Escorted Tour of South Africa Information
Depart From: Johannesburg
Depart Day: Monday
Depart Time: 8am
Return Time: 6pm
Min Passengers: 2
Note: Departure – Mondays at 08h00. We recommend booking flights out of Durban NO earlier than SAA 12h30 / 13h00.
This tour can also run in reverse. This tour is available in a northbound direction with departures on a Monday out of Cape Town.
Overview:
Embark on a 14 day escorted tour encompassing the best that South Africa has to offer in the way of scenery, wildlife and culture between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Enjoy all of this and superb cuisine, luxurious accommodation and true South African hospitality.
On your journey, we will have the opportunity to travel along the awe-inspiring Panorama Route and the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, search for the Big Five in the world renowned Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe Reserves and see magnificent game. Driving along the Swazi Mountain range, you will be able to experience Swazi and authentic Zulu culture and even enjoy a scenic trip up the Lebombo Mountains for sundowners!
You will then take your flight onward to Port Elizabeth / Durban (not included in cost) where you will explore the amazing Garden Route. Here you will have the opportunity to travel via the coastline to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. – described as the ‘garden of the Garden Route’. Continue on towards Plettenberg Bay – the sports paradise. While on your journey, you will be able to explore the gentle giants at Knysna Elephant Park and even visit a working ostrich farm in the feather capital of the world, Oudtshoorn before departing to your final destination – The beautiful “Mother City” of Cape Town.
Highlights:
• Panorama Route
• Kruger National Park safari
• Swaziland
• Zululand
• Multi-cultural experiences
• Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve safari
• UNESCO World Heritage Site – Isimangaliso Wetlands Park
• Durban’s beaches and Indian market
• Encounter with elephants
• Garden Route
• Route 62
• Cape Town City
• Cape Peninsula & Winelands
• Table Mountain
Package Includes:
• Transport in an air-conditioned luxury vehicle
• English speaking THETA registered tour guide
• Includes 13 Breakfasts, 7 Dinners and 1 Lunch
• 13 nights’ accommodation at luxury accommodation throughout
Package Excludes:
• Tour price does not include DUR / PLZ domestic flight
• Gratuities
• Items of a personal nature
• Visas
• International Flights
DAY 1 : Mpumalanga
| Depart Johannesburg and travel to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun – Mpumalanga – via the magnificent Panorama Route. The most spectacular stretch of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 33 km long gorge, which starts at “Bourke’s Luck Potholes” and ends at the “Three Rondavels”. Time and weather permitting, stop at God’s Window and the Mac Mac Falls. Late afternoon arrival at your hotel. Check in and freshen up before dinner. Overnight Perry’s Bridge Hollow (standard room) or similar.Accommodation : Overnight Perry’s Bridge Hollow (standard room) – Dinner |
DAY 2 : Kruger National Park
| Early this morning you will depart on an open vehicle safari through the Kruger National Park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. At nearly 2 million hectares, the reserve is the flagship of South African National Parks and is home to an impressive number of flora and fauna. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. You will have the option to return to the Kruger National Park to absorb the tranquil beauty of an evening safari (additional charge).Accommodation : Overnight Perry’s Bridge Hollow (standard room) – breakfast & Dinner |
DAY 3 : Swaziland
| After breakfast, travel to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. This tiny mountainous kingdom is filled with bygone African traditions and culture and offers beautiful scenery and attractions such as game reserves and art & craft outlets to name a few. Enjoy a showcase of the traditional Swazi culture followed by lunch at the Matsamo Cultural Village. Continue to the Ngwenya Glass Works to see master craftsmen create beautiful sculptures and artwork from molten glass. After spending some time at the Mbabane craft markets, arrive at your hotel located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.Accommodation : Overnight Royal Swazi Sun (standard room) – Breakfast & Lunch |
DAY 4 : Mkuze
| Enjoy a morning visit to the Swazi Candle Factory where each candle is made and finished by hand using the age-old technique “millefiore”. No two are the same and the range boasts an astonishing array of patterns, shapes and designs. Continue via Big Bend into KwaZulu Natal. Arrive at your hotel in the afternoon, in time to embark on an afternoon scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains, offering views over Lake Jozini. At the summit and as the setting sun transforms the sky into a tapestry of colours, stop for sundowners. The drive will be combined with a visit to a local and authentic Zulu homestead for a glimpse into Zulu life in today’s world. Return to the hotel for dinner on the terrace (weather permitting) or in the classically styled restaurant.Accommodation : Overnight Ghost Mountain Inn (standard room) – Breakfast & Dinner |
DAY 5 : Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve
| Enjoy the morning at leisure to embark on any of the activities on offer from the hotel. After lunch (to own account), you will transfer to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon of game viewing. The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve covers a combined area of 90 000ha and it was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. End the day with dinner at the hotel.Accommodation : Overnight Ghost Mountain Inn (standard room) – Breakfast & Dinner |
