A glorious 14-day southern African experience, where you’ll see and savour the immense richness of the country. From the wilds of Kruger National Park to the cosmopolitan sophistication of Cape Town, you’ll come to understand why South African is dubbed A World in One Country.

This tour departs weekly on a Sunday Covering 5 of South Africa’s Provinces and Two Countries

A Fully Escorted Tour

Route:

Johannesburg • Mpumulanga • Kruger National Park • Swaziland • Zululand • Durban • Port Elizabeth • Knysna • Oudtshoorn • Cape Town This tour departs on a Sunday, ending on a Saturday

DAY 1 – SUNDAY JOHANNESBURG

On arrival in Johannesburg at OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. Johannesburg is the largest and most populous city in South Africa. It is also the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the magnificent suburban shopping malls or take an optional afternoon Soweto Tour (own account). At 19h00 we will meet up at reception for a briefing on the tour and a chance to meet fellow travellers.

Overnight: Protea Hotel Wanderers (standard room) or similar – Bed and Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 35 kms

DAY 2 – MONDAY JOHANNESBURG – MPUMALANGA

Depart Johannesburg after breakfast and head for Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, for a short orientation tour, before continuing to the Mpumalanga Province, known as ‘Paradise Country’. Dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical region of the Lowveld, we travel via the historic towns of Dullstroom and Lydenburg. After traversing the famous Long Tom Pass, we travel via Sabie and arrive late afternoon into Hazyview, the safari hub of the Kruger National Park.

Overnight: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel (standard room) or similar – Bed and Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 425 kms

DAY 3 – TUESDAY MPUMALANGA

After an early morning breakfast, we’ll drive along the spectacular ‘Panorama Route’, offering views of amazing scenery including the 26 kilometre-long Blyde River Canyon (home to the Three Rondavels), Bourke’s Luck Potholes’ and historic God’s Window, a breathtaking view (weather permitting) of the edge of the escarpment taking in the Kruger National Park.
We arrive back in Hazyview in the early afternoon, where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or join an afternoon game experience (optional and for own account).

Overnight: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel (standard room) or similar – Bed and Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 320 kms

DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY MPUMALANGA

The day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a thrilling open vehicle safari (with English speaking Safari Guide) through Kruger National Park with pre-packed breakfast. Kruger is one of the world’s greatest national parks, home to a stunning array of wildlife. Search for the ‘Big Five’ (rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, and elephant) as well as prolific birdlife and numerous other game. The afternoon is at leisure at your hotel. Late afternoon open vehicle game drives are available (optional and for own account).

Overnight: Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel (standard room) or similar – Bed and Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 120 kms

DAY 5 – THURSDAY MPUMALANGA – SWAZILAND

This morning we travel to Swaziland, an independent Kingdom within the borders of South Africa, known for its lovely scenery, crafts and colourful indigenous culture. An interactive cultural experience introduces us to the charming people of Swaziland and their traditions. We travel via the capital city, Mbabane, and on to the beautiful Ezulwini Valley for a true African shopping experience at the Ezulwini Craft Market which is packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings.

Overnight: Royal Swazi Sun (standard room) or similar – Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Distance travelled today: 310 kms

DAY 6 – FRIDAY SWAZILAND – ZULULAND

After breakfast we will continue south through Swaziland, before re-entering South Africa. Travel into Zululand, passing traditional round huts and endless vistas. There is an option to enjoy an afternoon open vehicle safari (optional and for own account with an English speaking Safari Guide) in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, which contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora and is particularly famous for its conservation of black and white rhino.
Overnight in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi region.

Overnight: Anew Hotel Hluhluwe and Safaris (standard room) or similar – Bed and Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 360 kms

DAY 7 – SATURDAY ZULULAND – DURBAN (UMHLANGA)

This morning we will join a cruise on Lake St Lucia (depending on favourable weather conditions) before departing for Durban. Our journey takes us past traditional Zulu Kraals, Eucalyptus plantations and sugar cane fields. We arrive early afternoon and the remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the golden beaches of the Indian Ocean. Overnight in Durban (Umhlanga).

Overnight : Protea Hotel Umhlanga (standard room) or similar – Bed and Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 275 kms

DAY 8 – SUNDAY DURBAN (UMHLANGA) – KNYSNA

After breakfast, transfer to Durban (Umhlanga) airport for the short southward flight to Port Elizabeth, where we will be met by our representative and once everyone has arrived, we set off to explore the magnificent beauty of the indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest. Visit the spectacularly beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River Mouth (weather permitting). We’ll arrive at our hotel in Knysna, known as the oyster box of South Africa, nestling on the banks of a beautiful lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route. Overnight in Knysna.

