mountain slopes, roaring torrents and thundering waterfalls present a unique natural landscape. Overnight near Royal Natal National Park. Dadima (Luxury) Camp or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 5: Royal Natal National Park
Today we discover the spectacular mountainous landscape of the Drakensberg mountain range. The Royal Natal National Park covers some 8000 hectares of this area, including some impressively high and jagged peaks. Outstanding is the "Amphitheater," a rock wall 5 km (3 miles) in length and 500 m (1,650 ft) high, with the highest peak on top, Mont-aux-Sources (3282 m / 10,830 ft), meaning the "mountain of springs."
Here the Orange River starts the long journey through South Africa until it reaches the Atlantic at Oranjemund. Down the face of the amphitheater cascades the Tugela River in one of the highest waterfalls in the world. Many hiking trails lead through the 8000 ha (19,760 acre) nature reserve. On a hot summer day, a dip in one of the many clear mountain streams and rock pools is very refreshing. Short walks or a horse ride through mountain territory are options for the afternoon. Overnight near Royal Natal National Park. Dadima (Luxury) Camp or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 6: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – Swaziland
This morning we travel into the Swazi Lowveld, an area of tiny villages and endless rolling hills planted in sugarcane. Swaziland was founded by the Dlamini dynasty whose ancestors arrived from the area of present day Maputo. Swaziland remains one of the last kingdoms in Africa, a continent once dominated by colonialism. Today Swaziland covers an area roughly the size of Wales or Hawaii. Under the leadership of Dlamini III, settlement took place in 1750, along the Pongola River where it cuts through the Lobombo Mountains.
The land they entered was neither vacant or sparsely populated; it was teeming with game, rich in natural resources, a haven for crop raising and cattle rearing. From 1902 until 1968, when the Kingdom achieved its independence, Swaziland was a British protectorate. If time permits we will visit the Hlane Royal National Park, the kingdom's largest protected wildlife area. If we are lucky, we may spot white rhinos here, along with other big game species. Overnight at Forrester's Arms (near Mbabane). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 7: Swaziland
We spend the morning visiting the small capital, Mbabane, as well as the Ezulwini Valley, seat of the Royal Family and the diminutive parliament building. Nearby we make a visit to the National Museum to learn about Swazi culture. Overnight at Forrester's Arms. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 8: Swaziland - Sabi Sands Conservation Area, South Africa
This morning we drive northward eastward across the Swazi highveld to the the South Africa, province of Mpumalanga, "Land of the Rising Mist." We arrive later in the day at Sabi Sands Conservation Area, located next to Kruger National Park where we check in to our comfortable game lodge. Sabi Sands shares 41 km / 26 miles of open boundary with the Kruger Park, enabling wildlife to roam freely across the two parks and creating a wildlife rich environment. The diversity of these habitats is the key factor behind the incredible fauna and flora for which the area has become famous. Most of the Game Reserves that make up the Sabi Sands traverse each other's wildlife areas in order to increase the area on which they can drive. Overnight in the Sabi Sands Conservation Area. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 9: Sabi Sands Conservation Area
Today we will have both a morning and an afternoon game drive in the Sabi Sands Conservation Area, where we hope to see local wildlife populations including elephants, zebras, lions, and leopards. Visiting the Sabi Sands Conservation Area rather than the neighboring Kruger Park often affords one better game viewing. There are now no longer fences between the park and the conservation area so animals wandering freely between them. There are some 150 mammal species to be found in here, along with about 500 species of birds. Overnight in the Sabi Sands Conservation Area. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 10: Sabi Sands, South Africa - Maputo, Mozambique
Today s drive takes us a short distance through the South African lowveld to the frontier with Mozambique. This country of some 19 million inhabitants gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. Wracked by civil war until 1992, the country has been recovering during the past decade, with one of the highest economic growth rates in Sub-Saharan Africa during the 1990s. This afternoon we arrive in Mozambique's capital city, Maputo.
For many years, Mozambique was one of southern Africa's top travel destinations. Sunshine, warm weather and long golden beaches made the country a traveler's paradise. However, a brutal civil war, droughts, famine and dramatic floods reduced the stream of visitors to a trickle. Yet despite the country's woes, a triumphant spirit has prevailed and travelers are again being drawn by Mozambique's many charms.