DAY 6 : St Lucia Wetland Park
| Continue the journey along the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal to St Lucia, located at the southern extremity of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site. Here you embark on an estuarine boat trip which provides an opportunity to view crocodiles, hippo and numerous bird species, including the elusive African Kingfisher Eagle, in their natural habitat. Continue to Durban, where east meets west; a city beneath which beats the pulse of Africa. Arrive during the afternoon at your hotel which is located on the Gold Mile – Durban’s distinctive beach front.Accommodation : Overnight Protea Hotel Edward Durban (standard room) – Breakfast |
DAY 7 : Durban to Port Elizabeth
| This morning you will embark on a brief Durban City Tour where you will spend the morning discovering the cultural and historical contrasts of the city. Check in at Durban International Airport for your domestic flight to Port Elizabeth (flight cost not included). On arrival at Port Elizabeth Airport, transfer to your hotel. Overnight Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth (standard room) or similar.Accommodation : Overnight Radisson Blu Port Elizabeth (standard room) – Breakfast |
DAY 8 : Tsitsikamma and Plettenberg Bay
| Depart Port Elizabeth and travel via the coastline to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Described as the ‘garden of the Garden Route’, the Tsitsikamma actually deserves a more vivid description to encapsulate the beauty of the place. Enjoy a walk along the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth gorge which offers visitors incredible views and photo opportunities. Continue to Plettenberg Bay for dinner and overnight.Accommodation : Overnight Hog Hollow Country Lodge (standard room) – Breakfast & Dinner |
DAY 9 : Knysna
| After breakfast, get up-close-and-personal with nature at the Knysna Elephant Park. With the help of the resident African elephants and the well-informed guides, you will learn about the sad and mystical story of the Knysna Elephants. The visit presents you with the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph these gentle giants. After lunch (to own account), travel to Plettenberg Bay for a visit to Birds of Eden – the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world. Birds of Eden stems from the need to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds and the sanctuary also enables bird owners to apply to release their pet birds into the sanctuary, after undergoing rehabilitation. Time permitting you have the option of embarking on a Whale & Dolphin boat experience (weather permitting and to own account) before returning to the lodge.Accommodation : Overnight The Country House (standard room) – Breakfast & Dinner |
DAY 10 : Knysna to Oudtshoorn
| After breakfast and check-out formalities, proceed on an informative cruise up the Keurbooms River. Continue to the lagoon side town of Knysna – the gem of the Garden Route. Enjoy some time at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront Complex before travelling to Oudtshoorn – the ‘feather capital’ of the world due to its large ostrich industry. Visit a working ostrich farm for a guided tour. Check into your accommodation in the late afternoon before enjoying dinner.Accommodation : Overnight De Opstal Country Lodge (standard room) – Breakfast & Dinner |
DAY 11 : Cango Caves to Cape Town
| Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Enjoy a morning tour of the Cango Caves before departing Oudtshoorn. The Cango Caves is one of the natural wonders of the world and has become a major draw-card to the Karoo area. Afterward, travel via Route 62 to Barrydale for lunch (to own account). Arrive in Cape Town around 18h00.Accommodation : Overnight Pepperclub Luxury Hotel and Spa (standard room) – Breakfast |
DAY 12 : Cape Point and Peninsula
| This morning you will be collected for your scheduled full day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour – an awe-inspiring tour passing magnificent beaches, breathtaking views and historic & picturesque coastal villages to the towering headland known as Cape Point. The tour ends upon return to your hotel during the late afternoon.Accommodation : Overnight Pepperclub Luxury Hotel and Spa (standard room) – Breakfast |
DAY 13 : Cape Winelands
| Today you embark on a scheduled full day Cape Winelands Tour. This is a delightful drive, which winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Return to Cape Town during the late afternoon.Accommodation : Overnight Pepperclub Luxury Hotel and Spa (standard room) – Breakfast |
DAY 14 : Cape Town
| Breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Morning collection from the hotel for a scheduled City Tour – a geographical and cultural extravaganza showing you Cape Town from its historical beginnings to the dazzling modern shopping malls of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Your tour ends with drop-off at Cape Town International Airport. |
PACKAGE PRICE
01 September 2014 to 30 September 2014
Single – USD3248.00
Double – USD5186.00
01 October 2014 to 31 December 2014
Single – USD3563.00
Double – USD5586.00
01 January 2015 to 30 April 2015
Single – USD4264.00
Double – USD6684.00
01 May 2015 to 30 September 2015
Single – USD3887.00
Double – USD6206.00
01 October 2015 to 31 December 2015
Single – USD4264.00
Double – USD6684.00