Overnight: Rex Hotel (standard room) or similar – Breakfast & Dinner
Distance travelled today: 360 kms

DAY 9 – MONDAY KNYSNA

After a leisurely breakfast we’ll enjoy a lagoon cruise to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, where we can take a trailer ride to the top of the Western Head to enjoy panoramic views of the town and lagoon, returning for lunch under the milkwood trees. The afternoon is at leisure to further explore this charming town set around a natural harbour lagoon.

Overnight: Rex Hotel (standard room) or similar -Breakfast & Lunch
Distance travelled today: 15 kms

DAY 10 – TUESDAY KNYSNA – OUDTSHOORN

Travel through the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn, known as the ‘ostrich capital’ and the centre of the world’s Ostrich farming industry. We’ll visit an Ostrich Farm for a guided tour and light lunch, before taking a tour of the spectacular limestone caverns of the Cango Caves, one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, in time to check in and relax before dinner (for own account).

Overnight in Oudtshoorn.

Overnight:  Hlangana Lodge (superior room) or similar – Breakfast & Lunch
Distance travelled today: 210 kms

DAY 11 – WEDNESDAY OUDTSHOORN – FRANSCHHOEK – CAPE TOWN

There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before travelling to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue to Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards, where French Huguenots settled more than 300 years ago, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture. From here you will be transferred to Cape Town, spectacularly set at the foot of Table Mountain.
Overnight in Cape Town

Overnight: President Hotel (standard mountain facing room) or similar – Bed & Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 468 kms

DAY 12 – THURSDAY CAPE TOWN (UNESCORTED)

Enjoy a full day at leisure. Perhaps join a sightseeing tour to Table Mountain (own account) or simply explore the city. Although a small city, Cape Town is packed with sightseeing attractions, excellent bars, cafes and restaurants as well as colourful craft markets. Alternatively relax on one of Cape Town’s many pristine beaches. Enjoy an evening of delicious Cape food, captivating theatre and entertaining tales and songs about the people of the Cape.

Overnight: President Hotel (standard mountain facing room) or similar – Breakfast & Dinner
Distance travelled today: 10 kms

DAY 13 – FRIDAY CAPE TOWN

Enjoy a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, offering some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Drive through Sea Point, the seaside village of Hout Bay (where you can enjoy an optional and for own account seal island boat cruise) and then on to Cape Point where (by tradition) it is said that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We’ll return to Cape Town by way of Simon’s Town, where we visit the Penguin colony at Boulders Beach (entrance fee for own account), Fish Hoek fishing village and Muizenberg. Overnight in Cape Town.

Overnight: President Hotel (standard mountain facing room) or similar – Bed & Breakfast
Distance travelled today: 200 kms

DAY 14 – SATURDAY CAPE TOWN

Enjoy some last minute shopping (unescorted) or sightseeing (own account). The Robben Island Tour (for own account and time permitting), which departs from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, offers a fascinating excursion or perhaps just wander through the variety of shops and boutiques catering for all tastes and budgets. Later you will be transferred to the airport, harbour or railway station for your onward journey. [Breakfast]

FRANSCHHOEK WINELANDS OPTION  -VALID for 2018 only

If you’ve always dreamed of experiencing an overnight in the scenic Cape Winelands, then this option is for you. You will have the opportunity to maximise your experience of picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality and fine wines, thereafter rejoining the tour with minimum disruption.

DAY 11 – WEDNESDAY OUDTSHOORN – FRANSCHHOEK

There is an option (for own account and subject to availability) to enjoy an early morning Meerkat Safari. Witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities (weather permitting). After this thrilling experience, head back for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, the journey continues through the ‘Little Karoo’ to Barrydale, where you will have the opportunity to visit a local farm school, interact with the children and teachers, spending time with them in the classroom learning more about the local farming community, before travelling to Montagu, a picturesque and historic spa town. (The school visit is subject to the school being open). Continue to Franschhoek, a picturesque village surrounded by spectacular vineyards, where French Huguenots settled more than 300 years ago, bringing with them their age-old French wine and food culture. Overnight in Franschhoek. [Breakfast]

DAY 12 – THURSDAY FRANSCHHOEK – CAPE TOWN

After a leisurely breakfast, your story telling guide will take you through Franschhoek village, sharing with you the fascinating history of the French Huguenots and the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Enjoy a wine tasting before continuing to Cape Town, where you’ll be rejoining the main tour.