The major attraction is the country's 2400 km coastline, which is replete with idyllic beaches, tropical islands, crumbling forts and delicious seafood. After almost a decade of peace, the country is being rebuilt at a rapid pace. Developers have moved in with ambitious plans to build parks and luxury vacation resorts. And Maputo, the nation's capital, is no longer a devastated shantytown, but a lively city that is on the upswing. Overnight in Maputo. Holiday Inn Maputo or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 11: Maputo: City Tour
Today is spent in and around Maputo, (previously called Lourenzo Marques) the sprawling capital of Mocambique with a population of about two million people and a large harbor. Under Portuguese influence, Lourenzo Marques became one of Africa's most beautiful and fashionable cities with an impressive skyline of tall buildings and a cosmopolitan Portuguese/African atmosphere attracting many visitors. Today we will visit the praca, the star-shaped structure in the center of the plaza that holds the remains of Mozambique's revolutionary and post-independence heroes.
The most important landmark is the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceiao (Our Lady of Conception) which was the nucleus of the original settlement. Another imposing building is the Central Railway Station, an enormous structure looking more like a palace for kings than a siding for commuters. An interesting and instructive aspect of Maputo is its public art, largely focused on revolutionary themes and often expressed as a mural. Many of the city's murals were painted following independence from Portugal.
This new period was marked by spontaneity, and many colorful and complex murals were painted, the most famous of which is the 95m (285 ft) long mural opposite the Praca dos Herois Mocambicanos, commemorating The Revolution. Overnight in Maputo. Holiday Inn Maputo or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 12: Maputo, Mozambique - Cape Town, South Africa
Today we fly from Maputo to Cape Town (likely via Johannesburg), one of the world's most isolated and beautiful cities. Overnight in Cape Town. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 13: Table Mountain & Cape Point
This morning we drive south of the Mother City to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve, enjoying the coastal scenery along the way. The Cape of Good Hope-the most southwesterly point on the African continent-was earlier known as the Cape of Storms by the Portuguese. The name was later changed by the Portuguese king as not to discourage future nautical expeditions on their way around Southern Africa in search of the eastern route to the source of pepper and other valuable spices.
The reserve is home to eland, springbok, bontebok, baboons, and zebras. In the afternoon, we return to Cape Town where we take the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain, a geologically complex plateau rising up above the Cape Flats. The top is approximately 3 km wide, and at its highest point rises to 1085 meters. Over the centuries it has become one of South Africa's most famous landmarks. The mountain is home to approximately 1,470 species of plants, more than the entire British Isles. (This visit is weather-dependent; if the mountain is fogged-in we will substitute other Cape Town sightseeing or try again some other time during our stay in Cape Town). Overnight in Cape Town. Breakfast only (dinner on your own this evening).
Day 14: Cape Town & the Winelands
This morning is free to enjoy the city of Cape Town on your own. You may choose to visit the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront or one of the several excellent museums this city has to offer. In the afternoon we drive the short distance into the Cape Winelands area which forms a rough triangle between the towns of Paarl, Franchhoek and Stellenbosch. South Africa's wine industry is more than three hundred years old, older than anywhere outside Europe. There are some 200 wineries in this region. Overnight in the Cape Winelands area. D'Ouwe Werf Inn (proposed). Breakfast and dinner.
Day 15: The Cape Winelands
The Cape vineyards date back to the time of the foundation of the Cape Colony by Jan van Riebeeck in 1685; they were considerably improved after 1688 by French Huguenot refugees who brought their vine seedlings and skills with them. The Cape's different soils and climatic variations allow a wide variety of wines to be produced, from exquisite sweet whites, through dry whites to fruity reds. The scenery is beautiful as we drive through the valleys of the Cape wine-growing area, amidst the vineyards and estates with their splendid Cape Dutch architecture.
We will visit the university town of Stellenbosch, the country's second-oldest settlement after Cape Town. There is a good museum to be found in a series of houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. One of our objectives today is to visit two wineries where we will learn more about the history of wine-making in the Cape, as well as having tastings and a lunch with wine included at one of the estates or wineland area restaurants. Overnight in the Cape Winelands. D'Ouwe Werf Inn (proposed). Breakfast and lunch (dinner on your own).
Day 16: Departure from Cape Town. Breakfast. Bon Voyage!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner daily; some lunches
- All accommodation, transport, internal flights, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
- Gratuities for drivers, local guides, restaurant staff, porters
- Airport transfers for land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Price Excludes:
- Tour Leader gratuities, most lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), international (if applicable) and domestic air and airport taxes, visa fees, and any excursions referenced as 'optional'
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers
- Optional trip cancellation insurance
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on shopping, visas, and locally paid departure taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Mozambique
Swaziland
Wildlife Viewing
Ecotourism
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