The Best Of South Africa

Day 1 Cape Town, South Africa

Arrive Cape Town; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at The PortsWood Hotel or Similar

Day 2 Cape Town / Winelands

Full day Cape highlights tour travelling via Camps Bay, Hout Bay, and Chapman’s Peak to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. After enjoying stunning views from the highest point, continue towards Simonstown and Muizenberg. After lunch (not included), sample some South African wines at a local wine estate. Travel through the University town of Stellenbosch before returning to the hotel in the early evening. Please note: the drive along Chapman’s Peak is subject to the road being open.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at The PortsWood Hotel or Similar

Day 3 Capetown / Wilderness

Depart Cape Town driving over Du Toit’s Kloof Pass to the town of Robertson. We pass Montagu, a quaint country village and enjoy a wine tasting en¬route. This is followed by a traditional South African lunch (included) in a typical country restaurant in Barrydale. After lunch, we continue through the little Karoo, traversing the Tradouw Pass. Our journey to the beautiful Wilderness continues, visiting the Diaz Museum in Mossel Bay. Arriving at the village of Wilderness we check¬in and enjoy a superb dinner (not included) at the hotel or one of the nearby restaurants, located within walking distance.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 4 Wilderness / Knysna / Wilderness

From our hotel in Wilderness, we travel to Knysna to embark on the Featherbed Nature Reserve ferry from the Knysna Waterfront. On arrival we take a ‘Unimog’ (tractor driven wagon) ride to the top of the Western Head. An optional hike can be taken through the indigenous Knysna forest to the restaurant area where lunch (included) is served. On our return to Knysna we depart for an elephant experience, where we are able to enjoy a very close encounter with these gigantic mammals. Finally we take the scenic drive back to Wilderness for drop off at your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 5 Wilderness / Oudtshoorn / Wilderness

¬Klein Karoo Kaleidoscope Experience the stunning views of the Outeniqua Pass as we travel towards the Klein Karoo’s capital ¬Oudtshoorn. Here we visit the Safari Ostrich Ranch where we are given fun and detailed information about these strange flightless birds and their magnificent plumage. After enjoying a traditional ostrich lunch (included), we proceed on to the world famous Cango Caves, where a guided tour allows us to explore the ancient stalagmites and stalactites. We are then introduced to some rare and endangered animals on a fully guided tour at the Cango Wildlife Ranch. The day concludes with a scenic drive back to Wilderness where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 6 Wilderness / Knysna / Port Elizabeth

Leaving the quaint seaside village of Wilderness, we continue via Sedgefield to South Africa’s ‘Oyster Capital’, Knysna. After a short refreshment stop at Knysna’s East Head, continue via the ‘millionaires playground’ of Plettenberg Bay to the Tsitsikamma Forest area. Attractions here include the Big Tree. Remember to keep an eye out for the rare Knysna Loerie. After lunch (not included) at the scenic Storms River Mouth, gaze in awe at the scenery whilst crossing the suspension bridge over the Storms River where photographic opportunities abound. Leaving the Garden Route via the high forests of the Tsitsikamma we arrive in Port Elizabeth for drop off at your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Bushman Sands Hotel or Similar

Day 7 Port Elizabeth / Durban

Morning at leisure, semi¬private transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for flight to Durban (not included). Semi private transfer from Durban International Airport to your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hilton Durban or Similar

Day 8 Durban / Shakaland / Durban

Full day tour of Shakaland. 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 assegaai 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.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hilton Durban or Similar

Day 9 Durban / St Lucia / Maputaland

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 Reserve and enjoy a late afternoon game drive in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Return to the lodge for a hearty dinner served under the African sky (weather permitting).

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 10 Swaziland

After an early breakfast, leave your lodge and travel via the town of Pongola to enter the Kingdom of Swaziland. Drive via the Lebombo Mountains through North¬Eastern Swaziland. Leave Swaziland and travel via Nelspruit to arrive at your hotel, relax and enjoy dinner in the elegant dining room.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 11 Kruger National Park

After breakfast enter the world famous Kruger National Park established in 1898. This national park spans over two million hectares in unrivalled diversity of flora and fauna. Spend the day looking for the ‘Big Five’, general game and prolific bird life. Exit the park at Orpen Gate and arrive at your private game lodge for afternoon tea. Leave for your evening game drive in an open safari vehicle. Return to the lodge for a diverse selection of eclectic cuisine. 2 game viewing activities

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 12 Kruger National Park

Early morning game drive followed by breakfast. Experience the breathtaking Panorama Route featuring the Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, 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.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 13 Kruger National Park / Johannesburg

After a hearty breakfast on the verandah overlooking the Sabie River, our journey to Johannesburg begins with a visit to the Lone Creek Waterfall. Travel over the historical Long Tom Pass to the towns of Lydenburg, Dullstroom and Witbank. Our tour ends with a drop off at your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Courtyard Sandton or Similar

Day 14 Johannesburg / Depart

Enjoy a morning tour of Soweto including a fascinating glimpse of bustling neighbourhood life, two Nobel Prizewinners’ previous residences, the Hector Peterson memorial and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Return to your hotel by lunchtime and continue on a private transfer to O.R. Tambo Airport in time for your homebound flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast